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President Barack Obama is expected to sign a memorandum to nearly double the amount of federal and commercial spectrum available for smartphones and wireless Internet devices. The move is aimed at fostering investment and economic growth and creating jobs as information flowing over wireless networks continues to grow at a rapid pace.

Clear Channel spent $940,000 in the First Quarter lobbying the federal government, according to a recent disclosure report. The money was spent on trying to influence local radio ownership rules and other issues.

President Obama signed a memorandum today committing the government to provide 500 MHz worth of new broadband to ease the use of electronic equipment ranging from cell phones to laptop computers.

As rural communities struggle to create economic development and new jobs in a difficult economic climate, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) hosted FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski and approximately 100 Missouri leaders in a discussion about the need to expand broadband access in rural parts of Missouri and how the federal government can help.

The National Coalition of African American Owned Media (NCAAOM) filed an opposition to the Comcast-NBCU merger for its non-existent carriage of 100% African American owned channels widely distributed on its platform to approximately 24 million homes.

Some newspaper companies are trying to increase the number of direct hits they get from loyal readers by launching niche content sites and by closing off to non-paying readers and search crawlers. But it's clear where the sites today are getting most of their readers -- just under half come in from Google.

The Obama administration is seeking to nearly double the wireless communications spectrum available for commercial use over the next 10 years, an effort that could greatly enhance the ability of consumers to send and receive video and data with smartphones and other hand-held devices. But some aspects could be opposed by television broadcast and cable companies.

If a thief steals your cell phone and racks up an enormous bill that is atypical of your usual monthly charges, should you be responsible for the payment? The scenario is common enough to have a name: bill shock. In Europe, rules have been passed to prevent it. The FCC has been studying the issue, but has not proposed any rules to help consumers.

On June 25, Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) will hold a forum in Troy to discuss the need for broadband internet access in rural Missouri and to review ongoing efforts to expand access. McCaskill will be joined by FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.