Funding
House Committee Advances USDA Funding Bill
The bill includes $40 million for the ReConnect program.
Congress
House Passes Farm Bill
Rural broadband programs extended through 2031.
Farm bill
RUS Signals Launch of Next ReConnect Funding Round
Elmshaeuser says program remains central as federal broadband funding expands
Education and Distance Learning
USDA Requests $230 Million for Rural Broadband and Telehealth, a Decline Over Previous Budgets
The agriculture department proposed canceling $40 million in unused ReConnect funds in 2027 budget.
April McClain-Delaney
New Bipartisan House Bills Take Aim at Strengthening Rural Broadband Access
The four introduced bills look to expand broadband access, modernize utilities, and improve USDA programs.
COVID
Tim Stelzig: Explaining BEAD, Trying to Bridge the Digital Divide
Some areas that are relatively easier to serve have received multiple rounds of federal investment, while others perpetually remain left behind.
Data center summit
Panelists Warn of ‘Choke Points’ in America’s Nuclear Energy Future
Permitting delays, transmission backlogs, siting fights, and supply chain gaps top the list.
Digital Inclusion
USDA Scrubs DEI Criteria from Rural Broadband Grant Programs
Removal of DEI scoring may shift broadband funds away from Tribes and disadvantaged areas.
Nuclear
Reps. Fleischmann and Weber to Headline Data Center and Energy Summit
Experts gather next Thursday to explore AI infrastructure challenges at the intersection of data centers, nuclear power, and broadband.
Funding
USDA to Open Applications for $26 Million Community Connect Program
Recipients last year included NEK Community Broadband, Lewis County PUD, and Pulse Broadband.
Funding
Tech, Broadband Bills Dropped by Congress in New Funding Bill
Omits measures on NTIA coordination, deepfakes, and FCC transparency.
Farm bill
Former RUS Leader Keeps Backing a Fiber-First Approach
‘To make America great again, you need ubiquitous, high-speed broadband.’
Fiber
USDA’s Andy Berke Champions Fiber as Key to Rural Broadband Success
Broadband experts cautioned against alternative technologies under BEAD.
BBC
High-Speed Internet a Lifeline for Rural America’s Farms and Economy, USDA Says
The critical need for broadband deployment in rural America is emphasized by the loss of 557,000 farms sinc, RUS chief says.
USDA
RUS Launches $60M Grant Initiative for Distance Learning and Telemedicine Projects
The grant funds can be used for acquiring equipment, improving broadband infrastructure, developing instructional programming, and more.
USDA
USDA Needs Greater Flexibility in Deployment of Broadband Authority, Says RUS Administrator Andy Berke
Director of RUS called for more flexibility in how it administers federal funds.
