Advisories Lifted for Two Mississippi Gulf Coast Beaches

The Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality has lifted beach water contact advisories for Pass Christian Central Beach (Station 6) and Gulfport Harbor Beach (Station 9) after water samples showed acceptable bacteria levels. Four beach water contact advisories remain in effect for the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The agency reminds swimmers that the Beach Task Force recommends avoiding swimming during or within 24 hours of significant rainfall.

Financial Literacy Month Educational Events and Webinars

The South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs announced a series of free webinars and educational resources for National Financial Literacy Month in April 2026. The agency will host five webinars covering topics including imposter scams, budgeting, credit reports, electric bills, and debt collection. Resources include free publications, the LifeSmarts consumer challenge for teens, and community presentation requests.

Oral Cancer Awareness and Early Detection Guidance

The Alabama Department of Public Health issued an informational notice for Oral Cancer Awareness Month (April 2026) highlighting that 72% of oral cancers are HPV-caused. The notice provides statistics showing approximately 53,260 expected diagnoses nationally in 2026, and Alabama-specific data including 7,886 total diagnoses between 2014-2023. The notice emphasizes early detection through routine dental exams and promotes HPV vaccination for ages 9-45.

Record-Low Traffic Deaths and Fatality Rates in 2025

NHTSA announced estimated 36,640 traffic fatalities in 2025, representing a 6.7% decrease from 2024's 39,254 deaths. The 2025 fatality rate was 1.10 per 100 million vehicle miles traveled—the second-lowest rate in recorded history. Fatalities decreased in 39 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Northwestel Inc. Tariff TN 1273 - Mobile Radio System Service

The CRTC approved Northwestel Inc.'s tariff application (TN 1273) introducing Item 782 – Operation and Maintenance of Mobile Radio System Service under its Special Services Tariff. The tariff was approved without interventions and became effective April 1, 2026. Northwestel must issue revised tariff pages within 10 calendar days of the order.

Broadband Fund Payment Order Approving Final Implementation Reports

The CRTC issued Telecom Order 2026-59 approving final implementation reports from three broadband funding recipients under the Broadband Fund program. Northwestel Inc. received approval for two completed projects (funding decisions 2020-258 and 2020-260), and TELUS Mobility for one completed project (funding decision 2021-255). The Commission confirmed projects are complete and broadband services are operational.

Approval of Northwestel Broadband Fund Holdback Report

The CRTC issued Telecom Order 2026-58 approving the holdback report submitted by Northwestel Inc. on 15 December 2025. The Commission determined that Northwestel's project met applicable requirements under Telecom Order CRTC 2021-135 and has been operating the network for one year in compliance with approved conditions of service. The Central Fund Administrator is directed to distribute the previously withheld payment to Northwestel.

CRTC Approves Broadband Fund Payments

The CRTC issued Telecom Order 2026-57 approving broadband fund claim forms for March 2026. The Central Fund Administrator has been directed to distribute payments to 11 recipients including Bell Canada, TELUS Communications Inc., Northwestel Inc., and various regional and Indigenous organizations. This is a routine administrative action to release previously approved broadband infrastructure funding.

Approval of Bell Companies Hotel Services Withdrawal

The CRTC issued Telecom Order 2026-56 approving applications from Bell Aliant, Bell Canada, NorthernTel, Northwestel, and Télébec (collectively, the Bell companies) to withdraw their respective hotel services from multiple tariff items. The services being discontinued include Business Communication Service for hotels/motels, Private Branch Exchange Hotel Service, and Charge-A-Call Telephone Service across Atlantic Canada, Quebec, and Northern territories. The Commission determined the withdrawal was reasonable given significant demand decline and aging network equipment.

Iristel Inc. complaint against Bell Canada regarding CO code routing delays dismissed

The CRTC dismissed Iristel Inc.'s complaint against Bell Canada regarding alleged anti-competitive delays in routing new central office (CO) codes. The Commission found insufficient evidence to establish that Bell Canada violated subsection 27(2) of the Telecommunications Act. While dismissing the complaint and declining to impose administrative monetary penalties, the CRTC directed Bell Canada to file a report by 1 October 2026 on measures to improve its trouble ticket resolution process.