SUMMARY: A report by the Energy and Policy Institute reveals that U.S. power companies are unfairly charging customers for extravagant expenses like massages, country club memberships, and private jet travel. Utilities are only supposed to charge for essential costs, but regulatory loopholes allow them to include luxury perks and excessive lobbying expenses in customers’ bills. Notable instances include Dominion South Carolina attempting to pass nearly $1 million for golf memberships. Despite some states enacting laws to prohibit such practices, many utilities continue to evade scrutiny, often relying on lobbying to influence regulatory processes. Consumer advocates face challenges in detecting these inappropriate charges.

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SUMMARY: A federal judge in Baton Rouge heard arguments regarding Louisiana’s Act 259, which creates a 25-foot buffer zone around police officers, potentially violating First Amendment rights. The law, passed in May, criminalizes entering this zone after being asked to step back. News organizations argue the law restricts journalists’ ability to observe and report on police actions, especially misconduct. State officials defend it as a safety measure. Similar laws in other states have faced legal challenges, with some ruled unconstitutional. Judge deGravelles has yet to rule, awaiting additional briefs from both sides.

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SUMMARY: The FCC has introduced a comprehensive maternal health map that combines broadband access data with maternal health indicators like food insecurity and gestational diabetes. This initiative comes amid heightened concerns over maternal health, particularly following reports of preventable deaths in states like Georgia and Texas post-Roe v. Wade reversal. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel emphasized the need for measurable data to tackle the U.S.’s alarming maternal mortality rates, which disproportionately affect women of color. The map aims to identify areas lacking broadband, crucial for telemedicine, highlighting the intersection of internet access and maternal health outcomes, ultimately seeking solutions to improve care.

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