(((haroldfeld)))

Senior Vice President, Public Knowledge.

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

Me after a 3 hour hearing on highly technical GPS issues where members actually had real questions.
https://t.co/VLmyF5uYhX

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

That hearing was a total blast. But long!

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

I'm testifying today at the House E&C hearing on GPS and other positioning, navigation and timing systems. Yes, it features NextNav, but my focus is GPS as public good. Tune in at 10:15 am ET. https://t.co/nVewumJpWM

[Capital Weather @capitalweather]

A drought watch is now in effect, following persistent and unusually dry conditions that are expected to last, the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments (COG) announced Wednesday.

The DC area, and Potomac River watershed more broadly, are dealing with long-term drought conditions. Some easing occurred in mid- to late May, when measurable and beneficial rain fell on 10 straight days.

But DC's year-to-date deficit is 4.33 inches, and the 12-month total of 29.55 inches is 12.27 inches below average. Ten of the last of 12 months have been below average, and the story is the same across the area.

“Our region hasn’t seen extremely dry conditions like this in about two decades when local leaders and COG first established a drought response plan to support coordination and communication regionwide,” said Clark Mercer, COG executive director.

Wednesday's announcement also noted recent rains follow historically low streamflow levels. Amid an episode of high temperatures that overlapped March and April, the Potomac River reached its lowest level observed during the modern record.

A drought watch from COG highlights the risk of dry conditions and encourages smart water use. Ways to limit use include reducing showers, fixing any plumbing leaks, and sweeping sidewalks instead of using a hose.

DC is currently in a Level 2 of 4 drought, termed "severe," according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The drought reached severe levels in mid-April, but either some level of drought or unusual dryness have affected the region since at least 2024.

The last drought watch from COG was in effect between July 2024 to June 2025. A drought warning has never been issued by COG since the system went into place in 2000.

While drought is a frequent aspect of the DC area climate, recent dryness ranks among some of the most pronounced episodes in modern history. Response to past significant droughts — reservoirs, monitoring and more — means today's similar conditions do not tend to come with major water availability concerns.

Chances for useful rain in our near future are not too promising.

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

@NatPurser I'm sorry

[Public Knowledge @publicknowledge]

📍 This Thursday, @publicknowledge Senior Vice President @haroldfeld will testify at the @HouseCommerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology hearing “Where Are We?: Examining Positioning, Navigation, and Timing Capabilities (PNT) in the United States.”

[Internet Archive @internetarchive]

🧵 Some publishers and news organizations are blocking the Wayback Machine from archiving their journalism, cutting off access to the public record.

📣 If you rely on the Wayback Machine to preserve news & history, tell them not to block web archiving. ✏️ Sign the open letter to keep journalism preserved 👇
https://t.co/fUrdNz60RD

#SaveTheArchive #WaybackMachine #PressFreedom #DigitalPreservation @fightfortheftr

[Anna M. Gomez @AGomezFCC]

Nobody is buying the FCC's excuse for why they're targeting Disney.

Their motivation is clear and the pretext is transparent. This is about punishing speech they don't like, and everyone knows it.

[Nat Purser @NatPurser]

part of the reason i wrote this piece was to encourage the left to think about the tradeoffs of certain forms of “democratic control over ai” — since after all, no one party or faction will rule forever.

proposals that give the federal government — the Hegseth’s and Lutnick’s of the world — the power to block or push for certain types of ai governance should not be considered lightly.

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

Excellent!

[Capital Weather @capitalweather]

Great Falls is roaring! Kevin Ambrose was there this morning capturing fast, muddy water running in the "action" range — below flood stage but putting on quite a show. Many park visitors were soaking it all in.

💧 Track water levels at multiple river and creek locations in our new Forecast Lab

🌤️ Meanwhile, June will kick off with unseasonably comfortable weather though clouds build just a bit late tonight. Lows in the 50s to near 60. Monday: Partly to mostly sunny, highs mid-70s to around 80.

📅 Pleasant stretch continues through midweek with mainly bright skies and highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s.

📸 Video: Kevin Ambrose
#DCwx #DMVwx #MDwx #VAwx

[Jonathan Uriarte @JonathanUriarte]

Commissioner @AGomezFCC last week called the expected release of this PN "meaningless," and called for a public and open rulemaking that defines the "public interest" and subjects that definition to judicial scrutiny.

[Jonathan Greenblatt @JGreenblattADL]

Helen Mirren has proudly and masterfully portrayed strong Jewish women in a number of her films. Harassing her in the street and shouting that she's an “evil Zionist” is not criticism - it's shameful and pathetic. Targeting artists for engaging with Israeli or Jewish history only normalizes hate.

[Anna M. Gomez @AGomezFCC]

The "public interest" does not mean this administration's interests.

Broadcasters should ignore these latest threats and stiffen their spine. Pushing back is the only thing that will stop this FCC from abusing its power to silence speech and punish independent reporting.

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

Can't argue here.

[Brendan Carr @BrendanCarrFCC]

For decades, reciprocity and nondiscrimination have been at the heart of the FCC's approach to the many European satellite operators that do business in America.

Reciprocity will continue to be the touchstone. And the FCC has a proceeding open aimed at ensuring fair treatment for American businesses.

[Public Knowledge @publicknowledge]

We're proud to announce the release of our latest paper, "The Blueprint for Equitable Digital Participation," from @publicknowledge Broadband Policy Director Alisa Valentin and @WeAreUnidosUS Senior Civil Rights Policy Advisor Claudia Ruiz, in collaboration with @netinclusion!

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

@mattyglesias @BriannaWu Except, of course, when it wasn't the case and the unhinged happened anyway.

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

@yashar A lot of them were too young. Anyone 35 or younger, possibly even up to 40, would not have been politically aware in 2003 (I wasn't as a teen).

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

A lot happened this week.

[Christopher Terry @ChristopherTerr]

This Week in Regulation for Broadcasters: May 18, 2026 to May 22, 2026 https://t.co/v9J1ZFXpgf

[David Frum @davidfrum]

The verse Lander recited was an Arabic-language denunciation of the Christian doctrine of the divinity of Jesus Christ. Jewish candidates for office normally show more respect for the majority faith in this country.

[(((haroldfeld))) @haroldfeld]

This doesn't sound in the least like anti-Semitic dog whistles. Because it wasn't like anyone else Trump endorsed crushed their opponents without AIPAC.

[Ro Khanna @RoKhanna]

Massie lost his primary & Chris Rabb secured a big victory. The message is clear: if you take a stand against war, AIPAC, & the Epstein class, you have no place in the Trump coalition.

But the future of the Democratic Party that is done with the establishment is yours to shape.