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No last-minute deal for Canada or Mexico to avoid tariffs, Trump says; Rural AZ hotel's solar installation in limbo after federal funding freeze; Maryland medical aid-in-dying bill may pass after a decade; New findings: State workforces suffer when abortion restrictions tighten.

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Trump administration puts 25% tariffs on Mexico and Canada. New York wants newly fired federal workers for state service, and the GAO's High Risk report finds ways to make the government more efficient.

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U.S. farmers are left twisting in the wind over farm projects the federal funding freeze has stalled, parks and public lands could be a mess for visiting tourists this summer, while money to fight rural wildfires is in jeopardy.

AARP Priority: Connecting More Arkansans to High-Speed Internet

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Friday, February 17, 2023   

Broadband internet is increasingly seen as a necessity, but many rural Arkansas communities still lack high-speed broadband service.

Arkansas ranks 49th among states for internet accessibility, according to the website BroadbandNow.

AARP Arkansas State Director Ashley McBride said the digital divide was exposed during the pandemic, so the state has implemented a series of programs to increase online access. She said the Legislature's Joint Budget Committee has also allocated some pandemic-relief funding to help provide broadband access to some rural communities.

"They approved the state Department of Commerce's request to use $53.3 million in federal American Rescue Plan funding for eight broadband grant projects," she said. "The proposed broadband grant projects are in Ashley, Baxter, Chico, Clark, Columbia, Logan, Hot Spring and Lonoke counties."

McBride said more funding will come from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes a $65 billion investment to bring affordable, high-speed internet to all communities across the country.

McBride said the pandemic also underscored vast disparities in high-speed internet access for older Americans. A Humana Foundation report estimates that about 39 million people older than age 50 don't have home internet service. And yet, staying connected - from banking and shopping to visits with doctors or family members - is all possible now, online. So, she said it's critical for seniors to have reliable, affordable online access.

"So, it's important for AARP to be a part of this conversation, to help older Americans achieve digital equity, especially as they are looking at their well-being," she said, "including telehealth, connection to family and friends, civic engagement, distance learning or even remote work."

She added that Arkansans in need of lower-cost internet service can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program by going online to FCC.gov/ACP. Eligible seniors can get up to $30 a month off their internet service bill, or $75 a month if they live on tribal lands.

Disclosure: AARP Arkansas contributes to our fund for reporting on Consumer Issues, Health Issues, Hunger/Food/Nutrition, Senior Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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