federal agencies

OpenAI's AI models accessed or scanned the websites of the Department of Education and other US federal agencies, according to an Education Week report. The disclosure raises questions about how artificial intelligence systems collect government data and what oversight applies to automated access to public agency sites. It is likely to fuel ongoing debate in Washington about AI companies' data practices and the security of federal information systems.

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.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement is reported to be considering mobile detention units, while a shooting involving an agent in Texas has drawn widespread criticism. Together, the developments have intensified debate over immigration enforcement tactics and the use of force by federal agents.

Federal health officials are investigating an E. coli outbreak tied to raw milk cheese that has sickened 13 people across the United States, according to the FDA. Eight of those affected required hospitalization. The agency has not detailed which cheese products or brands are involved, and consumers are being advised to watch for updates as the investigation continues.

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 identified the cheese as the likely source of the infections. Raw milk products carry a higher risk of bacterial contamination because they are not pasteurized, and officials typically urge consumers to avoid affected products while the investigation continues.

Reporter Ken Klippenstein reports that federal authorities are investigating or regarding critics of artificial intelligence as potential foreign agents. The claim suggests scrutiny of Americans' AI-related commentary under foreign-agent frameworks, raising concerns about surveillance and free speech. Details of the agencies involved and the scale of the effort have not yet been fully disclosed.

The US Supreme Court has ruled that the federal government may use Social Security data to help identify noncitizens registered to vote. The decision, reported by The Washington Post, clears the way for expanded data-sharing between agencies to verify voter eligibility. Supporters call it a safeguard for election integrity, while critics warn it could enable improper purges of eligible voters.

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.

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.

The Department of Justice has announced a $1.7 billion 'Anti-Weaponization Fund' as part of a settlement resolving a lawsuit filed by Donald Trump against the IRS. Under the agreement, the money will reportedly be dedicated to preventing the politicized use of tax enforcement. The settlement follows Trump's long-standing claims that federal tax authorities were weaponized against him during and after his presidency.

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.