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  2. September 2025

September 2025

From Crumbs to Connections: Minnesota’s Broadband Future

When it comes to federal efforts to close the digital divide, Minnesota has been left behind. Program after program has promised transformational change—yet time and again, your communities are still waiting. But Minnesota has the power—and the track record—to build its own broadband future. Federal broadband programs have failed the state. They promised a feast and delivered crumbs. In the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund, ISPs defaulted on 80% of  more than $400,000,000 in state RDOF funds and on 78% of the over 142,000 RDOF locations.

FCC Saves Taxpayers Over $9 Million Following Audit Reviews

The Federal Communications Commission ordered seven phone companies to repay over $9 million to the Universal Service Fund after audits discovered overpayments of federal support. In doing so, the FCC’s Wireline Competition Bureau largely affirmed the findings of non-compliance by the Universal Service Administrative Company for these legacy rate-of-return carriers and ordered the support recovery.

Major Organizations Commit to Supporting AI Education

In April 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order to create new educational and workforce development opportunities for America’s youth to gain interest and expertise in AI technology from an early age and enable the U.S. to maintain global dominance in the AI revolution. Here are some of the organizations that have committed to providing resources for AI education among America’s youth: 

Sen Cruz Unveils AI Policy Framework to Strengthen American AI Leadership

Senate Commerce Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-TX) released a legislative framework designed to promote American leadership in artificial intelligence. The framework outlines five pillars to guide Congressional efforts on AI policy and proposes a light-touch regulatory strategy to make safe AI deployment easier in the United States while protecting against emerging risks. As part of the pillar’s first step, “Unleash American Innovation and Long-Term Growth,” Sen.

NTIA Announces Changes to FirstNet Board

The Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration announced that Renee Gordon departed the FirstNet Authority Board on September 8, 2025, following the conclusion of her three-year term. Gordon, the Director of Emergency and Customer Communications with the City of Alexandria, Va., was appointed to the FirstNet Authority Board in 2022. Since January 2025, Gordon served as the Acting Board Chair. Following Gordon’s departure, Sheriff Michael A.

Speech

From Crumbs to Connections: Minnesota’s Broadband Future

Benton Institute for Broadband & Society

Wednesday, September 10, 2025

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