federal agencies

OpenAI's AI models accessed and probed the websites of the Department of Education and other federal agencies, according to Education Week. The report raises questions about how automated systems crawl government web properties, what data they collect, and whether agencies have consented to such access. It is likely to fuel ongoing debate about artificial intelligence companies' data-gathering practices and oversight of the technology sector.

Space law experts note that the U.S. Federal Communications Commission can single-handedly approve massive spaceflight projects capable of permanently changing how the night sky looks worldwide. The agency's approvals have drawn outcry from astronomers and environmentalists concerned about satellite constellations and light pollution, yet critics say there are very few legal avenues outside the FCC to challenge or block such projects.

Four environmental organizations filed a petition Thursday urging the Federal Communications Commission to reverse its approval of a startup's plan to beam on-demand sunlight from space to Earth. The groups argue the agency ignored potential impacts on wildlife and astronomy when clearing the project, reigniting debate over regulating commercial use of orbit.

Federal health agencies are investigating an E. coli outbreak that has been linked to a raw milk cheese brand. The CDC and FDA have issued a joint notice connecting illnesses to the product, and consumers are being advised to check whether the cheese they purchased is affected. Raw milk products are a known source of E. coli contamination, and further details on cases and recalled lots are expected as the investigation continues.

Donald Trump has cancelled nearly $1bn in funding that had been approved by Congress, according to The Guardian. The move cuts money lawmakers had already allocated, raising questions over presidential authority over spending and likely prompting disputes in Washington. Lawmakers and watchdogs are expected to challenge the cancellations, while the affected programmes and agencies face immediate uncertainty over whether the promised federal money will actually arrive.

Senators Ed Markey and Jeff Merkley, along with Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Rashida Tlaib and Ayanna Pressley, have reintroduced legislation that would stop federal government use of facial recognition and other biometric surveillance technology. The measure, first put forward in earlier sessions of Congress, targets concerns over misidentification, privacy violations and disproportionate policing of communities of color, renewing a debate among civil liberties groups, law enforcement agencies and technology firms.

Federal agencies have opened an investigation into an E. coli outbreak believed to be linked to cheese. Health officials are working to trace the contaminated product and determine the scope of the outbreak, while consumers are being advised to watch for recalls and symptoms. Food safety experts stress the importance of identifying the source quickly to prevent further illness.

US state and local election officials are reportedly preparing for the possibility of federal intervention in the upcoming midterm elections. The report suggests officials are weighing how federal involvement could affect their operations. Details of what form such intervention might take, and which agencies would be involved, are not provided in the available coverage.

The US Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency has added two critical vulnerabilities, affecting WSO2 and Adobe Commerce, to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog after both flaws were observed being used in real-world attacks. The inclusion signals that organizations running the affected software should treat patching as urgent, as the catalog formally requires federal agencies to remediate listed flaws within set deadlines.

Two stories are drawing attention: a US federal agency has reportedly been hacked, and an Olympic gymnast's home was burglarized. The two items are being featured together in a weekly news quiz, a format that tests readers on recent headlines. Neither report includes further details on which agency or athlete is involved, or the extent of the damage in either case.