skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Tuesday, January 21, 2025

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

Trump begins second term with series of sweeping executive actions; Addressing Ohio's youth care crisis; Winter Storm Enzo brings rare snow, ice to Gulf Coast; Report highlights needs for GA energy efficiency; Union rep: SEIU joining AFL-CIO will help OR workers.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Donald Trump's second term as President begins. Organizations prepare legal challenges to mass deportations and other Trump executive orders, and students study how best to bridge the political divide.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

"We can't eat gold," warn opponents of a proposed Alaskan gold mine who say salmon will be decimated. Ahead of what could be mass deportations, immigrants get training about their rights. And a national coalition grants money to keep local news afloat.

Thousands of Maryland Households Qualify for Internet Subsidy

play audio
Play

Thursday, August 31, 2023   

Maryland residents struggling to pay for web access can get help from two connected programs.

The Federal Communications Commission's Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) offers qualified households a leg up in paying for high speed web service.

The program is supplemented in Maryland by the state's Emergency Broadband Benefit, and between the two programs Marylanders who qualify can get up to $45 a month towards high speed access.

While Maryland is the only state with its own broadband subsidy paired with the ACP, Uhunoma Edamwen - digital equity coordinator with the Office of Statewide Broadband - said there are many people in the state who qualify for the program but aren't participating.

"There's about 230,000 households in Maryland that are enrolled out of a total 779,000 eligible households," said Edamwen. "So there are about 550,000 households not currently enrolled in the ACP program that we do want enrolled."

For information about who qualifies and how to sign up, visit getinternet.gov.

With so much of life being conducted online, advocates are making the case that high-speed internet access should be seen as a necessity.

From telehealth to keeping up with the grandkids, high speed internet also helps people avoid isolation.

Edamwen said the pandemic illustrated the stark realities of the digital divide.

"There are many stories from the pandemic, where folks were going to McDonald's to use the wifi and for their kids to do homework," said Edamwen. "And we'd like for folks to be able to enjoy those benefits and be able to do what they need to do in life, whether it's apply for jobs, you know getting ahead at school, or managing their own health care, or paying their bills for that matter at home, on their own time."

In addition to support for monthly internet service fees, the ACP also features a one time discount of up to $100 off the purchase price of a laptop, desktop, or tablet from participating providers.




get more stories like this via email

more stories
California's Proposition 12 mandated minimum space requirements for egg-laying hens but does not apply to chickens raised for meat. (JackF/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Suzanne Potter for California News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collabor…


Social Issues

play sound

Finding appropriate placements for youths entering Ohio's child welfare system has become increasingly difficult. Rachel Reedy, outreach and member …

Health and Wellness

play sound

The Medicaid and CHIP programs are vital to rural Missouri, according to a report that says reliance on this safety-net health coverage is much …


Opponents of genetically engineered fish say if they escaped into the wild, they could bring disease and competition to the 25% of freshwater fish, including Atlantic salmon, already at risk of extinction. (Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Conservation groups are celebrating the end of a Massachusetts-based biotech company's pursuit of bringing genetically altered Atlantic salmon to mark…

Health and Wellness

play sound

More than 1 million Coloradans are living with a diagnosed mental health condition but insurance companies are denying coverage for care their policie…

One in seven hospitalized patients will need a blood transfusion. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

This month is National Blood Donor Month, and blood donor groups are making sure people know the importance of giving blood. Blood can't be …

Environment

play sound

Kane County officials plan to launch four composting programs at large-scale facilities to reduce food waste, as part of meeting the county's climate …

Social Issues

play sound

The Service Employees International Union is joining the AFL-CIO, a move both groups said will make it easier for more workers to unionize. SEIU is …

 

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