Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Headlines Daily Digest
House Clears Bill to Avert an Election-Season Shutdown
Don't Miss:
Four Principles for Communications Policy
About half of Americans say they spend too much time on their smartphone
Broadband Funding
Broadband Policy
States
Devices
AI/Platforms
Wireless
Company News
The House overwhelmingly passed a stopgap bill to avert a government shutdown at the end of the month, sending it to President Trump’s desk and punting a spending fight until after the midterm elections. The legislation includes language temporarily blocking the White House budget office from carrying out a proposed rule that would allow the administration to cancel grants to recipients that do not conform to Trump’s political views and enable his team to steer significant funding to causes and organizations aligned with him. Democrats cited that measure, in part, in explaining their support for the legislation. “This is an important first step, but more must be done to permanently block this policy before it is allowed to take effect,” said Representative Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), the top Democrat on the Appropriations Committee. “Federal funding must be awarded as Congress intended.” Many House Democrats who previously opposed the measure backed it after Republicans agreed to increase funding for programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, disaster relief and federal housing initiatives.
For more than thirty years, American communications users—really, American consumers—have been charged roughly $1 billion to $3 billion a year to subsidize Internet and related services for schools and libraries through the government's E-Rate program, which is one component of what's called the “Universal Service Fund.” That is a lot of compulsory generosity. Yet only now are policymakers asking the obvious question: Is this money helping students learn—or is it doing harm? Some treat that question as out of bounds. It is not. It is exactly the kind of review the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is empowered—and expected—to conduct. Credit the Trump Administration acting through the FCC for demanding answers and accountability. If ERate is not delivering, or worse, if it is hurting students, then it should be curtailed or ended. In the end, E-Rate should not get a forever pass because it began with good intentions. The FCC’s item appropriately asks whether the program still fits today’s realities and whether consumers should keep paying for it. That is just good government.
[Michael O’Rielly, a former FCC Commissioner, is an Adjunct Senior Fellow at the Free State Foundation, an independent, nonpartisan free market-oriented think tank located in Potomac, Maryland.]
Four principles have guided much of the United States’ approach to communications policy and have helped to enable the vibrant and prosperous digital ecosystem we benefit from today
- Principle 1: Successful digital markets depend upon sustained investment into resilient, adaptable, secure, and trusted communications infrastructure;
- Principle 2: Robust competition is essential to continuous innovation and consumer choice;
- Principle 3: Innovation flourishes when regulation remains flexible and can adapt alongside technological change; and
- Principle 4: International cooperation is strongest when it advances our shared interests while respecting each nation’s sovereignty, laws, and institutions.
Our responsibility is to create the conditions in which innovation can flourish, investment can grow, competition can thrive, and citizens can benefit from the extraordinary opportunities that communications technologies make possible.
Louisiana's BEAD broadband buildout set to complete construction for nearly 15k locations by early 2027
Broadband construction in Louisiana is advancing and moving quickly, with construction for nearly 15,000 broadband serviceable locations projected to be complete by the end of the first quarter of 2027 across 23 parishes. Nearly 1,800 miles of fiber are being deployed across the state to help Louisiana create the infrastructure needed to connect more communities and expand economic opportunities. These projects are bringing reliable, high-speed internet to communities that have historically lacked reliable connectivity, helping Louisiana move closer to its goal of statewide access by 2028. Through GUMBO 2.0, Louisiana is using more than $1.36 billion in BEAD funding to connect remaining locations across the state that still lack reliable access. As the first state to secure approval, deploy funds and begin construction, Louisiana is setting the pace for broadband deployment nationwide and turning historic federal investment into infrastructure in real time.
Just over half of U.S. adults say they spend too much time on their smartphone. About a third of adults say their smartphone use is about right, while just 3% say they spend too little time using these devices. Younger adults stand out for describing their smartphone use as excessive. Seven-in-ten adults under 30 say they spend too much time on it, as do about two-thirds of those ages 30 to 49. Roughly half of those ages 50 to 64 and a quarter of those 65 and older say the same. While many Americans feel their phone takes up too much of their time, are they doing anything about it? 45% of U.S. adults say they’ve tried to cut back on their smartphone use over the past 12 months. A nearly identical share (46%) says they have not tried to do so. Not surprisingly, those who feel they spend too much time on their smartphone are more likely to say they’ve tried to cut back. Among this group, 62% say this.
Among the 27% of U.S. adults who use AI systems for social, emotional and personal purposes, a third consider their AI as a friend. Many have other striking views:
- 59% Agreed that “AI gives me the support I need”
- 53% Agreed that they “turn to AI for advice on how to handle difficult situations with other people”
- 50% Agreed that they use AI to “talk through personal problems or feelings”
Benton (www.benton.org) provides the only free, reliable, and non-partisan daily digest that curates and distributes news related to universal broadband, while connecting communications, democracy, and public interest issues. Posted Monday through Friday, this service provides updates on important industry developments, policy issues, and other related news events. While the summaries are factually accurate, their sometimes informal tone may not always represent the tone of the original articles. Headlines are compiled by Kevin Taglang (headlines AT benton DOT org), Grace Tepper (grace AT benton DOT org), and Zoe Walker (zwalker AT benton DOT org) — we welcome your comments.
© Benton Institute for Broadband & Society 2026. Redistribution of this email publication — both internally and externally — is encouraged if it includes this message. For subscribe/unsubscribe info email: headlines AT benton DOT org
Kevin Taglang
Executive Editor, Communications-related Headlines
Benton Institute
for Broadband & Society
1041 Ridge Rd, Unit 214
Wilmette, IL 60091
847-220-4531
headlines AT benton DOT org
Share this edition:
The Benton Institute for Broadband & Society All Rights Reserved © 2024