- 58 Trailblazing Governments
- New Legislation for Internet Access
- Utah Digital Literacy Law
- Texas Invests $29M for Broadband
- Internet Safety Task Force
58 TRAILBLAZING GOVERNMENTS
The National Digital Inclusion Alliance (NDIA) announced its 2025 Digital Inclusion Trailblazers, recognizing 58 local governments for their work to bridge digital inequities last year.
The initiative started in 2016, when it recognized seven governments. This year, the “trailblazers” represent 25 states. The city of Charlotte, N.C., received recognition for the first time this year. Others include Austin, Texas; Bloomington, Ind.; Cook County, Ill.; Portland, Ore.; and New York City.
NDIA also unveiled its 2025 awardees from the Seven Star Communities program.
The awardees are the Alliance for Navajo Broadband, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, Gila River Indian Community, Gila River Telecommunications Inc., Hoopa Valley Public Utilities District, Jemez Pueblo Tribal Network, Mohawk Networks LLC and Sṕq́ńiʔ Broadband Services.
The Seven Star Communities program launched in 2024 through a partnership between NDIA and AMERIND Critical Infrastructure, a tribally owned company. Materials shared by this year’s awardees will be available on the program webpage.
NEW LEGISLATION FOR INTERNET ACCESS
At the federal level, lawmakers have introduced legislation to improve broadband access across the U.S.
The Middle Mile for Rural America Act, bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Elissa Slotkin and Cindy Hyde-Smith, proposes a five-year reauthorization of the middle-mile infrastructure program as a way to connect rural communities to high-speed Internet service. U.S. Reps. Randy Feenstra and Josh Riley introduced a companion bill in the House.
“I expect this reauthorization to be approved so that electric cooperatives, like those in Mississippi, can continue their work to expand broadband service,” Hyde-Smith said in a statement.
UTAH DIGITAL LITERACY LAW
In other legislative news, the Utah state Legislature got acquainted with a new bill Tuesday related to digital literacy for students.
House Bill 218 would require high school students to complete a half-credit digital literacy course in order to graduate. The bill defines digital literacy concepts, including social media awareness, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and data privacy. It also would establish a task force to oversee education in this area. The bill sets an implementation timeline for the course and requires an assessment for students. Finally, it requires the integration of digital literacy throughout K-12 education.
No money is appropriated in this bill, meaning it is not expected to generate additional cost. If passed, it will take effect May 6.
TEXAS INVESTS $29M FOR BROADBAND
In other state news, the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) has awarded a $29 million grant to the Lower Colorado River Authority to help expand Internet access in rural communities.
Specifically, the grant is intended to help expand and harden flood-monitoring infrastructure and extend fiber in underserved areas to help make Internet service more accessible and affordable. It is also expected to support improved access to emergency services, filling a need illustrated by 2025 flooding.
“The July 4, 2025, floods were a sobering reminder that real-time data and reliable communications save lives,” Acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock said in a statement. “This project will both strengthen those capabilities and deliver daily broadband access to communities along the Lower Colorado.”
INTERNET SAFETY TASK FORCE
Internet increasingly plays a role in education, but there are gaps in digital literacy, which can impact students’ safety online.
To address this issue, Washington County Public Schools (WCPS) in Virginia has launched a new Internet Safety and Prevention Task Force focused on education, awareness and prevention of Internet crimes.
The task force convenes partners across sectors, including the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, Virginia State Police, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Abingdon Police Department, and the Children’s Advocacy Center.
The task force held its first meeting Jan. 8. Its goals are to increase awareness of current and new online threats, and share prevention strategies and measures to help keep students safe online.
In the current calendar year, 192,000 digital attacks targeting Virginia children have been detected, according to data from the announcement.
WCPS is also working to implement safety measures such as limiting YouTube access, restricting external email communication and establishing screen time limits by grade.
