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FCC Wireline Competition Bureau Issues Public Notice: Commission Reauthorizes, Re-Obligates Rural Digital Opportunity Fund
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 10-90):
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The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) reauthorizes and re-obligates Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (Enhanced A-CAM) support for Elizabeth Telephone Company, L.L.C. (Elizabeth Telephone) Louisiana Study Area Code (SAC) 270430, and Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) support for CableSouth Media III, LLC d/b/a Swyft Fiber Louisiana SAC 279061 (collectively, transferring SACs)./1
Pursuant to this public notice, the amount
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WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau issued the following public notice (WC Docket No. 10-90):
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The Wireline Competition Bureau (Bureau) reauthorizes and re-obligates Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model (Enhanced A-CAM) support for Elizabeth Telephone Company, L.L.C. (Elizabeth Telephone) Louisiana Study Area Code (SAC) 270430, and Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) support for CableSouth Media III, LLC d/b/a Swyft Fiber Louisiana SAC 279061 (collectively, transferring SACs)./1
Pursuant to this public notice, the amountof Enhanced A-CAM support authorized for SAC 270430 is revised to $49,972,053.00, over the 15-year support term (a reduction of $1,598,323.40 from the original authorized amount of $51,570,376.40). The Bureau also reduces the number of obligated locations for this study area from 12,916 to 12,717 and the number of required locations from 6,265 to 6,082./2
The Bureau also reauthorizes RDOF support for SAC 279061 to $141,978,681.76 over the 10-year support term (a reduction of $344,615.04 from the original authorized amount of $142,323,296.80)./3
The Bureau takes this action in connection with the Bureau's approval, pursuant to section 214(a) of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, and section 63.04 of the Commission's rules,/4 of an application requesting Commission consent to transfer control of certain wholly owned subsidiaries of American Broadband Holding Company (American Broadband)/5 to CSM Intermediate II, LLC as of July 9, 2026,/6 and the consummation of this transaction as of July 21, 2026./7
As part of this approval, and consistent with the acknowledgements and commitments to good stewardship of High Cost Universal Service Fund (USF) support made by parties to this transaction,/8 the Bureau modifies the support and obligations of the transferring SACs to remove, on a pro rata basis, eligibility for High Cost support for Broadband Serviceable Locations (BSLs) where one or more affiliates on one side of the transaction has already served with fixed broadband service at speeds that meet or exceed 100/20 Mbps in supported areas of one or more affiliates on the opposite side of the transaction./9 We further relieve the relevant authorized party from any program-specific obligations associated with these locations, including deployment obligations.
The authorized parties remain obligated to serve all other support-eligible locations and to otherwise comply with the terms of their respective support programs and eligible telecommunications carrier (ETC) status, including all administrative, performance, and deployment obligations, and any potential consequences for noncompliance with such requirements.
The Bureau releases with this public notice a supplemental Reauthorization Report for the Enhanced A-CAM support./10
The Bureau authorizes and directs USAC to re-obligate the revised support amounts, as described herein, and to amortize the support reduction across each remaining monthly disbursement of support.
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Footnotes:
1/ Wireline Competition Bureau Authorizes 368 Companies in 44 States to Receive Enhanced Alternative Connect America Cost Model Support to Expand Rural Broadband, WC Docket No. 10-90, Public Notice, 39 FCC Rcd 11737 (WCB 2023); Wireline Competition Bureau Announces Final Eligible Locations File and Support Amounts for Enhanced Alternative Connect America Model Mechanism, WC Docket No. 10-90, 40 FCC Rcd 10280 (WCB 2025); Authorization Report 1.3 (Dec. 30, 2025), https://www.fcc.gov/document/updated-final-eligible-locationsand-support-amounts-e-acam-0.
2/ "Required locations" are locations within the carrier's study area that were, according to BDC availability data as of December 31, 2023, without 100/20 Mbps or faster service or an enforceable commitment to deploy such service, to which the Enhanced A-CAM-electing carrier must deploy 100/20 Mbps or faster service by the end of 2028, while "obligated locations" (units) include both required unserved locations and carrier-served locations where 100/20 Mbps service must be maintained. See https://www.fcc.gov/wireline-competition/interim-required-locations. The adjusted deployment milestone obligations for this SAC are modified as follows: 1) adjusted 50% milestone, 3,041; 2) adjusted 75% milestone, 4,562. Connect America Fund; ETC Annual Reports and Certifications; Telecommunications Carriers Eligible to Receive Universal Service Support; Connect America fund - Alaska Plan; Expanding Broadband Service Through the ACAM Program, WC Docket Nos. 10-90, 14-58, 09-197, and 16-271; RM-1168, Report and Order, Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, and Notice of Inquiry, 38 FCC Rcd 7040,7062, para. 48 (2023) (providing that carriers electing to receive Enhanced A-CAM support are required to complete deployment to 50% of their required locations by December 31, 2026, to 75% of their required locations by December 31, 2027, and to all required locations by December 31, 2028) (Enhanced A-CAM Report and Order).
3/ The adjusted deployment milestone obligations for this SAC are modified as follows: 1) adjusted 40% milestone, 20,921 locations; 2) adjusted 60% milestone, 31,381 locations; and 3) adjusted 80% milestone, 41,842 locations. RDOF support recipients must deploy service to an increasing percentage of the authorized locations as of December 31st of each year beginning with a 40% milestone as of the third year of receiving support (for carriers authorized in 2022, as here, the end of 2025), 60% as of the fourth year (2026), an 80% milestone as of the fifth year (2027), and a 100% milestone as of the sixth year (2028). 47 CFR Sec. 54.802(c); see Rural Digital Opportunity Fund et al., WC Docket Nos. 19-126, 10-90, Report and Order, 35 FCC Rcd 686, 709-12, paras. 45-55 (2020) (Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Order). The Commission will then adjust the initial defined deployment obligation assigned to each RDOF support recipient based on its determination of the number of locations within the supported area, without increasing or decreasing the authorized RDOF support, within a 35% margin of that support amount, consistent with RDOF requirements and rules. 47 CFR Sec. 54.802(c); Rural Digital Opportunity Fund Order, 35 FCC Rcd at 710-11, paras. 49-50.
4/ See 47 U.S.C. Sec. 214(a); 47 CFR Sec. 63.04.
5/ The affiliates transferred pursuant to this transaction are: 1) Cameron Communications, L.L.C. (Cameron Communications); 2) Cameron Telephone Company, L.L.C. (Cameron Telephone); 3) Elizabeth Telephone Company, L.L.C. (Elizabeth Telephone; 4) LBH, L.L.C. (LBH); 5) Moundville Telephone Company, Inc. (Moundville Telephone); and 6) MTC Long Distance, Inc. (MTC).
6/ See Domestic Section 214 Application Filed for the Transfer of Control of the Fastwyre Licensees from America Broadband Holding Company to CSM Intermediate II, LLC, WC Docket No. 25-353, Public Notice, DA 26-690 (WCB July 9, 2026) (Transfer Public Notice).
7/ See Letter from Elizabeth R. Park, Counsel to CSM Intermediate II, LLC, WC Docket No. 25-353 (filed July 24, 2026). CSM Holding Company, LLC (CSM Holding), which pre-transaction held no affiliate receiving Enhanced A-CAM support, is the post-consummation indirect parent of four transferring licensees receiving Enhanced ACAM support, including 1) Cameron Telephone-Texas SAC 440425, 2) Cameron Telephone Company-Louisiana SAC 270425, 3) Moundville Telephone Company-Alabama SAC 250307, and 4) Elizabeth Telephone Company 270430. CSM Holding will hold the administrative SAC for the state of Louisiana for SACs 270430 and 270425, and for Cameron Telephone Company-Texas SAC 440425. Enhanced A-CAM Authorization Report 1.3; Enhanced A-CAM Report and Order 38 FCC Rcd at 7081, para. 98 (explaining that Enhanced A-CAM elections are to be made on a state-by-state basis, resulting in the aggregation of all single Enhanced A-CAM offers to individual incumbent LECs under a holding company).
8/ Transfer Public Notice at 2-3.
9/ See id.
10/ See Reauthorization Report (July 31, 2026), https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-424021A1.xlsx. The Bureau will also periodically release revised Enhanced A-CAM Authorization Reports that incorporate all required changes associated with reauthorizations of Enhanced A-CAM support, including the support so reauthorized by this public notice.
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Original text here: https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DA-26-810A1.pdf
ICYMI: Members of the CFTC's Agricultural Advisory Committee Join Chairman Selig in Washington at First Meeting of 2026
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: Members of the CFTC's Agricultural Advisory Committee Join Chairman Selig in Washington at First Meeting of 2026
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WASHINGTON -The Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Wednesday held its first Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting of 2026 in Washington. Following opening remarks from CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and AAC Chairman Ed Prosser, membership discussed the Basel III proposal, risk management tools for agricultural end users, 24/7 trading
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Commodity Futures Trading Commission issued the following news release:
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ICYMI: Members of the CFTC's Agricultural Advisory Committee Join Chairman Selig in Washington at First Meeting of 2026
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WASHINGTON -The Commodity Futures Trading Commission on Wednesday held its first Agricultural Advisory Committee meeting of 2026 in Washington. Following opening remarks from CFTC Chairman Michael S. Selig, Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), and AAC Chairman Ed Prosser, membership discussed the Basel III proposal, risk management tools for agricultural end users, 24/7 tradingand emerging markets, and recent CFTC activity in the agricultural industry.
At 1 p,m. ET, Chairman Selig convened the meeting and delivered opening remarks. "President Reagan remarked that 'this Commission is one of my favorites because it proves that government can do a good job without soaking up the taxpayers' money or overregulating the marketplace' and it 'does its job without hindering industry growth and innovation.' It's my hope as Chairman to ensure that President Reagan's words continue to ring true today and for years to come," said Chairman Selig. Watch his full remarks here.
Following Chairman Selig's remarks, Senator Tuberville addressed AAC membership. "Don't let your problems go unsolved because they can be solved up here... Let's make farming better. Let's give the farmers a chance," said Senator Tuberville. Watch his full remarks here.
Following Senator Tuberville's remarks, Chairman Prosser addressed AAC membership. "This is the venue where we can explore ways that new technology could promote new efficiencies in our markets, and, even more importantly, where market structures designed for different commodities might not benefit, or might even hurt, the efficiencies our markets have today. The insight and expertise around this table will be essential as we work through them," said Chairman Prosser. Watch his full remarks here.
At 1:20 p.m. ET, representatives from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Reserve Board, and Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation delivered a presentation on the Basel III Proposal followed by AAC member discussion. Watch the presentation here.
At 1:45 p.m. ET, CFTC Division of Data Director Jessica Harris delivered a presentation on the Commitments of Traders (COT) Report followed by AAC member discussion. Watch the presentation here.
At 2:05 p.m. ET, AAC Chairman Posser convened a panel on potential gaps in risk management tools for agricultural end users featuring representatives from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and AAC members from the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Cattlemen's Beef Association, and National Corn Growers Association followed by AAC member discussion. Watch the panel here.
At 3:10 p.m. ET, Liam Smith, AAC member representing PTG, delivered a presentation on perpetual futures' funding rate mechanism followed by AAC member discussion. Watch the presentation here.
At 4 p.m. ET, Chairman Selig adjourned the meeting.
-CFTC-
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Original text here: https://www.cftc.gov/PressRoom/PressReleases/9275-26
FDIC Publishes June Enforcement Actions
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued the following news release:
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FDIC Publishes June Enforcement Actions
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WASHINGTON - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today published a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in June 2026. There are no administrative hearings scheduled for August 2026.
The FDIC issued 15 orders in June 2026. The administrative enforcement actions in those orders consisted of one consent order; four orders terminating consent orders; one combined consent order and order
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued the following news release:
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FDIC Publishes June Enforcement Actions
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WASHINGTON - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) today published a list of orders of administrative enforcement actions taken against banks and individuals in June 2026. There are no administrative hearings scheduled for August 2026.
The FDIC issued 15 orders in June 2026. The administrative enforcement actions in those orders consisted of one consent order; four orders terminating consent orders; one combined consent order and orderto pay; two orders of prohibition; two orders to pay civil money penalties; and five orders of termination of insurance.
To view orders, adjudicated decisions and notices and the administrative hearing details online, please visit the FDIC's web page by clicking the link below.
June Enforcement Decisions and Orders
#Contact(s)
MediaRequests@fdic.gov
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Original text here: https://www.fdic.gov/news/press-releases/2026/fdic-publishes-june-enforcement-actions
FDIC Board Approves Proposal to Amend Regulations Regarding Lending Limits for Bank Insiders
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued the following news release:
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FDIC Board Approves Proposal to Amend Regulations Regarding Lending Limits for Bank Insiders
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WASHINGTON-The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Directors today approved a notice of proposed rulemaking that would raise and index thresholds for certain lending limits for executive officers and other insiders of FDIC-supervised institutions. The proposed rule seeks to ensure that the FDIC's lending thresholds to insiders align with those proposed by the Board of Governors
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation issued the following news release:
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FDIC Board Approves Proposal to Amend Regulations Regarding Lending Limits for Bank Insiders
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WASHINGTON-The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Board of Directors today approved a notice of proposed rulemaking that would raise and index thresholds for certain lending limits for executive officers and other insiders of FDIC-supervised institutions. The proposed rule seeks to ensure that the FDIC's lending thresholds to insiders align with those proposed by the Board of Governorsof the Federal Reserve (FRB) under Regulation O of the Federal Reserve Act.
Federal statutes and related regulations govern extensions of credit to executive officers, directors, principal shareholders, and their related interests (collectively, insiders) by FDIC-supervised institutions. The proposed rule would update certain dollar thresholds to reflect inflation and economic growth that has occurred since they were adopted several decades ago. The proposed rule would also streamline the thresholds to simplify compliance and provide for future automatic adjustments to account for changing economic conditions.
The FDIC's proposed changes are consistent with those proposed by the FRB. By updating these thresholds to reflect current and future economic conditions and aligning them with the FRB's Regulation O proposal, the FDIC would standardize compliance and avoid disparate treatment between FDIC-supervised institutions and other insured depository institutions.
Comments on the attached proposal are due 60 days after the date of publication in the Federal Register.
#Attachment(s)
Federal Register Notice - NPR Extensions of Credit to Insiders of FDIC-supervised Institutions (PDF)
#Contact(s)
MediaRequests@fdic.gov
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Original text here: https://www.fdic.gov/news/press-releases/2026/fdic-board-approves-proposal-amend-regulations-regarding-lending-limits
CPSC Issues Recall Alert Involving Woodure Toddler Kitchen Step Stools
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert:
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Name of Product: Woodure Toddler Kitchen Step Stools
Hazard: The recalled tower stools can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child's torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury and death due to tip over, fall and entrapment hazards.
Remedy: Repair
Recall Date: July 30, 2026
Units: About 91,000
Consumer Contact: Shenzhen Muqiqu Creative Development at 844-687-1918 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday or by email at
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert:
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Name of Product: Woodure Toddler Kitchen Step Stools
Hazard: The recalled tower stools can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child's torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury and death due to tip over, fall and entrapment hazards.
Remedy: Repair
Recall Date: July 30, 2026
Units: About 91,000
Consumer Contact: Shenzhen Muqiqu Creative Development at 844-687-1918 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday or by email atwoodure-service@hotmail.com, online at https://www.wwoodure.com/recall or https:///www.wwoodure.com click on "Safety Recall" at the top of the page for more information.
Recall Details
Description: This recall involves Woodure-branded children's tower kitchen step stools, models WD1764, WD1357, and WD1720. The tower stools were sold in plywood and measure 18 inches deep by 16.9 inches wide by 34.6 inches tall. The model number is engraved on the underside of the bottom step.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled tower stools immediately and store them away from children. Contact Shenzhen Muqiqu Creative Development for a repair kit, which includes protective nets, stabilizing feet and installation instructions. The firm will mail the free repair kit directly to consumers.
Incidents/Injuries: Woodure has received 22 reports of instability or tip-overs, including 15 reported injuries with scrapes, cuts and bruises.
Sold Online At: Amazon.com from July 2024 through June 2026 for between $60 and $100.
Importer(s): Shenzhen Muqiqu Creative Development Co. Ltd., of China
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 26-658
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Original text here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Woodure-Toddler-Kitchen-Step-Stools-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-and-Death-from-Entrapment-and-Fall-Hazards-Imported-by-Shenzhen-Muqiqu-Creative-Development
CPSC Issues Recall Alert Involving OCTROT Electric Throws & Blankets
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert:
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Name of Product: OCTROT Electric Throws and Blankets
Hazard: The electrical cord on the recalled throws and blankets can detach and ignite, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire, burn and shock hazards.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: July 30, 2026
Units: About 178,000
Consumer Contact: OCTROT toll-free at 800-928-1807 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at OctrotRecall@gmail.com or online at www.Octroct.com/recall for more information.
Recall Details
Description:
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert:
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Name of Product: OCTROT Electric Throws and Blankets
Hazard: The electrical cord on the recalled throws and blankets can detach and ignite, posing a risk of serious injury or death from fire, burn and shock hazards.
Remedy: Refund
Recall Date: July 30, 2026
Units: About 178,000
Consumer Contact: OCTROT toll-free at 800-928-1807 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, email at OctrotRecall@gmail.com or online at www.Octroct.com/recall for more information.
Recall Details
Description:This recall involves OCTROT-branded electrical throws and blankets. The sherpa, heated throws and blankets were sold in gray and yellow, white with gray, white with yellow, white with blue and white with red; and in five sizes: 50 inches by 62 inches, 50 inches by 60 inches, 62 inches by 84 inches, 64 inches by 84 inches and 84 inches by 90 inches. The throws and blankets have a white controller with five temperature settings. The controller's cord has two or four small holes at the lower connection point where it connects to the controller. The brand name and model number OCT-5060, OCT-5062, OCT-6248, OCT-7284 or OCT-8490 are printed on the product packaging.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled throws and blankets immediately and contact OCTROT for a full refund. Consumers will be asked to destroy the throws and blankets by unplugging the electrical cord and cutting it in half, and to send a photo of the destroyed product, showing the cut electrical cord, to OctrotRecall@gmail.com. Consumers should then dispose of the destroyed recalled products.
Incidents/Injuries: The firm has received 555 reports of blankets or throws melting, sparking and smoking, resulting in 27 fires and 15 burn or electrical shock injuries.
Sold Online At: Amazon.com from August 2021 through December 2025 for between $40 and $60.
Retailer: Hangzhouyuefangjiajuyongpinyouxiangongsi, dba OCTROT, of China
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 26-652
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Original text here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Heated-Sherpa-Throws-and-Blankets-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-or-Death-from-Fire-and-Burn-Hazards-Sold-on-Amazon-by-OCTROT
CPSC Issues Recall Alert Involving Mangohood Direct Kids Kitchen Standing Towers, Model LT003
WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert:
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Name of Product: Mangohood Direct Kids Kitchen Standing Towers, Model LT003
Hazard: The recalled tower stools can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child's torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury and death due to tip over, fall and entrapment hazards.
Remedy: Repair
Recall Date: July 30, 2026
Units: 105
Consumer Contact: Hangzhou Xinyanchuangxin by email at mangohood2021@163.com.
Recall Details
Description: This recall involves
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WASHINGTON, July 31 -- The Consumer Product Safety Commission issued the following recall alert:
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Name of Product: Mangohood Direct Kids Kitchen Standing Towers, Model LT003
Hazard: The recalled tower stools can collapse or tip over while in use, and a child's torso can fit through the openings on the front and back sides, posing a risk of serious injury and death due to tip over, fall and entrapment hazards.
Remedy: Repair
Recall Date: July 30, 2026
Units: 105
Consumer Contact: Hangzhou Xinyanchuangxin by email at mangohood2021@163.com.
Recall Details
Description: This recall involvesMangohood Direct-branded children's tower stools, model LT003. The tower stools were sold in natural bamboo, gray, and white, and measure about 35 inches tall by 16 inches wide and 18 inches deep.
Remedy: Consumers should stop using the recalled tower stools immediately and store them away from children until repaired. Contact Hangzhou Xinyanchuangxin for repair parts, which include stabilizing feet and installation instructions. The firm will mail the repair parts directly to consumers free of charge.
Incidents/Injuries: None reported
Sold Online At: Amazon.com from July 2025 through March 2026 for between $57 and $67.
Importer(s): Hangzhou Xinyanchuangxin Tech. Co., Ltd. dba Mangohood Direct, of China
Manufactured In: China
Recall number: 26-655
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Original text here: https://www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2026/Mangohood-Direct-Kids-Kitchen-Standing-Towers-Recalled-Due-to-Risk-of-Serious-Injury-and-Death-from-Entrapment-and-Fall-Hazards-Imported-by-Hangzhou-Xinyanchuangxin