#DigitalAccess

Citizen Portal News Kentucky

@citizenptnewsky.bsky.social

2 days ago

Spencer County Fiscal Court rescinds $500,000 ARPA allocation for broadband, orders ARPA review The Fiscal Court voted April 15 to rescind a previous $500,000 ARPA allocation for broadband expansion and directed a comprehensive review of ARPA funds; the court also heard budget priorities including a proposed $0.50 hourly raise for employees.

Spencer County Fiscal Court has just rescinded a $500,000 broadband expansion fund, sparking a major reassessment of ARPA allocations to prioritize impactful projects for the community.

Get the details!

#SpencerCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #DigitalAccess

Citizen Portal News Kentucky

@citizenptnewsky.bsky.social

2 days ago

Spencer County Fiscal Court weighs ARPA funds for broadband expansion; magistrate criticizes federal stimulus At a special Oct. 18 meeting, Spencer County officials discussed using roughly $3.74 million in ARPA funds for broadband expansion and other projects, heard mapping data from Spectrum estimating 1,287 underserved locations and a county share of about $500,000, and received KIPDA guidance on eligibility and reporting.

Spencer County is poised to invest $3.74 million in broadband expansion, but a fierce debate over federal stimulus funding is heating up!

Click to read more!

#SpencerCounty #KY #CitizenPortal #CommunityDevelopment #DigitalAccess #SpencerCountyBroadband #PublicFunding

Citizen Portal News Tennessee

@citizenptnewstn.bsky.social

2 days ago

Sevier County staff report broadband progress; state grant map opens for providers County grants staff told commissioners that Charter Spectrum and Comcast consider Sevier County a priority, Charter connected roughly 4,000 homes with prior funds and the state's bead-challenge map is now open to identify underserved addresses; state grant awards were said to be expected this calendar year.

Sevier County is on the brink of a broadband revolution, with major providers prioritizing the area and $800 million in state grants on the horizon to connect underserved homes!

Click to read more!

#SevierCounty #TN #RuralInnovation #CitizenPortal #SevierCountyBroadband #DigitalAccess

Citizen Portal News Mississippi

@citizenptnewsms.bsky.social

4 days ago

PSC expands Belzona Cable's ETC area and grants Brightspeed statewide certificate The Public Service Commission approved an expansion of Belzona Cable's eligible telecommunications carrier area (adding five census blocks) and granted a certificate of public convenience and necessity to BrightSpeed Fiber Connection LLC for statewide competitive services; both approvals were recommended by staff and adopted with conditions where noted.

The Public Service Commission has taken a bold step to enhance connectivity in Mississippi by expanding Belzona Cable's reach and granting BrightSpeed Fiber a statewide license for competitive services!

Click to read more!

#MS #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #CivicEngagement

Citizen Portal News North Carolina

@citizenptnewsnc.bsky.social

5 days ago

Brightspeed says pole-owner make‑ready work slowed grant rollout; 700 grant locations live in Johnston County Brightspeed updated commissioners on the county broadband rollout, saying approximately 700 GREAT‑grant locations are live, nearly 1,500 CAB2 frames are scheduled for delivery this year, and pole-owner make‑ready work — not provider construction — is the principal cause of delays; county staff reminded the board of a $500,000 ARPA commitment tied to the project.

Brightspeed reveals that delays in pole-owner make-ready work are slowing broadband rollout in Johnston County, but 700 grant locations are now live!

Click to read more!

#JohnstonCounty #NC #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #InfrastructureDevelopment

Brent E Peters

@brentpeters.me

6 days ago

Investing in controlled #DigitalAccess for well‑behaved inmates is a low‑cost, high‑return move. Let people study, build skills, & prepare for reentry. It decentralizes knowledge, reduces recidivism, & salvages human potential.

An inmate's chance at freedom can't be a trial by fire every 6 months.

Citizen Portal News Washington

@citizenptnewswa.bsky.social

1 week ago

Medical Lake council unanimously approves Broadlink deal to bring city-owned fiber to City Hall Council approved a Broadlink letter of commitment to pull fiber from the highway to city hall and establish municipal fiber assets; staff said a small broadband-fund shortfall (~$6,500) can be covered by lease revenue or an interdepartmental accounting adjustment and that the water-tower component should be ready within weeks.

Medical Lake is set to enhance its digital landscape by establishing city-owned fiber assets, paving the way for faster internet services just weeks away from launch!

Learn more here

#MedicalLakeSpokaneCounty #WA #MedicalLakeBroadband #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #MunicipalInnovation

Citizen Portal News Washington

@citizenptnewswa.bsky.social

1 week ago

Spokane library warns of 2027 shortfall, says levy increase likely to avoid service cuts Spokane Public Library officials told the City Council they face a structural funding gap and may seek a substantially larger levy next year or risk service reductions, layoffs and deferred maintenance beginning in 2027.

Spokane Public Library is facing a critical funding shortfall that could lead to service cuts and layoffs by 2027 if a significant levy increase isn't approved.

Learn more here!

#SpokaneSpokaneCounty #WA #CommunityEducation #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #SpokaneLibrary #PublicFunding

Citizen Portal News Maryland

@citizenptnewsmd.bsky.social

1 week ago

Judiciary Committee approves amendment allowing some legal notices to be published online After a lengthy debate on access for older residents, the Judiciary Committee on March 6, 2026, approved House Bill 10 with an amendment that narrows which digital-only publications may carry legal notices: they must cover more than three counties and have at least one person working in the area represented. The motion carried 11–5; three members were excused.

The Judiciary Committee just passed a controversial amendment allowing only a select few digital-only outlets to publish legal notices, raising questions about access for older residents reliant on print.

Get the details!

#MD #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #LegalNotices

Citizen Portal News Missouri

@citizenptnewsmo.bsky.social

1 week ago

Sponsor urges higher speed standards and extended broadband office sunset; industry groups caution on exclusions A broadband package (HB 2,886) presented to the committee would raise state speed standards for future funding and extend the state broadband office’s sunset; the sponsor called for future-proofing speeds, while industry groups objected to potential exclusions for certain providers and to provisions that could require overbuilds.

A bold new broadband bill aims to raise speed standards and extend state funding, but industry groups are raising concerns about potential exclusions and the risk of inefficient overbuilding.

Click to read more!

#MO #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #TechnologyNeutrality #FutureProofing

Citizen Portal News Connecticut

@citizenptnewsct.bsky.social

1 week ago

PURA approves Charter's acquisition of Cox subsidiaries, includes $3 million digital access contribution in settlement The authority approved Charter Communications’ change-of-control application for certain Cox licensees, accepting a settlement that includes a $3 million contribution for digital access and 38 numbered obligations including battery backups and 'price for life' commitments; the chairman abstained.

Charter Communications' monumental acquisition of Cox subsidiaries has been greenlit, promising a whopping $3 million boost for digital access and a host of customer commitments!

Learn more here

#CT #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #PublicUtilities

Citizen Portal News Pennsylvania

@citizenptnewspa.bsky.social

1 week ago

Board weighs urgent 1,000‑unit laptop lease for intermediate school; members demand competitive financing review District staff recommended leasing 1,000 laptops for the intermediate school amid vendor‑side memory shortages and rising hardware costs; board members pressed the business office to confirm the lowest financing and amended the approval to allow staff to seek better lease rates.

The South Fayette Township SD Board is in a tight spot, facing rising hardware costs and memory shortages as they consider leasing 1,000 laptops for students.

Read the full story

#PA #CitizenPortal #PennsylvaniaSchools #DigitalAccess #EducationTechnology

GRACE Digital Cafe

@grace-digital-cafe.bsky.social

2 weeks ago

Michael Parenti | Open Library Author of Democracy for the few, Profit Pathology and Other Indecencies, Inventing Reality, The sword and the dollar, Face of Imperialism, The anti-communist impulse, Make-Believe Media, To Kill a Nat...

-

Open Library offers free access to over 3 million books

#GRACEDigitalCafe #OpenLibrary #DigitalLibrary #Education #DigitalHub #Community #OpenSource #DigitalLiteracy #EPUB #PDF #Reading #InternetArchive #Writer #Author #Book #Literature #DigitalAccess #Academic

openlibrary.org/authors/OL27...

Citizen Portal News Oregon

@citizenptnewsor.bsky.social

2 weeks ago

Committee sends tenant-portal bill to the floor after unanimous support The committee moved SB 1523A to the House floor with a 'do pass' recommendation. The bill requires landlords using tenant portals to offer non-electronic alternatives and limits penalties for tenants using allowable non-electronic methods; roll-call recorded one 'no' vote.

Oregon's Senate Bill 1523A is set to change the game for tenants by ensuring access to non-electronic payment options and limiting penalties for those who choose them!

Click to read more!

#OR #TenantRights #DigitalAccess

Citizen Portal News Virginia

@citizenptnewsva.bsky.social

2 weeks ago

Senate committee divided on electronic-will bill after lengthy testimony; bill fails to clear committee House Bill 133 would authorize remote execution of wills and advance directives via e‑notary and recorded video with remote witnesses. Supporters said e-wills improve access; opponents and several senators raised concerns about duress, privacy, disinterested witnesses and AI/deep‑fraud risks. The committee recorded a roll call that left the measure short of passing out of committee.

Virginia's push for electronic wills faces a heated divide as supporters champion access for all while opponents raise serious privacy and fraud concerns.

Learn more here

#VA #VirginiaEstatePlanning #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #EstatePlanning

Citizen Portal News US

@citizenptnewsus.bsky.social

2 weeks ago

DOI spotlights Yellowstone visit and digital annual pass rollout The Department of the Interior said Secretary Burgum visited Yellowstone National Park and announced that 'big beautiful' annual passes are now sold digitally on recreation.gov; the bulletin named resident and nonresident annual prices.

Secretary Burgum's recent visit to Yellowstone unveiled a game-changing digital annual pass option, making national parks more accessible and affordable than ever!

Learn more here

#US #VisitorExperience #CitizenPortal #YellowstoneNationalPark #DigitalAccess #NationalParks

Citizen Portal News Arkansas

@citizenptnewsar.bsky.social

2 weeks ago

Legislative committee approves $280M IIJA allocation and $195M BEAD awards package The committee approved a $280 million IIJA appropriation for transportation projects and a $195 million package to fund Arkansas BEAD broadband grants, authorizing an extra-help position. State Broadband Director Glenn Howie described milestone-based payments and a four-year buildout requirement for awardees.

Arkansas just approved a staggering $475 million in funding to enhance transportation and broadband access—what's next for the state's infrastructure?

Click to read more!

#AR #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #InfrastructureInvestment

Citizen Portal News Missouri

@citizenptnewsmo.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

Rep. Lewis Riggs proposes state coordinator to find and recover unspent federal funds for broadband Representative Lewis Riggs told the House special committee he wants a dedicated state position to locate and recover federal funds Missouri did not receive, citing failures of programs such as the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund; committee members pressed him on legal authority, scope and cost.

Missouri's Rep. Lewis Riggs is pushing for a dedicated coordinator to reclaim over $177 million in unspent federal funds meant to boost broadband access across the state.

Get the details!

#MO #RuralInnovation #CitizenPortal #FederalFunding #DigitalAccess #MissouriBroadband

Citizen Portal News South Dakota

@citizenptnewssd.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

House Tax Committee Sends Online-application Bill for Property-tax Relief to Appropriations After Security, County-workload Concerns The House Tax Committee voted to send House Bill 12-59 to the House Appropriations Committee with a due-pass recommendation after hearing testimony about security, county workload and fiscal costs tied to implementing online property-tax relief applications.

The House Tax Committee has taken a significant step towards modernizing property tax relief by recommending an online application system, but concerns about security and county workloads are raising eyebrows.

Learn more here!

#SD #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #CountyFunding #DataSecurity

Citizen Portal News Washington

@citizenptnewswa.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

Public Works Board authorizes opening of federal broadband grant cycle pending U.S. Treasury approval The board approved a staff recommendation to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity and open a federal broadband construction grant cycle using about $5 million in unspent grant dollars, contingent on final approval from the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The Public Works Board is set to launch a $5 million broadband grant cycle, prioritizing tribal applicants, pending Treasury's final approval!

Click to read more!

#WA #CitizenPortal #FederalFunding #DigitalAccess #CommunityConnectivity

Citizen Portal News Kansas

@citizenptnewsks.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

Committee approves Kansas Digital Right to Repair Act after narrowing amendments The committee voted to pass House Bill 2700 favorably as amended; sponsors and industry conferees narrowed the bill’s scope to apply to digital electronic equipment sold or leased to consumers and added other technical clarifications before renaming it the Kansas Digital Right to Repair Act.

Kansas just took a major step towards empowering consumers with the approval of the Digital Right to Repair Act, ensuring you can fix your own digital devices!

Learn more here

#KS #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal #ConsumerProtection #DigitalAccess #KansasDigitalRights

Citizen Portal News Minnesota

@citizenptnewsmn.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

State broadband office briefs senators on BEAD award, mapping and remaining gaps DEED’s Office of Broadband Development told a Senate panel Minnesota’s BEAD proposal was approved by NTIA in December and that the state still lists roughly 121,000 homes without 25/3 service and about 155,000 without 100/20; officials outlined contracting timelines, mapping validation and next steps for grantee agreements.

Minnesota is set to bridge the digital divide with a $379 million BEAD funding approval, but over 121,000 homes still lack reliable internet access.

Click to read more!

#MN #CitizenPortal #RuralDevelopment #DigitalAccess #MinnesotaBroadband #InfrastructureInnovation

Citizen Portal News Maine

@citizenptnewsme.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

County hears Fidium report: fiber build complete, 37,000 homes passed; gaps remain in remote areas County staff reported the county‑supported Fidium fiber build is complete and estimated roughly 37,000 homes were passed by the project; Fidium is pursuing Maine Connectivity Authority BEAD funding to reach remaining rural and off‑grid locations.

Fidium's fiber broadband project has successfully reached 37,000 homes, but rural areas still await connection—what's next for those left behind?

Click to read more!

#LincolnCounty #ME #LincolnCountyBroadband #CitizenPortal #RuralConnectivity #DigitalAccess

Citizen Portal News Alaska

@citizenptnewsak.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

Alaska committee hears bill to allow online Social Security card replacements by enabling limited DMV data checks House Bill 213 would allow Alaskans to request replacement Social Security cards online by authorizing limited, SSA-approved DMV verification through a nonprofit intermediary; Social Security and sponsor staff told the House Judiciary Committee the change could be operational in 4–6 weeks and that SSA would receive only a true/false verification result, while members sought clarity on tribal ID use and statutory authority.

Alaska is on the brink of making it easier for residents to replace their Social Security cards online, potentially saving time and travel for thousands.

Click to read more!

#AK #RuralSupport #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #AlaskaSocialSecurity #IdentityVerification

Citizen Portal News New Mexico

@citizenptnewsnm.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

Senate Bill 152 aims to revolutionize broadband access in New Mexico by introducing a low-income subsidy while debating the future of legacy funding.

Learn more here!

#NM #CitizenPortal #RuralDevelopment #DigitalAccess #NewMexicoBroadband #AffordabilityInitiatives

Citizen Portal News Kansas

@citizenptnewsks.bsky.social

3 weeks ago

Transportation committee advances KDOT authority to install statewide conduit for broadband The Committee on Transportation advanced House Bill 26 47, authorizing KDOT to build and manage a statewide conduit/microduct system for optical fiber, adopting amendments that preserve carrier choice, remove bonding authority and add a reporting requirement; the bill was advanced favorably as amended.

The Kansas Committee on Transportation has taken a significant step towards enhancing broadband access by advancing a bill that authorizes the construction of a statewide optical fiber conduit system.

Get the details!

#KS #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #InfrastructureDevelopment #KansasBroadband

Citizen Portal News Pennsylvania

@citizenptnewspa.bsky.social

1 month ago

Crafton council to develop letter backing changes to public-notice rules, with cautions After a lengthy debate, Crafton council voted to develop a letter of support for Senate Bill 194 (public-notice/advertising reform) while urging amendments to protect residents without digital access and to preserve some printed posting requirements.

Crafton Borough Council is taking a stand on public-notice reforms, balancing the push for digital access with the need to protect residents who rely on printed notices.

Click to read more!

#CraftonAlleghenyCounty #PA #LegislativeReform #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #CivicEngagement

Citizen Portal News Tennessee

@citizenptnewstn.bsky.social

1 month ago

Commission urges broadband providers to return with proof of service to address remaining unserved roads Commissioners requested that cable and internet providers return for a March update showing where they have met contract obligations and to clarify which roads remain unserved; members raised concerns that some contracted work was not completed and asked the state to audit provider claims.

Rhea County commissioners are demanding answers from broadband providers as many roads remain unserved despite previous improvements—what will they uncover in the upcoming March meeting?

Get the details!

#RheaCounty #TN #CommunityEngagement #CitizenPortal #DigitalAccess #RheaCountyBroadband

Great News 🤍

@greatnewsglobal.bsky.social

1 month ago

#greatnews #optimism #greatnews4u #positivenews #progress #dumbphones #digitalaccess #Africa #innovation #AI