Today, U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ted Cruz (R-TX) announced that their bipartisan TAKE IT DOWN Act was signed into law.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act criminalizes the publication of non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), including AI-generated NCII, and requires social media and similar websites to have in place procedures to remove such content within 48 hours of notice from a victim. …
he TAKE IT DOWN Act protects and empowers victims of real and deepfake NCII while respecting speech by:
Criminalizing the publication of NCII in interstate commerce. The bill makes it unlawful for a person to knowingly publish, or threaten to publish, NCII on social media and other online platforms. NCII is defined to include realistic, computer-generated pornographic images and videos that depict identifiable, real people. The bill also clarifies that a victim consenting to the creation of an authentic image does not mean that the victim has consented to its publication.
Protecting good-faith efforts to assist victims. The bill permits the good-faith disclosure of NCII, such as to law enforcement, in narrow cases.
Requiring websites to take down NCII upon notice from the victim. Social media and other websites would be required to have in place procedures to remove NCII, pursuant to a valid request from a victim, within 48 hours. Websites must also make reasonable efforts to remove copies of the images. The FTC is charged with enforcement of this section.
Protecting lawful speech. The bill is narrowly tailored to criminalize knowingly publishing NCII without chilling lawful speech. The bill conforms to current First Amendment jurisprudence by requiring that computer-generated NCII meet a “reasonable person” test for appearing indistinguishable from an authentic image.
The legislation was co-sponsored by Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), Ted Budd (R-NC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Roger Wicker (R-MS), Todd Young (R-IN), John Curtis (R-UT), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Gary Peters (D-MI), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH).
The FCC report summarizes information about Internet access in the United States as of June 30, 2024, as collected by FCC Form 477 and the Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Here are their key takeaways…
Typical Speeds
• The median downstream speed of all reported fixed connections was 300 Mbps and the median upstream speed was 20 Mbps. For residential fixed connections, the median downstream speed was 500 Mbps and the median upstream speed was 20 Mbps. See Figures 35 and 36.
• The median downstream speed of all reported mobile connections was 34 Mbps and the median upstream speed was 3 Mbps. For residential mobile connections, the median downstream speed was 34 Mbps and the median upstream speed was 3 Mbps. See Figures 37 and 38.
Residential Connections
• Residential fixed connections increased by about 2.4% between June 2023 and June 2024, to about 123 million. See Figure 12.
• Residential (non-business) mobile connections on mobile devices with data plans for full Internet access increased by about 1.6%, to 340 million, between June 2023 and June 2024. See Figure 12.
• Approximately 97% of residential fixed connections had a speed of at least 10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream in June 2024, while 94% had a speed of at least 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream. About 66% of all residential fixed connections had a speed of at least 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream. See Figure 15.
• As a national average in June 2024, there were about 93 residential fixed connections with speeds of at least 10 Mbps downstream and 1 Mbps upstream per 100 households; 90 residential fixed connections with speeds of at least 25 Mbps downstream and 3 Mbps upstream per 100 households; and 63 residential fixed connections with speeds of at least 100 Mbps downstream and 20 Mbps upstream per 100 households. See Figure 43.
Census tract and county shares of households with residential fixed connections
• We estimate the share of households with residential fixed connections in individual census tracts and counties as of June 30, 2024, and continue to observe substantial variation among these estimates. See Figures 48 and 51.
Today, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau approved Verizon’s $20 billion acquisition of Frontier by granting a series of applications that transfer FCC licenses and authorizations.
Chairman Carr issued the following statement:
“By approving this deal, the FCC ensures that Americans will benefit from a series of good and common-sense wins. The transaction will unleash billions of dollars in new infrastructure builds in communities across the country—including rural America. This investment will accelerate the transition away from old, copper line networks to modern, high-speed ones. And it delivers for America’s tower and telecom crews who do the hard, often gritty work needed to build high-speed networks.”
Secures New Infrastructure Builds and Investment for Rural America. Approving this transaction allows Verizon to upgrade and expand Frontier’s existing network in 25 states, bringing more fiber to more communities. Verizon’s new fiber deployments will enable the retirement of old copper networks, ensuring that more communities benefit from advanced technologies. Following the transaction, Verizon expects to deploy fiber to 1 million or more American homes annually.
Ensures that Discriminatory DEI Policies End. Verizon has also committed to ending DEI-related practices as specified in the FCC’s record and has reaffirmed the merged entity’s commitment to equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. This will ensure that the combined business will enact policies and practices consistent with the law and the public interest.
Delivers for America’s Workers. Finally, this transaction delivers wins for America’s workers. Following its engagements with NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association, Verizon made valuable commitments to America’s tower and telecom crews. These commitments remove costly burdens on this workforce and provide good-paying jobs for America’s workers while improving safety. A world-class wireless industry depends on having healthy companies that both construct and operate these networks. Verizon’s new commitments promote exactly that type of outcome.
Minnesota’s Office of Broadband Development has issued an urgent update on the status of Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan.
Late last Friday, May 9, 2025, the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) received notification from the federal government that it was immediately terminating the state’s $12 million grant from the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant Program. This funding was intended to reduce gaps in broadband access and expand digital skills and technology availability. All states received the same notification of cancellation and are awaiting further guidance from the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding next steps.
Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan, a deliverable from this program, focuses on ensuring every Minnesotan has the tools and skills needed to harness the full power of broadband and reap the benefits of a digital economy. The U.S. Department of Commerce had approved DEED’s Digital Opportunity Plan as part of the federal Digital Equity Act in 2024.
This sudden and unprecedented cancellation of awarded funding could hurt DEED’s work to expand broadband access and digital technology to Minnesotans who are most underserved: seniors, Greater Minnesota residents, veterans, low-income Minnesotans, people of color, people with disabilities, and more.
Due to this federal action, DEED will not be able to provide grants to local governments, organizations, and small businesses to ensure these Minnesotans have the tools and skills to access and use the internet and digital technology. DEED is also forced to halt a planned statewide network of local experts to ensure Minnesotans everywhere have equitable access to get online.
Minnesota is a leader in delivering broadband, and we are committed to expanding service to underserved and unserved areas throughout the state. In light of this sudden cancellation, we are working with partners to determine how best to pursue the goals of our Digital Opportunity Plan.
If you have any questions or would like further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to deed.broadband.equity@state.mn.us.
Thank you for your continued support and engagement.
MSN reports on the union view of recent legislation that rolls back rules set last year for broadband installers…
The union represents workers who install broadband infrastructure all over the country. State and federal investments are already providing the funding needed to close broadband gaps and Wojtowicz noted the next step is to ensure safe working conditions for crews.
“Companies got money to lay that infrastructure and in some instances, they’re hiring subcontractors or contractors of contractors, so there’s less oversight,” Wojtowicz explained.
She added unions secured new training standards at the state level last year but in this year’s legislative session, there have been attempts to roll back some of the language in the law. The unions said it is another reason why wider federal enforcement of labor protections is needed.
The Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe is launching a transformative broadband infrastructure project to bring fast, reliable internet access to our communities. Backed by an $18.7 million grant from the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), this project will include a combination of fiber-optic lines and fixed wireless towers to serve households and businesses across the reservation.
The network will include fiber routes and strategically placed wireless towers capable of delivering 5G fixed wireless internet. These towers awill broadcast internet within a defined coverage area.
Throughout May 2025, LLBO Tribal and Economic Development staff will attend Local Indian Council (LIC) meetings to share plans, answer questions, and gather input on tower site locations. Community feedback is critical to ensuring this project reflects local priorities and needs.
Project Timeline:
May 2025: Community outreach at LIC meetings
Fall/Winter 2025: Environmental review & final tower placement
Spring/Summer 2026: Construction begins
Fall 2026: Project completion anticipated
We encourage community members to participate in the meetings and help shape the future of internet access across Leech Lake.
Pine County Commissioners agreed to send a letter in support to Minnesota Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) on behalf of Mediacom Broadband, which is seeking to expand broadband access for residents in Pine County through grant funding.
Gerri Jenkins, Mediacom’s government partnership specialist, shared that the project includes Carlton County. In Pine County, 193 miles of fiber optic cable would be laid, connecting 1,104 locations of unserved and underserved homes. The proposed project is a total of 357 miles of fiber optic cable for 2,381 residents.
Mediacom estimates that the project would take three years to complete; services would be launched in phases in order to connect people to the broadband as quickly as possible.
They even invested…
Jenkins was seeking a letter of support from the county in order to bolster their application to BEAD. In addition to the letter of support, Jenkins asked the board for a financial commitment. “We are asking for any level; there is no stipulation of any amount.” She said such a commitment demonstrates to BEAD that the county is in partnership with Mediacom.
In his motion, Hallan proposed the county give $1,000 towards the project. The motion passed unanimously. Chair Josh Mohr and Commissioner JJ Waldhalm were not present.
If the grant is awarded, Jenkins said buildout of the project would begin next year in 2026, mid-year to fall. Mediacom expects to hear back on the grant by fall 2025.
The MN Broadband Task Force met today. They heard from the Hopkins Digital Access Initiative, an initiative to support seniors getting and using technology. They also heard from “women and broadband,” including information on Women in Technology.
News from the Office of Broadband Development. The Digital Opportunity funding has been terminated. That happened May 9 and OBD is still working on evaluating that situation. They are forging ahead with BEAD applications. They received 108 applications in round 11a; but only to cover 52 percent of BEAD eligible locations. There was overlap. They are holding off on opening BEAD Round 11b until more is known with federal expectations.
10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Welcome
Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
10:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.Approval of minutes from April Task Force Meeting
10:15a.m. – 10:45 a.m.Hopkins Digital Access Initiative A presentation on a collaborative community effort to develop a digital access plan in Hopkins. This multi-dimensional approach incorporates hyper-local research and deep engagement to inform a plan that will help ensure community members have the essential digital skills, tools, and support needed for everyday living in our digital world. This initiative offers a replicable and adaptable model for other communities. Rebekah Crosby, Co-Founder, Connecting to Thrive Carolyn Leslie, Co-Founder, Connecting to Thrive Beth Kivett, Activity Center Program Coordinator, Hopkins Activity Center
Questions:
What are barriers for seniors?
Everything – device, access, skills. Patience.
How have local providers been engaged?
Stacy from Comcast was helpful.
Have you seen any wins?
Yes relationships are forming before our eyes. We work with libraries and community education.
Is this a good model for other communities?
Our hope is to create a replicable model.
What would you like us to tell legislators?
Digital navigators are important. Talk to the local communities.
10:45 a.m.—11:30 a.m. Women in Broadband Leadership Panel Perspectives from industry leaders on women’s role in broadband Jill Huffman, Chief Executive Officer, Spring Grove Communications + MiBroadband Kristi Westbrock, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager, Consolidated Telecommunications Company
Questions:
How do we encourage women to get into leadership roles?
We are starting a telecom 101 class series – starring women in the industry. They will be virtual.
Partner with tech colleges for talent scouting.
Go out and talk to women. Start them as interns and get them around the departments.
When is a good time in the career for folks to make decisions?
We often can see within 90 days if a job is right for them; they usually know within the year.
What can we do for you?
Continued advocacy. We need the DEI programs. Highlight the WIT program.
11:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.Break
11:40 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.Legislative Updates
No budget target.
Possibility of special session
General funding (and pipeline safety funding) was approved in committees.
Broadband installer law changes have been approved – because of efforts of all partners. DO deadlines are pushed back and hours of training have been reduced.
There were other items that were on the table but this is the one that came to fruition.
11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.Office of Broadband Development Overview + BEAD and Digital Opportunity Updates Bree Maki, Executive Director, OBD
BEAD – still a lot of uncertainty. Lots of concern in the world – but no new guidance.
We thought changes would be made maybe this week – but so far nothing.
OBD – closed round 11a on April 21. 79,000 locations are BEAD eligible
Received 108 applications – but only for 52 percent of locations were covered. Lots of overlap. Again – this was or fiber only
Hoping interest in fiber continues
Some locations in rural MN are less dense – we are concerned about loss of very remote locations. OBD will make determination of projects areas for next round of applications.
We don’t know what changes might come. Forging ahead. But recognize that there’s a balance for moving forward and creating concern for applicants – we do not have an open date for round 11b yet.
We had been doing office hours. May 20 – we will give updates to the program – not jump into next round of funding.
DEA – we got a letter on Friday that terminated the digital equity funding – as of May 9, 2025.
Don’t know what’s next. It was a law that was passed. Looking at what national actions might happen to impact this decision.
We have agreements in place. We were expecting another $10 million. Trying to figure a way to do the work without funding. It’s complicated.
We worked hard to make sure that the plan was Minnesota-first – not NTIA. So at least there’s a plan. But no money.
65 grants will be closing out in the next few months
Semi-annual progress reports will happen again this summer.
Working with Connect Nation doing map verification. Field validations have increased because round 7 is complete; expect more when round 8 is done in Dec 2025.
We are looking at Line Extension grants opening again soon. Money must be spent by end on 2026.
New staff person: Megan Messerole to work on environmental support.
Questions:
Is there anything we can do legislatively to bridge the gap?
No. Maybe task force could evaluate and recommend for next year. We have to look at the resources we have in place. Right now the funding was federal.
Are you working on a response? Or a date when you might announcements about the future.
OBD will not make legal decisions. That would be up to the State Attorneys.
Will FTTH application score better in round 11b or is it all equal?
We have points for fiber but low cost is weighted too.
The Minnesota House passed legislation carried by Rep. Isaac Schultz (R-Elmdale Township) to streamline onerous regulations and help accelerate broadband deployment across the state. The bill, SF 908, makes key changes to the certification process for underground telecommunications installers, cutting unnecessary red tape while preserving important safety standards.
“This bill is a smart and time-sensitive step forward,” said Rep. Schultz. “We’re making it easier and more affordable to install the broadband infrastructure Minnesotans need, without compromising on safety.”
Key provisions of the bill include providing certainty and flexibility for broadband installers around the timing of training and certification requirements. It eliminates duplicative requirements for certified installers on a work site, and the bill also enables training provided in the previous two years to be used for the safety certification standards. These steps will help reduce installation costs, streamline project timelines, and ensure broadband installation continues without delay here in Minnesota.
Net Inclusion is an annual event and “an opportunity to gain digital equity insights, ignite change, and amplify your impact in the digital inclusion movement.” It’s not too late to register for it; it’s happening next week in Arizona.
For those of us who aren’t able to travel, they will be livestreaming the event via YouTube. Here’s a schedule:
Tuesday, May 20
Time (MST)
Content
Highlights
8:45-9:45
Welcome Plenary
– Mikhail Sundust, Welcome
– Kristopher Dosela, Blessing
– Governor Stephen Roe Lewis/Ginger Sunbird Martin, Welcome & Land Acknowledgment
– Basket Dancers
– Nicholas Capozzi, Welcome
9:45-10:00
Lightning Round 1
10:30-12:00
Breakout Session 1
– Funding Digital Equity Initiatives: A Panel of Local and National Private Funders
1:15-1:45
Lunch Plenary
– Kristi Zappie-Ferradino, Impact & Highlights of the National Digital Navigator Corps
Wednesday, May 21
Time (MST)
Content
Highlights
8:45-9:50
Morning Plenary
– Angela Siefer, State of Digital Inclusion
– Lev Gonick, Keynote – Looking back, moving forward
– Digital Equity Champions Awards
– Digital Inclusion Trailblazers Recognition
– Seven Star Communities Recognition
9:50-10:10
Lightning Round 2
10:30-11:30
Breakout Session 2
– Uplifting Community Impact and Outcomes Through Equity-Driven Community Storytelling
– Amy Huffman and Joseph Wender, Fireside Chat – Policy Pulse: Digital Equity and Broadband Policy Updates
3:00-4:00
Breakout Session 4
– Outputs vs. Impacts: Measuring Long-Term Success in Digital Equity
4:10-5:00
Special Session &
Lighting Round 3
-Davida Delmar, Special Session Plenary – Digital Equity in Four Directions for Indian Country: Development, Reflection, Capacity, Kinship
-Special Session Panel – Celebrating Connectivity: Indigenous Leadership in Bridging the Digital Divide
Thursday, May 22
Time (MST)
Content
Highlights
9:00-9:30
Morning Plenary
9:30-10:00
Lightning Round 4
10:30-11:30
Breakout Session 5
– Integrating Cybersecurity and Online Safety into Digital Literacy Inclusion
Rural broadband would get a boost if a precision agriculture bill introduced in the Senate were to be adopted.
The Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments (LAST ACRE) Act, introduced by U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), would create a competitive grant and loan program in the USDA focused on the “last acre.”
As a fact sheet explains, existing broadband programs support connectivity to households but don’t address connectivity across farmland and ranchland. That “last acre” connectivity would be important to support precision agriculture applications such as soil mapping and aerial imaging.
Precision Agriculture Bill
The LAST ACRE Act would:
Enable eligible producers to work with eligible service providers to apply for broadband service and to secure network offers across farm and ranch sites. Multipoint connectivity would be supported to enable data transmission between structures and devices. Funding also could be used for wireless infrastructure construction, including retrofitting existing vertical structures.
Update the USDA’s Agriculture Census to include questions about broadband adoption, including the subscribers’ speeds and the purposes of the connections.
The LAST ACRE Act is part of a broader package of three precision agriculture bills. The other two bills are the PRECISE Act, which would provide financial tools to help boost farmer and rancher adoption of precision agriculture technologies through existing USDA conservation programs. The Precision Agriculture Loan (PAL) Act would develop a USDA program to finance farmers and ranchers interested in purchasing precision agriculture equipment.
Here’s the agenda for tomorrow Broadband Task Force meeting…
Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
Thursday May 15, 2025
10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
10:00 a.m. – 10:10 a.m. Welcome
Teddy Bekele, Chair, Minnesota Governor’s Task Force on Broadband
10:10 a.m. – 10:15 a.m.Approval of minutes from April Task Force Meeting
10:15a.m. – 10:45 a.m.Hopkins Digital Access Initiative A presentation on a collaborative community effort to develop a digital access plan in Hopkins. This multi-dimensional approach incorporates hyper-local research and deep engagement to inform a plan that will help ensure community members have the essential digital skills, tools, and support needed for everyday living in our digital world. This initiative offers a replicable and adaptable model for other communities. Rebekah Crosby, Co-Founder, Connecting to Thrive
Carolyn Leslie, Co-Founder, Connecting to Thrive
Beth Kivett, Activity Center Program Coordinator, Hopkins Activity Center
10:45 a.m.—11:30 a.m. Women in Broadband Leadership Panel Perspectives from industry leaders on women’s role in broadband
Jill Huffman, Chief Executive Officer, Spring Grove Communications + MiBroadband Kristi Westbrock, Chief Executive Officer/General Manager, Consolidated Telecommunications Company
11:30 a.m. – 11:40 a.m.Break
11:40 a.m. – 11:50 a.m.Legislative Updates
11:50 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.Office of Broadband Development Overview + BEAD and Digital Opportunity Updates
Mediacom Communications today announced the company has launched multi-gig and symmetrical speed broadband services to just over 1,000 households located in the rural Minnesota community of Arlington.
Utilizing breakthrough technology to enhance the company’s fiber-powered network, Mediacom has created a more responsive end-to-end customer experience that prioritizes faster upload and download speeds, uncompromised network reliability, safe and secure connections, and lower latency.
Utilizing the new platform, Arlington residents will be able to choose from the following Xtream Internet offerings from Mediacom:
Internet 300 tier with speeds of 300 Mbps down and 100 Mbps up.
Internet 1 Gig Symmetrical tier with speeds of 1000 Mbps down by 1000 Mbps up.
Internet 2 Gig Unlimited tier with speeds of 2000 Mbps down by 1000 Mbps up.
The scalability of these network improvements will seamlessly allow Mediacom to ramp up from the one and two gigabit offerings of today to speeds of 10 gigabits and beyond in the coming years. Since this new technology is delivered using Mediacom’s existing fiber-rich network architecture, it was not necessary to dig up yards to add bulky equipment or bury cables.
Mediacom is now able to enhance the performance of these speeds even further using Advanced WiFi, a whole-home WiFi solution featuring eero’s TrueMesh designed to deliver an exceptional Internet connectivity experience throughout the entire house powered by eero 7 technology. With the recent launch of Mediacom Mobile, customers can take their Mediacom service on the go while enjoying access to America’s most awarded wireless network.
Last week, MinnPost painted a challenging picture of the Iron Range (Iron Range on the ropes: Mining and school layoffs test the region’s resiliency — again). I won’t recap the whole article, but it outlines the latest (and history) of mine closures, the gaps between mining work wages and others in the area and some unfortunate, other unusual turns in the community. I did see some glimmers of sunlight in the final portion of the article, where technology was mentioned…
Farnsworth is looking to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic as the next step for the Iron Range. Remote work caught on and stuck for many private industry employers — though some companies and the state have started requiring a return to in-office work — and rural areas benefited the most.
The CRPD’s annual State of Rural report in 2025 showed in-migration rates from Minnesota favored rural counties, which experienced modestly higher population rates in 2023 compared to 2020. It’s been a trend since the 2010s, mainly coming from urban counties and people seeking more affordable housing in the so-called lakes region.
That’s an attraction point for parts of the Iron Range region, Farnsworth said, and an opportunity. He envisioned building hundreds of affordable homes under $300,000 from Grand Rapids to Aurora, equipped with high speed internet, and letting the natural draws of lake life, less traffic and rural charms to lure metro-based remote workers.
In theory, it’s a simplistic equation for the region: More people to fill job vacancies, more families to boost school enrollment and — ideally — less impact to the broader communities when the next downturn comes.
“We’ve been through worse and we’ll get through this,” he said. “The Iron Range has a lot of years of potential left.”
Leech Lake News reports
