This episode of Talk Fiber to Me, Baby goes deep into the latest roadblocks in broadband expansion. Caleb and Josh Etheridge, the brother duo behind EPC, break down their recent trip to Washington D.C., where an executive order froze all federally funded broadband projects, including BEAD. Instead of pushing progress, they found themselves tackling critical funding delays that are leaving the industry in limbo.- What really happened in D.C.? A firsthand look at Washington Mardi Gras and why it matters for the future of broadband.- BEAD funding: stalled. Louisiana led the way—checking every box before any other state and coming in 40% under budget. So why is the money still sitting?- The real impact. Small ISPs, manufacturers, and contractors have poured millions into the workforce training and equipment. Now, without clarity, their investments are at risk.- A call to action. Caleb and Josh lay out what needs to happen next and why the fiber industry must come together to break through the gridlock.We’re talking government slowdowns, industry upheaval, and what’s next for broadband deployment in Louisiana and beyond. Don’t miss it!Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Episode Setup 01:21 Washington Mardi Gras Experience 04:21 Impact of Executive Order on Fiber Industry 05:25 Challenges and Discussions with Legislators 06:38 State-Level BEAD Program Insights 10:56 Concerns Over Federal Regulations and Funding 21:31 Build America, Buy America (BABA) Compliance 25:43 Congressional Approval and Power Dynamics 26:30 Unified Voice for Louisiana's Internet 27:45 Challenges and Expectations in Broadband Deployment 29:42 Mapping and Auditing Internet Services 31:27 Fiber vs. Alternate Technologies 35:37 Broadband Funding and Non-Deployment Dollars44:09 Call to Action for ISP’s and Contractors 49:17 Conclusion and Final Thoughts How is the BEAD freeze impacting you? Share your thoughts in the comments—we want to hear your perspective on the future of fiber.#BroadbandExpansion #BEADFunding #FiberDeployment #Infrastructure #AmericanManufacturing #BABA #TalkFiberToMeBaby #WeAreEPC