Podcasts about e rate

tiktok congress laws maine collections cell phone msps powerschool e rate

Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2025 48:15 Transcription Available

In this week's episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, join the team as they delve into two states moving closer to banning cell phones in schools, exploring how such bans are enforced at the state level. The discussion also covers Congress's recent changes to the E-Rate program, analyzing the implications these changes have on school funding and internet accessibility. Additionally, the hosts talk about summer device collections, including the processes involved and the challenges faced. Tune in to hear about a significant lawsuit against PowerSchool by Memphis Shelby Public Schools, and the impact of TikTok trends on school technology. Memphis. vs PowerSchool Lawsuit Congress vs. Wifi Hotspots in E-Rate End of Student Privacy Pledge Missouri vs. Maine Cell Phone Laws 00:00:08-Intro 00:03:25-MSPS vs. PowerSchool 00:10:39-Student Privacy Changes 00:12:04-Maine & Missouri Cell Phone Bans 0027:35-Chromebook Collection Strategies 00:43:52-TikTok Trends -------------------- NTP Eaton Play eaton.com/PathsToPower Lightspeed VIZOR Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

E271: Grappling with digital food and beverage marketing to youth

The Leading Voices in Food

Play Episode Listen Later May 13, 2025 29:15

So even the people that follow the topic closely are stunned by the digital landscape that engulfs our children, how quickly it evolves, and the potential social cost. Two people in a unique position to explain all this are our guest today, Jeffrey Chester and Kathryn Montgomery, both from the Center for Digital Democracy. Jeff is executive director of the Center, and Kathryn is its research director and senior strategist, as well as professor emerita of communication at American University. Jeff and Kathryn have been pioneers in this work and have been uniquely strong voices for protecting children. Interview Summary Let me congratulate the two of you for being way ahead of your time. I mean the two of you through your research and your advocacy and your organizational work, you were onto these things way before most people were. I'm really happy that you're joining us today, and welcome to our podcast. Kathryn, let me begin with you. So why be concerned about this digital landscape? Kathryn - Well, certainly if we're talking about children and youth, we have to pay attention to the world they live in. And it's a digital world as I think any parent knows, and everybody knows. In fact, for all of us, we're living in a digital world. So young people are living their lives online. They're using mobile phones and mobile devices all the time. They're doing online video streaming. They form their communications with their peers online. Their entire lives are completely integrated into this digital media landscape, and we must understand it. Certainly, the food and beverage industry understand it very well. And they have figured out enormously powerful ways to reach and engage young people through these digital media. You know, the extent of the kids' connection to this is really remarkable. I just finished a few minutes ago recording a podcast with two people involved with the Children and Screens organization. And, Chris Perry, who's the executive director of that organization and Dmitri Christakis who was with us as well, were saying that kids sometimes check their digital media 300 times a day. I mean, just unbelievable how much of this there is. There's a lot of reasons to be concerned. Let's turn our attention to how bad it is, what companies are doing, and what might be done about it. So, Jeff, tell us if you would, about the work of the Center for Digital Democracy. Jeff - Well, for more than a quarter of a century, we have tracked the digital marketplace. As you said at the top, we understood in the early 1990s that the internet, broadband what's become today's digital environment, was going to be the dominant communications system. And it required public interest rules and policies and safeguards. So as a result, one of the things that our Center does is we look at the entire digital landscape as best as we can, especially what the ultra-processed food companies are doing, but including Google and Meta and Amazon and GenAI companies. We are tracking what they're doing, how they're creating the advertising, what their data strategies are, what their political activities are in the United States and in many other places in the world. Because the only way we're going to hold them accountable is if we know what they're doing and what they intend to do. And just to quickly follow up, Kelly, the marketers call today's global generation of young people Generation Alpha. Meaning that they are the first generation to be born into this complete digital landscape environment that we have created. And they have developed a host of strategies to target children at the earliest ages to take advantage of the fact that they're growing up digitally. Boy, pretty amazing - Generation Alpha. Kathryn, I have kind of a niche question I'd like to ask you because it pertains to my own career as well. So, you spent many years as an academic studying and writing about these issues, but also you were a strong advocacy voice. How did you go about balancing the research and the objectivity of an academic with advocacy you were doing? Kathryn - I think it really is rooted in my fundamental set of values about what it means to be an academic. And I feel very strongly and believe very strongly that all of us have a moral and ethical responsibility to the public. That the work we do should really, as I always have told my students, try to make the world a better place. It may seem idealistic, but I think it is what our responsibility is. And I've certainly been influenced in my own education by public scholars over the years who have played that very, very important role. It couldn't be more important today than it has been over the years. And I think particularly if you're talking about public health, I don't think you can be neutral. You can have systematic ways of assessing the impact of food marketing, in this case on young people. But I don't think you can be totally objective and neutral about the need to improve the public health of our citizens. And particularly the public health of our young people. I agree totally with that. Jeff let's talk about the concept of targeted marketing. We hear that term a lot. And in the context of food, people talk about marketing aimed at children as one form of targeting. Or, toward children of color or people of color in general. But that's in a way technological child's play. I understand from you that there's much more precise targeting than a big demographic group like that. Tell us more. Jeff - Well, I mean certainly the ultra-processed food companies are on the cutting edge of using all the latest tools to target individuals in highly personalized way. And I think if I have one message to share with your listeners and viewers is that if we don't act soon, we're going to make an already vulnerable group even more exposed to this kind of direct targeted and personalized marketing. Because what artificial intelligence allows the food and beverage companies and their advertising agencies and platform partners to do is to really understand who we are, what we do, where we are, how we react, behave, think, and then target us accordingly using all those elements in a system that can create this kind of advertising and marketing in minutes, if not eventually milliseconds. So, all of marketing, in essence, will be targeted because they know so much about us. You have an endless chain of relationships between companies like Meta, companies like Kellogg's, the advertising agencies, the data brokers, the marketing clouds, et cetera. Young people especially, and communities of color and other vulnerable groups, have never been more exposed to this kind of invasive, pervasive advertising. Tell us how targeted it can be. I mean, let's take a 11-year-old girl who lives in Wichita and a 13-year-old boy who lives in Denver. How much do the companies know about those two people as individuals? And how does a targeting get market to them? Not because they belong to a big demographic group, but because of them as individuals. Jeff - Well, they certainly are identified in various ways. The marketers know that there are young people in the household. They know that there are young people, parts of families who have various media behaviors. They're watching these kinds of television shows, especially through streaming or listening to music or on social media. Those profiles are put together. And even when the companies say they don't exactly know who the child is or not collecting information from someone under 13 because of the privacy law that we helped get enacted, they know where they are and how to reach them. So, what you've had is an unlimited amassing of data power developed by the food and beverage companies in the United States over the last 25 years. Because really very little has been put in their way to stop them from what they do and plan to do. So presumably you could get some act of Congress put in to forbid the companies from targeting African American children or something like that. But it doesn't sound like that would matter because they're so much more precise in the market. Yes. I mean, in the first place you couldn't get congress to pass that. And I think this is the other thing to think about when you think about the food and beverage companies deploying Generative AI and the latest tools. They've already established vast, what they call insights divisions, market research divisions, to understand our behavior. But now they're able to put all that on a fast, fast, forward basis because of data processing, because of data clouds, let's say, provided by Amazon, and other kinds of tools. They're able to really generate how to sell to us individually, what new products will appeal to us individually and even create the packaging and the promotion to be personalized. So, what you're talking about is the need for a whole set of policy safeguards. But I certainly think that people concerned about public health need to think about regulating the role of Generative AI, especially when it comes to young people to ensure that they're not marketed to in the ways that it fact is and will continue to do. Kathryn, what about the argument that it's a parent's responsibility to protect their children and that government doesn't need to be involved in this space? Kathryn - Well, as a parent, I have to say is extremely challenging. We all do our best to try to protect our children from unhealthy influences, whether it's food or something that affects their mental health. That's a parent's obligation. That's what a parent spends a lot of time thinking about and trying to do. But this is an environment that is overwhelming. It is intrusive. It reaches into young people's lives in ways that make it virtually impossible for parents to intervene. These are powerful companies, and I'm including the tech companies. I'm including the retailers. I'm including the ad agencies as well as these global food and beverage companies. They're extremely powerful. As Jeff has been saying, they have engaged and continue to engage in enormous amounts of technological innovation and research to figure out precisely how to reach and engage our children. And it's too much for parents. And I've been saying this for years. I've been telling legislators this. I've been telling the companies this. It's not fair. It's a very unfair situation for parents. That makes perfect sense. Well, Jeff, your Center produces some very helpful and impressive reports. And an example of that is work you've done on the vast surveillance of television viewers. Tell us more about that, if you would. Jeff - Well, you know, you have to keep up with this, Kelly. The advocates in the United States and the academics with some exceptions have largely failed to address the contemporary business practices of the food and beverage companies. This is not a secret what's going on now. I mean the Generative AI stuff and the advanced data use, you know, is recent. But it is a continuum. And the fact is that we've been one of the few groups following it because we care about our society, our democracy, our media system, et cetera. But so much more could be done here to track what the companies are doing to identify the problematic practices, to think about counter strategies to try to bring change. So yes, we did this report on video streaming because in fact, it's the way television has now changed. It's now part of the commercial surveillance advertising and marketing complex food and beverage companies are using the interactivity and the data collection of streaming television. And we're sounding the alarm as we've been sounding now for too long. But hopefully your listeners will, in fact, start looking more closely at this digital environment because if we don't intervene in the next few years, it'll be impossible to go back and protect young people. So, when people watch television, they don't generally realize or appreciate the fact that information is being collected on them. Jeff - The television watches you now. The television is watching you now. The streaming companies are watching you now. The device that brings you streaming television is watching you now is collecting all kinds of data. The streaming device can deliver personalized ads to you. They'll be soon selling you products in real time. And they're sharing that data with companies like Meta Facebook, your local retailers like Albertsons, Kroger, et cetera. It's one big, huge digital data marketing machine that has been created. And the industry has been successful in blocking legislation except for the one law we were able to get through in 1998. And now under the Trump administration, they have free reign to do whatever they want. It's going to be an uphill battle. But I do think the companies are in a precarious position politically if we could get more people focused on what they're doing. Alright, we'll come back to that. My guess is that very few people realize the kind of thing that you just talked about. That so much information is being collected on them while they're watching television. The fact that you and your center are out there making people more aware, I think, is likely to be very helpful. Jeff - Well, I appreciate that, Kelly, but I have to say, and I don't want to denigrate our work, but you know, I just follow the trades. There's so much evidence if you care about the media and if you care about advertising and marketing or if you care, just let's say about Coca-Cola or Pepsi or Mondalez. Pick one you can't miss all this stuff. It's all there every day. And the problem is that there has not been the focus, I blame the funders in part. There's not been the focus on this marketplace in its contemporary dimensions. I'd like to ask you both about the legislative landscape and whether there are laws protecting people, especially children from this marketing. And Kathy, both you and Jeff were heavily involved in advocacy for a landmark piece of legislation that Jeff referred to from 1998, the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. What did this act involve? And now that we're some years in, how has it worked? Kathryn - Well, I always say I've been studying advertising in the digital media before people even knew there was going to be advertising in digital media. Because we're really talking about the earliest days of the internet when it was being commercialized. But there was a public perception promoted by the government and the industry and a lot of other institutions and individuals that this was going to be a whole new democratic system of technology. And that basically it would solve all of our problems in terms of access to information. In terms of education. It would open up worlds to young people. In many ways it has, but they didn't talk really that much about advertising. Jeff and I working together at the Center for Media Education, were already tracking what was going on in that marketplace in the mid-1990s when it was very, very new. At which point children were already a prime target. They were digital kids. They were considered highly lucrative. Cyber Tots was one of the words that was used by the industry. What we believed was that we needed to get some public debate and some legislation in place, some kinds of rules, to guide the development of this new commercialized media system. And so, we launched a campaign that ultimately resulted in the passage of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act. Now it only governs commercial media, online, digital media that targets children under the age of 13, which was the most vulnerable demographic group of young people. We believe protections are really, really very important for teenagers. There's a lot of evidence for that now, much more research actually, that's showing their vulnerable abilities. And it has required companies to take young people into account when developing their operations. It's had an impact internationally in a lot of other countries. It is just the barest minimum of what we need in terms of protections for young people. And we've worked with the Federal Trade Commission over the years to ensure that those rules were updated and strengthened so that they would apply to this evolving digital media system. But now, I believe, that what we need is a more global advocacy strategy. And we are already doing that with advocates in other countries to develop a strategy to address the practices of this global industry. And there are some areas where we see some promising movement. The UK, for example, passed a law that bans advertising on digital media online. It has not yet taken effect, but now it will after some delays. And there are also other things going on for ultra processed foods, for unhealthy foods and beverages. So, Kathryn has partly answered this already, Jeff, but let me ask you. That act that we've talked about goes back a number of years now, what's being done more recently on the legislative front? Perhaps more important than that, what needs to be done? Well, I have to say, Kelly, that when Joe Biden came in and we had a public interest chair at the Federal Trade Commission, Lena Khan, I urged advocates in the United States who are concerned about unhealthy eating to approach the Federal Trade Commission and begin a campaign to see what we could do. Because this was going to be the most progressive Federal Trade Commission we've had in decades. And groups failed to do so for a variety of reasons. So that window has ended where we might be able to get the Federal Trade Commission to do something. There are people in the United States Congress, most notably Ed Markey, who sponsored our Children's Privacy Law 25 years ago, to get legislation. But I think we have to look outside of the United States, as Kathryn said. Beyond the law in the United Kingdom. In the European Union there are rules governing digital platforms called the Digital Services Act. There's a new European Union-wide policy safeguards on Generative AI. Brazil has something similar. There are design codes like the UK design code for young people. What we need to do is to put together a package of strategies at the federal and perhaps even state level. And there's been some activity at the state level. You know, the industry has been opposed to that and gone to court to fight any rules protecting young people online. But create a kind of a cutting-edge set of practices that then could be implemented here in the United States as part of a campaign. But there are models. And how do the political parties break down on this, these issues? Kathryn - I was going to say they break down. Jeff - The industry is so powerful still. You have bipartisan support for regulating social media when it comes to young people because there have been so many incidences of suicide and stalking and other kinds of emotional and psychological harms to young people. You have a lot of Republicans who have joined with Democrats and Congress wanting to pass legislation. And there's some bipartisan support to expand the privacy rules and even to regulate online advertising for teens in our Congress. But it's been stymied in part because the industry has such an effective lobbying operation. And I have to say that in the United States, the community of advocates and their supporters who would want to see such legislation are marginalized. They're under underfunded. They're not organized. They don't have the research. It's a problem. Now all these things can be addressed, and we should try to address them. But right now it's unlikely anything will pass in the next few months certainly. Kathryn - Can I just add something? Because I think what's important now in this really difficult period is to begin building a broader set of stakeholders in a coalition. And as I said, I think it does need to be global. But I want to talk about also on the research front, there's been a lot of really important research on digital food marketing. On marketing among healthy foods and beverages to young people, in a number of different countries. In the UK, in Australia, and other places around the world. And these scholars have been working together and a lot of them are working with scholars here in the US where we've seen an increase in that kind of research. And then advocates need to work together as well to build a movement. It could be a resurgence that begins outside of our country but comes back in at the appropriate time when we're able to garner the kind of support from our policymakers that we need to make something happen. That makes good sense, especially a global approach when it's hard to get things done here. Jeff, you alluded to the fact that you've done work specifically on ultra processed foods. Tell us what you're up to on that front. Jeff - As part of our industry analysis we have been tracking what all the leading food and beverage companies are doing in terms of what they would call their digital transformation. I mean, Coca-Cola and Pepsi on Mondelez and Hershey and all the leading transnational processed food companies are really now at the end of an intense period of restructuring to take advantage of the capabilities provided by digital data and analytics for the further data collection, machine learning, and Generative AI. And they are much more powerful, much more effective, much more adept. In addition, the industry structure has changed in the last few years also because of digital data that new collaborations have been created between the platforms, let's say like Facebook and YouTube, the food advertisers, their marketing agencies, which are now also data companies, but most notably the retailers and the grocery stores and the supermarkets. They're all working together to share data to collaborate on marketing and advertising strategies. So as part of our work we've kept abreast of all these things and we're tracking them. And now we are sharing them with a group of advocates outside of the United States supported by the Bloomberg Philanthropies to support their efforts. And they've already made tremendous progress in a lot of areas around healthy eating in countries like Mexico and Argentina and Brazil, et cetera. And I'm assuming all these technological advances and the marketing muscle, the companies have is not being used to market broccoli and carrots and Brussels sprouts. Is that right? Jeff - The large companies are aware of changing attitudes and the need for healthy foods. One quick takeaway I have is this. That because the large ultra processed food companies understand that there are political pressures promoting healthier eating in North America and in Europe. They are focused on expanding their unhealthy eating portfolio, in new regions specifically Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America. And China is a big market for all this. This is why it has to be a global approach here, Kelly. First place, these are transnational corporations. They are creating the, our marketing strategies at the global level and then transmitting them down to be tailored at the national or regional level. They're coming up with a single set of strategies that will affect every country and every child in those countries. We need to keep track of that and figure out ways to go after that. And there are global tools we might be able to use to try to protect young people. Because if you could protect young, a young person in China, you might also be able to protect them here in North Carolina. This all sounds potentially pretty scary, but is there reason to be optimistic? Let's see if we can end on a positive note. What do you think. Do you have reason to be optimistic? Kathryn - I've always been an optimist. I've always tried to be an optimist, and again, what I would say is if we look at this globally and if we identify partners and allies all around the world who are doing good work, and there are many, many, many of them. And if we work together and continue to develop strategies for holding this powerful industry and these powerful industries accountable. I think we will have success. And I think we should also shine the spotlight on areas where important work has already taken place. Where laws have been enacted. Where companies have been made to change their practices and highlight those and build on those successes from around the world. Thanks. Jeff, what about you? Is there reason to be optimistic? Well, I don't think we can stop trying, although we're at a particularly difficult moment here in our country and worldwide. Because unless we try to intervene the largest corporations, who are working and will work closely with our government and other government, will be able to impact our lives in so many ways through their ability to collect data. And to use that data to target us and to change our behaviors. You can change our health behaviors. You can try to change our political behaviors. What the ultra-processed food companies are now able to do every company is able to do and governments are able to do. We have to expose what they're doing, and we have to challenge what they're doing so we can try to leave our kids a better world. It makes sense. Do you see that the general public is more aware of these issues and is there reason to be optimistic on that front? That awareness might lead to pressure on politicians to change things? Jeff - You know, under the Biden administration, the Federal Trade Commission identified how digital advertising and marketing works and it made it popular among many, many more people than previously. And that's called commercial surveillance advertising. The idea that data is collected about you is used to advertise and market to you. And today there are thousands of people and certainly many more advocacy groups concerned about commercial surveillance advertising than there were prior to 2020. And all over the world, as Kathryn said, in countries like in Brazil and South Africa and Mexico, advocates are calling attention to all these techniques and practices. More and more people are being aware and then, you know, we need obviously leaders like you, Kelly, who can reach out to other scholars and get us together working together in some kind of larger collaborative to ensure that these techniques and capabilities are exposed to the public and we hold them accountable. Bios Kathryn Montgomery, PhD. is Research Director and Senior Strategist for the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD). In the early 90s, she and Jeff Chester co-founded the Center for Media Education (CME), where she served as President until 2003, and which was the predecessor organization to CDD. CME spearheaded the national campaign that led to passage of the 1998 Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) the first federal legislation to protect children's privacy on the Internet. From 2003 until 2018, Dr. Montgomery was Professor of Communication at American University in Washington, D.C., where she founded and directed the 3-year interdisciplinary PhD program in Communication. She has served as a consultant to CDD for a number of years and joined the full-time staff in July 2018. Throughout her career, Dr. Montgomery has written and published extensively about the role of media in society, addressing a variety of topics, including: the politics of entertainment television; youth engagement with digital media; and contemporary advertising and marketing practices. Montgomery's research, writing, and testimony have helped frame the national public policy debate on a range of critical media issues. In addition to numerous journal articles, chapters, and reports, she is author of two books: Target: Prime Time – Advocacy Groups and the Struggle over Entertainment Television (Oxford University Press, 1989); and Generation Digital: Politics, Commerce, and Childhood in the Age of the Internet (MIT Press, 2007). Montgomery's current research focuses on the major technology, economic, and policy trends shaping the future of digital media in the Big Data era. She earned her doctorate in Film and Television from the University of California, Los Angeles. Jeff Chester is Executive Director of the Center for Digital Democracy (CDD), a Washington, DC non-profit organization. CDD is one of the leading U.S. NGOs advocating for citizens, consumers and other stakeholders on digital privacy and consumer protections online. Founded in 1991, CDD (then known as the Center for Media Education) led the campaign for the enactment of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA, 1998). During the 1990s it also played a prominent role in such issues as open access/network neutrality, diversity of media ownership, public interest policies for children and television, as well the development of the FCC's “E-Rate” funding to ensure that schools and libraries had the resources to offer Internet services. Since 2003, CDD has been spearheading initiatives designed to ensure that digital media in the broadband era fulfill their democratic potential. A former investigative reporter, filmmaker and Jungian-oriented psychotherapist, Jeff Chester received his M.S.W. in Community Mental Health from U.C. Berkeley. He is the author of Digital Destiny: New Media and the Future of Democracy (The New Press, 2007), as well as articles in both the scholarly and popular press. During the 1980s, Jeff co-directed the campaign that led to the Congressional creation of the Independent Television Service (ITVS) for public TV. He also co-founded the National Campaign for Freedom of Expression, the artist advocacy group that supported federal funding for artists. In 1996, Newsweek magazine named Jeff Chester one of the Internet's fifty most influential people. He was named a Stern Foundation “Public Interest Pioneer” in 2001, and a “Domestic Privacy Champion” by the Electronic Privacy Information Center in 2011. CDD is a member of the Transatlantic Consumer Dialogue (TACD). Until January 2019, Jeff was the U.S. co-chair of TACD's Information Society (Infosoc) group, helping direct the organization's Transatlantic work on data protection, privacy and digital rights.

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Solar + PG & E Rate Hike

Straight-Talk Solar Cast

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 14:13

In this week's podcast we talk about the seventh price increase PG & E is requesting in the last twelve months. In addition we discuss the latest news from Tesla board asking Elon Musk to step down as CEO.About Jamie Duran & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Solar Harmonics⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brought to you by Solar Harmonics in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Northern California⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, who invite their customers to “Own Their Energy” by purchasing a solar panel system for their home, business, or farm. You can check out the website for the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ top solar energy equipment installer⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, Solar Harmonics, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.In each episode we discuss questions facing people making the decision to go solar. The solutions to your questions are given to you – straight – by one of the leading experts in the solar industry, Jamie Duran, president of Solar Harmonics.Feel free to search our library for answers to questions that you're facing when considering solar.About Adam Duran & Magnified MediaStraight-Talk Solar Cast is produced and co-hosted by Adam Duran, director of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Magnified Media⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. With offices in downtown San Francisco, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Los Angeles⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & Walnut Creek, California, Magnified⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Media is an ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠digital marketing agency⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ focused on online marketing, local and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ national SEO, website design⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and lead generation for companies of all sizes.Magnified Media helps company leaders master their marketing by:• getting their website seen at the top of Google rankings, and• getting them more online reviews,• creating media content that engages with each client's target audience.In his spare time, Adam enjoys volunteering on the board of several community-based non-profits and his own weekly podcast ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Local SEO in 10⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Jeff Livingston | School Funding, Equity in Education, Rural Education, E-Rate Funding

Learning Can’t Wait

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 40:10

In this impactful episode of The Learning Can't Wait Podcast, host Hayley Spira-Bauer speaks with education thought leader Jeff Livingston about the urgent challenges shaping the future of learning. From the looming threat to the E-Rate program, which ensures broadband access for schools and libraries, to the broader funding uncertainties that could reshape K-12 education, Jeff offers a passionate and thought-provoking perspective on what's at stake. Drawing from his personal experience growing up in rural South Carolina, Jeff highlights how digital equity, school funding structures, and policy decisions impact students—particularly those in underserved communities. He and Hayley also explore the resilience of rural America, the importance of advocacy, and the critical need for educators, parents, and policymakers to take action before it's too late. As education faces a potential crisis of access and stability, this conversation serves as a call to action for anyone invested in the future of our schools.

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Jodie Buenning | E-Rate Program, Digital Equity, EdTech Advocacy

Learning Can’t Wait

Play Episode Listen Later Apr 1, 2025 22:48

What happens if schools lose access to critical funding for internet and network infrastructure? In this timely episode of Learning Can't Wait, host Hayley Spira-Bauer is joined by Jodie Buenning, a communications and policy expert, to break down what the E-Rate program is, why it's vital to public education, and what's at stake as a Supreme Court case looms that could reshape how E-Rate funds are used. Jodie shares a historical look at how E-Rate came to be and how it has supported everything from secure student access to online learning to equitable connectivity in rural schools. She emphasizes the importance of advocacy—encouraging superintendents, principals, and educators to raise their voices, share success stories, and reach out to local legislators. Jodie also offers advice for rural school leaders facing uncertainty: build strong community partnerships, stay connected with broadband providers, and prepare local contingency plans. With deep insight and a call to action, this episode is a must-listen for anyone invested in the future of school connectivity and digital equity. Resources & Mentions: Education Week article: Schools Fear Funding Loss as Supreme Court Weighs E-Rate Case (March 20, 2025) CoSN, SETDA, ASCD: Education advocacy groups supporting E-Rate

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Episode 207 - The Supreme Court Discusses E-Rate!

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Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2025 66:16 Transcription Available

The big court case has finally arrived! We break down the oral arguments that were presented this week to the Supreme Court that will ultimately determine the fate of E-Rate. Will we see this essential program carry on or will the lower court's ruling strike down this key program? We discuss the arguments for and against with clips from the hearing this week. We also discuss the potential for student MFA and what the K12TechPro Community thinks will be the timeline for us to implement MFA on student accounts. Spoiler alert - it will take a while. The episode concludes with an interview with VIZOR. -------------------- 00:00:00-Intro 00:05:46-Student MFA? 00:13:20-E-Rate in the Supreme Court 00:45:45-Interview with VIZOR -------------------- Classlink Managed Methods Fortinet Extreme Networks VIZOR -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Facebook Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Adaptogens, or A Nap To Gen…erate Recovery?

The Holistic Herbalism Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2025 84:53

If you're trying to decide whether you need adaptogens or a nap, well, the answer just might be both! But you can learn how to combine your adaptogens with other holistic interventions for better effects.In this episode we're talking about choosing the best adaptogens to work with when what you really need is rest – a super common situation we all find ourselves in from time to time. We talk about ways to get rest – even if you don't have time to nap! – as well as ways to rest that aren't about sleep at all.How to start? Well, we can choose the least stimulating adaptogens necessary, first. That might mean going with tulsi before red ginseng, or jiaogulan before rhodiola. It might mean combining reishi and lion's mane with burdock and dandelion root, to keep a grounding influence right there with our adaptogens. It might even mean formulating with digestives and nervines to subtly shift the influences of the adaptogenic herbs themselves.We can also be discerning about the type of activation we get – mental or physical at the fore. Tulsi & green tea is a very different combination than is eleuthero & coffee!Let's also consider creating a support blend to go along with my adaptogens. This might include demulcents (marshmallow, fennel), nutritives (nettle), digestives (calendula, plantain, ginger, chamomile), or nervine relaxants & sedatives (skullcap, passionflower, betony, vervain). As always, herbal formulation is a great way to direct & enhance the effects of our primary herbs.Finally, here are three questions you should ask yourself whenever you're thinking about adaptogens:What's going on for me right now?Is there anything I could be doing differently?What's the most important thing right now?Interested in learning more about adaptogens, nervines, and related herbs for nerve & mood support? Check out our Neurological & Emotional Health course. This course is a user's guide to your nerves & your emotions – including the difficult and dark ones. We discuss holistic herbalism strategies for addressing both neurological & psychological health issues. It includes a lengthy discussion of herbal pain management strategies, too!Like all our offerings, this self-paced online video course comes with free access to twice-weekly live Q&A sessions with us, lifetime access to current & future course material, open discussion threads integrated in each lesson, an active student community, study guides, quizzes & capstone assignments, and more!If you have a moment, it would help us a lot if you could subscribe, rate, & review our podcast wherever you listen. This helps others find us more easily. Thank you!!Our theme music is “Wings” by Nicolai Heidlas.Support the showYou can find all of our online herbalism courses at online.commonwealthherbs.com!

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Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Heath

Supreme Court Opinions

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 25, 2025 22:54

In the unanimous decision of Wisconsin Bell, Inc. v. United States ex rel. Heath, the U.S. Supreme Court addressed the applicability of the False Claims Act (FCA) to reimbursement requests made under the E-Rate program, a federal initiative subsidizing internet and telecommunications services for schools and libraries. Justice Kagan delivered the opinion of the Court, holding that such reimbursement requests qualify as "claims" under the FCA because the government provides a portion of the funds disbursed by the program.

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Episode 202 - Navigating Tariffs, Chrome's New AI Security, and E-Rate Threats

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 21, 2025 49:25 Transcription Available

In this week's episode of the K12 Tech Talk podcast, the team dives into some pressing issues. We start with a discussion on how tariffs might affect project pricing for the coming year, exploring potential impacts on schools' budgets and strategies they might employ to mitigate these effects. The conversation then shifts to Google's new Chrome security feature powered by AI. We debate the implications of this feature in terms of privacy and security, particularly in school environments, and whether or not to implement this at a district level. The centerpiece of the episode is a concerning discussion about the potential threat to the E-Rate program. With pending litigation that could have significant impacts on funding and tech infrastructure in schools, we provide insights into how schools are preparing for potential outcomes. -------------------- NTP Lightspeed ClassLink SaferWatch Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com OR info@k12techtalkpodcast.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

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New push to limit PG&E rate increases in California

KMJ's Afternoon Drive

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 14:28

New push to limit PG&E rate increases in California Please Subscribe + Rate & Review KMJ’s Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson wherever you listen! --- KMJ’s Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever else you listen. --- Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson – KMJ’s Afternoon Drive Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 & 105.9 KMJ DriveKMJ.com | Podcast | Facebook | X | Instagram --- Everything KMJ: kmjnow.com | Streaming | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Internet is Foundational: Why Universal Services Fund Matters to School Buses

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Play Episode Listen Later Feb 11, 2025 53:52

Ryan and Tony discuss potential school bus industry shifts in response to U.S. presidential moves on zero-emissions and tariffs, shed light on misleading headlines, and review OEM business updates. AASA: The School Superintendents Association is on the front lines fighting for education and student service in the U.S. Supreme Court. Noelle Ellerson Ng, AASA associate executive director of advocacy & governance, analyzes a pending case questioning the constitutionality of the Universal Services Fund, which in part funds E-Rate, school bus Wi-Fi and homework access for students in rural areas. Read more about government. Episode sponsors: Transfinder, School Radio.

Episode 194 - How to Move from Lawless to Lawful Asset Management

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Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2024 47:46

This week we take a listener email and dive into managing district assets and how to wrangle the budget. Should schools supply headphones to all students? Should the tech dept have a headphones budget? Should parents pay for broken headphones? Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the tech dept's responsibility with headphones (and other consumables) at length. The guys also talk about software purchases. Should we have a candy man mentality? Plus, the latest on E-Rate funding, school cyber risks, and student cell phone policies. Also, Chris talks about pizza math. Josh talks about his arm pits. https://www.edweek.org/policy-politics/billions-of-school-tech-dollars-at-risk-as-supreme-court-takes-up-e-rate-case/2024/11 https://statescoop.com/rhode-island-schools-malicious-domain-protection-service/ https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-calls-states-districts-and-schools-adopt-policies-student-use-of-cell-phones-and-personal-devices https://www.edweek.org/teaching-learning/4-things-to-know-about-the-literacy-lawsuit-targeting-lucy-calkins-and-fountas-pinnell/2024/12#:~:text=The%20lawsuit%20claims%20the%20curricula,guess%E2%80%9D%20words%20based%20on%20context%2C https://www.k12dive.com/news/moodys-rates-education-sector-high-cyber-risk-2024/733342/ -------------------- VIZOR Extreme Networks - Email dmayer@extremenetworks.com Verkada Fortinet - Email fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com HPE/Aruba - Email jeff.cobb@hpe.com NTP -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Jogger Killed, SDG&E Rate Proposal, December Nights

Today in San Diego

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 5:08

Search for drivers involved in death of jogger. State regulators being asked to reconsider SDG&E's latest rate proposal. Balboa Park's December Nights begins tonight.

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Episode 191 - Interview with Tony Sager

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Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024 70:53

Chris, Josh, and Mark discuss an update on the cybersecurity pilot, an FCC court case, and the future of E-Rate. Most of the episode is an interview with Tony Sager. Tony is a Senior VP & Chief Evangelist for the Center for Internet Security (CIS). FCC Cybersecurity Pilot Receives $3.7B in Funding Requests Supreme Court Weighs High-Stakes Fraud Issue for E-Rate Program What a Trump win means for the Universal Service Fund -------------------- Scale Computing Scale Computing - northcentral@scalecomputing.com Verkada Extreme - Email dmayer@extremenetworks.com Fortinet - Email fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com ManagedMethods VIZOR -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Episode 189 - Election 2024

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Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 44:48

Chris, Josh, and Mark get political - they discuss their thoughts on the impact of this year's election on the K12 technology landscape (E-Rate, cybersecurity, DoE, and AI). They also discuss new AI guidance, spooky edtech apps, Halloween costumes, and the latest in k12 tech news. Education Department releases highly anticipated AI toolkit for schools Scary Apps -------------------- ManagedMethods Extreme - Email dmayer@extremenetworks.com Fortinet - Email fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com Scale Computing Scale Computing - northcentral@scalecomputing.com -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

PG&E Rate Hikes Explained

KVMR News

Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 5:39

PG&E has raised its rates 4 times in 2024. What does the extra money pay for? April Glaser reached out to Katherine Blunt, a Wall Street Journal energy reporter, to find out. If you are having trouble paying your energy bill, you can find help on PG&E's website, or by calling 2-1-1.

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Episode 186 - AI Vetoes, Supreme Court Showdowns, and the Case for Collaboration

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Play Episode Listen Later Oct 11, 2024 49:13

This week on K12 Tech Talk, we unpack the latest developments in education technology, including Governor Newsom's veto of California's AI accountability bill and its implications for K12 schools. We also delve into a critical E-Rate case, Wisconsin Bell vs. the United States, currently before the Supreme Court, and discuss its potential impact on school districts nationwide. Ever wrestled with out-of-warranty parts and device repair? We offer practical advice and solutions for this common challenge. Plus, we sit down with John, a school maintenance director, to explore the crucial need for better collaboration between Facilities and IT departments within K-12 environments. NTP dwren@ntp-inc.com Extreme dmayer@extremenetworks.com Fortinet fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com VIZOR Blocksi ManagedMethods -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Episode 185 - E-Rate Goes to the Supreme Court and NIST Changes Passwords

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Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2024 44:02

Josh, Chris, and Mark provide updates on E-Rate, dive into October cybersecurity awareness month, break down new NIST password guidelines, and then Josh tells a story... a long story... the longest story. CISA Cybersecurity Awareness Month Chimp Crazy -------------------- NTP dwren@ntp-inc.com Extreme dmayer@extremenetworks.com Fortinet fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com VIZOR Blocksi ManagedMethods -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Call us at 314-329-0363 Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

Lamont & Tonelli Talk About The PG&E Rate Increase With The Public Utilities Commission

107.7 The Bone

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 7:23

Lamont & Tonelli made their weekly check-in on their NewsMaker line and this time around got a call from the Chairman Director for Executive Privilege of All Stupid Decisionsfor the Public Utilities Commission. Listen to Lamont & Tonelli Monday through Friday, 6-10am, on 107.7 The Bone. Get your Rock N Roll Fix at: 1077thebone.com Follow 107.7 The Bone on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube and TikTok. Follow 107.7 The Bone on Apple, Spotify or Amazon Music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Lamont & Tonelli Talk About The PG&E Rate Increase With The Public Utilities Commission

Lamont & Tonelli

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2024 7:23

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YIKES!!! Another PG&E rate hike passes?

KMJ's Afternoon Drive

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 9:00

PG&E bills to rise as California regulators approve 4th rate hike this year Please Subscribe + Rate & Review KMJ's Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson wherever you listen! --- KMJ's Afternoon Drive with Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music or wherever else you listen. --- Philip Teresi & E. Curtis Johnson – KMJ's Afternoon Drive Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 & 105.9 KMJ DriveKMJ.com | Podcast | Facebook | X | Instagram --- Everything KMJ: kmjnow.com | Streaming | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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YIKES!!! Another PG&E rate hike passes?

Philip Teresi Podcasts

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 9:00

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The E-Rate Program in 2024: Updates and Advocacy

School Business Insider

Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2024 52:46

In this episode of School Business Insider, we explore the future of school technology and connectivity through the lens of the federal E-Rate program and other key EdTech policies. Our guests, Noelle Ellerson Ng, Associate Executive Director of Advocacy & Governance at AASA, and Jon Bernstein, President of Bernstein Strategy Group, provide in-depth insights into the vital role of E-Rate in supporting school connectivity and how recent legal challenges, including a 5th Circuit Court ruling, may impact its future. They also discuss the FCC's Learn Without Limits initiative, including efforts to provide Wi-Fi on school buses, and explore broader issues around student data privacy, including the recently passed Kids Online Safety and Privacy Act (KOSPA). Whether you're a school business official navigating technology funding or an advocate for education policy, this episode is packed with valuable information and strategies to ensure continued support for school connectivity.Resources:https://www.aasa.org/advocacy/blog/senate-passes-kids-online-safety-and-privacy-act-(kospa)https://www.aasa.org/advocacy/blog/aasa-joins-10-national-education-groups-in-response-to-privacy-legislationContact School Business Insider: Check us out on social media: LinkedIn Twitter (X) Website: https://asbointl.org/SBI Email: podcast@asbointl.org Make sure to like, subscribe and share for more great insider episodes!Disclaimer:The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Association of School Business Officials International. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "ASBO International" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. The presence of any advertising does not endorse, or imply endorsement of, any products or services by ASBO International.ASBO International is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and does not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for elective public office. The sharing of news or information concerning public policy issues or political campaigns and candidates are not, and should not be construed as, endorsements by ASBO Internatio...

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Google AI Cutbacks, MIT AI Risk Tool, CISA Ruling Impact, FCC Cybersecurity for Schools

Business of Tech

Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2024 12:26

Google's AI overviews in search results have significantly decreased due to user complaints about incorrect answers, prompting the company to refine its implementation. MIT launched the AI Risk Repository, a database cataloging over 700 unique risks associated with AI systems to assist organizations in assessing and mitigating AI risks. Additionally, Dashlane's Passkey report showcased the rapid adoption of Passkeys as a password replacement, driven by consumer demand in various sectors.The episode also covered significant developments in cybersecurity and government initiatives. CISA is analyzing the impact of a recent Supreme Court ruling on its new cyber incident reporting rule, while the White House is collaborating with the Department of Treasury and CISA to develop a cyber insurance policy proposal for catastrophic incidents. The FCC unveiled a $200 million cybersecurity program for schools and libraries to enhance their cybersecurity measures against increasing cyberattacks, separate from the existing E-Rate program.In response to scraping allegations, SOCRadar confirmed that their internal systems were not breached, and they are enhancing security measures to prevent future incidents. A security researcher revealed two zero-day vulnerabilities in Windows that allow downgrade attacks, compromising critical OS components. The episode also highlighted various cybersecurity developments from DEF CON and Black Hat, including the hacking of EvoVac robots and the development of a laser microphone for keystroke surveillance.Lastly, Syncro launched an AI-powered smart ticket management solution for managed services providers and IT operations to enhance efficiency and ticket resolution. SAS Alerts integrated Microsoft Defender for Endpoint into its security platform for MSPs, offering centralized monitoring of Microsoft 365 applications and Endpoint security. These developments reflect a trend towards leveraging AI in ticket resolution and enhancing cybersecurity measures in the tech industry. Four things to know today00:00 Google Scales Back AI Overviews Amid User Complaints as MIT Releases Comprehensive AI Risk Tool04:10 CISA Analyzes Supreme Court Ruling Impact as FCC Unveils $200M Cybersecurity Program for Schools06:50 SOCRadar Responds to Scraping Allegations, Confirms No Breach of Internal Systems08:53 Syncro Launches AI-Driven Smart Ticket Management to Streamline MSP Operations Supported by: https://getthread.com/https://www.coreview.com/msp/ All our Sponsors: https://businessof.tech/sponsors/ 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/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/ 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

Episode 176 - Josh says 175, but it's 176, he was distracted by his new iPad

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Play Episode Listen Later Aug 2, 2024 37:39

Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss E-Rate, pay raises, and the Olympics. Special "Back to School" Virtual K12TechPro Meetup is August 7th Richmond, VA K12TechPro Southeast Region Meetup is September 20th NPT VIZOR ClassLink Extreme Networks Fortinet -------------------- Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Join the K12TechPro Community Buy some swag X @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn Music by Colt Ball Disclaimer: The views and work done by Josh, Chris, and Mark are solely their own and do not reflect the opinions or positions of sponsors or any respective employers or organizations associated with the guys. K12 Tech Talk itself does not endorse or validate the ideas, views, or statements expressed by Josh, Chris, and Mark's individual views and opinions are not representative of K12 Tech Talk. Furthermore, any references or mention of products, services, organizations, or individuals on K12 Tech Talk should not be considered as endorsements related to any employer or organization associated with the guys.

The Future: Bus Garage Tech, Illegal Passing Survey, Radios for Safety

Kelley Drye Full Spectrum

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2024 53:58

Our August issue showcases the 2024 Garage Stars and augmented reality coming to the bus garage. We dissect what the latest U.S. presidential race updates mean to the industry, as well as federal developments affecting E-Rate funding for bus Wi-Fi and the de-classification of marijuana as a Schedule I drug. Additionally, results are in from the National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation 12th illegal passing survey. Michael Ippolito, general manager of School Radio, discusses improving communications, safety and operational efficiency with two-way school bus radios. Read more about technology.

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FCC Open Meeting Recap: July 2024

Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2024 42:16

On today's episode of Full Spectrum, the Kelley Drye Communications group covers a number of Report and Orders and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemakings covered at the FCC's July Open Meeting. First, Tom Cohen will discuss bringing common sense and fairness to correctional facility phone rates (00:33). Jenny Wainwright will then discuss modernizing E-Rate to support wi-fi hotspots (08:54). Mike Dover will discuss accessibility of user interfaces, and video programming guides and menus (15:28). Chip Yorkgitis will discuss promoting consumer choice and wireless competition through handset unlocking requirements and policies (24:18). Finally, Hank Kelly will discuss advancing the transition to next generation 911 (29:54).

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E126: The Get Lit(erate). Summer Reading Challenge

Get Lit(erate). with Stephanie Affinito

Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2024 36:23

It's time to gear up for summer reading season! Everywhere I look, I'm seeing summer reading lists, checklists and challenges and I typically DON'T enjoy them because they don't always connect to the kind of reading life I want to have. So, I decided to create a summer reading challenge that I CAN get behind because it's the kind of reading that will help us create the kind of summer we want to have. Today, I'm talking all about my Get Lit(erate). Summer Reading Challenge to help you BE, FEEL and DO all that you hope for this summer….with a few notebooking ideas, too. You'll find the show notes for the episode with links to all of the books and resources mentioned right here. Love this podcast and want more? Consider this your invitation to join my Get Lit(erate) Patreon community! Each month, we take a deep dive into one bookish theme and work to bring it to life in our own lives. You'll get bonus episodes, book calendars, live book club and notebook sessions, special events and much more. Learn more at www.getliterate.co. Get your own Get Lit(erate). notebook to take notes on the books you want to read and notebook ideas you want to try! If you'd like to support the podcast, consider purchasing some Get Lit(erate). merchandise from my Zazzle store. All earnings are funneled right back into the podcast expenses and maintenance fees. Thanks for your support! Follow Stephanie: Website Facebook Twitter Instagram --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/getliterate/message

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Episode 167 - Manifesting Your Dream Summer Break

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Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2024 54:10

In the latest episode of the K12 Tech Talk Podcast, hosts Josh, Chris, and Mark discuss the new CISA reporting requirements, the details of the E-Rate cybersecurity pilot, and the rumored PowerSchool buyout by Bain Capital. They also address listener questions about Manifest V3 and summer school preparation. CISA reporting requirements (CIRCIA) Consortium for School Networking PowerSchool buyout by Bain Capital Manifest V3 information NTP - dwren@ntp-inc.com K12TechPro - Join the Community! iDoc - Email dave@idocrepair.com for a quote VIZOR ClassLink Extreme Networks - dmayer@extremenetworks.com Oh, and... Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Tweet us err X us @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Let's Get Into It: NY Organization Tackles Nitty Gritty of Fleet Electrification

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Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 47:52

Get the latest on federal developments that affect school transportation, including a legal battle over E-Rate funding for school bus Wi-Fi, the new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Final Rule on automatic emergency braking in buses, and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency's push to relax marijuana classification. Nina Haiman and Vinny Riscica from the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) take a deep dive into clean school bus funding, helpful aides for electric bus implementation, and more. Read more about electric buses.

SBOs & Superintendents Are the Dream Advocacy Team

School Business Insider

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 61:10

SummaryIn this episode, Elleka Yost and Noelle Ellerson Ng aka, "Noelleka", discuss various topics related to federal education policy. They cover the partnership between ASBO International and AASA, changes in Congress and education policy, and President Biden's State of the Union address. They also discuss the funding for pre-K, increased funding for chronic absenteeism and learning recovery, raising pay for teachers, and privacy policies affecting educational institutions and student privacy rights. This conversation covers various topics related to privacy in schools, including legislation, E-Rate developments, and the CARE Act. It also emphasizes the need for comprehensive privacy bills and the challenges faced by Congress in addressing these issues. The conversation provides insights into the implications of privacy policies for school districts and parents, as well as resources available for school business officials and superintendents.TakeawaysThe partnership between ASBO International and AASA strengthens advocacy efforts at the federal level, reflecting the collaboration between school business officials and superintendents at the local district level.President Biden's State of the Union address highlighted priorities such as pre-K funding, increased funding for chronic absenteeism and learning recovery, and raising pay for teachers.Funding for education initiatives is a major concern, and the source of funding and potential impact on other programs and obligations must be carefully considered.Privacy policies and student privacy rights are important issues affecting educational institutions, and ongoing discussions and collaborations are necessary to ensure best practices and compliance. Understanding and advocating for student data privacy is crucial for school districts and parents.E-Rate developments, including potential court challenges, require ongoing attention and advocacy.The CARE Act aims to improve mental health programs in schools and address the needs of historically disadvantaged districts.Save the date for AASA/ASBO's 2024 Legislative Advocacy Conference, July 9-11, 2024 in Washington, D.C.!Contact School Business Insider: Check us out on social media: LinkedIn Twitter (X) Website: https://asbointl.org/SBI Email: podcast@asbointl.org Make sure to like, subscribe and share for more great insider episodes!Disclaimer:The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker's own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the Association of School Business Officials International. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The "ASBO International" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. The presence of any advertising does not endorse, or imply endorsement of, any products or services by ASBO International.ASBO International is a 501(c)3 nonprofit, nonpartisan organization and does not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of, or in opposition to, any candidate for elective public office. The sharing of news or information concerning public policy issues or political campaigns and candidates are not, and should not be construed as, endorsements by ASBO Internatio...

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Leading a Lit(erate) Life: Crafting a Book Apothecary, Embracing Reading Rituals, and Rediscovering Creativity Through the Power of Reading and Writing with Stephanie Affinito

Windowsill Chats

Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2024 74:25

Margo is joined by book-loving, notebook-hoarding literacy teacher educator who is on a mission to change lives one book and one notebook at a time, Stephanie Affinito. Stephanie blogs about the power of leading literate lives and podcasts weekly on books and reading, writing and notebooks and everything in between. Stephanie shares about the transformative power of reading and writing and how her own personal journey of rediscovering creativity through self-expression and the joy of literature. Margo and Stephanie discuss: Reading and writing as a form of therapy Understanding restorative reading practices The science behind reading for mental and physical health The connection between literacy and emotional well-being Encouraging joyful reading habits Building a book apothecary The importance of starting with achievable goals Establishing rituals around reading And so much more Connect with Stephanie: www.alitlife.com www.instagram.com/AffinitoLit www.facebook.com/AffinitoLit www.twitter.com/AffinitoLit www.threads.net/@affinitolit www.getliterate.co stephanie-affinito-0cab.mykajabi.com/envelopesofliteratelove stephanie-affinito-0cab.mykajabi.com/workwithstephanie Connect with Margo: www.windowsillchats.com www.instagram.com/windowsillchats www.patreon.com/inthewindowsill

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Episode 157 - Vendor turnover, E-Rate advice, and colonoscopies

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Play Episode Listen Later Mar 8, 2024 46:06

On the latest episode of the K12 Tech Talk Podcast, Josh and Mark discuss the decline in ed tech investments after the pandemic and the impact it may have on the industry. They also touch on the renewal costs for VMWare customers and the opportunity it presents for competitor Nutanix. The episode explores the importance of team growth in a school district, highlighting the benefits of knowledge sharing, proactive vs. reactive work, and shared responsibilities. Additionally, listeners inquire about e-rate efforts in smaller districts and the strategy of swapping out vendors regularly. The episode concludes with advertisements from ManagedMethods, Absolute, PDS/HPE/Aruba, Extreme, and Fortinet. Articles discussed on this episode: Ed tech investments slow after sizable pandemic bump Nutanix CEO sees opportunity in VMware's turmoil https://www.youtube.com/@k12techtalk Join the K12TechPro.com Community. Buy our merch!!! Absolute Classlink HPE/Aruba - Email jeff.cobb@hpe.com Fortinet - Email fortinetpodcast@fortinet.com Oh, and... Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Tweet us err X us @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

Episode 155 - Outside Looking In

Play Episode Listen Later Feb 23, 2024 51:48

Josh takes a few minutes to remind everyone to patch your systems, firewalls, servers, Veeam, VPNs, etc. He also talks about the importance of looking at your logs, especially those public facing devices. Finally, he brags that he submitted four 471s to E-Rate and all four of them went to "Wave Ready" status in less than six hours after upload. The majority of this episode is spent talking with Eric the Intern from K12TechPro. He left the K12 world recently and went to private industry. A few weeks ago, he wrote an article for K12TechPro with his observations about K12 technology now that he is on the outside looking in. Article - https://k12techpro.com/the-k-12-tech-landscape-an-outsiders-inside-perspective/ https://www.youtube.com/@k12techtalk Join the K12TechPro.com Community. Buy our merch!!! Absolute Managed Methods HPE/Aruba - Email jeff.cobb@hpe.com NTP Oh, and... Email us at k12techtalk@gmail.com Tweet us err X us @k12techtalkpod Visit our LinkedIn page HERE

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Rep. Harder on PG&E Rate Hikes | Kennedy High School's New EV Pilot Program | Sacramento's Community Ambassadors Program

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Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024

Rep. Josh Harder challenges ongoing PG&E rate hikes. Also, a Sac City high school is among the first in the state to be part of an EV technician pilot program. Finally, how the city of Sacramento's Community Ambassadors Program works. Rep. Harder on PG&E Rate Hikes As PG&E customers get ready for the sticker shock of their January bill, they may be wondering if there will ever be an end in sight to rising utility rates, which the utility giant says is needed for safety upgrades. Today on Insight, we welcome Congressman Josh Harder to discuss what can be done on a federal level to stave off future rate hikes and if there is a legislative fix to the continuous increases in recent years. High School's New EV Pilot Program California is planning for a greener transportation future, with all new cars sold from 2035 onward required to be zero-emission. Since the start of the new year, a groundbreaking pilot program at John F. Kennedy High School is preparing students for future careers as electric and hybrid vehicle technicians. CapRadio Education Reporter Srishti Prabha explains how this Sac City Unified school is among the first in the state to be part of this inaugural pilot program. We're also joined by JB Polanco who is the automotive pathway instructor at Kennedy High. Sacramento's Community Ambassadors Program Sacramento's Community Ambassadors program will soon announce the members of its 2024-2025 cohort. Sacramento Community Engagement Manager Lynette Hall and community ambassador Juan Carlos Ruiz Guajardo provide a deeper look at how ambassadors build multicultural bridges between Sacramento's many communities, and how the program helps spread important information, resources, and opportunities.

The CoSN Webinar: Key E-Rate Strategies for Now

The CoSN Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 12, 2024 34:56

Join Amy McLaughlin, Vince Humes, Tony Harvey, and Colleen Davoren as they discuss Key E-Rate Strategies. In our professional advancement webinars, education technology experts from across the country and worldwide present their specialties. During each interactive session, experts engage in dialogue to address the challenges and opportunities facing educators. Webinars are FREE for members and $59 for non-members. Partner webinars are free for all. For a complete listing of all CoSN's webinars, please visit:⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.cosn.org/education-events/webinars/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Be sure to follow us on Twitter ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@CoSN⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to stay updated on CoSN events!

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Extension of the Classroom: New Federal Funds for School Bus Wi-Fi

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Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2024 61:25

We break down industry trends as reported in the all-new 2024 STN Buyer's Guide and special needs transportation analysis from our new January issue. Keith Krueger, CEO of the Consortium for School Networking, delves into what districts need to know about the Federal Communications Commission ruling allowing E-Rate funds to be used for school bus Wi-Fi hotspots, as well as how to use technology for student support and equity. Read more at stnonline.com/technology.

Ten Commandments in classrooms, OG&E rate hike, Killers of the Flower Moon streaming and more

The KOSU Daily

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 5, 2024 8:07

New legislation forces classrooms to display the Ten Commandments.OG&E is asking for another rate hike for its utility services.Killers of the Flower Moon begins streaming next week.You can find the KOSU Daily wherever you get your podcasts, you can also subscribe, rate us and leave a comment.You can keep up to date on all the latest news throughout the day at KOSU.org and make sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at KOSU Radio.This is The KOSU Daily, Oklahoma news, every weekday.

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Historic PG&E Rate Increases Will Hit Hard in 2024

KQED’s Forum

Play Episode Listen Later Jan 4, 2024 55:44

Before you open your next electricity bill, you might want to brace yourself. PG&E is hiking their rates starting this month, and this one is historic. Bills for the average household are expected to jump $34.50 a month and there could be more rate hikes on the horizon. The increase will fund projects addressing wildfire mitigation, especially an unprecedented attempt to bury power lines in high-risk areas. After the new rate hike, PG&E rates will have doubled over the last 10 years. Is all the new work necessary? Is sticking ratepayers with the bill the only option? We'll talk with energy and utility experts about what this move means for PG&E and for the rest of us. Guests: Katherine Blunt, energy reporter, Wall Street Journal. Her recent book is "California Burning: The Fall of Pacific Gas and Electric—And What It Means for America's Power Grid." Meredith Fowlie, professor, UC Berkeley Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics; faculty director at the Energy Institute at Haas Mark Toney, executive director, The Utility Reform Network

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New Laws: City Council Salary Caps | PG&E Rate Hikes (Again) | Realistic Wellness Tips for the New Year

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Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2024

A new state law paves the way for salary increases for certain city councils - the first adjustment in four decades. Also, PG&E ratepayers experience another increase to their utility bills. Finally, realistic wellness tips for the new year. City Council Salary Caps A new year means new laws taking effect in California, including one that paves the way for salary increases for certain city councils - the first adjustment in four decades. CapRadio's Sacramento Government Reporter Kristin Lam breaks down the provisions of the law, Senate Bill 329, and also provides an update on recent important developments within Sacramento's governing body, including calls for the resignation of councilmember Sean Loloee after his federal indictment. PG&E Rate Hikes (Again) This month brings a new rate increase for PG&E customers, amounting to an average of $33 a month to utility bills. The utility giant says it needs the money to pay for undergrounding lines in wildfire-prone areas, among other safety improvements. However, PG&E is already requesting an additional rate hike, on top of the already-approved increase. Mark Toney is the Executive Director of TURN (The Utility Reform Network) and Meredith Fowlie is a Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley, and the Faculty Director at the Energy Institute at Haas. They join us to discuss why the utility giant is asking for more money again, and the impact it will have on customers. Realistic Wellness Tips for the New Year Jan. 1 is usually when a lot of us think about wellness. And health can mean a lot of things: from committing more time to fitness, prioritizing mental health, a work-life-balance, eating better, reducing stress, and taking up a new hobby or pastime. The list is varied, and often they relate to each other. We're going to focus on incorporating healthy habits that can meet different lifestyles and abilities. Dr. Brandee Waite is the Director of UC Davis Health Sports Medicine and a Professor in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Skyler Hanka is the Associate Director of Culinary Health at the UC Davis Office of Wellness Education.

Federal Legislative Update - Winter 2023

IETL Podcast

Play Episode Listen Later Dec 22, 2023 43:07

Join MJ and Tony in talking with Noelle Ellerson Ng, AASA's Associate Executive Director of Advocacy give a Federal Legislative Update. We cover topics including current bills impacting technology and educational funding, FCC updates, eRate, and Cybersecurity. Want to join our book study? Sign up at the link below!https://forms.gle/BJMvjB3nitapLojV8

PG&E Rate Increase | Black-led Conservation Group Acquires Placer County Land | Sutter Street Theatre's ‘Holiday in the Hills'

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023

CPUC approves PG&E rate increases. California's first and only Black-led conservation group acquires land in Placer County. Sutter Street Theatre's “Holiday in the Hills.” PG&E Rate Increase PG&E customers will be paying close to $400 more per year for their service due to new rate hikes approved earlier this month by the California Public Utilities Commission. While the rate hikes were not a surprise, they come at a time where customers are dealing with massive cost of living increases. Mark Toney, Executive Director of TURN (The Utility Reform Network), joins us to discuss the impact of the increases especially on lower income, vulnerable Californians. Note: PG&E's press release regarding the rate increases can be found here. Black-led Conservation Group Acquires Placer County Land Accessing the outdoors can provide a variety of benefits, including improving one's physical and mental well-being. But many people in highly-urban areas, especially people of color, can face barriers when trying to access these opportunities. Recently, California's first - and only - Black-led conservation group acquired hundreds of acres of land in Placer County to provide more economic, environmental, and recreational equity. Jade Stevens, President of the 40 Acre Conservation League talks about the organization's history, and its plans for the new parcel. Sutter Street Theatre's ‘Holiday in the Hills' “Holiday in the Hills” returns to Sutter Street Theatre in Folsom. Director Mike Jimena and Artistic Director Connie Mockenhaupt discuss the research that went into this year's family-friendly rendition. The play takes place in the late 1800's and everyone you see onstage was an actual resident or visitor to Folsom at that time of year. “Holiday in the Hills” runs Dec. 2 to Dec. 23 and is rated G.

California Political Roundup | Potential PG&E Rate Hikes | Christmas Tree Permits

Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2023

POLITICO's California Playbook shares the latest political current events in the state. State utility regulators to weigh proposed PG&E rate hikes. How to get a Christmas tree permit with the U.S. Forest Service. California Political Roundup The political pace is picking up as we close 2023 and quickly round the corner to the March primary. Which means the stakes are on an upward trajectory, with every political decision carrying more weight. Dustin Gardiner is co-author of POLITICO's California Playbook and joins us with a dive into a new UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll that shows growing disapproval ratings for both President Biden and Gov. Newsom among California voters, the importance of the APEC Summit underway in San Francisco, and the trial of David DePape, charged with the assault and attempted kidnapping of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband Paul Pelosi at their home in Oct. of 2022. Potential PG&E Rate Hikes PG&E is asking for another double-digit rate hike and state regulators could approve the utility's request later this week. It could cost customers hundreds of dollars more a year. PG&E argues it needs the additional money to improve wildfire safety, while consumer advocates say it's too much, too soon, unfair and inequitable. Joining us to help us better understand why PG&E keeps raising its rates and turning to its customers with more hikes is Meredith Fowlie, Professor of Economics at UC Berkeley's Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. PG&E released a statement to Insight: “PG&E recognizes our responsibility to serve our customers safely and reliably, and we are aggressively focused on how to deliver work safely at a lower cost. We prioritize safety above all else. Undergrounding powerlines in the highest fire-risk areas will make our hometowns and California safer, improve electric reliability, and save customers billions of dollars in avoided annual tree trimming and overhead line maintenance costs. Investing in our system to make it more climate-resilient and decarbonized will make it safer and cleaner. We are working to keep customer cost increases at or below assumed inflation, between 2 and 4% a year. Actions we've taken to reduce costs include working with customer advocates on an alternative to commercial insurance saving customers up to $1.8 billion over the next four years, and accessing non-traditional funding sources like federal grants and loans to speed up safety work at a lower cost to customers.” Christmas Tree Permits It's that time of year when people begin thinking about the winter holidays and the many associated traditions, including getting a Christmas tree. For those looking for an affordable and environmentally-beneficial way to partake in this tradition, the U.S. Forest Service is selling Christmas tree permits for people to harvest their tree in multiple national forests across the country, including several in California. Lisa Herron, Public Affairs Specialist with the USDA Forest Service's Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit joins Insight to talk more about the permit program's benefits.

Making Progress: Wyoming Rising Star + Propane, Non-Yellow Bus Convos