The State’s Office of Broadband Development reported it can no longer fulfill grants promised to local governments, organizations and small businesses after the cancellation of more federal funding.
A total of $12 million was slated to support Minnesota’s Digital Opportunity Plan, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Commerce last year.
The funding would have been used to reduce gaps in broadband access and expand digital skills and technology availability.
The funding was canceled across the nation earlier this month when President Donald Trump declared the Digital Equity Act to be unconstitutional in a post on Truth Social.
"This sudden and unprecedented cancellation of awarded funding could hurt DEED’s work to expand broadband access and digital technology to Minnesotans who are most underserved: seniors, Greater Minnesota residents, veterans, low-income Minnesotans, people of color, people with disabilities, and more," stated the agency in a release.
While Trump’s reason for cancellation appeared related to race, The New York Times reports the law hardly mentions race and is primarily focused on broadband expansion to rural and underserved areas.
The move is expected to be challenged in the courts.
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Contributed/St. Louis CountyThe march will be Thursday, May 22, 2025, at Olcott Park in Virginia. Participants are encouraged to wear white to represent survivorship, support and community for perinatal mental health. -
The line would run from its Iron Range Substation near Grand Rapids to its St. Louis County Substation near Hermantown with a connection to American Transmission Co.’s nearby Arrowhead Substation. -
Contributed/National Weather Service - DuluthA red flag warning is in effect through 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 20, 2025, including for the Camp House and Jenkins Creek wildfires, where crews are prepping for high winds. -
Contributed/MN DNRThe Minnesota DNR will accept comments through May 22, 2025, on its plan to create a new channel and install a 50-foot bridge on Mud Lake near the city of Steelton. -
Contributed/Andrew VonBank / House Public Information ServicesLawmakers are working to pass a $66 billion to $67 billion two-year budget that will fund everything from schools to parks to health care and services for people with disabilities. -
Plus: North Memorial Health will continue to be the ambulance service provider in the Walker area after a meeting of the newly-formed special taxing authority; Minnesota's Office of Broadband Development announces it can no longer honor $12 million in grants to local governments and small businesses after federal funding cuts; and the Minnesota DNR is accepting comment on an environmental assessment worksheet to restore habitat on the St. Louis River. -
Contributed/North Memorial HealthThe special joint taxing authority formed to fund the ambulance service for Walker and surrounding communities also approved a $528,500 levy for 2026. -
Contributed/C. Skustad / U.S. Forest ServiceThe three wildfires have burned more than 30,000 acres of land in St. Louis County and destroyed more than 150 structures. -
As three large wildfires burn in St. Louis County, Leanne Langeberg of the Minnesota Interagency Fire Center provides insight into the work firefighters have been doing.
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And: Plans advance for fraud restitution fund in Minnesota; and Highway 73 pavement resurfacing in Chisholm starts Monday.
