New MN Bill: relating to local government authorizing online publication when no qualified newspaper is available HF4797

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From the MN House…

HF. 4797,A bill for an act relating to local government; authorizing online publication when no qualified newspaper is available; amending Minnesota Statutes 2024, sections 331A.01, subdivisions 1, 7, 12, by adding a subdivision; 331A.03; 331A.04, subdivision 4; 331A.06, subdivision 1; 331A.08, subdivision 3; 331A.09; Minnesota Statutes 2025 Supplement, section 331A.10, subdivision 2; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2024, section 331A.12, subdivision 1.
The bill was read for the first time and referred to the Committee on Elections Finance and Government Operations.

Citizens group aims to seeks to eliminate the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utilities Service

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Broadband Breakfast reports on an effort to eliminate a longstanding source of broadband funding…

A government watchdog group is calling on Congress to eliminate the Agriculture Department’s Rural Utilities Service, arguing that its broadband programs are redundant given billions already allocated through other federal initiatives.
Citizens Against Government Waste said existing USDA broadband efforts duplicate funding provided through the $42.45 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment program, the federal government’s primary initiative to expand high-speed internet access.
The group pointed to a 2023 Government Accountability Office report that identified more than 133 broadband-related programs across 15 federal agencies, raising concerns about overlap. Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr has said total federal broadband funding could reach as much as $800 billion.

MN eNews April 2026: Legislative Updates and Upcoming State Broadband Conference

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The MN Legislature is in session. Hot topics related (or tangential) to broadband seem to surround data centers, artificial intelligence (AI) and security or privacy of online tools, such as social media. You can find links to the related bills in the State News section below.

EVENT April 29: MN Broadband Summit!
The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development is hosting the Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

State News   

National News

Vendor/Technology News

Office of Broadband Development Updates and News:

Local Broadband News

Aitkin County
Paul Bunyan Communications expanding fiber to more than 2,400 Homes and Businesses in Central Aitkin County

Great Scott Township
Paul Bunyan Communications finishes broadband expansion in Great Scott and unorganzied Township in St. Louis County
Broadband expanded to more than 100 households in Great Scott Township and Mountain Iron

Hermantown
Google plans to open a large data center in Hermantown

Hubbard County
Paul Bunyan Communications expands fiber to more than 3,200 Homes and Businesses in Northern Minnesota

St Louis County
St. Louis County names new development director with experience in broadband expansion
Paul Bunyan Communications expanding fiber to more than 600 more locations in 2026 in St Louis County
Two providers are looking at expanding to Eagles Nest Township (St Louis County)

Stearns County
Stearns County Administrator Mike Williams retires after tenure of broadband expansion

Twin Cities
Arvig expands broadband service to Twin Cities with connection to Eagan Data Center

Wadena
Wadena County talks about plans for future, giving a nod to broadband progress

Willmar
Willmar Council to consider agreements for Willmar Connect initiative on March 16, 2026
Willmar City Council offers contact to build community network to third option Kramer Group
Willmar Council rescinds contract offer to NC3 and goes with the Kramer Group to build network for community broadband

Upcoming Events, Opportunities and Resources

Podcast: Click Here: The village that built the internet

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Yesterday, I was driving to family brunch on Sunday and tuned in at just the right time to MPR to hear an interesting story of tribal broadband. Here’s the description from the Click Here website…

To live in the modern world, you have to be online. But in many places, that connection still doesn’t exist. So people aren’t waiting. They’re building their own internet—creating and running their own providers from the ground up. And in the process, redefining who gets to connect… and who gets to decide.

It’s a story of need, ingenuity and the power of community. They touch on non-tribal public broadband but the example they give is a tribal community. The podcast captures what I’ve heard from folks in the field about the importance of sovereignty.

Some Legislators looking again at SpaceX’s participation in BEAD funding

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Broadband Breakfast reports on more potential uncertainty for State Broadband leaders dealing to BEAD…

Nearly 20 House Democrats say they have “deep concern” about satellite ISP SpaceX’s participation in a $42.45 billion broadband grant program after the company asked state broadband offices to relax some of the program’s rules.

“Other providers that participated in BEAD presumably did so in good faith, with a clear understanding of the rules. Starlink’s proposed rider suggests that it did not,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter last week to Arielle Roth, head of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. “If Starlink cannot comply with the standards that other BEAD providers have accepted, NTIA and state broadband offices must reconsider these awards.”

In January, SpaceX asked states to modify rules around performance testing and other provisions of the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program before signing contracts with the company. NTIA, which is managing the program at the federal level, then released an updated FAQ document telling states that they couldn’t negotiate deals with grant winners that conflicted with BEAD rules.

EVENT April 15: Local Dollars, Local Solutions: Digital Equity Tax Money & How to Negotiate Better AI Data Center Deals

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From the Institute for Local Self Reliance…

As Americans file their taxes this Tax Day, digital equity leaders across the nation will gather for a timely exploration of how public dollars can be used to strengthen communities – and how local advocates can negotiate better deals as AI data centers rapidly expand, lured with tax breaks.

Co-hosted by the Institute for Local Self-Reliance Community Broadband Networks Initiative and the National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA), the next Building for Digital Equity livestream – “Local Dollars, Local Solutions: Digital Equity Tax Money & How to Negotiate Better AI Data Center Deals” – promises to offer insights from frontline forces working to ensure broadband and technology investments serve public needs rather than distant corporate interests.

Sponsored once again by UTOPIA Fiber, the B4DE livestream is slated for April 15 at 3 p.m. ET and will bring together national policy experts, local leaders, and community advocates working in the trenches of digital inclusion. 

Registration is now open above

The livestream will be available (and later archived) on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn with live viewer questions answered by the invited speakers and presenters, which is still being finalized. We will also be live posting from the Community Broadband Networks Bluesky page.

EVENT April 7: MN House Committee on 3 bills relates to online privacy and contracts (HF4456, HF4544 & HF3698)

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I might not have mentioned all three bills, except they are being heard in the same Commerce Finance and Policy committee meeting...

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 8:15 AM

Co-Chair: Rep. Erin Koegel holds the gavelCo-Chair: Rep. Tim O’DriscollLocation: Capitol 120Agenda:

Approval of Minutes – Thursday, March 26th, 2026

HF4456 (Elkins) – Data brokers required to register with the attorney general, account established, enforcement and civil penalties provided, and money appropriated.

HF4544 (Koegel) – License for artificial intelligence independent verification organizations established, advisory council established, rulemaking authorized, and reports required.

HF3698 (Gottfried) – Certain terms in libraries’ electronic book and digital audiobook license agreements or contracts prohibited.
Adjournment

Items may be added, removed, or taken up in any order at the Chair’s discretion.

HANDOUTS: Handouts MUST BE IN PDF FORMAT, have OCR capability, and emailed to the Committee Administrators at samuel.oneill@house.mn.gov and ben.frese@house.mn.gov by 12 p.m. (noon) the business day before the hearing. If you are bringing hard copies, bring 45 copies. Note: submitted written testimony is public and will be included in the official committee record. It may be posted to the committee webpage if received by deadline.

TESTIFYING: Testimony is limited. The number of testifiers and length of time permitted is at the discretion of the chair, and is subject to change. Please plan accordingly. If you would like to testify, please email the Committee Administrators at samuel.oneill@house.mn.gov and ben.frese@house.mn.gov by 12 p.m. (noon) the business day before the hearing.

AMENDMENTS: There is no amendment deadline for the Commerce Finance and Policy Committee. Amendments must be emailed to the Committee Administrators at samuel.oneill@house.mn.gov and ben.frese@house.mn.gov as soon as possible.

Bills:

  • HF3698 (Gottfried) – Certain terms in libraries’ electronic book and digital audiobook license agreements or contracts prohibited.

  • HF4456 (Elkins) – Data brokers required to register with the attorney general, account established, enforcement and civil penalties provided, and money appropriated.

  • HF4544 (Koegel) – License for artificial intelligence independent verification organizations established, advisory council established, rulemaking authorized, and reports required.

What is the digital last inch? And how does it impact counties?

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digitalLIFT is a nonprofit in San Francisco that focuses on digital inclusion. They have an interesting article that adds the last inch onto the analogy of first mile, middle mile, last mile…

We talk about miles, but digital equity is measured in inches. We use the term final inch to describe the moment when broadband moves beyond infrastructure and becomes meaningful for a person. The final inch is the small but critical distance between the network and the moment someone touches a device and successfully uses it, for example:

  • A resident taps a screen to schedule a telehealth appointment
  • A parent logs into a school portal
  • A job seeker submits an online application
  • A small business owner processes a digital payment

From a technical perspective, broadband may already be available. The fiber may pass the home. The drop may be installed. Wi-Fi may be active inside the building. But until the connection reaches a person’s hands, and they can use it confidently, the promise of broadband isn’t fulfilled.

The final inch is where infrastructure becomes opportunity. It’s the moment when a network connection turns into access to services, economic mobility, education, healthcare, or civic participation. In other words, the final inch is the human connection.

And why this matters to counties…

County governments are positioned at the intersection of:

  • Infrastructure deployment
  • Workforce development
  • Public health
  • Economic development
  • Aging services
  • Libraries
  • Schools
  • Social services

When counties focus only on the last mile, they risk leaving impact on the table. But when counties plan for the final inch, they multiply their return on investment.

That means pairing infrastructure funding with:

  • Digital literacy training
  • Device access programs
  • Digital navigators
  • Multilingual outreach
  • Enrollment assistance
  • In-home technical support

Broadband is not just a utility. It is now the delivery system for government services. If residents cannot use it, counties cannot fully serve them.

How is social media use linked to views of democracy?

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A recent Gallup report looks at the connection between social media and views of democracy…

Heavy users of social media are more likely than others to believe that leaders are listening to them and to view democratic participation as effective, according to a study conducted by the Charles F. Kettering Foundation and Gallup. However, they are also less likely to think democracy is the best form of government and more likely to express views that depart from widely held democratic norms about violence and political compromise.

These results are from a nationally representative study of more than 20,000 U.S. adults, conducted July 7-Aug. 25, 2025, that finds complex relationships between social media usage and views of U.S. democracy, even when controlling for age, income and other factors related to social media use.

They made a few observations:

  • Heavy Social Media Users More Likely to Feel Valued and Represented
  • Social Media Use Tied to Belief in Effectiveness of Participation
  • Social Media Users More Critical of Democracy as a Form of Government
  • Heavy Social Media Users Stray From Democratic Norms

They conclude…

These results suggest that social media may reinforce public beliefs that citizens’ voices matter and their actions can shape the nation’s direction. Heavier users, in particular, express stronger feelings of being represented in government decision-making and more confidence in the effectiveness of core civic actions, from peaceful protests to political campaigning.

Yet this greater sense of empowerment exists alongside signs that heavy social media use is associated with lessened support for foundational democratic principles and even the belief that democracy is the best form of government. Taken together, these findings suggest that social media use may play an increasingly complex role in the health of U.S. democracy.

St. Louis County names new development director with experience in broadband expansion

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The Duluth News Tribune report on a new St Louis County Development Director, interesting here because of his experience with broadband…

 St. Louis County has drawn from its own bench in picking the next director to lead its economic and community development department.

Brad Gustafson has worked for the county since 2019, most recently as planning manager for the community development division. In that role, a county news release says he led the county Housing and Redevelopment Authority, helped orchestrate Community Development Block Grant efforts, worked to expand broadband data service access and coordinated an incentive program to promote the shooting of films in the Northland.

Six Reasons Americans Should Care About the Privacy and Security of Their Personal Data Held by the Government

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The Center for Technology and Democracy has published a flier on Six Reasons Americans Should Care About the Privacy and Security of Their Personal Data Held by the Government.

The privacy and security of government data can seem abstract and disconnected from our everyday lives. But Center for Democracy & Technology polling results reveal that these issues resonate deeply for millions of Americans and cut across partisan, racial, and regional divides — 74 percent of Americans worry about the personal data that the government has about them. Protecting the privacy and security of personal data held by the government:

Here’s an abridged list of their six reasons:

  1. Limits government surveillance and discrimination by enforcing strong privacy protections. Government agencies are unique in both the extent and sensitivity of the personal data they collect and the power they could wield by using this information. As a result, the United States has several long-standing privacy protections that are aimed at limiting the federal government’s ability to collect, share, and consolidate personal data.
  2. Supports rightful access to public benefits and services by preserving trust in government. A core function of many government agencies is to deliver services and benefits to the American public, part of which entails identifying and removing barriers to accessing these services and benefits. Failing to protect personal data or using it for purposes beyond program administration can result in fewer people accessing benefits and services to which they are legally entitled, resulting in an American public that is more sick, less educated, unhoused, and undernourished, among other negative societal outcomes.
  3. Prevents identity theft and saves taxpayer money by minimizing risks of potential data breaches and other misuses of data.
  4. Enables trust in government agencies to safely use and handle personal data.
  5. Limits government power by safeguarding information from federal overreach.
  6. Maintains individual autonomy by preserving people’s control over their own information. The U.S. Constitution emphasizes the importance of privacy from government intrusion, demonstrating that this country was founded on the basis of protecting individuals from undue government encroachment.

MN students involved with promoting media literacy at the Legislature SF2565

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MinnPost reports on a mash up of students involved with civic and technology, specifically students speaking to the legislature about media literacy…

On March 2, [student, Mary] Jensen spoke to lawmakers in support of a proposal to create a “Minnesota Civic Seal,” a graduation credential for students who receive civics instruction in five areas, including media literacy. Students will be expected to complete a community-centered project and reflect on its “measurable civic impact.”

Before she was familiarized with the seal, Jensen experienced the intersection of technology and civics firsthand.

For Jensen, using her voice to advocate had “always been a part of her personality,” but she said there were limited opportunities for civic engagement at her private school, Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul.

Jensen speaks about youth and social media…

While social media connected Jensen with civic engagement opportunities, her peers were preoccupied with misinformation and cyberbullying.

“A lot of the time people are like, ‘I read this source that said this,’ but that source is just a short Tiktok video clip that they saw,” Jensen said. “And it’s like, ‘You didn’t proofread this. You did not evaluate if the source was correct.’”

She added that problems occur when students don’t apply traditional fact-checking strategies to social media contexts: “if you do [get your news from social media], you should vet that source, too.”

National polling data supports Jensen’s concerns around digital media literacy. Ninety-four percent of teens believe their schools should be required to teach media literacy, according to a 2024 News Literacy Project study. The study also found that only about 40% of teens reported any media literacy instruction.

The article goes on to talk about the specific legislation and how it combines technology and civics in one program…

Sen. Mary Kunesh, DFL-New Brighton, said several media literacy bills in previous years have stalled because of funding concerns. The Civic Seal proposal attempts to address that issue by having the program administered through the YMCA Center for Youth Voice.

The Center will lead the Civic Seal Task Force that the bill proposes, which is composed of students and professionals who will review the Civic Seal guidelines.

With the help of Mike Dean, YMCA Center for Youth Voice director, Jensen and other students created a progress and validity tracking app for Civic Seal participants.

EVENT April 29: MN Broadband Summit!

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From the Office of Broadband Development…

Register for the Broadband Summit!

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Office of Broadband Development invites you to attend the Connecting One: Minnesota 2026 Broadband Summit on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

This in-person event will bring together national leaders, internet service providers, federal, state, tribal, and local partners, along with broadband advocates from across Minnesota. Together, we’ll explore how connecting people to resources, information, and each other supports Minnesota’s economic strength and expands digital opportunity statewide.

The summit will begin at 8:30 a.m. with registration, coffee, and a light breakfast, and will conclude at 4:00 p.m. The day will feature:

  • An opening welcome from DEED and State leadership
  • A networking lunch
  • Breakout sessions covering key topics such as BEAD implementation, mapping, digital skills and security, and permitting

Session Spotlight: Regional Leadership in Action

Join a fireside conversation with broadband leaders from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan as they share how they are navigating BEAD implementation and other federal investments. This discussion will explore common challenges such as workforce, permitting, affordability, and infrastructure, while highlighting how states collaborate across the Upper Midwest to expand broadband access.

Attendees will gain valuable insights into state leadership, regional coordination, and what lies ahead as broadband efforts move from planning to execution.

Moderator: Kathryn de Wit, The Pew Charitable Trusts
Speakers: Eric Frederick (Michigan), Alyssa Kenney (Wisconsin), Bree Maki (Minnesota)

Register and Learn More:

A small $20 registration fee helps offset catering and conference costs. View the full agenda, explore all sessions and topics, and register today to secure your spot. Full speaker information and session details will be updated on a rolling basis on our website.

With high demand expected, we recommend registering early to secure your spot. 

 We look forward to seeing you on April 29, 2026

Register Here

Event center details

Connecting One Minnesota: 2026 Broadband Summit will be held at the Heritage Center of Brooklyn Center (6155 Earle Brown Drive, Brooklyn Center, MN 55434).  

Free parking will be available at the venue.  

2025 MN Legislative Review: MN approved $50 million for deployment grants

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The Journalist Resource reports on state legislature’s invest in broadband (from 2025) in the aggregate…

Combined, states passed over 160 broadband-related bills and resolutions last year. These included regulatory changes, expanding the authority of their broadband offices and addressing internet affordability for low-income customers.

And specific states…

The Minnesota state legislature also approved $50 million for deployment grants in 2025. Minnesota has operated a state broadband expansion program since 2014 and the state has awarded over $400 million, funding broadband connections to nearly 120,000 homes and businesses.

Some members of the Supreme Court have concerns about knowledge of the internet

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Vox reports…

The Supreme Court tossed out a billion-dollar verdict against an internet service provider (ISP) on Wednesday, in a closely watched case that could have severely damaged many Americans’ access to the internet if it had gone the other way.

Wednesday’s decision in Cox Communications v. Sony Music Entertainment is part of a broader pattern. It is one of a handful of recent Supreme Court cases that threatened to break the internet — or, at least, to fundamentally harm its ability to function as it has for decades. In each case, the justices took a cautious and libertarian approach. And they’ve often done so by lopsided margins. All nine justices joined the result in Cox, although Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson criticized some of the nuances of Justice Clarence Thomas’s majority opinion.

Some members of the Court have said explicitly that this wary approach stems from a fear that they do not understand the internet well enough to oversee it. As Justice Elena Kagan said in a 2022 oral argument, “we really don’t know about these things. You know, these are not like the nine greatest experts on the internet.”

It’s worth reading the whole article. It’s an example of how the internet touches everything and everything touches the internet. The folks who are making decisions – about regulation but also about financing or use, both for the howl community or just themselves, their families or even their classrooms – are not necessarily the greatest experts on the internet.