ANNOUNCEMENT THIS MORNING -- THE GRANT IS COMING THROUGH A FEDERAL "MARINE DEBRIS" PROGRAM. VERIZON IS BUYING FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS IN A $20 BILLION- DOLLAR DEAL TO EXPAND ITS FIBER NETWORK ACROSS THE U-S. COMPANY OFFICIALS SAY THE ACQUISITION WILL ALSO HELP THEM DELIVER ITS PREMIUM BROADBAND SERVICES TO CURRENT AND NEW CUSTOMERS. THE DEAL MEANS FRONTIER'S EXISTING 2 POINT 2 MILLION FIBER SUBSCRIBERS IN 25 STATES WILL JOIN VERIZON'S 7 POINT 4 MILLION FIOS CONNECTIONS IN EIGH