California faces pressure to accept $1.42 billion in federal broadband funding, but the grant's Condition 50 would require the state to surrender 14 years of consumer and public-safety protections against major internet providers. The state can challenge this restriction in court before accepting the money, preserving its ability to enforce net neutrality and emergency response laws.
In 1985, GE acquired RCA for $6 billion in an all-cash deal to gain control of NBC, one of the big three broadcasters. By selling off RCA's other assets, GE essentially acquired NBC for free, and the network generated over $30 billion in operational cash flows during GE's 27-year ownership before being sold to Comcast for $22.9 billion total, demonstrating a masterclass in conglomerate acquisition strategy.