January 2025

Federal judge temporarily blocks Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans

A federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration freeze on federal grants and loans that could total trillions of dollars. U.S. District Judge Loren L. AliKhan blocked the action minutes before it was set to go into effect. The administrative stay pauses the freeze until Monday, Feb 3. The White House had planned to start the pause as they begin an across-the-board ideological review of federal spending. The plan sparked confusion and panic among organizations that rely on Washington for their financial lifeline.

Chairman Carr Ends Plan to Require Environmental Reviews for Infrastructure Builds

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr ended the FCC’s consideration of a rulemaking proposal that would have subjected tower builds to environmental reviews. That proposed rulemaking plan had been under consideration at the FCC since 2022. He said, “It is time for America to build. It is time to unleash the growth and opportunity that has been stifled by misguided and outdated infrastructure policies. Just look back at the last four years.

AT&T gets a bargain for some of its old copper coffers

AT&T talks a big talk about its fiber broadband ambitions. It’s also putting the pedal to the medal on copper retirement, with a new $850 million deal as the stepping stone. The operator disclosed it signed a sale-leaseback deal of 74 central office (CO) facilities—used to house and connect equipment for copper networks—to real estate developer Reign Capital.