State answers repeal by FCC
OLYMPIA, Wash. — Washington became the first state Monday to set up its own net neutrality requirements after U.S. regulators repealed Obama-era rules that banned internet providers from blocking content or interfering with online traffic.
“We know that when D.C. fails to act, Washington state has to do so,” Gov. Jay Inslee said before signing the measure that lawmakers passed with bipartisan support. “We know how important this is.”
The Federal Communications Commission voted in December to gut U.S. rules that meant to prevent broadband companies such as Comcast, AT&T and Verizon from exercising more control over what people watch and see on the internet. The regulations also prohibited providers from favoring some sites and apps over others.
Because the FCC prohibited state laws from contradicting its decision, opponents of the Washington law have said it would lead to lawsuits.
Inslee said he was confident of its legality, saying “the states have a full right to protect their citizens.”
Executives tossed out of Trump Hotel in Panama
PANAMA CITY — Trump Hotel executives have been ousted from Panama's Trump Hotel on Monday, as Panamanian officials stepped in to resolve a 12-day standoff between Trump's company and the property's owners.
Trump's security guards also left the property, and crews immediately began stripping Trump's name from the building. A Panamanian judge and armed police officers escorted the head of the hotel's owner association into the luxury property on Panama Bay. A legal dispute over the property continues.
EPA appointee can consult for outside clients
WASHINGTON — A key aide to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt has been granted permission to make extra money consulting for private clients.
But their identities are being kept secret. Democrats on the House Energy and Commerce Committee released a letter approving outside employment contracts for Jon Konkus.
Konkus didn't respond to requests for comment.
Journalists will review news sites in new venture
NEW YORK — Investors say they're setting up a website to scope out fake news.
The new site NewsGuard will use journalists to check the veracity of more than 7,500 news and information websites, and deliver reviews direct to consumers.
Steve Brill, who founded Court TV and the short-lived journalism magazine Brill's Content, leads the venture that's due to begin publishing this fall.
State sues Uber over data theft by hackers
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania's attorney general is suing the ridehailing company Uber, saying it broke state law when it failed to notify thousands of drivers for a year that hackers stole their personal information.
The lawsuit filed Monday in Philadelphia said hackers stole the names and driver’s license numbers of at least 13,500 Pennsylvania Uber drivers.
It accuses Uber of violating a state law to notify people of a data breach within a reasonable time frame. Washington and Chicago have also sued.
Nordstrom family rejected by store in takeover bid
Department store operator Nordstrom said Monday it had rejected a takeover offer from members of the Nordstrom family, calling the price “inadequate.”
The family group, including co-presidents Blake, Peter and Erik Nordstrom, offered $50 in cash for each share of the company that the family doesn’t own, plus the same price for 21 percent of the company that individual family members own.
In total, the family members — who are descendants of founder John W. Nordstrom — own a 30 percent stake in the company, according to FactSet.
A special committee for the company’s board of directors said it rejected the offer and said it will stop discussions with the family members unless they can increase the price.
In other news …
The Treasury Department auctioned $51 billion in three-month bills at a discount rate of 1.660 percent, up from 1.645 percent last week. Another $45 billion in six-month bills was auctioned at a discount rate of 1.830 percent, steady from last week.
The Federal Reserve said the average yield for one-year Treasury bills rose to 2.05 percent from 2.03 percent.