1. Monthly archive
  2. July 2025

July 2025

Angie Cooper to Lead as President of Heartland Forward

Heartland Forward, a non-profit, policy think-and-do tank working to accelerate economic growth in the middle of the country, today announced Ross DeVol, who has led the organization since 2019, will transition to serve as chairman emeritus and distinguished fellow, and Angie Cooper, who has served as president and chief operating officer, will lead the organization. Under Cooper’s leadership, Heartland Forward will continue to focus on its core impact areas all driven by applied research, programs, policy and convenings:

Rural Veterans Struggle to Access VA Care as Broadband Gaps Persist

Veterans living in rural America are being left behind by Federal healthcare systems due to shortages of robust broadband services and limited telehealth access, lawmakers and witnesses warned on July 25 during a field hearing of the House Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization. During the hearing, which was held in Urbana (IL), Members of Congress heard firsthand how the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) telehealth programs remain out of reach for many veterans in rural areas who lack reliable internet access.

EchoStar avoids default, keeps FCC talks alive

EchoStar's subsidiary Dish made scheduled interest payments that were originally due July 1, thereby avoiding default.

Areas Eligible for Other Funding

The Federal Communications Commission's Wireline Competition Bureau (WCB or Bureau) announced that certain Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) census block groups (CBGs) are now eligible for other funding programs.

BEAD Letter of Credit Waiver Update

The Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) requires states to establish a model letter of credit substantially similar to the model letter of credit established by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in connection with the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. On December 11, 2024, the FCC adopted a Report and Order modifying its rules to eliminate Weiss ratings as the standard for United States banks to be considered acceptable for issuing letters of credit.

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