Internet cable being laid in rural AmericaThe USDA’s ReConnect Program has awarded $167 million in grants and loans to create and/or improve broadband infrastructure. The projects were decided through a competitive process and will go to rural parts of America lacking sufficient access to high-speed internet service in 12 states — Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, Missouri, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Virginia were the winning states. Around $1.5 billion has been distributed improve internet access since the program began in 2018. Read the full story.