Podcasts about affordable connectivity program acp

After a hurricane upends everything, the void left behind—solastalgia—can be as destabilizing as the storm itself. In this episode of Storm Stories, we hear from Angie Bailey of North Carolina's Broadband Infrastructure Office on efforts to bridge the digital divide, ensuring communities aren't cut off when they need connectivity the most. And in Utica, Mississippi, Carlton Turner reflects on bringing internet access to his town while grappling with the social and political costs of digital expansion.How to Evaluate Broadband Access in Your Community: A 10-Step Guide for Local LeadersAccess to reliable and affordable broadband is essential for education, work, healthcare, and economic growth. Yet, many communities still struggle with slow speeds, high costs, and service gaps. If you're a community leader looking to assess broadband access in your area, here's how you can take action.1. Start with a Listening TourTalk to residents, schools, businesses, and healthcare providers about their internet experience. Are there dead zones? Is service too expensive? Does it support remote work and learning? Gather real stories to guide your efforts.2. Run a Community Speed Test CampaignEncourage residents to test their internet speeds using tools like the FCC's Speed Test app or Measurement Lab. This will help you compare actual performance against what providers advertise.3. Identify Areas Without ServiceMap out which neighborhoods have little or no broadband access. This may include rural areas, low-income neighborhoods, or places where providers claim to offer service but don't.4. Survey Households and BusinessesCreate a simple online and paper survey asking residents about their internet provider, cost, reliability, and whether they feel their needs are being met. Schools and libraries can help distribute surveys.5. Check Internet AffordabilityInvestigate broadband prices in your area and whether residents can afford them. See if people qualify for federal programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) but aren't using them.6. Meet with Internet ProvidersSet up meetings with local broadband providers to discuss coverage gaps, speed concerns, and future expansion plans. Ask about any upcoming infrastructure upgrades or partnerships they might be open to.7. Look for Funding OpportunitiesMany state and federal grants exist to expand broadband access, such as the BEAD Program (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment). Work with local government or nonprofits to explore funding options.8. Build a Coalition for ChangeBring together schools, businesses, healthcare organizations, and local government to advocate for better broadband. Strong partnerships can drive real improvements.9. Push for Policy ChangesIf outdated regulations or monopoly control are blocking better service, work with elected officials to explore policy solutions, such as municipal broadband or open-access networks.10. Keep the Pressure OnBroadband expansion takes time. Keep tracking progress, sharing updates with your community, and holding providers and policymakers accountable until real improvements happen.Support the show

This episode features Dr. Paroma Sanyal, principal at the Brattle Group, a consultancy working on a range of issues including telecom, finance and consumer protection. We discuss a study released by the Brattle Group last month exploring the economic benefits of broadband and the massive economic savings offered by the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which ran out of funding in 2024. For healthcare alone, the Brattle Group found that, by enabling access to telehealth, the ACP would have saved an estimated $28.9 billion to $29.5 billion in annual healthcare costs, or "quadruple the annual funding" ($7.3 billion) to run the ACP. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: Jake Varn, associate manager with Pew's Broadband Access Initiative, discusses the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the impact it's having on states' plans to close the digital divide. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week: John Horrigan, senior fellow at Benton, joins to discuss new data showing billions in lost savings for consumers and the economy due to the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bridging the Digital Divide: A Conversation with Sunni LeBeouf of Cox Communications In this episode of What's What BR, Brandon welcomes first-time guest Sunni LeBeouf, Market Vice President for Cox Communications in New Orleans. Sunni discusses her role at Cox, emphasizing the importance of providing exceptional customer service and being a community resource. They dive into the concept of digital equity, highlighting Cox's efforts to ensure affordable internet access through programs like Connect2Compete and ConnectAssist. Sunni explains the company's proactive initiatives to replace the now-defunct Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and underscores Cox's ongoing commitment to bridging the digital divide. The discussion also touches on the vital role of internet access in education, healthcare, and overall societal participation. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:51 A Day in the Life at Cox Communications 01:46 Understanding Digital Equity 03:04 Real-Life Impacts of Internet Access 06:45 Cox's Commitment to Digital Equity 07:13 Affordable Connectivity Programs 08:13 Transition from ACP to Cox Programs 08:56 How to Access Cox's Digital Equity Programs 13:03 Cox's Community Initiatives 16:23 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has taken steps to accelerate the processing of software and hardware vulnerabilities in the National Vulnerability Database by awarding a new contract to an outside vendor. This move aims to clear the backlog of unanalyzed vulnerabilities by the end of the fiscal year, demonstrating a commitment to cybersecurity.However, amidst this positive development, the closure of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) poses a threat to internet access for nearly 60 million low-income Americans. The lack of funding has led to the discontinuation of the program, leaving many households in financial distress. Efforts to extend the program through bipartisan legislation have stalled, highlighting the importance of government support in ensuring equitable access to essential services.On the cybersecurity front, the dismantling of the 911 S5 proxy botnet, the world's largest, and the arrest of its administrator in Singapore, Yun-Hee Wang, showcases international efforts to combat cybercrime. The botnet, which conducted various illicit activities, underscores the ongoing challenges in cybersecurity and the need for robust measures to protect against such threats.Furthermore, the episode delves into the gender disparity in the cybersecurity workforce, with only 20-25% being female. Factors contributing to this gap include unconscious bias and a lack of female role models. The discussion emphasizes the importance of addressing these issues through strategies such as unconscious bias training, diversifying recruitment efforts, and providing support for women in cybersecurity roles to foster a more inclusive and diverse industry. Four things to know today00:00 NIST Accelerates Vulnerability Processing as ACP Closure Threatens Internet Access for Millions02:28 Live Nation Breach Highlights Growing Cybersecurity Concerns as 83% of Firms Plan Budget Increases04:11 Open Formats Transform Data Industry: Snowflake, Databricks, and the Future of Cloud Services05:26 CompTIA Data Highlights Cybersecurity Gender Disparity: Strategies for Recruitment and Retention Supported by:  https://coreview.com/msp/ All our Sponsors:   https://businessof.tech/sponsors/  Looking for a link from the stories? The entire script of the show, with links to articles, are posted in each story on https://www.businessof.tech/ Do you want the show on your podcast app or the written versions of the stories? Subscribe to the Business of Tech: https://www.businessof.tech/subscribe/ Support the show on Patreon: https://patreon.com/mspradio/ Want our stuff? Cool Merch? Wear “Why Do We Care?” - Visit https://mspradio.myspreadshop.com Follow us on:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/28908079/YouTube: https://youtube.com/mspradio/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mspradionews/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mspradio/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@businessoftechBluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/businessoftech.bsky.social

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director of the Communication Workers of America District 4, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the potential end to the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the plan's possible extension. John Nichols, a journalist with The Nation, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his story about attacks on the National Labor Relations Act and the National Labor Relations Board for being unconstitutional.

First, we discuss Microsoft's decision to ban U.S. police departments from using their enterprise AI tool for facial recognition, and what that means for law enforcement and ethical AI practices. Then, we explore the concerns of nurses as hospitals implement AI in healthcare systems and the impact it could have on patient care. Lastly, we break down the consequences of Congress allowing funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to run out, potentially leaving millions of households without affordable internet access.   BONUS CONTENT Patreon: ✨www.patreon.com/latinamericaneo✨

AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM - A program helping to close the digital divide is now at risk. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) helps provide internet service to nearly 23 million households across the country, including many military families and senior citizens. *This week* lawmakers met on Capitol Hill to raise alarms about the end of ACP and discuss possible options to keep the program going.

Abrar Al-Heeti joins Mikah Sargent this week! Abrar talks about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Mikah talks about GM rolling out its own infotainment hub after no longer supporting Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. Reviews of the Rabbit R1 have rolled out this week. And can you remove bad AI data from AI models? Abrar Al-Heeti talks about how the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down and the impact it will have on 1 in 5 US households, affecting the indigenous community the hardest. Mikah Sargent airs his grievances on GM's in-house infotainment hub after the company decided against using Apple's CarPlay in its vehicles. Lisa Eadicicco of CNET joins the show to discuss her review of the Rabbit R1 AI devices and whether this device could truly replace one's smartphone. And finally, Katyanna Quach of Semafor talks about how researchers from Amazon suggest that bad and harmful data can be removed from an AI model and the idea of 'model disgorgement.' Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guests: Lisa Eadicicco and Katyanna Quach Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: eufy.com wix.com/studio YahooFinance.com

Abrar Al-Heeti joins Mikah Sargent this week! Abrar talks about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Mikah talks about GM rolling out its own infotainment hub after no longer supporting Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. Reviews of the Rabbit R1 have rolled out this week. And can you remove bad AI data from AI models? Abrar Al-Heeti talks about how the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down and the impact it will have on 1 in 5 US households, affecting the indigenous community the hardest. Mikah Sargent airs his grievances on GM's in-house infotainment hub after the company decided against using Apple's CarPlay in its vehicles. Lisa Eadicicco of CNET joins the show to discuss her review of the Rabbit R1 AI devices and whether this device could truly replace one's smartphone. And finally, Katyanna Quach of Semafor talks about how researchers from Amazon suggest that bad and harmful data can be removed from an AI model and the idea of 'model disgorgement.' Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guests: Lisa Eadicicco and Katyanna Quach Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: eufy.com wix.com/studio YahooFinance.com

Abrar Al-Heeti joins Mikah Sargent this week! Abrar talks about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Mikah talks about GM rolling out its own infotainment hub after no longer supporting Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. Reviews of the Rabbit R1 have rolled out this week. And can you remove bad AI data from AI models? Abrar Al-Heeti talks about how the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down and the impact it will have on 1 in 5 US households, affecting the indigenous community the hardest. Mikah Sargent airs his grievances on GM's in-house infotainment hub after the company decided against using Apple's CarPlay in its vehicles. Lisa Eadicicco of CNET joins the show to discuss her review of the Rabbit R1 AI devices and whether this device could truly replace one's smartphone. And finally, Katyanna Quach of Semafor talks about how researchers from Amazon suggest that bad and harmful data can be removed from an AI model and the idea of 'model disgorgement.' Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guests: Lisa Eadicicco and Katyanna Quach Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: eufy.com wix.com/studio YahooFinance.com

Abrar Al-Heeti joins Mikah Sargent this week! Abrar talks about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Mikah talks about GM rolling out its own infotainment hub after no longer supporting Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. Reviews of the Rabbit R1 have rolled out this week. And can you remove bad AI data from AI models? Abrar Al-Heeti talks about how the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down and the impact it will have on 1 in 5 US households, affecting the indigenous community the hardest. Mikah Sargent airs his grievances on GM's in-house infotainment hub after the company decided against using Apple's CarPlay in its vehicles. Lisa Eadicicco of CNET joins the show to discuss her review of the Rabbit R1 AI devices and whether this device could truly replace one's smartphone. And finally, Katyanna Quach of Semafor talks about how researchers from Amazon suggest that bad and harmful data can be removed from an AI model and the idea of 'model disgorgement.' Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guests: Lisa Eadicicco and Katyanna Quach Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: eufy.com wix.com/studio YahooFinance.com

Abrar Al-Heeti joins Mikah Sargent this week! Abrar talks about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Mikah talks about GM rolling out its own infotainment hub after no longer supporting Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. Reviews of the Rabbit R1 have rolled out this week. And can you remove bad AI data from AI models? Abrar Al-Heeti talks about how the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down and the impact it will have on 1 in 5 US households, affecting the indigenous community the hardest. Mikah Sargent airs his grievances on GM's in-house infotainment hub after the company decided against using Apple's CarPlay in its vehicles. Lisa Eadicicco of CNET joins the show to discuss her review of the Rabbit R1 AI devices and whether this device could truly replace one's smartphone. And finally, Katyanna Quach of Semafor talks about how researchers from Amazon suggest that bad and harmful data can be removed from an AI model and the idea of 'model disgorgement.' Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guests: Lisa Eadicicco and Katyanna Quach Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: eufy.com wix.com/studio YahooFinance.com

Abrar Al-Heeti joins Mikah Sargent this week! Abrar talks about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Mikah talks about GM rolling out its own infotainment hub after no longer supporting Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. Reviews of the Rabbit R1 have rolled out this week. And can you remove bad AI data from AI models? Abrar Al-Heeti talks about how the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down and the impact it will have on 1 in 5 US households, affecting the indigenous community the hardest. Mikah Sargent airs his grievances on GM's in-house infotainment hub after the company decided against using Apple's CarPlay in its vehicles. Lisa Eadicicco of CNET joins the show to discuss her review of the Rabbit R1 AI devices and whether this device could truly replace one's smartphone. And finally, Katyanna Quach of Semafor talks about how researchers from Amazon suggest that bad and harmful data can be removed from an AI model and the idea of 'model disgorgement.' Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guests: Lisa Eadicicco and Katyanna Quach Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: eufy.com wix.com/studio YahooFinance.com

Abrar Al-Heeti joins Mikah Sargent this week! Abrar talks about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Mikah talks about GM rolling out its own infotainment hub after no longer supporting Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. Reviews of the Rabbit R1 have rolled out this week. And can you remove bad AI data from AI models? Abrar Al-Heeti talks about how the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down and the impact it will have on 1 in 5 US households, affecting the indigenous community the hardest. Mikah Sargent airs his grievances on GM's in-house infotainment hub after the company decided against using Apple's CarPlay in its vehicles. Lisa Eadicicco of CNET joins the show to discuss her review of the Rabbit R1 AI devices and whether this device could truly replace one's smartphone. And finally, Katyanna Quach of Semafor talks about how researchers from Amazon suggest that bad and harmful data can be removed from an AI model and the idea of 'model disgorgement.' Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guests: Lisa Eadicicco and Katyanna Quach Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: eufy.com wix.com/studio YahooFinance.com

Abrar Al-Heeti joins Mikah Sargent this week! Abrar talks about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Mikah talks about GM rolling out its own infotainment hub after no longer supporting Apple CarPlay in its vehicles. Reviews of the Rabbit R1 have rolled out this week. And can you remove bad AI data from AI models? Abrar Al-Heeti talks about how the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is winding down and the impact it will have on 1 in 5 US households, affecting the indigenous community the hardest. Mikah Sargent airs his grievances on GM's in-house infotainment hub after the company decided against using Apple's CarPlay in its vehicles. Lisa Eadicicco of CNET joins the show to discuss her review of the Rabbit R1 AI devices and whether this device could truly replace one's smartphone. And finally, Katyanna Quach of Semafor talks about how researchers from Amazon suggest that bad and harmful data can be removed from an AI model and the idea of 'model disgorgement.' Hosts: Mikah Sargent and Abrar Al-Heeti Guests: Lisa Eadicicco and Katyanna Quach Download or subscribe to this show at https://twit.tv/shows/tech-news-weekly. Get episodes ad-free with Club TWiT at https://twit.tv/clubtwit Sponsors: eufy.com wix.com/studio YahooFinance.com

Telecom and Technology Earnings Insights: A Deep Dive with Industry Veterans In this episode of 'The 5G Guys', hosts Wayne Smith and Dan McVaugh invite telecom industry veteran Jim Patterson to discuss the latest earnings reports from major telecom and technology companies. Jim Patterson, with a 30-year career including 15 years at Sprint and experience as an entrepreneur, now offers analysis through Patterson Advisory Group. The episode explores key themes in the earnings reports, such as reactions to pricing, C band deployments, and company strategies for managing debt. Patterson shares insights on Verizon's performance, AT&T's focus on fiber broadband and debt reduction, and T-Mobile's successful Sprint acquisition. The conversation also addresses the struggles and strategies of prepaid services, the impact of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) winding down, net neutrality, and telecom companies' approaches to the evolving market. The episode concludes with discussions on Comcast and Charter Spectrum's recent performance, emphasizing Charter's successful mobile strategy.     __________________________ Connect With Our Guest __________________________      Sunday Brief Website ➡︎ https://sundaybrief.com/      Interim Earnings Report ➡︎ https://sundaybrief.com/value-creation-long-term-charts-fab-five-vs-telco-top-five-april-26/      Full Earnings Report ➡︎      Jim Patterson on LinkedIn ➡︎ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jipatterson/ __________________________ Connect With Our Sponsor __________________________      Vertex Innovations ➡︎ https://vertex-us.com/   __________________________ Connect With Us __________________________      5G Guys Website ➡︎  https://5gguys.com        Social:        ·       Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/5Gguys      ·       LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/12515882      ·       X: https://twitter.com/5gGuys   _______________________________ Submit Your Ideas or Feedback ➡︎ https://5gguys.com/contact-2 _______________________________ Subscribe to the 5G Guys Weekly Newsletter ➡︎ https://mailchi.mp/5gguys/subscribe-to-the-5g-guys _______________________________ ⏰Episode Minute-by-Minute⏰ 00:00 Trailer 00:30 Introduction to the 5G Guys Podcast Episode 01:06 Earnings Season Insights with Guest Jim Patterson 01:30 Jim Patterson's Background and Expertise 02:06 Diving into Telecom Earnings: Key Themes and Takeaways 06:07 Verizon's Earnings Analysis: Postpaid, Prepaid, and FWA 18:21 AT&T's Earnings Overview: Broadband Deployment and Business Wireline 24:54 The Shift in Business Connectivity and Office Environments 26:56 Upcoming Focus: Verizon and AT&T's Strategy and Upgrades 28:51  T-Mobile's Earnings and Strategies 28:56 T-Mobile's Lumos Announcement and Strategic Moves 29:05 The German Ownership of T-Mobile and Strategic Implications 29:14 Unpacking T-Mobile's Strategic Moves 29:41 T-Mobile's Investment in Lumos: A Closer Look 30:26 Exploring the Wholesale Business Model 30:44 T-Mobile's Impact on Rural America 32:03 The Benefits of T-Mobile's Acquisition Strategy 32:34 Retail Prepaid Challenges and Strategic Shifts 36:50 The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Explained 39:16 Net Neutrality and FCC Changes: What's Next? 41:49 The Evolution of Broadband and Its Future 47:24 Comcast's Earnings and Strategic Challenges 54:16 Spectrum's Position and Future Prospects 59:41 Charter vs. Comcast: A Mobile Strategy Comparison 01:01:47 Closing Thoughts and Future Outlook

A federal program that helps 1 in 6 Georgia households pay for high-speed internet could soon end. Applications for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) are now closed as President Biden urges Congress to pass funding to extend the subsidy program. Rashad Robinson, the president of Color Of Change, discusses how Georgians could be impacted if the program ends. Lastly, we will air WABE business reporter Marlon Hyde's feature from the “Young Business” series. The story spotlights a young business owner who sells ‘stink-free' socks online. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Frank Mathews, Administrative Director for District 4 of the Communication Workers of America joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to discuss a letter from the National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians-CWA about the importance of regulating AI. Mathews also discussed funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Dr. Steven Volk, an Oberlin College Professor Emeritus of History, joined the America's Work Force Union Podcast to talk about his recent op-ed article discussing the vilification of immigrant workers and the misrepresentation of workers who aren't American-born.

Committee chairs with the National Lifeline Association (NaLA), Danielle Perry and Kristi Brown, on the need for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and why they're not giving up on getting funding from Congress. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest podcast episode, Christopher, Ry Marcattilio, and Sean Gonsalves discuss the end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the urgent need for sustainable internet affordability solutions in the U.S. They highlight successful models of community-owned broadband networks from Pharr, Texas, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and provide updates on FCC broadband definitions, Longmont's municipal network expansion, and an upcoming episode covering the Tribal Broadband Bootcamp held at RantanenTown Ranch in Southern California. ★ Support this podcast ★

Greg and Dan speak with Mike Elam of i3 Broadband about the origins of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and the current status of the program that is scheduled to end in April 2024. Mike Elam is the Vice President of Community Affairs and Market Development for i3 Broadband. Elam mentions the qualifications of the program, the possibility of a new program replacing the ACP, and why the program will most likely end in April.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In episode 4, host Brandon Heiner, senior vice president of government affairs at USTelecom, sits down with Jonathan Cannon, a policy counsel in technology and innovation at R Street Institute, and Dr. Fallon Wilson, vice president of policy at the Multicultural Media, Telecom and Internet Council (MMTC). The three talk about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and how affordable broadband impacts communities and residents across the country.    Show notes Jonathan Cannon is a policy counsel in Technology and Innovation. He researches and writes policy papers, op-eds and blog posts about a variety of telecommunications issues including spectrum, net neutrality and the digital divide. Jonathan also engages directly with leaders on key policy issue areas and interacts with a range of national and local media outlets to educate and provide context on the most impactful technology and innovation policy. Prior to R Street, Jonathan worked as an Attorney Advisor in the Office of Legislative Affairs at the Federal Communications Commission, he also served as the Acting Legal Advisor in the Office of FCC Commissioner Nathan Simington, and as an Attorney Advisor in the Wireline Competition Bureau, Pricing Policy Division.   Dr. Fallon Wilson, Vice President, Policy, leads MMTC's work on three focus areas in the tech, media, and telecommunications (TMT) sectors. The sectors include: Technology, Data Privacy, Artificial Intelligence, and Civil Rights in the Digital Age; Infrastructure, Broadband Connectivity, and Digital Inclusion; and Multicultural Media Ownership and Content Diversity. Prior to joining MMTC, Dr. Fallon Wilson co-founded #BlackTechFutures Research Institute and is the former Research Director of Black Tech Mecca. At Black Tech Mecca, Dr. Wilson created the Smart Black Tech Ecosystem Assessment to support local city leaders with building a thriving black tech ecosystem. Recently, she was awarded a Kauffman Foundation's 2020 Open Knowledge grant to launch #BlackTechFutures Research Institute. #BlackTechFutures Research Institute builds a national network of city-based researchers and practitioners conducting research on sustainable local black tech ecosystems.   Bytes & Bandwidth is produced by Association Briefings.

This week on the podcast, Christopher is joined by Angela Siefer and Greg Guice to explore the crucial topic of Universal Service Fund (USF) reform in bridging the digital divide. The podcast delves into the challenges of the overcommitted USF, emphasizing the need for modernization and expansion, and the permanence of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in achieving national equity and inclusion goals. ★ Support this podcast ★

How is your Internet connection? How much do you pay for your Internet connection? Do you have Internet connection? The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program that helps connect families and households struggling to afford Internet service. This new benefit provides a discount of up to per month toward broadband service for eligible households. Eligible households could receive a one-time discount of up to 0 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer, or tablet from participating providers. Eligible households can enroll through a participating broadband provider or directly with the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC)...Article Link

This week: We hear from five digital equity leaders on their work to enroll people in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), the importance of the ACP to their communities, and why it's urgent for Congress to reallocate funding for the program if the US is serious about closing the digital divide. Guests in order of first appearance include: Candace Browdy, exec. director, Connect Lake County; Elizabeth Ramirez, first digital navigator, Connect Lake County; Natalie Betancur, deputy director, Center for Digital Equity; Tiffany White, digital navigator, Center for Digital Equity; and Maddie L, former digital equity coordinator for Little Rock, Arkansas. Special thanks to Network:On for assisting with this episode; check out their Connect the 20% campaign here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today's episode of Full Spectrum, the Kelley Drye Communications team will be discussing several of the matters raised at the FCC's August 3, 2023, Open Meeting. First (1:04), partner Chip Yorkgitis covers a Notice of Inquiry that initiates a mostly technical inquiry into how to measure non-Federal spectrum usage as a prelude to future spectrum management decisions. Second (10:19), special counsel Mike Dover covers a Sixth Report and Order which implements the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) high-cost area benefit.

Special guests Ashley Lawrence and Mia Purcell with Community Concepts Finance Corporation (CCFC) join us to share about CCFC's new Digital Navigation Program. Through the program, Oxford County residents can receive free, one-on-one support in getting connected to the internet and using the internet safely and effectively. Working with a Digital Navigator, residents can get help with things like: Signing up for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) to get a discount on in-home WiFiCreating and navigating online accounts to easily access informationCreating and operating an email accountLearning how to video chat with doctors, friends, and familyFor more information or to sign up, contact Ashley at CCFC today: (Phone) 207-333-6444(Email) ACP@community-concepts.orgSpecial thanks to Williams Broadcasting for producing our show. Follow CCI online and on social media:FacebookInstagramTwitterCommunity Concepts is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

First Aired July 1, 2023Calhoun County has established a Broadband Task Force to help understand challenges residents have gaining reliable access to high speed internet. County spokesperson Lucy Blair discusses the two main reasons: Rural locations and cost.Blair also discusses Community Matters the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which can help low income residents lower their broadband internet bill.Episode ResourcesCalhoun County Broadband Task Force websiteJune 2023 Broadband Task Force updateAffordable Connectivity Program Michigan websiteSign up for Broadband Task Force updates hereACP Support Center: 877-384-2575 or ACPSupport@usac.orgABOUT COMMUNITY MATTERSFormer WBCK Morning Show host Richard Piet (2014-2017) returns to host Community Matters, an interview program focused on community leaders and newsmakers in and around Battle Creek. Community Matters is heard Saturdays, 8-8:30 AM Eastern on WBCK-FM (95.3) and anytime at battlecreekpodcast.com.Community Matters is sponsored by Lakeview Ford Lincoln and produced by Livemic Communications.

Tech Bytes is a technology podcast, produced by the Digital Services department at Niles-Maine District Library. In this episode, we talk about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), a federal program that assists low-income houses get connected.

Light Reading editors Jeff Baumgartner, Nicole Ferraro, Phil Harvey and Kelsey Ziser discuss the week New York turned orange, the future of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), takeaways from Ciena's Vectors event and Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference, and the implications of CableLabs kicking off its DOCSIS 4.0 modem certification program. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week on the podcast, Christopher speaks with Joshua Edmonds, CEO of DigitalC, a nonprofit technology social enterprise in Cleveland. DigitalC offers affordable wireless service for $18/month, as well as a co-working and collaboration space for the community. Joshua served as Detroit's Digital Inclusion Director for four years before heading DigitalC, and he and Christopher discuss Joshua's coalition-building work in Detroit. They compare his experience working under the city of Detroit to his nonprofit digital equity work in Cleveland. Detroit and Cleveland also have two of the highest Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) enrollment rates among prominent metro areas – Joshua offers his approach to ACP, outlining the organized and relentless campaign it took to achieve substantial enrollment in the subsidy program during his time in Detroit. He highlights how important it is to focus on long-term, structural solutions for closing the digital divide at the same time as we find ways to make Internet more affordable in the short term.  Joshua also speaks about DigitalC's focus on being locally-rooted, mission-driven and sustainable, and offers his thoughts on the viability of wireless.   ★ Support this podcast ★

Gigi Sohn, President Biden's former nominee for FCC Commissioner, joins the podcast to discuss her nomination process, and what it says about dark money in politics and the industry at large. We also discuss what her most urgent goals would have been as FCC Commissioner, the state of the FCC's broadband map as it relates to the $42.5 billion Broadband Equity, Access and Deployment (BEAD) program, her concerns about the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) running dry, how she hopes to reframe the public broadband debate and much more.*This conversation was recorded before President Biden nominated Anna Gomez to serve as FCC Commissioner on May 22.The unedited audio transcript is available in the media player of this episode page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As of May 17th, 2023, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) has a devoted Spanish-Language landing page. We have written previously about the Affordable Connectivity Program. You can visit those previous articles to learn more about the program and how to apply. The ACP is a federal program that helps low Read More Shared by United Resource Connection May 22, 2023

This week on the podcast, Christopher speaks with Joey Wender, Director of the Capital Projects Fund (CPF), U.S Department of the Treasury. Joey administers the $10 billion fund targeted to help close the digital divide on behalf of the Biden Administration.Joey and Chris discuss the flexibility of CPF funding and how it allows states to tailor their plans to their own needs. The two also talk about the importance of replenishing funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) and how it's critical to take action on this now, before the fund actually runs out.  This show is 22 minutes long and can be played on this page or via Apple Podcasts or the tool of your choice using this feed. Transcript below. We want your feedback and suggestions for the show-please e-mail us or leave a comment below.Listen to other episodes here or view all episodes in our index. See other podcasts from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance here.Thanks to Arne Huseby for the music. The song is Warm Duck Shuffle and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution (3.0) license. ★ Support this podcast ★

As broadband infrastructure sees increased attention and widespread changes thanks to the $65 million infrastructure bill, which aims to increase broadband access through programs such as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), how these programs are being implemented throughout country is important to follow. As internet service providers (ISPs) ramp up installations of broadband access, the ACP offers a different aspect in response to low-income families who already have service, but could benefit from additional opportunities that help them access better connectivity options.How has the ACP funding been useful?In the second episode of the “Wavelengths” podcast, host Daniel Litwin picked up where he left off in his interview with Ben Elkins, CEO of AireBeam, an Arizona-based fiber internet service provider. This time around the two discussed how funds for the ACP is being dispersed and how the ACP functions in contrast to the BEAD program.Litwin and Elkin further discussed …Differences between BEAD and ACP and the issues that each program addressesSeveral advantages that ACP funding offers for internet usersRecent results and the predicted future of the ACP“It helps out the families, it helps out the communities and I believe ACP will be not just a funding that's a one or two-year thing, I think it will go on for generations. I think they will keep funding it and I think it's a great program and I think that for the folks that need help, this is a great way and AireBeam's 100 percent behind it. We've been a practicing member of the ACP for a long time, we're excited about ACP, and we try to promote it all we can,” said Elkins.Ben Elkins is the CEO of Airebeam. He has over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications field and is a graduate of Arizona State University.

As broadband infrastructure sees increased attention and widespread changes thanks to the $65 million infrastructure bill, which aims to increase broadband access through programs such as the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), how these programs are being implemented throughout country is important to follow. As internet service providers (ISPs) ramp up installations of broadband access, the ACP offers a different aspect in response to low-income families who already have service, but could benefit from additional opportunities that help them access better connectivity options.How has the ACP funding been useful?In the second episode of the “Wavelengths” podcast, host Daniel Litwin picked up where he left off in his interview with Ben Elkins, CEO of AireBeam, an Arizona-based fiber internet service provider. This time around the two discussed how funds for the ACP is being dispersed and how the ACP functions in contrast to the BEAD program.Litwin and Elkin further discussed …Differences between BEAD and ACP and the issues that each program addressesSeveral advantages that ACP funding offers for internet usersRecent results and the predicted future of the ACP“It helps out the families, it helps out the communities and I believe ACP will be not just a funding that's a one or two-year thing, I think it will go on for generations. I think they will keep funding it and I think it's a great program and I think that for the folks that need help, this is a great way and AireBeam's 100 percent behind it. We've been a practicing member of the ACP for a long time, we're excited about ACP, and we try to promote it all we can,” said Elkins.Ben Elkins is the CEO of Airebeam. He has over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications field and is a graduate of Arizona State University.

Broadband infrastructure is an integral part of society as it ensures that access to networks is possible, and that necessary cables are available to provide high-quality connectivity. Broadband was given priority when the Biden administration introduced a bill in 2021 to address and solve broadband connectivity issues, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas. The two programs that came out of it were: the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The multibillion-dollar bill provides funding to help increase access to the internet, and allow more customers to purchase and save on affordable internet plans. How have these programs and funding been implemented? The Wavelengths podcast recently explored this. Host Daniel Litwin interviewed Ben Elkins, the CEO of AireBeam, an Arizona-based fiber internet service provider. The two discussed how funding is being dispersed between states and how the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) work, in conjunction with states, is ensuring that broadband goals are met.Litwin and Elkins further discussed …1. BEAD and its necessity for rural and underserved areas 2. Why the FCC's broadband map is very detailed in pointing out areas in need of broadband infrastructure3. How the NTIA's crafty work with BEAD is already more impactful than previous programs, such as RDOF, in making sure funding is properly allocated“The NTIA and BEAD, you actually have them working together, and this is perfect — you have states and government working together, which a lot of times doesn't happen in our society, so this is really, really good. And NTIA was really smart to give each state upfront money to create two things: they got them to have office space and then get personnel and what this allowed them to do was … create directors of broadband in different folks to go out and meet the communities, meet the ISPs, and really get to know them and figure out where the needs were and where the real problem areas and how we can help different states, different counties, different communities; then figure out firsthand, ‘Okay. What ISPs could really be qualified to do this, and then what communities could be matching up well with them,' so, really smart,” said Elkins.Ben Elkins is the CEO of AireBeam. He has over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications field and is a graduate of Arizona State University.

Broadband infrastructure is an integral part of society as it ensures that access to networks is possible, and that necessary cables are available to provide high-quality connectivity. Broadband was given priority when the Biden administration introduced a bill in 2021 to address and solve broadband connectivity issues, particularly in rural and disadvantaged areas. The two programs that came out of it were: the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The multibillion-dollar bill provides funding to help increase access to the internet, and allow more customers to purchase and save on affordable internet plans. How have these programs and funding been implemented? The Wavelengths podcast recently explored this. Host Daniel Litwin interviewed Ben Elkins, the CEO of AireBeam, an Arizona-based fiber internet service provider. The two discussed how funding is being dispersed between states and how the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's (NTIA) work, in conjunction with states, is ensuring that broadband goals are met.Litwin and Elkins further discussed …1. BEAD and its necessity for rural and underserved areas 2. Why the FCC's broadband map is very detailed in pointing out areas in need of broadband infrastructure3. How the NTIA's crafty work with BEAD is already more impactful than previous programs, such as RDOF, in making sure funding is properly allocated“The NTIA and BEAD, you actually have them working together, and this is perfect — you have states and government working together, which a lot of times doesn't happen in our society, so this is really, really good. And NTIA was really smart to give each state upfront money to create two things: they got them to have office space and then get personnel and what this allowed them to do was … create directors of broadband in different folks to go out and meet the communities, meet the ISPs, and really get to know them and figure out where the needs were and where the real problem areas and how we can help different states, different counties, different communities; then figure out firsthand, ‘Okay. What ISPs could really be qualified to do this, and then what communities could be matching up well with them,' so, really smart,” said Elkins.Ben Elkins is the CEO of AireBeam. He has over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications field and is a graduate of Arizona State University.

New Street Research analyst and former FCC official Blair Levin joined the podcast live at the ACA Connects Summit this week to talk about the state of broadband in the US, and the urgency around re-funding the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). The unedited audio transcript is available in the media player of this episode page. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff Baumgartner, Mike Dano, Nicole Ferraro, Phil Harvey and Kelsey Ziser discuss the state of decentralized wireless deployments, and why some industry groups are worried about the future of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Jeff also provides a preview of Netflix's potential Q4 earnings results, and Kelsey shares some 800G upgrades by Infinera, in The Notebook Dump for the week ending January 20. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Song playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Go to heartlandpod.com for information on all our political podcasts, and a link to support our work on Patreon. Sign up as an Official PODhead for just $5 per month to access all our premium podcast segments and political writing. To join the conversation on Twitter, find us at THE Heartland POD. Alright! Let's get into it: NEVADA CURRENT:Tribes in six states awarded $73MM in new high-speed internet grants.Three Nevada tribes will receive $11.6 million for high-speed internet, in the latest round of “internet for all” grants, federal officials announced Wednesday.The funding will directly connect more than 800 homes on tribal lands in Nevada to high-speed internet, improving access to education, jobs, and healthcare on tribal lands.Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said“The Biden administration is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with Tribal Nations, which have been vital to our goal of connecting everyone in America, with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service,” So far, about $1.6 billion has been awarded to 121 tribal nations with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that passed last year. Those funds have connected more than 3,100 unserved Native American households that previously had no connectivity to high-speed Internet, as well as businesses and community institutions.These awards are part of a series of commitments the Biden administration announced Wednesday to strengthen nation-to-nation engagement between the federal government and Tribal Nations.The Walker River Paiute Tribe in Mineral County will receive more than $6 million to install fiber internet directly to more than 400 households, 22 community institutions, and 10 tribal businesses. The Duckwater Shoshone Tribe in Nye County is set to receive more than $3 million to install fiber internet to nearly 80 homes and 11 tribal institutions. The Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe in Churchill County will be awarded nearly $2 million to directly connect more than 300 households.Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, who has pushed for more broadband funding on tribal lands, praised the announcement Wednesday.“Throughout my time in the Senate, I've worked to make sure Tribes in Nevada have access to critical broadband,” she said. “I made sure these funds would get to Tribes in Nevada in a timely and efficient fashion, and I'm committed to helping Nevadans in every community access the critical educational, business, health care, and cultural resources that the internet provides.”Additionally, the national Affordable Connectivity Program - ACP - provides a discount of $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households, and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands. You're eligible for the benefit If you currently receive SNAP benefits, are on Medicaid, or earn less than 200% of the federal poverty line. That's about $27K for a single person household, or $55K for a family of four.To Apply, visit AffordableConnectivity.govCOLORADO SUN: Colorado Democrats ready to move on gun safety laws.A host of changes to Colorado's gun laws, from a ban on assault weapons to tweaks to the existing red flag law, are already being considered by Democrats at the state Capitol in response to the shooting last month at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs. “Pretty much everything is on the table,” according to Senate President Steve Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat. “The question now is: What is the highest priority?”Democrats will return to the Colorado Capitol in early January with expanded majorities in both the House and Senate, and facing pressure to act after the state's latest mass shooting. Five people were killed and more than a dozen others wounded in a Nov. 19 attack on Club Q, allegedly carried out by a 22-year-old shooter armed with a semi-automatic, AR-15-style rifle.“Tay” Anderson, a Denver School board member, posted on Twitter that Democrats should immediately use their majority at the Capitol to pass an assault weapons ban.Saying “If folks refuse to act, vote them out,”Senate President Fenberg, who said gun control conversations were underway even before the Club Q shootings, said a ban on assault weapons is certainly a possibility. The challenge is figuring out how to write the law - how to define what an assault weapon is, what should happen to weapons already in the possession of Colorado residents, and how to address people traveling through Colorado to neighboring states where the weapons are permitted. It's more likely that Democrats pursue other changes to Colorado's gun laws first, such as raising the minimum age to purchase a rifle or shotgun to 21 from 18. The minimum age to purchase handguns in Colorado is already 21. Sen. Tom Sullivan, a Centennial Democrat, is working on changing the minimum age to purchase a gun. He initially wanted to raise the age only for so-called assault weapons, but thinks a broader change would be easier. “That will save us having to come up with a definition of what assault weapons are,” said Sullivan, whose son, Alex, was murdered in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting. “And that seems to be the consensus that we're hearing from the rest of the Democratic caucus.”There are also discussions about enacting a waiting period that looks like those passed in California and Hawaii, which have 10- and 14-day waiting periods, respectively. Illinois has a 72-hour waiting period after purchases a firearm, before they can access it.Colorado already requires universal background checks on all gun purchases, and has laws limiting gun magazines to 15 rounds, and requiring the safe storage of firearms. People whose guns are lost or stolen must make a report with law enforcement, as well, and there is a statute temporarily barring people convicted of certain violent misdemeanors from purchasing firearms.Colorado counties and municipalities are also now allowed to enact gun regulations that are more stringent than the state's policies after the legislature in 2021 repealed a preemption law.When it comes to Colorado's red flag law, a 2019 policy that lets judges order the temporary seizure of firearms from people deemed a significant risk to themselves or others - legislators might expand the list of who can petition a judge to initiate a red flag proceeding. Right now, law enforcement and family members are effectively the only groups allowed to petition a judge to order a seizure. Gov. Jared Polis has expressed support for adding district attorneys to the list, and others have suggested the attorney general's office, and teachers should be allowed to request seizures as well. The Colorado legislature reconvenes on Jan. 9.COLORADO NEWSLINE:  $35 insulin price cap coming to Medicare in January.A recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report showed drug companies increased prices for several drugs by more than 500% since 2016. But starting next month, a $35 cap on insulin prices will go into effect for millions of Medicare recipients. The lower pricing is one of the first of several policy measures Americans will see under the Inflation Reduction Act, passed without a single Republican vote and signed into law in August.The insulin cap benefits Medicare Part D recipients, who also no longer have to meet a deductible on their insulin. A $35 cap on insulin pumps for Medicare Part B recipients goes into effect July 1, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare patients spent $1 billion on insulin in 2020, and an estimated 16.5% of people with diabetes rationed their insulin in the past year, which can be extremely harmful to their health or even fatal.According to an analysis of the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act from the Center for American Progress, an elderly middle class couple could save as much as $2,400 per year on insulin.ARIZONA MIRROR: AZ SOS Katie Hobbs recommends criminal prosecutions for Cochise County supervisors who refused to certify their election results. Hobbs wrote to Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre, that without repercussions, the decision of supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd not to certify their results could encourage future violations, further eroding election integrity in the state, and stomping on the will of Arizona voters. “Supervisors Crosby and Judd's actions not only demonstrate a complete disregard for the law but also jeopardize Arizona's democracy,” she wrote. “Had a court not intervened, the failure of these two Supervisors to uphold their duty would have disenfranchised thousands of Cochise County voters. This blatant act of defying Arizona's election laws risks establishing a dangerous precedent that we must discourage.” Crosby and Judd threw the Arizona state certification process into disarray last month, when they delayed their official canvassing of the midterm election results in Cochise County, citing bogus claims that electronic tabulators didn't meet required standards. It was only after a court ordered them to complete their statutorily mandated duties that they did so on Dec. 1, days after the Nov. 28 deadline. Their actions put the official statewide canvass in jeopardy, as Hobbs must meet a Dec. 5 deadline to certify the results. She can only push that deadline as far as Dec. 8. If she decided to go ahead with the process without the results from Cochise County, a heavily Republican region, more than 47,000 voters could have seen their ballots ignored and a number of races would have flipped in favor of Democratic candidates. The responsibilities of county supervisors are clearly laid out in state law and the state's Election Procedures Manual, Hobbs said, and they are non-negotiable. And, Crosby and Judd were given ample notification of the consequences.“Supervisors Crosby and Judd knew they had a statutory requirement to canvass the election by November 28, but instead chose to act in violation of the law, putting false election narratives ahead of Cochise County's voters,” Hobbs wrote. Hobbs, who was elected governor in the election, wrote that the two Republicans violated several state laws, with penalties ranging from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony. If Crosby and Judd were convicted of a felony, their right to vote would be revoked. They also stand to lose their elected office: State law deems an elected office vacant if the officeholder is convicted of a felony or any “offense involving a violation of the person's official duties”. This is the second call for an investigation into the Supervisors possibly criminal acts - Earlier this week, former Attorney General Terry Goddard and Maricopa County Attorney Richard Romley wrote to outgoing AG Brnovich requesting he hold Crosby and Judd accountable.It's likely that Attorney General-elect Kris Mayes will make the final decision on whether to prosecute, once she takes office in January. In a statement, she said she agrees with the request from Hobbs' office to begin an investigation, and said that it is through that process that a decision on what further response, if any, is appropriate.COURTHOUSE NEWS SERVICE: Didn't we do this aJustices signal support for web designer who won't help gay couples with weddingsThe conservative majority appeared ready to answer a question the high court dodged four years ago: Must creative businesses put aside their religious beliefs to accommodate the beliefs of protected groups? WASHINGTON (CN) — A six-year crusade came to a head at the Supreme Court on Monday, pitting Colorado's nondiscrimination law against a Christian website designer who refuses to create wedding websites for same-sex couples. It was unsurprising that the narrow question at the center of the case perplexed many of the justices, since the high court passed up on answering it only four years ago. In Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the court ruled in favor of a cakemaker refusing his services to a same-sex couple, but declined to expand the ruling much beyond the case in front of them. Lorie Smith's case brings that topic to a head. Stating that her Christian beliefs confine marriage only to heterosexual couples, Smith argues that Colorado's anti-discrimination laws - protecting LGBTQ+ Coloradans as well as others -  violate her free speech rights. Smith's attorney argued that “Colorado is declaring her speech a public accommodation, and insists that she create and speak messages that violate her conscience.” After two and a half hours of arguments, the conservative majority appeared inclined to agree.The liberal wing of the court expressed concern that a ruling for Smith could snowball into a free speech loophole allowing discrimination. Justice Sonia Sotomayor questioned where the court would draw the line, on what kind of discrimination would be permitted - noting that the same arguments could be made for interracial marriage or even for excluding people with disabilities. The hypothetical-heavy arguments included almost every culture-wars issue on the books including discrimination on race, religion, sexual orientation and political preference. These scenarios conveyed a worry by some justices about how far even a narrow ruling in the case could extend. Colorado Solicitor General Eric Olson said Smith's request for a free-speech exemption clause to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act would equate to a “license to discriminate.” “The free speech protection the company seeks here is sweeping, because it would apply not just to sincerely held religious beliefs as in this case, but also to all sorts of racist, sexist and bigoted views,” Olson said. “This rule would allow another web design company to say no to interracial couples, an ad agency could refuse to run ads for women-led businesses, and a tech consulting company could refuse to serve the web designer here, because it disagreed with her views on marriage. Where exactly to draw the line between free speech and anti-discrimination laws eluded many of the justices. This was partly because Smith brought the justices a preenforcement suit - she filed her suit against the state of Colorado before any same-sex couple actually requested her services. This creates difficulties for the justices in deciding a ruling. Justice Elena Kagan said the reason for the multitude of hypotheticals during oral argument was due to the lack of facts in the case - which make the justices' ruling all the more difficult. Kagan said “It really depends on the facts, and on what exactly Ms. Smith is being asked or compelled to do.”I could definitely be wrong, but as far as I can tell, the actual free speech claim isn't really justiciable without a real action from the state against the business owner. Seems like it's not ripe, as they say.But the court, in its infinite power, could rule on whether the 1st Amendment Free Speech clause of the Constitution provides an out for companies looking to discriminate against certain customers. You might be thinking, doesn't the U.S. Constitution protect all Americans from discrimination based on sex? It does - but that protection only applies to discriminatory actions by the state. So the state can't deny you a marriage license because of your sex or your partner's sex. The state can't deny you employment or throw you in jail, either - anymore.Here, it's a business that wants the right to turn away same-sex couples, and the state is looking to enforce a state anti-discrimination law - which may or may not conflict with the business owner's protected free speech.It's not a slam dunk that the conservative Supreme Court will rule for the anti-gay web designer, though. No small number of right-wing attorneys have made their entire careers using anti-discrimination laws on behalf of white people, to unravel protections for marginalized groups. If college admissions boards, for example, decide that admitting too many white students is not the ‘statement' they want to make - the ruling against the gay couple might undermine its own rulings on affirmative action practices.The Supreme Court has a highly interesting - and highly secretive - process of passing opinions back and forth to each other. Picking apart each other's arguments, and putting their heads together before the actual ruling comes out. We won't get much of a picture into that, but you can bet this year's Supreme Court clerks are going to be busy. CONCERT PICK OF THE WEEK: Allman Family Revival - featuring Duane Betts, Cody and Luther Dickinson, Samantha Fish, Jimmy Hall, Maggie Rose, Larry McCray, Orbi Orbison, Donovan Frankenreiter, and the River Kittens. And whether you go to the concert or not - Check out the River Kittens. St. Louis' homegrown duo of Soulful, Harmonious, Folk music. They're awesome.Upcoming shows in Nashville, St. Louis, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the tour closes out at the Fillmore in San Francisco next Saturday Dec 17th.Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Courthouse News Service, Colorado Sun, Nevada Current, Arizona Mirror, Colorado Newsline, and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

Song playsIntro by hostWelcome to High Country - politics in the American West. My name is Sean Diller; regular listeners might know me from Heartland Pod's Talking Politics, every Monday.Go to heartlandpod.com for information on all our political podcasts, and a link to support our work on Patreon. Sign up as an Official PODhead for just $5 per month to access all our premium podcast segments and political writing. To join the conversation on Twitter, find us at THE Heartland POD. Alright! Let's get into it: NEVADA CURRENT:Tribes in six states awarded $73MM in new high-speed internet grants.Three Nevada tribes will receive $11.6 million for high-speed internet, in the latest round of “internet for all” grants, federal officials announced Wednesday.The funding will directly connect more than 800 homes on tribal lands in Nevada to high-speed internet, improving access to education, jobs, and healthcare on tribal lands.Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo said“The Biden administration is committed to fostering meaningful partnerships with Tribal Nations, which have been vital to our goal of connecting everyone in America, with affordable, reliable, high-speed Internet service,” So far, about $1.6 billion has been awarded to 121 tribal nations with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law that passed last year. Those funds have connected more than 3,100 unserved Native American households that previously had no connectivity to high-speed Internet, as well as businesses and community institutions.These awards are part of a series of commitments the Biden administration announced Wednesday to strengthen nation-to-nation engagement between the federal government and Tribal Nations.The Walker River Paiute Tribe in Mineral County will receive more than $6 million to install fiber internet directly to more than 400 households, 22 community institutions, and 10 tribal businesses. The Duckwater Shoshone Tribe in Nye County is set to receive more than $3 million to install fiber internet to nearly 80 homes and 11 tribal institutions. The Fallon Paiute Shoshone Tribe in Churchill County will be awarded nearly $2 million to directly connect more than 300 households.Nevada Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto, who has pushed for more broadband funding on tribal lands, praised the announcement Wednesday.“Throughout my time in the Senate, I've worked to make sure Tribes in Nevada have access to critical broadband,” she said. “I made sure these funds would get to Tribes in Nevada in a timely and efficient fashion, and I'm committed to helping Nevadans in every community access the critical educational, business, health care, and cultural resources that the internet provides.”Additionally, the national Affordable Connectivity Program - ACP - provides a discount of $30 per month toward Internet service for eligible households, and up to $75 per month for households on qualifying tribal lands. You're eligible for the benefit If you currently receive SNAP benefits, are on Medicaid, or earn less than 200% of the federal poverty line. That's about $27K for a single person household, or $55K for a family of four.To Apply, visit AffordableConnectivity.govCOLORADO SUN: Colorado Democrats ready to move on gun safety laws.A host of changes to Colorado's gun laws, from a ban on assault weapons to tweaks to the existing red flag law, are already being considered by Democrats at the state Capitol in response to the shooting last month at an LGBTQ nightclub in Colorado Springs. “Pretty much everything is on the table,” according to Senate President Steve Fenberg, a Boulder Democrat. “The question now is: What is the highest priority?”Democrats will return to the Colorado Capitol in early January with expanded majorities in both the House and Senate, and facing pressure to act after the state's latest mass shooting. Five people were killed and more than a dozen others wounded in a Nov. 19 attack on Club Q, allegedly carried out by a 22-year-old shooter armed with a semi-automatic, AR-15-style rifle.“Tay” Anderson, a Denver School board member, posted on Twitter that Democrats should immediately use their majority at the Capitol to pass an assault weapons ban.Saying “If folks refuse to act, vote them out,”Senate President Fenberg, who said gun control conversations were underway even before the Club Q shootings, said a ban on assault weapons is certainly a possibility. The challenge is figuring out how to write the law - how to define what an assault weapon is, what should happen to weapons already in the possession of Colorado residents, and how to address people traveling through Colorado to neighboring states where the weapons are permitted. It's more likely that Democrats pursue other changes to Colorado's gun laws first, such as raising the minimum age to purchase a rifle or shotgun to 21 from 18. The minimum age to purchase handguns in Colorado is already 21. Sen. Tom Sullivan, a Centennial Democrat, is working on changing the minimum age to purchase a gun. He initially wanted to raise the age only for so-called assault weapons, but thinks a broader change would be easier. “That will save us having to come up with a definition of what assault weapons are,” said Sullivan, whose son, Alex, was murdered in the 2012 Aurora theater shooting. “And that seems to be the consensus that we're hearing from the rest of the Democratic caucus.”There are also discussions about enacting a waiting period that looks like those passed in California and Hawaii, which have 10- and 14-day waiting periods, respectively. Illinois has a 72-hour waiting period after purchases a firearm, before they can access it.Colorado already requires universal background checks on all gun purchases, and has laws limiting gun magazines to 15 rounds, and requiring the safe storage of firearms. People whose guns are lost or stolen must make a report with law enforcement, as well, and there is a statute temporarily barring people convicted of certain violent misdemeanors from purchasing firearms.Colorado counties and municipalities are also now allowed to enact gun regulations that are more stringent than the state's policies after the legislature in 2021 repealed a preemption law.When it comes to Colorado's red flag law, a 2019 policy that lets judges order the temporary seizure of firearms from people deemed a significant risk to themselves or others - legislators might expand the list of who can petition a judge to initiate a red flag proceeding. Right now, law enforcement and family members are effectively the only groups allowed to petition a judge to order a seizure. Gov. Jared Polis has expressed support for adding district attorneys to the list, and others have suggested the attorney general's office, and teachers should be allowed to request seizures as well. The Colorado legislature reconvenes on Jan. 9.COLORADO NEWSLINE:  $35 insulin price cap coming to Medicare in January.A recent U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report showed drug companies increased prices for several drugs by more than 500% since 2016. But starting next month, a $35 cap on insulin prices will go into effect for millions of Medicare recipients. The lower pricing is one of the first of several policy measures Americans will see under the Inflation Reduction Act, passed without a single Republican vote and signed into law in August.The insulin cap benefits Medicare Part D recipients, who also no longer have to meet a deductible on their insulin. A $35 cap on insulin pumps for Medicare Part B recipients goes into effect July 1, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare patients spent $1 billion on insulin in 2020, and an estimated 16.5% of people with diabetes rationed their insulin in the past year, which can be extremely harmful to their health or even fatal.According to an analysis of the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act from the Center for American Progress, an elderly middle class couple could save as much as $2,400 per year on insulin.ARIZONA MIRROR: AZ SOS Katie Hobbs recommends criminal prosecutions for Cochise County supervisors who refused to certify their election results. Hobbs wrote to Attorney General Mark Brnovich and Cochise County Attorney Brian McIntyre, that without repercussions, the decision of supervisors Tom Crosby and Peggy Judd not to certify their results could encourage future violations, further eroding election integrity in the state, and stomping on the will of Arizona voters. “Supervisors Crosby and Judd's actions not only demonstrate a complete disregard for the law but also jeopardize Arizona's democracy,” she wrote. “Had a court not intervened, the failure of these two Supervisors to uphold their duty would have disenfranchised thousands of Cochise County voters. This blatant act of defying Arizona's election laws risks establishing a dangerous precedent that we must discourage.” Crosby and Judd threw the Arizona state certification process into disarray last month, when they delayed their official canvassing of the midterm election results in Cochise County, citing bogus claims that electronic tabulators didn't meet required standards. It was only after a court ordered them to complete their statutorily mandated duties that they did so on Dec. 1, days after the Nov. 28 deadline. Their actions put the official statewide canvass in jeopardy, as Hobbs must meet a Dec. 5 deadline to certify the results. She can only push that deadline as far as Dec. 8. If she decided to go ahead with the process without the results from Cochise County, a heavily Republican region, more than 47,000 voters could have seen their ballots ignored and a number of races would have flipped in favor of Democratic candidates. The responsibilities of county supervisors are clearly laid out in state law and the state's Election Procedures Manual, Hobbs said, and they are non-negotiable. And, Crosby and Judd were given ample notification of the consequences.“Supervisors Crosby and Judd knew they had a statutory requirement to canvass the election by November 28, but instead chose to act in violation of the law, putting false election narratives ahead of Cochise County's voters,” Hobbs wrote. Hobbs, who was elected governor in the election, wrote that the two Republicans violated several state laws, with penalties ranging from a class 3 misdemeanor to a class 6 felony. If Crosby and Judd were convicted of a felony, their right to vote would be revoked. They also stand to lose their elected office: State law deems an elected office vacant if the officeholder is convicted of a felony or any “offense involving a violation of the person's official duties”. This is the second call for an investigation into the Supervisors possibly criminal acts - Earlier this week, former Attorney General Terry Goddard and Maricopa County Attorney Richard Romley wrote to outgoing AG Brnovich requesting he hold Crosby and Judd accountable.It's likely that Attorney General-elect Kris Mayes will make the final decision on whether to prosecute, once she takes office in January. In a statement, she said she agrees with the request from Hobbs' office to begin an investigation, and said that it is through that process that a decision on what further response, if any, is appropriate.COURTHOUSE NEWS SERVICE: Didn't we do this aJustices signal support for web designer who won't help gay couples with weddingsThe conservative majority appeared ready to answer a question the high court dodged four years ago: Must creative businesses put aside their religious beliefs to accommodate the beliefs of protected groups? WASHINGTON (CN) — A six-year crusade came to a head at the Supreme Court on Monday, pitting Colorado's nondiscrimination law against a Christian website designer who refuses to create wedding websites for same-sex couples. It was unsurprising that the narrow question at the center of the case perplexed many of the justices, since the high court passed up on answering it only four years ago. In Masterpiece Cakeshop v. Colorado Civil Rights Commission, the court ruled in favor of a cakemaker refusing his services to a same-sex couple, but declined to expand the ruling much beyond the case in front of them. Lorie Smith's case brings that topic to a head. Stating that her Christian beliefs confine marriage only to heterosexual couples, Smith argues that Colorado's anti-discrimination laws - protecting LGBTQ+ Coloradans as well as others -  violate her free speech rights. Smith's attorney argued that “Colorado is declaring her speech a public accommodation, and insists that she create and speak messages that violate her conscience.” After two and a half hours of arguments, the conservative majority appeared inclined to agree.The liberal wing of the court expressed concern that a ruling for Smith could snowball into a free speech loophole allowing discrimination. Justice Sonia Sotomayor questioned where the court would draw the line, on what kind of discrimination would be permitted - noting that the same arguments could be made for interracial marriage or even for excluding people with disabilities. The hypothetical-heavy arguments included almost every culture-wars issue on the books including discrimination on race, religion, sexual orientation and political preference. These scenarios conveyed a worry by some justices about how far even a narrow ruling in the case could extend. Colorado Solicitor General Eric Olson said Smith's request for a free-speech exemption clause to the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act would equate to a “license to discriminate.” “The free speech protection the company seeks here is sweeping, because it would apply not just to sincerely held religious beliefs as in this case, but also to all sorts of racist, sexist and bigoted views,” Olson said. “This rule would allow another web design company to say no to interracial couples, an ad agency could refuse to run ads for women-led businesses, and a tech consulting company could refuse to serve the web designer here, because it disagreed with her views on marriage. Where exactly to draw the line between free speech and anti-discrimination laws eluded many of the justices. This was partly because Smith brought the justices a preenforcement suit - she filed her suit against the state of Colorado before any same-sex couple actually requested her services. This creates difficulties for the justices in deciding a ruling. Justice Elena Kagan said the reason for the multitude of hypotheticals during oral argument was due to the lack of facts in the case - which make the justices' ruling all the more difficult. Kagan said “It really depends on the facts, and on what exactly Ms. Smith is being asked or compelled to do.”I could definitely be wrong, but as far as I can tell, the actual free speech claim isn't really justiciable without a real action from the state against the business owner. Seems like it's not ripe, as they say.But the court, in its infinite power, could rule on whether the 1st Amendment Free Speech clause of the Constitution provides an out for companies looking to discriminate against certain customers. You might be thinking, doesn't the U.S. Constitution protect all Americans from discrimination based on sex? It does - but that protection only applies to discriminatory actions by the state. So the state can't deny you a marriage license because of your sex or your partner's sex. The state can't deny you employment or throw you in jail, either - anymore.Here, it's a business that wants the right to turn away same-sex couples, and the state is looking to enforce a state anti-discrimination law - which may or may not conflict with the business owner's protected free speech.It's not a slam dunk that the conservative Supreme Court will rule for the anti-gay web designer, though. No small number of right-wing attorneys have made their entire careers using anti-discrimination laws on behalf of white people, to unravel protections for marginalized groups. If college admissions boards, for example, decide that admitting too many white students is not the ‘statement' they want to make - the ruling against the gay couple might undermine its own rulings on affirmative action practices.The Supreme Court has a highly interesting - and highly secretive - process of passing opinions back and forth to each other. Picking apart each other's arguments, and putting their heads together before the actual ruling comes out. We won't get much of a picture into that, but you can bet this year's Supreme Court clerks are going to be busy. CONCERT PICK OF THE WEEK: Allman Family Revival - featuring Duane Betts, Cody and Luther Dickinson, Samantha Fish, Jimmy Hall, Maggie Rose, Larry McCray, Orbi Orbison, Donovan Frankenreiter, and the River Kittens. And whether you go to the concert or not - Check out the River Kittens. St. Louis' homegrown duo of Soulful, Harmonious, Folk music. They're awesome.Upcoming shows in Nashville, St. Louis, Denver, Phoenix, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and the tour closes out at the Fillmore in San Francisco next Saturday Dec 17th.Welp, that's it for me! From Denver I'm Sean Diller. Original reporting for the stories in today's show comes from Courthouse News Service, Colorado Sun, Nevada Current, Arizona Mirror, Colorado Newsline, and Denver's Westword.Thank you for listening! See you next time.

In celebration of National Veterans & Military Families Month, Comcast has awarded $75,000 in grants and 100 laptops to Veterans Leadership Program. VLP is a non-profit that assists veterans with housing, career development, wellness and supportive services. Carol Eggert, Senior Vice President of Military and Veteran Affairs at Comcast NBCUniversal, steps up to the One Mic Stand to detail the importance of helping veterans through this program. Eggert leads a team that works collaboratively across Comcast NBCUniversal to provide strategic leadership to all aspects of programs and outreach engaging the military and veteran community, including recruiting, hiring and building talent at all levels of the organization. VLP clients may be eligible for the federal government's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides eligible low-income households with a credit up to $30 per month toward their Internet and/or mobile service. Thanks to ACP, eligible Comcast customers can get home Internet through Comcast's Internet Essentials or Internet Essentials Plus at no cost once the federal credit is applied.

Bio Chuck is one of the country's foremost experts on all aspects of federal and state universal service programs. Chuck had a leadership role at the FCC in the implementation of the universal service provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Since joining WBK in 2001, he has helped clients craft policy recommendations in every universal service rulemaking at the FCC and in several states. He also fields compliance questions from clients on universal service contribution requirements, E-rate funding, Connect America Fund (“CAF”), Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”), as well as recent broadband deployment affordability programs including NTIA's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (“BEAD”) program and the Affordable Connectivity Program (“ACP”). Innovative companies operating on the ever-evolving line between communications services and technology also come to Chuck for help in ascertaining whether and how FCC and state communications regulatory requirements affect their businesses. Chuck is an active member of the Federal Communications Bar Association and has served as a Co-Chair of its Wireline Practice Committee and State and Local Practice Committee. He serves on the Board of the LGBT Technology Partnership. He also represents several clients on a pro bono basis in political asylum cases on referral from Whitman Walker Legal Services of Washington, DC.   Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Website   Resources Wilkson Barker Knauer

Tracy Wirtz, Manager of Public/Media Relations for Cox, joined Discover Lafayette to talk about Cox's participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program which can save money on eligible consumers' internet bills. In November 2021, Congress passed an infrastructure bill creating the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) which directed $14.2 billion to help low-income consumers connect to high-speed Internet. Eligible households with active internet service with Cox will receive up to $30 off their monthly bill for their internet service and equipment (or up to $75 if they live in a tribal area). A household may qualify if they have Cox Connect2Compete Internet or Lifeline Phone plus Internet. A household may also qualify if they are enrolled in other eligible government assistance programs, including: Free or reduced lunch through the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)Federal Public Housing (including Section 8, Multi-family units, and Public Housing Authorities)Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC)Head StartPell Grant recipient for the current academic yearTribal Programs (and proof of living on tribal lands) including:o    Any of the programs listed aboveo    Bureau of Indian Affairs General Assistanceo    Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (Tribal TANF)o    Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservationso    Tribal Head Start (for those who meet the Head Start income qualifying standard)MedicaidSupplemental Security Income (SSI)Veterans Pension & Survivors BenefitsProof income is 200% or less than federal poverty guidelines (three consecutive pay stubs or a tax return). Note: 200% of federal poverty guidelines is approximately $53,000 for a family of four. You can look up the income maximum for your household at https://www.lifelinesupport.org/do-i-qualify/federal-poverty-guidelines/ To determine if you are eligible, visit https://www.cox.com/residential/internet/affordable-connectivity-program.html You may be asked to verify your identity using your mobile phone number and your date of birth or by uploading your driver's license, state ID card, or passport. You may also need to provide documentation of income, unemployment status, or participation in one of the government assistance programs listed above. Cox is also participating in PCs for People where eligible households which do not have a computer can receive a one-time discount of $100 on refurbished laptops or desktop computers (while supplies last). Cell phones are not included in this offer as the intent is to assist people in getting a keyboard for work or school activities and reach their full potential through digital technology. Tracy joined Cox a year ago after spending more than three decades in radio and television broadcasting, most notably on KATC TV3 and KLFY TV10. She focuses on community relations, media relations, employee engagement, and charitable giving opportunities for Cox. Tracy Wirtz is well-known in our community, having worked in television and radio for over 30 years. She started working for Cox on August 23, 2021, and the following weekend, Hurricane Ida hit. As a broadcaster experienced in crisis communication, she understands that people need information. "They're asking, what now? Working on the other side, in this space, has been invigorating and eye-opening." Cox Enterprises is a fourth-generation family-owned company started in 1898 by James M. Cox. Through its major divisions, Cox Communications and Cox Automotive, they are leaders in the communications and automotive industries with national brands including Autotrader, Kelley Blue Book, and Cox Homelife.

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a U.S. government program that helps low income households pay for broadband service and internet connected devices. The program provides up to a $30 per month discount on internet service and an additional one-time device discount of up to $100 for purchase of a Read More Shared by United Resource Connection July 29, 2022

Many are in search of their dream home -- a place to plant roots with a street to raise their children on. But that dream could become a nightmare for some. In just a few months, the Mecklenburg County Assessor's Office will lay out the new property taxes after revaluation. In short, you will find out how much you'll pay just to live there. For the latest breaking news, weather and traffic alerts, download the WCNC Charlotte mobile app.In 2019, we saw a big hike in property taxes. When this happened, many community members were outraged and said lower-income families couldn't afford the increase and were forced out due to gentrification.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/markets/real-estate/mecklenburg-county-property-taxes-revaluation/275-4b32ef50-a970-49ed-9f72-4665e30bcb18Vice President Kamala Harris advocated for affordable access to high-speed internet during a visit to Charlotte Thursday. She spoke of the Biden administration's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which was part of the bipartisan infrastructure bill. Harris continued her trip to North Carolina despite President Joe Biden testing positive for COVID-19.  Harris told the crowd at Carole Hoefener Center in Uptown Charlotte Thursday that said she spoke to Biden by phone Thursday morning and he is "doing well."Biden, who was not scheduled to travel with the vice president, remains in Washington where he is said to be experiencing "mild symptoms" from COVID-19.Harris and Biden last saw each other in person Tuesday.READ MORE: https://www.wcnc.com/article/news/politics/national-politics/vp-harris-charlotte-nc-visit-politics-internet/275-57ab7a66-b6d8-4367-8e8a-98eb40f86537Plus, as a front lingers south of the Piedmont, expect a few showers and storms Friday afternoon, especially south of Charlotte. It'll still be a hot and humid day regardless with highs in the low-mid 90s. Heat Index temperatures will be over 100 degrees.On this episode of #WakeUpCLT To Go, forecaster Larry Sprinkle is joined by Ben Thompson to have a full weekend forecast for the Charlotte, North Carolina area. In this video, Larry Sprinkle will have the weekend forecast for North Carolina and South Carolina for Friday July 22 through Sunday, July 24. From the heat dome causing extreme heat to our chances of storms, Larry will break down what you can expect before making plans in the Charlotte metro area. Watch Wake Up Charlotte each weekday morning from 4:30 to 7 a.m. on WCNC Charlotte, and as always, join the conversation on social media using #WakeUpCLT! 

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Whether you want a movie poster from the latest movie, collect posters from a specific genre or are just looking for that one of a kind movie poster, chances are you'll find it at JustMoviePosters.ComLEARN ABOUT The Affordable Connectivity Program. Qualifying households will receive up to 14GB of monthly data PLUS a FREE Android phone or Wi-Fi hotspot. HOW DO TO QUALIFY? The federally funded Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers a maximum $30 a month discount on High-Speed Home Internet for qualifying households. Affordable Internet service varies from $10-$30 a month – so after the discount is applied, Home Internet may be free. This benefit is expected to last for 4 to 5 years. Those with Lifeline mobile benefits can also get ACP benefits. LEARN MORE VIA https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lysby1zr_pYBROUGHT TO YOU IN PART BY EXPODIGITALS.COM VIA https://www.expodigitals.com/YOUR SOURCE FOR ACCESSING HUNDRES OF DIGITAL PRODUCTS! 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Many of us didn't realize how essential good internet access was until the pandemic required so many of us to take our work, schooling, shopping and even healthcare into the virtual world. That experience also highlighted dramatic inequities among households and communities, in access to strong, stable internet service. A new government initiative, the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), is taking on those inequities, working closely with internet providers throughout the United States. Passed by Congress as part of the 2021 Infrastructure bill and launched in January of this year through the FCC, this program makes connectivity affordable to most households – or even free, when combined with assistance already offered by local providers.   In this episode of Mom Enough, Marti and Erin talk with Karly Baraga-Werner, a graduate of Georgetown Law School and Senior Director of Government and Regulatory Affairs for Comcast Twin Cities Region. Karly explains all the ins and outs of who is eligible, how to apply, and what, if anything, ACP participants will need to pay. Written material with all the details you need also are posted for free downloading on the Mom Enough website (www.momenough.com). If you don't need the benefits of this program yourself, please spread the word among people you know! If you wish to provide printed information to people in your school, faith community or neighborhood, there also is a link on the Mom Enough site for ordering larger quantities of printed information in large quantities.   WHY IS AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY SO IMPORTANT? Think of the ways people of all ages are dependent on having access to the internet today. In what ways does access facilitate learning, access to healthcare, and a wide range of useful information and age-appropriate entertainment to the individuals in your family, whatever their ages? Who do you know who might benefit from ACP and perhaps also a local program, such as Comcast's Internet Essentials, that can combine with ACP to make connectivity even less expensive or free?   WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT GETTING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE INTERNET? ❉ Xfinity ACP. Check this link to see if you are eligible and learn how to apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program, where you can get affordable (or even free) internet with Xfinity Internet or Comcast Internet Essentials.   ❉ INTERNET ESSENTIALS. Learn if you qualify for Comcast's Internet Essentials program and how to sign up, if you do. You can also call 855-8INTERNET to speak with someone about Internet Essentials.   ❉ AFFORDABLE CONNECTIVITY PROGRAM. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a federal program that helps low-income households pay for broadband and internet connected devices. You can also call 833-511-0311.   ❉ INTERNET ESSENTIALS PARTNER PORTAL. Become a partner join the movement to close the digital divide. Access materials and resources that you can distribute. Help bring the internet to families in your community.

Johnyne Hoyes is the Director of Marketing for Comcast's Keystone Region. She has worked in the telecommunications industry for 24 years and with Comcast since 2008. In this episode, Hoyes discusses the rocketing number of devices connecting to WiFi along with affordable connectivity programs. Comcast's 2021 WiFi Trends Report has some interesting findings related to the number of connected devices in Americans' homes and how they're being used, including: The number of devices connected to WiFi has increased 12X since 2018. Smartphones account for almost one-third of all devices, a 23X increase from 2018. “Health” was the fastest rising device category with more than 49 million smartwatches and fitness trackers connected in Xfinity households. Internet of Things devices have increased 31X since 2018. Streaming and gaming devices increased 14X and 15X since 2018. Americans invested in their home networks, improving WiFi, upgrading equipment of increasing speeds, citing WiFi as “more important to their daily lives than reliable transportation.” Comcast released the 2021 WiFi Trends Report on the heels of announcing its newest gateway, the next generation xFi Advanced Gateway, capable of multi-Gig speeds, with more capacity to connect hundreds of devices simultaneously. With WiFi more important than ever, here are some of the steps Comcast is taking to help connect people to the transformative power of the Internet:  The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is the successor to the Federal Government's Emergency Broadband Benefit (EBB) Program designed to help low-income households connect and stay connected to the Internet.   Comcast had been participating in the EBB program since its inception in May 2021 and is proud to continue participating in ACP.  Like we have from day one with EBB, we will continue to make the benefit available for all tiers of Xfinity Internet service and Internet Essentials for those customers who qualify.  Internet Essentials customers are generally eligible for the benefit based on the ACP criteria. Visit xfinity.com/acp for more info, to determine eligibility and sign up. Eligible households that enroll in the program can receive a maximum monthly credit of $30/month toward their Internet and mobile service. This new offer is particularly useful for our Internet Essentials customers. At $9.95/month, Internet Essentials customers can receive their broadband service at no cost with the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP). Customers can use their ACP credit to get home Internet service and a line of unlimited 5G cellular data ($45) for as little as $24.95/month after the ACP benefit is applied. Comcast has a longstanding commitment to helping people connect, and stay connected, to the Internet and this transition from the EBB program to ACP is a continuation of that commitment. 

The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) is a new Federal program to help ensure people can afford broadband internet service. The ACP provides a discount of up to $30 per month towards broadband service for eligible households and up to $75 per month for those on qualifying Tribal lands. Eligible households Read More Shared by United Resource Connection March 11, 2022

Show Notes Episode FCC-Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) Broadband access for all! Special Let's Talk Low. Vision episode for everyone, but especially people who are blind or have low vision and have little or no internet access. Please share this recording with others to let them hear about this new program from the FCC. a one-hour presentation by the Federal Communications Commission on the new Affordable Connectivity Program. This program is meant to assist people with limited income or receiving government programs, such as SSI, get connected. Our very special guest is Gerard Williams, Compliance Officer for the FCC. You may listen to this and all our episodes on Alexa, Echo, Siri, and any device that has access to podcasts. It's also of course available on our website! The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) and VISAbilities (Visually Impaired Seniors' Abilities) co-hosted this program! Resources for this Episode Main site. https://www.fcc.gov/acp ACP SUPPORT-LINE Phone 877-384-2575 ACP Fact Sheet: Word | PDF Contacts for ACP this Episode Gerard Williams FCC504@FCC.gov Phone FCC 888-255-5322 (888-CALL-FCC) Terry Pacheco VISAbilities50@gmail.com Let's Talk Low Vision This podcast is a monthly series, recorded on Zoom and distributed in many formats. It is a vibrant discussion featuring several hosts, including Dr. Bill Takeshita and Jessie Wolinsky as co-host. The shows include guest speakers, resources and special topics related to adjusting to low vision. Website - https://cclvi.info/events/ltlv/ General inquiries - CCLVIWebmaster@gmail.com Copyright, Council of Citizens with Low Vision International, 2021. All rights reserved.