Waiting On The Green Light To Connect Rural America And Bridge The Digital Divide

Efforts are underway to bridge the digital divide in rural America.

More than $42 billion in funding is being used right now to expand broadband access. However, the rollout has faced a number of delays.

CEO of the Consolidated Telephone Company, Kristi Westbrock, spoke with RFD-TV’s Tammi Arender about the program, the impact of the BEAD Program, and what to expect moving forward.

Related Stories
Payment totals alone do not show financial stress — production costs and net losses complete the picture.
Year-round E15 remains on the table, but procedural caution and competing regional interests pushed action into a slower, negotiated path.
A mid-January winter storm delivered snow, ice, and extreme cold to a broad swath of the U.S., disrupting transportation, stressing livestock systems, and adding cost and complexity to winter farm operations as producers look toward spring.
Heavier weights and strong late-year slaughter supported December production, but lower annual totals highlight ongoing supply tightness heading into 2026.
Junior Livestock Champions Grand Champion Market Steer, topping out at $320,000