Featured Stories
Okla. A.G. Drummond Notifies Federal Court of Sara Polston's Removal From GPS Program
OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 3 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
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Drummond notifies federal court of Sara Polston's removal from GPS program
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 2, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office today notified a federal court that Sara Polston has been removed from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' GPS surveillance program and reassigned to a correctional facility. The move stems from an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations that she voted illegally as a convicted felon.
Polston is serving an eight-year
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Oklahoma, Oct. 3 -- Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued the following news release:
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Drummond notifies federal court of Sara Polston's removal from GPS program
OKLAHOMA CITY (Oct. 2, 2026) - Attorney General Gentner Drummond's office today notified a federal court that Sara Polston has been removed from the Oklahoma Department of Corrections' GPS surveillance program and reassigned to a correctional facility. The move stems from an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations that she voted illegally as a convicted felon.
Polston is serving an eight-yearsentence for a 2023 drunk-driving crash that seriously injured a young woman. She was released early to the GPS ankle monitoring program after just 73 days behind bars. A Multi-County Grand Jury report released in May found her early release resulted from political favoritism by Gov. Kevin Stitt.
According to today's notice, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Oklahoma, the Department of Corrections reassigned Polston from the Electronic Monitoring Program to the Mabel Bassett Correctional Center on Oct. 1. Polston is accused of voting in both the June 16 and Aug. 25 statewide elections. State law bars people from voting while they're serving a felony sentence.
"Sara Polston has again shown Oklahomans that she believes she does not have to be held accountable for her actions," Drummond said. "She belongs in prison for causing an accident while driving under the influence of alcohol that resulted in great bodily injury to an innocent young woman. Now, she has used her highly controversial and inappropriate release to the Department of Corrections GPS surveillance program to again flout the law. The reality is that no one, including Sara Polston, is above the law."
Polston filed a federal lawsuit in August seeking to block her removal from the GPS program under Senate Bill 137, which goes into effect Nov. 1. Today's notice states her reassignment was based on the program's own rules, not the new law.
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Read the filing here: https://oklahoma.gov/content/dam/ok/en/oag/news-documents/2026/october/Polston%20-%20Notice%20Regarding%20Program%20Assignment.pdf
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Original text here: https://oklahoma.gov/oag/news/newsroom/2026/october/drummond-notifies-federal-court-of-sara-polston-s-removal-from-gps-program.html
NCDA&CS Awards $51.2 Million in Farmland Preservation Grants in 44 Counties
RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 3 -- The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the following news release:
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Friday, October 2, 2026
NCDA&CS awards $51.2 million in Farmland Preservation grants in 44 counties
Historic state investment supports lasting protection of N.C. working farms and forests
RALEIGH
The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund has awarded $51.2 million in grants to help protect working farms and forests and support North Carolina's agricultural economy.
Grants were awarded to farms and projects in Alamance,
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RALEIGH, North Carolina, Oct. 3 -- The North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services issued the following news release:
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Friday, October 2, 2026
NCDA&CS awards $51.2 million in Farmland Preservation grants in 44 counties
Historic state investment supports lasting protection of N.C. working farms and forests
RALEIGH
The N.C. Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund has awarded $51.2 million in grants to help protect working farms and forests and support North Carolina's agricultural economy.
Grants were awarded to farms and projects in Alamance,Anson, Avery, Bladen, Brunswick, Cabarrus, Camden, Chatham, Cherokee, Clay, Cleveland, Columbus, Craven, Cumberland, Currituck, Davie, Duplin, Franklin, Guilford, Harnett, Haywood, Iredell, Johnston, Lee, Lincoln, Macon, Madison, Martin, Mitchell, Onslow, Orange, Person, Randolph, Rockingham, Rowan, Rutherford, Surry, Transylvania, Tyrrell, Union, Wake, Watauga, Wayne and Wilkes counties.
"I want to sincerely thank the General Assembly for its historic investment in farmland preservation and for recognizing the importance of protecting the land that sustains us," said Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler. "This support will make a significant, lasting difference for farm families and rural communities across North Carolina. We are grateful for the opportunity to help more landowners protect their farms and preserve the resources future generations will need to produce food and fiber."
The General Assembly's 2026-27 budget included $46.9 million in nonrecurring funding and an additional $2 million in recurring funding for the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, the largest single-year investment in the program's history.
Agricultural conservation easements provide a voluntary way for landowners to protect their working lands. Preserving these farms and forests helps maintain the land base needed for agricultural production and supports the rural communities and businesses that depend on it.
"I also appreciate the farmers, landowners, county governments, soil and water conservation districts, and land trusts that supported this cause during our Farmland Preservation Advocacy Day in May," said Troxler. "Without the farmer and local support, there is no farmland preservation."
While the awards represent a significant investment in farmland preservation, applicants for the current grant cycle should not assume the same level of funding will be available. Funding levels can vary, and awards will depend on the resources available for that cycle.
"We are thankful for this historic support, but demand for farmland preservation remains high," Troxler said. "We will continue working with the General Assembly and our partners to keep farmland preservation a priority."
The ADFP Trust Fund provides grants to county governments and nonprofit organizations for agricultural conservation easements, agricultural development projects, agricultural plans and Agricultural Growth Zones. Farmers, landowners, and others interested in applying must partner with a qualified nonprofit conservation organization or county government to participate in an ADFP Trust Fund grant proposal.
For the complete list of grant awards, visit the NCDA&CS Farmland Preservation Division website at https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/farmland-preservation/history/cycle-19.
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Original text here: https://www.ncagr.gov/news/press-releases/2026/10/02/ncdacs-awards-512-million-farmland-preservation-grants-44-counties
Mich. Health & Human Services Dept.: Prescription Drugs Covered by Medicaid Plans Topic of October 27 Meeting
LANSING, Michigan, Oct. 3 -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release:
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Prescription drugs covered by Medicaid plans topic of October 27 meeting
October 02, 2026
LANSING, Mich. - The public is invited to attend a virtual meeting hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Oct. 27, about the list of prescription drugs covered under Michigan's Medicaid health plans known as the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide an annual forum for the
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LANSING, Michigan, Oct. 3 -- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services issued the following news release:
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Prescription drugs covered by Medicaid plans topic of October 27 meeting
October 02, 2026
LANSING, Mich. - The public is invited to attend a virtual meeting hosted by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) from 9:30 a.m. to noon, Tuesday, Oct. 27, about the list of prescription drugs covered under Michigan's Medicaid health plans known as the Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide an annual forum for thepublic, community partners and interested parties to comment on the prescription list. This forum is in addition to the quarterly written public comment periods.
The annual Michigan Medicaid Health Plan Common Formulary stakeholder meeting will be held virtually via Zoom using the password 8Ty1MM. Participants may also access the meeting by phone by dialing 408-961-3929 and entering access code 257756. Attendees are asked to RSVP by emailing KrepsD@michigan.gov by Wednesday, Oct. 21.
MDHHS created the common formulary in 2016 to streamline drug coverage policies for Medicaid and Healthy Michigan Plan beneficiaries and providers. The common formulary is required by state law and in the Medicaid health plan contract to ensure that prescription drugs are common across all contracted plans.
Medicaid health plans may be less restrictive, but not more restrictive, than the coverage in the common formulary for products not on the Michigan Preferred Drug List, which is a subset of the drugs listed in the common formulary.
As of Oct. 1, 2020, the common formulary coverage for products began aligning with the Michigan Preferred Drug List, including any prior authorization and step therapy requirements.
Find more information about the common formulary including the list of covered prescription drugs at Michigan.gov/MCOpharmacy.
If you need special services to attend the meeting, including ASL interpreters, written information in other formats or language translation services, email krepsd@michigan.gov no later than 5 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16, to allow sufficient time to set up arrangements.
Those unable to attend can submit questions or comments to the Common Formulary mailbox at MDHHSCommonFormulary@michigan.gov no later than Wednesday, Oct. 21.
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Original text here: https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/inside-mdhhs/newsroom/2026/10/02/common-formulary
Md. DNR Report Marks Five Years of Upward Trajectory for Maryland's Oyster Populations
ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Oct. 3 (TNSrpt) -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources issued the following news:
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DNR Report Marks Five Years of Upward Trajectory for Maryland's Oyster Populations
Management report details increases in sanctuaries, public fishing areas, and aquaculture
October 2, 2026
A new Maryland Department of Natural Resources report details the significant growth of the oyster population and substantial progress toward the state's oyster management goals for the past five years.
The report is part of the department's commitment to assess the three areas of oyster
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ANNAPOLIS, Maryland, Oct. 3 (TNSrpt) -- The Maryland Department of Natural Resources issued the following news:
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DNR Report Marks Five Years of Upward Trajectory for Maryland's Oyster Populations
Management report details increases in sanctuaries, public fishing areas, and aquaculture
October 2, 2026
A new Maryland Department of Natural Resources report details the significant growth of the oyster population and substantial progress toward the state's oyster management goals for the past five years.
The report is part of the department's commitment to assess the three areas of oystermanagement--sanctuaries, public fishery areas, and aquaculture--every five years.
On Friday, the department released the 2021-2025 Oyster Management Review, which found that the state has met or made positive progress toward its objectives in all three areas.
The review looks back on a highly productive five-year period, which saw the highest averages for Maryland oyster reproduction, habitat availability, and overall biomass in decades, as well as low levels of disease and observed mortality.
Aside from describing positive outcomes for areas of public fishery and aquaculture, the review analyzes the considerable success seen in the state's oyster sanctuaries, including 33 sanctuaries that are either restored, trending positively, or undergoing restoration, compared to only four areas that are not performing better since being designated as a sanctuary.
"These past five years underscore the remarkable success story for oysters in Maryland," Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said. "We've seen really impressive population growth in our oyster sanctuaries and in public harvest areas. At the same time, oyster aquaculture continues to expand throughout the state. These wins are vital for the health of the Chesapeake Bay and to the economic prosperity of Maryland communities."
Success in sanctuaries
DNR set five objectives for sanctuary areas in 2019; the review found that the state has met two objectives and the other three are in progress.
One met objective was the department's 2025 completion of initial restoration of five large-scale tributary sanctuaries, aligning with the state's 2014 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement commitment. The other met objective is conserving and protecting oyster habitat and biomass through continued maintenance.
The state is also seeing progress on increasing oyster populations, broodstock (mature oysters that can produce future generations), and oyster biomass (the total weight of oysters in the ecosystem). Most sanctuary areas showed positive trends in increasing oyster density, and effective restoration techniques have allowed for steady increases in biomass. DNR is continuing to support small-scale and community-based restoration in tributaries throughout the Chesapeake Bay.
The review also describes the state's 51 oyster sanctuaries based on their performance and restoration status as of 2025. Aside from the five restored sanctuaries, 12 sanctuaries have positive population growth or average densities exceeding 94.2 oysters per square meter on fall survey sampled sites, and another 16 sanctuaries have received or have plans for restoration or plantings.
Four sanctuaries are underperforming and under evaluation for corrective action. The remaining sanctuaries are either set for educational, nonprofit, or laboratory research (five sanctuaries) or lack data because of an inability to sample or have minimal historical habitat (nine sanctuaries).
Oysters are a keystone species in the Chesapeake Bay because they form reefs, creating habitat that fosters an ecosystem, and because they are important for filtering water. Many of the ecological benefits of oysters are most prominent when the shellfish are able to form dense, three-dimensional reefs, which provide habitat for fish and other aquatic life.
Because sanctuaries are permanently closed to harvest, except on aquaculture lease sites, these areas are intended as places where oysters can grow undisturbed. Scientists also hope these sanctuaries will increase the Bay's overall spawning stock of oysters and facilitate natural disease resistance.
The report reviewed different sanctuary areas based on a number of metrics, including the number of adult oysters (small and market size), the amount of spat (or juvenile oysters), the available habitat, and the observed level of mortality. This data was used to determine a ranking score that compared how sanctuaries were doing relative to other sanctuaries. The top performing sanctuaries included the St. Marys River, Little Choptank River, Nanticoke River, Harris Creek, Upper Choptank River, Hoopers Strait, and Tred Avon River.
Data used to determine the characteristics and long-term trends in the sanctuaries comes from DNR's annual Fall Oyster Survey.
The 2021-2025 Review's Appendix A includes detailed information about each of the state's 51 sanctuaries, including tables of sampling data and graphs of trends over time. The full report and appendices are published on DNR's website. Learn more about the sanctuaries through a detailed Storymap on Maryland's oyster sanctuaries or an interactive map of the sanctuaries.
Growth in public fishery areas
The oyster population growth in sanctuary areas was concurrent with an upward trend in many non-sanctuary areas. In the five years that the review assessed, a majority of non-sanctuary areas experienced significant increases in total live oyster density, market-sized oysters, and biomass.
Of the department's three 2019 objectives for oyster public harvest areas, one is being met and two are ongoing. DNR is meeting the objective of overseeing the fishery with science-based management that is based on biological stock assessments. This effort includes the 2024 stock assessment that found oyster populations in Maryland waters had more than tripled from 2005 to 2023.
The state is also achieving a sustainable public oyster fishery with increasing oyster density and biomass, as well as favorable recruitment rates and low mortality in many areas. DNR is managing the oyster fishery by setting harvest limits and carrying out hatchery produced spat-on-shell plantings, shell plantings, wild seed plantings, and substrate construction to enhance the stock of oysters.
The review also assessed the productivity of oysters in harvest areas. A majority of non-sanctuary areas in 2021-2025 saw significant increases in total oyster density, market-sized oysters, and biomass compared to earlier five-year periods. Mortality also remained below long-term averages, although several higher salinity areas experienced more mortality due to oyster diseases in 2023.
The public oyster fishery experienced strong harvests during the years of the review, with harvests in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 seasons being the highest in decades and generating more than $21 million and $31 million in dockside value respectively. Despite hardships faced by watermen last winter due to market conditions and freezing weather, available data suggests that large amounts of oysters are present in fishery areas to sustain future harvests.
Similar to the review of the sanctuary areas, the review analyzed the density of oysters, observed mortality, and habitat in public harvest areas. The department then compared and ranked these public harvest areas. Broad Creek, Tred Avon River, Upper Patuxent River, Smith Creek, Middle Choptank River, and Wicomico River East ranked as the top harvest areas sampled in Maryland, while the low-salinity area in the Lower Chester River experienced low recruitment that resulted in some local harvest closures.
The review's Appendix B has a detailed breakdown of observed oyster metrics at public harvest areas across Maryland waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The full report and appendices will be published on DNR's website.
Aquaculture expansion
DNR is making progress toward its two aquaculture objectives: supporting policies and partnerships that increase private investment in oyster aquaculture, and expanding oyster aquaculture in areas with suitable habitat.
The state has evaluated and improved the permitting process for oyster aquaculture, and a partner loan program allows aquaculture leaseholders to purchase equipment, shell, and seed. In partnership with the University of Maryland and Maryland Sea Grant, the department also developed aquaculture training and education programs. The department is exploring a demonstration lease program that would allow schools and other organizations to educate people on the ecological and economic benefits of oysters.
DNR has also created an online mapping tool, the Aquaculture Siting tool, to help prospective commercial shellfish lease applicants locate potential lease areas.
Maryland modernized its aquaculture leasing program in 2010, requiring leaseholders to actively cultivate their leases, and DNR has received 649 shellfish lease applications between that time and 2025. There are now 471 active leases in the state, spanning 7,622 acres. Harvest from aquaculture leases has grown from 22,428 bushels in 2013 to 94,286 in 2023, and the industry is estimated to have an economic impact of more than $13 million annually in the state.
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REPORT: https://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/Documents/Oysters/2021-2025OysterManagementReview.pdf
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Original text here: https://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2026/10/02/dnr-report-marks-five-years-of-upward-trajectory-for-marylands-oyster-populations/
Md. A.G. Brown Announces No Charges Will Be Filed in the July 1, 2026 Police-Involved In-Custody Death in Greenbelt
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 3 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Announces No Charges Will Be Filed in the July 1, 2026 Police-Involved In-Custody Death in Greenbelt
10/2/2026
BALTIMORE, MD - Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the July 1, 2026 police-involved in-custody death that occurred in Greenbelt, Prince George's County, Maryland. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General found that the subject officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law.
On
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BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 3 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Announces No Charges Will Be Filed in the July 1, 2026 Police-Involved In-Custody Death in Greenbelt
10/2/2026
BALTIMORE, MD - Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the July 1, 2026 police-involved in-custody death that occurred in Greenbelt, Prince George's County, Maryland. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General found that the subject officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law.
OnWednesday, July 1, 2026, at approximately 9:59 p.m., an officer with the United States Park Police (USPP) stopped at a red light on the off ramp of Exit 193 from Maryland Highway 295 (the Baltimore-Washington Parkway) at Southway. While waiting for the light to change, the officer observed a car exit the highway at a high rate of speed. The car crossed a grass median and continued across Southway into a heavily wooded area. The USPP officer reported the crash by radio to USPP and the Greenbelt Police Department (GPD), requested GPD assistance, and asked for emergency medical services (EMS) to respond. The USPP officer then entered the wooded area to locate the vehicle.
The vehicle was found in the wooded area. USPP officers located an infant in the back seat of the car. The driver was identified as Michael MacDougall. Because of his appearance and behavior, officers believed that MacDougall was under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Officers could not obtain information from MacDougall because he was unable to provide coherent responses. One USPP officer retrieved the infant while another ordered MacDougall to get out of the car. MacDougall complied and was placed in handcuffs.
Officers escorted MacDougall out of the woods to the sidewalk, where he was seated and later placed on his side. GPD Officer Tyler Fahey arrived after MacDougall was removed from the car. While waiting for EMS, GPD Officer Fahey assisted USPP officers in keeping MacDougall on his side in a recovery position. MacDougall continued to move and kick on the ground, and officers determined that leg restraints were necessary for his and their safety. Officer Fahey retrieved the restraints from his cruiser, returned to the scene, and applied them.
Officers discussed whether to sit MacDougall up and determined it was better to have him on his side in recovery position while they waited for EMS to arrive. At approximately 10:07 p.m., MacDougall became unresponsive. Officers administered medical aid, removed the handcuffs, and signaled for EMS personnel, who had arrived on scene. MacDougall was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. No officers were injured during the incident.
The Medical Examiner's findings were an important part of the IID's analysis. As detailed in the declination report, the Medical Examiner determined that MacDougall's death was an "Accident" and resulted from "Combined effects of Methadone and Amphetamine." The Medical Examiner further determined that "the restraint applied by law enforcement was not contributory towards his death."
The Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating this police-involved in-custody death on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, and concluded its investigation on September 24, 2026. Under Maryland law, the IID has the authority to investigate Maryland police officers involved in incidents that result in the death of an individual or in injuries likely to result in the death of an individual. The IID's investigation in this matter addressed only the conduct of the GPD officer.
After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the GPD officer did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the GPD officer in this case.
A copy of the IID's detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-No-Charges-Will-Be-Filed-in-the-July-1,-2026-Police-Involved-In-Custody-Death-in-Greenbelt.aspx
Md. A.G. Brown Announces No Charges Will Be Filed in July 5, 2026 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in City of Baltimore
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 3 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Announces No Charges Will Be Filed in the July 5, 2026 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in the City of Baltimore
BALTIMORE, MD (October 2, 2026) - Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the July 5, 2026 fatal police-involved shooting that occurred in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General found that the subject officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law.
... Show Full Article
BALTIMORE, Maryland, Oct. 3 -- Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown issued the following news release:
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Attorney General Brown Announces No Charges Will Be Filed in the July 5, 2026 Fatal Police-Involved Shooting in the City of Baltimore
BALTIMORE, MD (October 2, 2026) - Today, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown announced his decision not to seek charges in the July 5, 2026 fatal police-involved shooting that occurred in the city of Baltimore, Maryland. An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General found that the subject officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law.
On Sunday, July 5, 2026, at approximately 1:23 a.m., a Baltimore City Police Department (BPD) helicopter received a license plate reader alert for a black minivan that had been reported stolen during an armed carjacking on July 4, 2026, in Baltimore County. The minivan was located at the intersection of Riggs Avenue and Fulton Avenue in the city of Baltimore, where a BPD patrol officer attempted to block it with his patrol vehicle. The driver, later identified as Maurice Daniels, maneuvered around the patrol vehicle and fled the location. BPD officers, including Officers Charles Blackman, Al-Shakier Drake, Antonio Groomes, Darrius Hicklin, and David Weldon, and Sergeant Kevin Rivera, pursued the vehicle until it came to a stop in the 3300 block of Clifton Avenue in Baltimore City.
Multiple officers approached the minivan and ordered Daniels to exit the vehicle, but he did not comply. One officer, equipped with a window breaking tool, holstered his weapon and prepared to break the driver's side window. At the same time, Officer Groomes approached the vehicle and reached for the driver's side door handle in an attempt to open the door. Before Officer Groomes made contact with the door handle, he shouted, "Hands, hands, hands." Daniels raised both hands in response. As Officer Groomes was issuing commands, Daniels began lowering his right hand. Officer Groomes yelled, "Gun, gun, gun." The officer with the window breaking tool shattered the window, and the subject officers discharged their weapons, striking Daniels. A black BB pistol was recovered from Daniels' right hand. Daniels was transported to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced deceased. No officers were injured during the incident.
The Attorney General's Independent Investigations Division (IID) began investigating the fatal police-involved shooting on Sunday, July 5, 2026, and concluded its investigation on September 24, 2026. After completing its investigation and evaluating all the available evidence, the Office of the Attorney General has determined that the subject officers did not commit a crime under Maryland law. Accordingly, the Attorney General has declined to prosecute the subject officers in this case.
A copy of the IID's detailed investigative findings and analysis of relevant legal issues can be found in its declination report.
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Original text here: https://oag.maryland.gov/News/pages/Attorney-General-Brown-Announces-No-Charges-Will-Be-Filed-in-the-July-5,-2026-Fatal-Police-Involved-Shooting-in-the-City-of.aspx
Gov. Shapiro, Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Announce $448M in BEAD Funding to Expand State Access to Affordable High-Speed Internet
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 3 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release:
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Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Announce More Than $448 Million in BEAD Funding to Expand Pennsylvanians' Access to Affordable High-Speed Internet
This initial Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding will support projects in 50 counties, with all remaining program funds to be awarded before the end of this year.
Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, the number of households and businesses that lack access to high-speed internet has
... Show Full Article
HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania, Oct. 3 -- Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pennsylvania, issued the following news release:
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Governor Shapiro and Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority Announce More Than $448 Million in BEAD Funding to Expand Pennsylvanians' Access to Affordable High-Speed Internet
This initial Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) funding will support projects in 50 counties, with all remaining program funds to be awarded before the end of this year.
Under Governor Shapiro's leadership, the number of households and businesses that lack access to high-speed internet hasdecreased by nearly 60 percent across the Commonwealth, with over 198,000 locations connected since 2022.
Governor Shapiro is keeping his promise to connect all locations that lack high-speed internet service and close the Commonwealth's digital divide.
A full list of today's BEAD awards is available here - and Pennsylvanians waiting to be connected to the internet can see when PBDA expects to connect their location by visiting pa.gov/ConnectPA.
October 02, 2026
Bellefonte, PA - Today, Governor Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority (PBDA) Executive Director Brandon Carson visited Bald Eagle High School in Centre County to announce more than $448 million in Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) grants have been awarded to projects in 50 counties across the Commonwealth. This is the first round of awards after the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) approved more than $711 million in BEAD funding for Pennsylvania in April.
Since the Governor took office, the number of households that lack access to high-speed internet has decreased by nearly 60 percent across the Commonwealth, down from more than 330,000 households in 2022 to less than 133,000 today, as a result of the Shapiro Administration's work to drive out funding quickly and effectively. The projects announced today build on that progress to continue bringing reliable, affordable, high-speed internet to homes, businesses, schools, libraries, and other community facilities across the Commonwealth -- expanding access in areas that have long lacked adequate broadband service.
"I promised to connect every Pennsylvanian to high-speed, affordable internet by the end of the decade, and my Administration is working quickly to drive out hundreds of millions of dollars to meet that timeline," said Governor Shapiro. "In the 21st century, reliable and affordable internet can't just be a luxury for some - connecting more Pennsylvanians to the internet will help kids achieve more in school, small business owners connect with potential customers, and families see the doctor when they can't travel. We've already connected nearly 200,000 households to the internet in the last several years and now we're working to connect the remaining 133,000 households in the next four years."
The funding announced today will support broadband projects that include a diverse mix of technologies including fiber and fixed wireless, for use in long-term leases; multi-family residential deployment; planning, design, and engineering; personnel costs; physical improvements; and network software upgrades. There is no minimum or maximum grant amount for any project, however, projects require matching a minimum 25 percent share of the total project cost.
The Governor also announced the creation of a new website allowing Pennsylvanians who do not yet have access to high-speed internet to track when PBDA estimates they'll receive a connection here. That website is available at pa.gov/ConnectPA.
"Access to high-speed internet has become an essential part of life," said PBDA Executive Director Carson. "Everything from education, banking, and even healthcare depends on access to online resources and a high-speed connection. The projects announced today will connect thousands of Pennsylvanians and rural locations in every region of the Commonwealth to reliable, high-speed infrastructure."
Pennsylvania was originally allocated $1.16 billion in BEAD funding through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 and established the BEAD program in accordance with NTIA's Notice of Funding Opportunity, NTIA's BEAD Restructuring Policy Notice, and Pennsylvania's Act 96 of 2021.
As part of the updated requirements issued by the NTIA in 2025, today's announcement includes the following agreements finalized by PBDA:
* Central Bradford Progress Authority
* Centre WISP Venture Company
* Commonwealth Telephone Company (doing business as Frontier Communications)
* Connect Holdings (doing business as Brightspeed)
* CoreConnect
* eCommunity Holdings
* IBT Group USA
* Upward Broadband
* Verizon Pennsylvania and Verizon North
A full list of today's BEAD awards is available here.
With their award, Verizon is investing $40 million and receiving $28.85 million in BEAD funding for a project that will serve nearly 3,000 homes and businesses throughout Centre and Mifflin counties.
"Verizon is proud to serve customers and communities across Pennsylvania by partnering with local leaders to expand broadband statewide. We know access to broadband is critical for advancing educational opportunities and the difference it can make for students' futures," said Tony Lewis, Vice President, Public Policy, Verizon. "Working directly with Gov. Shapiro, Secretary Siger, and Executive Director Brandon Carson made this possible and we're thankful for their diligence in helping us achieve this."
Once complete, local businesses will gain increased access to customers and markets, workers will have expanded access to employment and training opportunities, and farmers will be given increased access to modern precision-ag technologies. This expansion will also ensure students, health clinics, and families have the connectivity they need to succeed, including nearly every person living in the Bald Eagle Area School District.
"The Centre County Commissioners sponsored a broadband study in 2021 that demonstrated the clear need for greater broadband accessibility across the county," said Chair Mark Higgins, Centre County Commissioner. "At that time, more than 8,000 addresses in Centre County lacked access to broadband internet. The Commissioners thank the Governor, our state elected officials, and the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority for their partnership in helping close the broadband accessibility gap."
"We were honored to welcome Governor Shapiro to Bald Eagle Area and to be part of an announcement that will have a meaningful impact on our students, families, and communities across Centre County," said Superintendent Chris Santini, Bald Eagle Area School District. "Reliable, high-speed internet is essential for our students and schools, and this investment will help ensure more students have the connectivity they need to learn, succeed and access opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. We appreciate the Governor's continued support for public education and for making investments that strengthen our communities."
"As a high school counselor in a rural district, I see firsthand how reliable broadband can impact our students," said Katie Kingera, Counselor, Bald Eagle High School. "I've worked with students who use a parent's cell phone as a hotspot just to access assignments and complete their schoolwork, or rush to finish homework during study halls because they may not have reliable internet at home. For rural students, broadband means access to education, college applications, career opportunities and resources beyond our community. Every student deserves to be judged by their effort, abilities and potential -- not by whether their family has reliable internet access."
"Reliable high-speed internet isn't a luxury anymore; it's fundamental economic infrastructure," said Greg Scott, President & CEO, Chamber of Business & Industry of Centre County. "For Centre County, expanding broadband means more of our residents can participate in the economy, more businesses can grow wherever they're located, and more of our communities can compete for jobs and investment. This is exactly the kind of infrastructure investment that strengthens our entire county."
"These investments aren't just helping close the digital divide. They're also creating quality career opportunities for Pennsylvania workers, creating good-paying jobs, building strong careers, and opening new apprenticeship opportunities for workers to build the infrastructure that our communities need," said Steve Kuncelman, Assistant Safety and Training Director, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 126. "We're proud to play a part in connecting Pennsylvanians with reliable high-speed internet."
"As I've said often, access to fast, reliable internet isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. This first round of BEAD funding is the culmination of several years of efforts, of which I've been honored to have been deeply involved with since the creation of the PA Broadband Development Authority itself," said Representative Rob Matzie, PA's 16th House District. Through every stage of this long process, the overriding goal remained simple - to close the technology divide in our Commonwealth. This is a giant step forward in fulfilling that goal."
"The lack of high speed internet isolates individuals and communities, especially in an increasingly interconnected world. Simple, everyday tasks that many of us take for granted - like searching the web or buying something online - can be a serious challenge in those communities. But the lack of high speed internet is not just a quality of life issue, it is also a significant economic development issue - limiting connectivity for local businesses, restricting learning opportunities, and even preventing certain healthcare options, such as tele health. And when combined with limited cell phone service and coverage, it can also be a serious barrier for public safety," said Representative Paul Takac, PA's 82nd House District. "That is why today's announcement of the first round of funding is so important and exciting for rural and underserved communities here in Centre County and across the Commonwealth."
Last year, Governor Shapiro and PBDA Executive Director Carson also visited Cambria County to highlight PBDA's progress in providing more Pennsylvanians with affordable high-speed internet access. PBDA previously deployed more than $269 million to improve high-speed internet connectivity and device access, including:
* $204.1 million in Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) for projects to bring high-speed internet to over 100,000 Pennsylvanians in 42 counties.
* $45 million in Multi-Purpose Community Facilities Program grants for 49 projects in 27 counties across Pennsylvania.
* $20 million in Digital Connectivity Technology Program funding to provide technology devices such as laptops for distribution to schools, libraries, municipalities, workforce training organizations, and other non-profits who can make them available to individuals that lack the technology needed to access the internet.
The remainder of BEAD grant allocations will be awarded by the PBDA before the end of this year -- with updated resources for the program here -- and by 2030, universal internet access will be available throughout the Commonwealth.
Pennsylvanians who do not yet have access to high-speed internet can track when PBDA estimates they'll receive a connection here.
Visit the Pennsylvania Broadband Development Authority's website to learn more about its work to close the digital divide in the Commonwealth.
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Original text here: https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/gov--shapiro-and-pbda-announce-bead-funding-to-expand-access-to-
