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Washington — The Supreme Court on Friday said it will consider the constitutionality of the Federal Communications Commission's Universal Service Fund, agreeing to review a lower court decision that upended the mechanism for funding programs that provide communications services to rural areas, low-income communities and schools, libraries and hospitals. The dispute is the latest in which the high court will consider the power of federal agencies. Among the issues in the case is whether Congress delegated too much authority to the FCC when it tasked the agency with determining how much telecommunications providers must contribute to the Universal Service Fund. The court also asked the lawyers involved in the case to argue whether it is moot because the challengers did not seek preliminary relief before the lower court. The Supreme Court's conservative majority has in a string of recent decisions taken aim at federal regulatory power amid efforts by the conservative legal movement to rein in the so-called administrative state. In a major ruling in June, the court overruled a 40-year-old decision that said courts should give agencies leeway in interpreting ambiguous laws passed by Congress if their interpretation is reasonable. Arguments in this dispute will likely take place early next year, with a decision expected by the end of June. The Universal Service Fund was created by Congress in 1996 as part of an overhaul of the Communications Act of 1934, which sought to promote competition and get rid of monopolies in the telecommunications industry. Under the revamped law, the FCC created a set of programs supported by the Universal Service Fund that require contributions from telecommunications providers. Those programs ensure schools, libraries, rural health care facilities and rural and low-income customers have access to telecommunications services, and the FCC uses the money in the fund to subsidize the provision of telephone and broadband services. Quarterly contributions to the fund are based on projected expenses the programs will incur, as well as projected revenue from telecommunications carriers, a number that is known as the contribution factor. Companies may pass the cost of their contributions on to consumers. In 1997, the FCC created the Universal Service Administrative Company, a private, not-for-profit corporation that administers the fund. The company sends out bills and collects contributions from service providers, and disburses money to program beneficiaries. In late 2021, the company proposed each carrier would contribute to the fund 25.2% of its interstate and international telecommunications revenue for the first quarter of November 2022. But a nonprofit called Consumers' Research, telecommunications company, and group of consumers filed a comment challenging the contribution mechanism, arguing Congress had unconstitutionally delegated its legislative power to the FCC, which in turn redelegated power to the Universal Service Administrative Company. They then sought review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit. A three-judge panel of judges rejected the group's claim that Congress and then the FCC had unconstitutionally delegated their authority. But the full complement of judges on the 5th Circuit agreed to rehear the case and in a July decision, sided with the challengers in a 9-7 vote. It found that when carriers seek reimbursements of their fund contributions from consumers, they are levying a "universal service" tax on consumers that appears on their phone bills. The power to tax is a legislative power, and the 5th Circuit's majority found that Congress gave the FCC too much discretion in determining the amount of universal service contributions. It also ruled that the FCC, in turn, "may have impermissibly delegated the taxing power to private entities." "American telecommunications consumers are subject to a multi-billion-dollar tax nobody voted for. The size of that tax is de facto determined by a trade group staffed by industry insiders with no semblance of accountability to the public. And the trade group in turn relies on projections made by its private, for-profit constituent companies, all of which stand to profit from every single tax increase," the 5th Circuit found, adding the "combination of delegations, subdelegations, and obfuscations of the USF Tax mechanism offends" the Constitution. The 5th Circuit's decision set off a wave of pushback from the telecommunications industry, which warned it would hamper efforts to close the digital divide. A group of telecommunications trade groups said the ruling "could put at risk the availability and affordability of essential communications services for millions of rural Americans, low-income consumers, and community anchor institutions." Before the 5th Circuit ruled, the Supreme Court turned down two appeals from Consumers' Research of decisions from the 6th and 11th Circuits that rejected its challenges to the Universal Service Fund. But following the 5th Circuit's decision, the group urged the Supreme Court to reconsider its appeals. The court has not acted on those requests. Melissa Quinn is a politics reporter for CBSNews.com. She has written for outlets including the Washington Examiner, Daily Signal and Alexandria Times. 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Every Time The Simpsons Predicted New Technology And Got It RightTHIBODAUX, La. (AP) — Byron Ireland's 22 points helped Nicholls State defeat New Orleans 73-70 on Saturday. Ireland had seven rebounds for the Colonels (6-4, 2-0 Southland Conference). Trae English scored 18 points while shooting 7 for 13 (1 for 5 from 3-point range) and 3 of 4 from the free-throw line. Robert Brown III shot 3 for 6 (1 for 3 from 3-point range) and 3 of 3 from the free-throw line to finish with 10 points. The Privateers (2-6, 0-1) were led by Michael Thomas, who recorded 16 points and nine rebounds. James White added 15 points for New Orleans. NEXT UP Nicholls State next plays Tuesday against Southern University at New Orleans at home, and New Orleans will visit Iowa on Sunday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .

Colorado is gearing up for the rugged Big 12 schedule, but first the Buffaloes wrap up their nonconference slate with two more games, starting Friday night when they host South Dakota State in Boulder, Colo. Colorado (7-2) has won two straight after competing in the Maui Invitational, most recently a 72-55 win over in-state rival Colorado State. Now the focus turns to South Dakota State and shoring up issues before conference play. "Defensively, we're understanding what our jobs are. Now, we're not where we need to be for sure," coach Tad Boyle said. "But we're making strides in that area. And I think the guys are getting used to playing with each other, understanding each other." The Buffaloes lost a lot of talent from last year's NCAA Tournament team but boast some quality players. Andrej Jakimovski (13.0 points per game), Julian Hammond III (12.3 ppg) and Elijah Moore (12.0 ppg) lead the team in scoring. Sophomore big man Bangot Dak has shown he can be a force after scoring a career-high 16 points in the win over Colorado State. The Jackrabbits (8-4) are coming off a 77-63 loss at Nevada on Wednesday night and complete a two-game trip in Boulder. South Dakota State is led by senior center Oscar Cluff, who tops the team in scoring (17.3 points) and rebounding (11.0) but had a subpar night against Nevada when he scored a season-low six points while battling an ankle injury. "I wish he was feeling a little better," coach Eric Henderson said of Cluff. "He's going to be fine, but he's still nursing that ankle a little bit." Freshman Joe Sayler is second on the team in scoring at 12.8 ppg and has reached double figures in each of the last three games. Sophomore Kalen Garry is third on the Jackrabbits in scoring at 9.6 per contest, an average that has been hurt by his last three games when he has averaged just 5.3 points. --Field Level MediaPIERS Morgan has lead well-wishes for Michail Antonio after a car crash saw him trapped in his Ferrari for 45 minutes. The footballer, 34, was airlifted to hospital with "shattered" legs after the horror unfolded on Coppice Row, in Epping, Essex, at around 12.50pm. Michail was eventually cut free by fire crews at 1.45pm after being trapped for nearly an hour. Piers Morgan posted his well-wishes on X after shocking photographs from the scene circulated. "Whoa... this looks very bad. Hope he’s OK," wrote the Uncensored host. When West Ham later posted a major health update stating the player was in "stable condition", the presenter added: "Good news...". Michail's former team-mate Jobi McAnuff, who played with him at Reading, also wrote on Instagram: "Thoughts and prayers to Michail and his family." It comes after the footballer's £260,000 Ferrari FF smashed into trees after leaving the road. Ex-wife Debbie travelled from her home in Manchester to be at his bedside. A source told The Sun on Sunday: “He is in a serious condition. “He is conscious and communicating but everyone at the club is very worried. We are all just praying he gets through this.” Onlookers reported grey smoke pouring from the car which crashed in Theydon Bois — close to the home of West Ham owner David Sullivan. One said: “There were other cars stopped and people were on their phones calling 999. “It was awful weather, rain, wind and very slippery on the road. It didn’t look like another car was involved. "It looked like it had spun out of control. “I only found out later who he was. I hope he’s OK.” A motorist who passed the scene added: “The right wing was ripped off, as well as the right front wheel and driver’s door. “I could see firefighters had to cut away parts of the car to get him out. It looked like he had some face injuries.” Another source also claimed the footballer's legs had been "shattered" in the crash. Horrific photographs from the scene show the shocking aftermath. Michail's silver Ferrari lay at the side of the road on the verge of surrounding woodland. There appeared to be extensive damage to the front, driver's side, with the windshield crumpled. Pictures revealed only the back of the car remained in tact. In an update on X, the club confirmed Michail is in a "stable condition" and remains in hospital after the single vehicle collision. The dad-of-four is "under close supervision" but is "conscious and communicating". "West Ham United can confirm that Michail Antonio is in a stable condition following a road traffic accident this afternoon in the Essex area," the club wrote on social media. "Michail is conscious and communicating and is currently under close supervision at a central London hospital. "At this difficult time, we kindly ask everyone to respect the privacy of Michail and his family. "The Club will make no further comment this evening, but will issue a further update in due course." Fans on X were quick to send their best wishes and prayers following the latest update. One said: "Amazing news. Here’s to speedy recovery Michail take all the time you need." Another added: "Good news! Glad to hear this." A third said: "Wishing Michail Antonio a speedy recovery. Glad to hear he's in stable condition. "Thoughts are with him and his family during this difficult time. Hoping for a full and quick recovery." A spokesperson for Essex Police said: "Officers investigating a serious collision in Epping are asking for witnesses and dash cam footage. "We were called shortly after 12.50pm on Saturday 7 December to Coppice Row, Epping, following reports of what is believed to be a single vehicle collision involving a Ferrari. "Emergency services attended and the driver has been taken to hospital. "The vehicle has been recovered and we are no longer on scene. "An investigation will be carried out by our Roads Policing Unit. "If you have any information, CCTV, dash cam or other footage in relation to this incident, then please get in contact with us. "Please quote incident 605 of 7 December when providing any information to make sure it gets to the right person as quickly as possible. "Alternatively, please email the investigating officer, PS Mark Hewitt." An Essex Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: "Crews were called to High Road, Epping, at 1.02pm this afternoon after reports of a road traffic collision involving one car. "On arrival firefighters reported that a man was trapped in his car and worked to release him by 1.45pm. "The casualty was left in the care of the Ambulance Service."