Proposed ban on text messaging while driving approved by Pa. House Transportation Committee

Pa. House panel OKs ban on texting while driving

Supreme Court considers what inventions are too abstract to be eligible for patent protection

High court considers what can qualify for a patent

Former New Orleans technology chief, wife, former vendor indicted on bribery and fraud charges

Ex-New Orleans tech chief, wife, vendor indicted

Feds: 14 charged in widening $25M Wall Street insider trading case

Feds: 14 charged in insider trading case

NEW YORK — Two attorneys and Wall Street professionals were among 14 people charged Thursday in a widening $53 million insider trading case that has snared one of America’s richest men and shown white collar suspects to be using the cover-up tactics of drug dealers.

Lawmakers seek to ban laptops, other devices in cockpits after airliner incident

Lawmakers seek ban on laptops in airliner cockpits

Google tells FCC its Voice Service blocks fewer than 100 phone numbers

Google Voice service blocks fewer than 100 numbers

Britain to cut Web access of Internet pirates, squeeze bandwith of illegal file sharers

Britain to cut Web access of Internet pirates

British government delays hacker’s extradition deadline to consider new medical evidence

UK government delays hacker extradition deadline

Wisconsin Gov. Doyle signs bill to reduce computers, other electronics dumped into landfills

MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle has signed into law a bill designed to cut down on the amount of computers and other electronics dumped in landfills.

FCC to begin crafting ‘network neutrality’ rules for future of the Internet

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators took an important step Thursday toward prohibiting broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against certain kinds of Internet traffic.

Federal Communications Commission set to vote on pursuit of ‘network neutrality’ rules

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators are expected to take a step forward Thursday on rules that would prohibit broadband providers from favoring or discriminating against Internet traffic.

As FCC net neutrality vote nears, AT&T urges employees to speak out on agency blog

WASHINGTON — AT&T Inc. is encouraging employees to join its lobbying campaign against federal rules that would restrict the ways broadband companies can manage traffic on their networks.

Wisconsin state senators approve plan to ban all drivers from sending text messages

MADISON, Wis. — All Wisconsin drivers, not just teenagers, would be banned from sending text messages while driving under a bill that passed the state Senate on Tuesday.

Booksellers say Ohio law shielding kids from harmful material online is threat to free speech

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio Supreme Court hears arguments Tuesday in a case that pits defenders of online child protection against advocates of free speech.

Wall Street wake-up call: Hedge fund boss, 5 others charged in $25M-plus insider trading case

NEW YORK — One of America’s wealthiest men was among six hedge fund managers and corporate executives arrested Friday in a hedge fund insider trading case that authorities say generated more than $25 million in illegal profits and was a wake-up call for Wall Street.

Shriver apologizes for violating Calif law banning hand-held cell phones while driving

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — California first lady Maria Shriver says she’s sorry for breaking a state law that requires drivers to use hands-free devices while talking on cell phones.

Comcast tries pop-up alerts to warn Internet users of PC infections in possibly risky tactic

PHILADELPHIA — Comcast Corp. wants to enlist its customers in a fight against a huge problem for Internet providers — the armies of infected personal computers, known as “botnets,” that suck up bandwidth by sending spam and facilitating cybercrime.

Federal Communications Commission investigates Google Voice calling service

WASHINGTON — Federal regulators will look into complaints by AT&T Inc. that Google Inc.’s free messaging and calling service, Google Voice, blocks calls to rural communities where local phone companies charge high connection fees.

Briton accused of hacking US military computers fails in latest attempt to avoid extradition

LONDON — A British man accused of hacking into American military computers has failed in his latest bid to avoid extradition to the U.S., his lawyer said Friday.

Obama administration, Congress members looking to ban text messaging from the driver’s seat

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration said Thursday it will seek to ban text messaging by interstate bus drivers and truckers and push states to pass their own laws against driving cars while distracted.

Obama administration to push for text messaging bans for truck and bus drivers

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood says the Obama administration will pursue new federal rules that could ban text messaging by truck and interstate bus drivers and urge states to pass laws against distracted driving.

Growing number of states push electronics manufacturers to take responsibility for e-waste

INDIANAPOLIS — Frustrated by inaction in Congress, a growing number of states are trying to reduce the rising tide of junked TVs, computers and other electronics that have become one of the nation’s fastest-growing waste streams.

Transportation chief signals goal should put the brakes on drivers texting behind the wheel

WASHINGTON — Determined to stop people from texting while driving, the Obama administration plans a campaign similar to past government efforts to discourage drunken driving and encourage the use of seat belts.

Transportation Department holds summit to find ways of curbing cell phone use by drivers

WASHINGTON — Driving while distracted is a growing peril in a nation reluctant to put down its cell phones and handheld devices even behind the wheel, the Obama administration declared on Wednesday. Officials said Congress and the public must team up to reduce the danger.

RI judge tosses $388 million patent infringement verdict against Microsoft

SEATTLE — A federal judge in Rhode Island threw out a $388 million patent infringement jury verdict against Microsoft Corp., the latest move in a six-year legal skirmish.

Transportation Department kicks off effort to prevent drivers from using mobile devices

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called distracted driving a “menace to society” Wednesday, kicking off a two-day meeting on preventing drivers from using mobile devices behind the wheel.

Government says nearly 6,000 highway deaths tied to driver distraction in 2008

WASHINGTON — Opening a government meeting on auto safety, the Obama administration reported Wednesday that nearly 6,000 people were killed and a half-million injured last year in vehicle crashes connected to driver distraction, a striking indication of the dangers of using mobile devices behind the wheel.

Transportation Dept. kicks off meeting on texting, mobile use by drivers

WASHINGTON — Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood called distracted driving a “menace to society” Wednesday, kicking off a two-day meeting on preventing drivers from using mobile devices behind the wheel.

Feds weigh whether bus, truck drivers should have to hang up their cell phones when driving

WASHINGTON — Safety investigators told federal regulators three years ago that it was dangerous for bus drivers to talk on cell phones while driving, and recommended a ban.