skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Sunday, October 6, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The Bureau of Land Management updates a proposed Western Solar Plan to the delight of wildlife advocates, grant funding helps New York schools take part in National Farm to School Month, and children's advocates observe "TEN-4 Day" to raise awareness of child abuse.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Biden voices concerns over Israeli strikes on Iran, Special Counsel Jack Smith details Trump's pre-January 6 pressure on Pence, Indiana's voter registration draws scrutiny, and a poll shows politics too hot to talk about for half of Wisconsinites.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Cheap milk comes at a cost for residents of Washington's Lower Yakima Valley, Indigenous language learning is promoted in Wisconsin as experts warn half the world's languages face extinction, and Montana's public lands are going to the dogs!

California Hopes to Lessen 'Digital Divide'

play audio
Play

Friday, May 5, 2023   

The state of California wants to help close the digital divide across the state - in part, by learning more about how older adults make use of technology.

The state is holding several workshops, hoping people will provide input about how they think federal money can be spent toward improving broadband access across California.

Like many other groups, said Strat Maloma, associate director for advocacy and community engagement for AARP California, some older adults face challenges with internet access and speed.

"Much like electricity, running water, internet access has become a basic necessity for modern life," he said. "Disparities exist especially for older adults - access to high-speed internet, or whether it's disparities in terms of access, and also the importance of having high-speed internet access."

The Federal Communications Commission estimated that, as of last year, at least 3.7 million California households are eligible for its Affordable Connectivity Program, a $30 broadband discount offered to low-income households. However, only 1.4 million had enrolled.

At the workshop he attended, Maloma said, the attendees were divided into small groups and had the chance to participate in guided dialogue about their technology use. He said it's significant for all Californians - and especially older adults - to share their experiences and be included in conversations about how the state could use federal funds for broadband.

"What we'd like to hear from them is what their experiences are when it comes to having access, affordability, to broadband and internet services," he said, "but we'd also like to hear what would help create a situation of equitability for them, their communities, when it comes to having access to broadband and high-speed internet access."

In the most recent data, from 2020, 10% of Californians reported not having a desktop, laptop or other type of computer at home. That figure is slightly higher, at 15%, for Black and Latino households. Access was especially limited among low-income households, with 23% not having internet or a device to use it.

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


get more stories like this via email
more stories
To date, the Bureau of Land Management has permitted clean-energy projects on public lands adding 29 gigawatts of electricity, or enough to power more than 12 million homes, according to the agency. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

A new federal proposal details which public lands across the West would be open to solar development. Wildlife advocates are glad to see that some - …


Environment

play sound

October is National Farm to School Month, and New York schools are using grant funding to participate. School districts statewide have received …

Social Issues

play sound

As Florida recovers from Hurricane Helene, the state's network of Community Health Centers continues to provide crucial care statewide. Community …


Helene ranks among the nation's deadliest hurricanes, as the death toll surpasses 200. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A week after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc across the Southeast, the North Carolina town of Boone is facing an uphill battle. With many roads still …

Social Issues

play sound

The most recent census figures show a significant drop in poverty in the Richmond metro area - and are being met with skepticism. The American …

In 2020, 36% of Wisconsin voters told the Marquette Law School Poll that political disagreements negatively affected personal interactions with another voter. That number jumped to 46% in the current election cycle. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A new poll out this week shows nearly half of Wisconsin voters stopped talking about politics with someone because of disagreements over the president…

play sound

Experts say a diverse workforce is crucial for creativity and social justice, and equally good for a company's bottom line. But reluctance to hire …

Social Issues

play sound

By Marilyn Odendahl for The Indiana Citizen.Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the Indiana Citizen-Free Press India…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021