Scott Waldman at Politico New York reports that the merger of Time Warner Cable and Charter Communications was approved Jan. 8 by the state Public Service Commission. The PSC approved the merger on the condition that the larger company then will improve broadband internet access throughout the state, especially in rural upstate areas and for low-income customers. Altogether, it is a $70 billion merger of Time Warner, Charter, and Bright House Networks that create's the nation’s second-largest cable company with more than two million of its 24 million customers in New York. Families who qualify for free- or reduced lunches at schools and 50 community centers around the state would receive free Internet under the approval. Read the full story in Politico New York.