WASHINGTON -- Today, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service (RUS) announced that they received almost 2,200 applications requesting nearly $28 billion in funding for proposed broadband projects. This is the first of three bidding rounds for the $7.2 billion in funds the NTIA will distribute.

DENVER--Thursday marks six months since the 150-year-old Rocky Mountain News published its final edition. Since then, Denver has become a testing ground for rethinking how journalism is done.

WASHINGTON -- Today, Google, Apple and AT&T responded to the Federal Communications Commission’s inquiries into iPhone users on AT&T’s network being denied access to the Google Voice application.

WASHINGTON -- Today, Free Press launched an online interactive tool to expose phony grassroots groups hired by big phone and cable companies to advance their political agenda.

WASHINGTON -- According to a new study from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, rural counties on the wrong side of the digital divide are at a major economic disadvantage compared to rural counties with high-speed Internet. The study shows that counties with broadband have stronger economic and employment growth than unserved rural areas do.

WASHINGTON -- Today, six consumer and public interest groups sent a letter to FCC Chair Julius Genachowski presenting a list of priorities for policy changes in broadband data collection. The letter calls for the completion of an open proceeding that would expand collection of broadband availability data and for the coordination of data-collection efforts between the NTIA broadband grant programs and the FCC.

WASHINGTON -- Today, Reps. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.) introduced the Internet Freedom Preservation Act of 2009 (H.R. 3458). This landmark legislation would protect Network Neutrality under the Communications Act, safeguarding the future of the open Internet and protecting Internet users from discrimination online.

WASHINGTON -- Today, Free Press filed reply comments with the Federal Communications Commission regarding the national broadband plan. The filing offers evidence that refutes many incumbents’ calls for continued deregulation and efforts to deter public interest action by the FCC.

WASHINGTON -- Today, in an attempt to curb mounting pressure from Congress and the Justice Department over exclusive handset deals, Verizon Wireless sent a letter to members of Congress announcing that it will limit exclusive deals to six months but only for the smallest carriers that do not pose major competitive threats.

WASHINGTON -- Today, Sen. <strong>Al Franken</strong> (D-Minn.) asked about the importance of Network Neutrality and the future of the open Internet during the Senate confirmation hearing for Supreme Court nominee <strong>Sonia Sotomayor</strong>.