217 Today: Rural America still needs fast internet. Some worry new federal plans will fall short
Anna Pope / Harvest Public Media
Friday, October 3, 2025
Today’s headlines:
- A woman from central Illinois is among those detained after the Israeli military intercepted a flotilla of boats attempting to deliver food and medicine to Gaza.
- A group of progressive veterans is demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents stop engaging in what they call “mob tactics” against protesters and immigrants.
- As the federal government shutdown enters its third day, Chicago area workers at the Transportation Security Administration – or TSA – are worried about how they’ll get by.
- Illinois Governor JB Pritzker joined experts at the University of Illinois – Chicago’s medical school for a roundtable to dispel misinformation.
In today’s deep dive, federal dollars will help bring internet connection to rural communities across the U.S. But new guidance from the Trump administration is asking states to consider the lowest cost options.
217 Today is produced by Stephanie Orellana. Reporting today contributed by Emily Hays, Esther Yoon-Ji Kang, Mawa Iqbal, Alex Degman and Anna Pope.
