States demand fiber
Starlink wants billions in grants, but state governments aren’t cooperating

Despite Trump's backing, states aren't giving Starlink the money it demanded.
Jon Brodkin – Aug 21, 2025

"Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick told states to 'take a tech-neutral approach' when evaluating Internet providers and to 'provide Internet access for the lowest cost.' The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), which is part of the Commerce Department, revised the program rules in a way that made it harder for states to justify spending on fiber networks, despite fiber's clear advantage over satellite in speed and capacity."

Read more:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/starlink-wants-billions-in-grants-but-state-governments-arent-cooperating/

#SpaceX wants all the money

SpaceX says states should dump #fiber plans, give all grant money to #Starlink

SpaceX seeks more cash, calls fiber "wasteful and unnecessary taxpayer spending."

Jon Brodkin – Aug 19, 2025

"While subsidizing fiber deployment is more expensive, fiber offers faster speeds and doesn't have the capacity problems inherent in satellite networks."

Read more:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/starlink-keeps-trying-to-block-fiber-deployment-says-us-must-nix-louisiana-plan/

Also, #LightPollution from #StarlinkSatellites and #SpacePollution when they become obsolete!

#SpaceX Pushes States To Scrap #Fiber Plans And Redirect All #Broadband Grants To Starlink

By The Droid Guy
August 19, 2025

"The fight over America’s broadband future is heating up again, and this time SpaceX is taking direct aim at state governments. In a filing with #Louisiana’s Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity, the company argued that the state’s decision to dedicate more than 90 percent of its federal broadband grants to fiber is 'wasteful and unnecessary taxpayer spending.' Instead, SpaceX insists, the money should go to its Starlink satellite network.

SpaceX vs. Fiber: Two Competing Visions

"At the heart of the dispute lies the $42 billion Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (#BEAD) program, a federal initiative meant to expand high-speed internet access. Under the Trump administration, rules were rewritten to favor a 'tech-neutral' approach, allowing satellite providers like SpaceX to compete more directly with traditional wired services. Louisiana’s final proposal, however, still leans heavily on fiber infrastructure.

"Louisiana intends to spend about $499 million to connect roughly 128,000 homes and businesses, the majority through a consortium of fiber providers. Starlink, in contrast, was awarded just $7.75 million to serve 10,327 locations. SpaceX argues it could have covered nearly all households for under $100 million, claiming the state ignored the new federal rules that emphasize cost efficiency.

The Case For Fiber

"State officials remain cautious about going all-in on satellites. Fiber, though more expensive to deploy, is widely considered 'future-proof' because capacity can scale dramatically as technology improves. A single fiber line can eventually deliver multi-gigabit speeds without replacing the underlying infrastructure. It’s also immune to congestion issues that plague wireless systems.

"Louisiana’s broadband office has noted concerns about Starlink’s long-term viability, pointing out challenges such as limited spectrum, susceptibility to weather, interference from trees, and capacity strain in densely populated areas. Simply put, fiber can handle the demand of tomorrow, while satellites may hit performance ceilings."

https://thedroidguy.com/spacex-pushes-states-to-scrap-fiber-plans-and-redirect-all-broadband-grants-to-starlink-1269273

So, part of my ideal* bedtime routine involves turning off the computer, maybe watching a little Iron Chef or ASMR videos, then turning off the TV, making the rounds, check on kitty, change into comfy PJ's, rearrange the plush pals, and then read for a bit. On nights when my eyes are too tired to read, I'll listen to NPR on my clock radio (which has a timer).

* And yeah, I don't always stick to that routine, and when I don't, my sleep suffers.

Speaking of #LightPollution...

#ScreenTime Before #Bed Is Ruining Your Child’s #Sleep (Here’s What Parents Need to Know)

by Don on February 26, 2025

"Establishing a Screen-Free Bedtime Routine

"Creating a peaceful bedtime routine doesn’t have to be complicated. Start by setting a consistent bedtime and work backward about 30-45 minutes to begin your routine. Replace screen activities with calming alternatives that help signal to your child’s body that it’s time to wind down.

"Begin by dimming the lights throughout the house to support natural #melatonin production. Choose quiet activities like reading stories together, listening to #GentleMusic, or practicing simple #BreathingExercises. Many families find success with a warm #bath or shower, followed by putting on comfortable pajamas and brushing teeth.

"Consider incorporating #mindful activities like #GentleStretching, #coloring, or #QuietPlay with #NonElectronicToys. Some children benefit from a brief #CuddleTime or sharing their favorite moments from the day. Keep a consistent order of activities to help your child feel secure and know what to expect.

"Remember that transition times can be challenging. Give clear, gentle reminders about upcoming routine steps, and offer praise when your child follows along. If your child seems resistant, try making it fun by turning routine tasks into simple games or using visual schedules for younger children.

"Store all devices in another room to avoid temptation, and make the bedroom a #ScreenFreeZone. This helps create a sleep-friendly environment and reinforces healthy boundaries around technology use."

Read more:
https://www.kidsmentalhealth.ca/screen-time-before-bed-is-ruining-your-childs-sleep-heres-what-parents-need-to-know/

8 Reasons You Should Always Turn Off Your Porch Light at Night

Flip the switch.
By Louise Parks
Published on August 20, 2025

Number 8: Harms #Wildlife and Reduces #StarVisibility

"We share this planet with our animal friends, and our actions have consequences. 'Leaving exterior lights on overnight can confuse animals, like birds and insects, and disrupt their natural behaviors,' says Harshbarger. For example, porch lights left on in abundance can disrupt natural migratory paths for birds, wreaking havoc on wildlife. 'It also causes light pollution, making it harder to see stars and harming the environment,' according to Harshbarger.

" 'Constant night lighting creates ‘light clutter’ that breaks up natural dark cycles in the neighborhood,' adds Nimela. “This messes with everyone’s sense of time, throws off wildlife, and reduces the chance of stargazing entirely.' No chance of seeing the Milky Way? No way.' "

Source:
https://www.marthastewart.com/why-to-turn-off-porch-lights-11792915?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us

#LightPollution causes urban #birds
to stay awake longer each day, study finds
Researchers ‘shocked’ to discover some species settling down for sleep 50 minutes later than rural counterparts

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/aug/21/light-pollution-causes-urban-birds-to-stay-awake-longer-each-day-study-finds

Birds getting up earlier. #LightPollution #biology #birds #npr #atc #science #ornithology https://www.npr.org/2025/08/21/nx-s1-5507165/light-pollution-bird-day-hour-longer

"DarkSky International [...] has launched a groundbreaking new certification program to bring responsible lighting to industrial-scale ports. The DarkSky Approved Port Marine Terminal Lighting program is designed to significantly reduce light pollution, safeguarding sensitive coastal ecosystems and nearby communities, while enhancing safe and efficient working conditions."

https://darksky.org/news/darksky-international-launches-new-port-marine-terminal-lighting-program/

An Iceland Community Rallies to Save Lost Baby Puffins | WILD HOPE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZquEkt7b9U #Iceland #LightPollution

Grrrrr... #Starlink tries to block #Virginia’s plan to bring #FiberInternet to residents

#SpaceX wants more money, asks Trump admin to reject state's #broadband grant plan.

Jon Brodkin – Aug 14, 2025

"Starlink operator SpaceX is fighting Virginia's plan to deploy fiber Internet service to residents, claiming that federal grant money should be given to Starlink instead. SpaceX is already in line to win over $3 million in grant money in the state but is seeking $60 million.

"Starlink is poised to benefit from the Trump administration rewriting rules for the $42 billion #Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (#BEAD) grant program. While the Biden administration decided that states should prioritize #fiber in order to build more #FutureProof networks, the Trump administration ordered states to revise their plans with a 'tech-neutral approach' and lower the average cost of serving each location."

Read more:
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/starlink-tries-to-block-virginias-plan-to-bring-fiber-internet-to-residents/

Capture the Dark 2025: Winning photographs
https://darksky.org/what-we-do/events/photo-contest/2025-winners/
#darksky #lightpollution #astrophotography #nature #stars

Some evidence that human fear of darkness affects tolerance of lower street lighting levels in urban spaces, although the strength of the effect strongly depends on an innate “trait anxiety” (i.e., a predisposition to feel anxious across many situations) in certain individuals.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494425002038

"The effect of light pollution on nighttime #mosquito activity strongly depends on temperature. Specifically, nighttime mosquito abundance was low at lower levels of #LightPollution but increased significantly starting around 3500 µcd m⁻², but only when daytime temperatures approached or exceeded the critical thermal maximum of females."

https://bmcenvsci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s44329-025-00029-3

Animated map showing the spread of municipalities turning their streetlights off late at night in France (typically midnight or 1 am), from this report: https://www.cerema.fr/fr/actualites/extinction-eclairage-public-etude-pratiques-collectivites

Over 15,000 municipalities now turn their lights off fully (77%) or partially (23%). Only 131 municipalities have decided to end the practice after initially trying it.

Check out this piece in The Conversation by Georgia MacMillan and collaborators: https://theconversation.com/street-lamps-arent-the-only-form-of-artificial-light-pollution-heres-how-to-create-darker-nights-260514

I love the example of the church. There are so many churches in Europe that have terrible, wasteful floodlights, and they are missing out on the opportunity to do something much more creative with much lower environmental impact.