National Public Radio

In the 20th century, connecting your house to the electric grid was the best way to experience the rapidly evolving world. These days, the best way to engage with modern society is undoubtedly the internet. The name of the game is broadband internet. That means a connection fast enough to stream TV at home, connect computers in a school, or manage a small business. And while internet speeds in urban areas continue to get faster, about a quarter of people living in rural or tribal communities are still stuck using slow connections.

Recent federal funding changes have paused some programs or grants but the Oklahoma Broadband Office appears to be in good shape. In 2025, the office awarded more than 180 projects amounting to over $500 million in grants for broadband infrastructure projects across the state.

Scientists and public health leaders are taking stock of the Trump administration's abrupt decision to pull down web pages, datasets and selected information from federal health websites.