Gov. Spencer Cox has announced a statewide initiative to increase awareness of the Affordable Connectivity Program, which aims to get more Utahns connected to the internet.

The "ACP Act Now: Utah" initiative unites a number of stakeholders to close the broadband affordability gap. According to the governor's office, almost 350,000 Utah households are eligible for a federal discount on monthly internet service, but only 16% of them have enrolled.

Clint Cottam, executive director of the Community Action Partnership of Utah, said many are not aware of the program, which is part of the issue.

"About 65% of our unconnected households are actually because of affordability, not because of infrastructure," Cottam pointed out. "Now granted, there is still 35% that are infrastructure-related -- not getting enough providers and overcoming some of those planning barriers -- but really, it's cost affordability."

Cottam pointed out being able to connect to the internet is essential for work, school and health care needs, especially post-pandemic. He added the State of Utah is starting to better understand broadband access is as important as other utilities, and those left behind will be at a disadvantage.

Cottam acknowledged there is also a general distrust of government-sponsored programs for many rural and marginalized populations. He emphasized community action agencies can help establish trust to get more people enrolled.

He added not all populations in Utah have the confidence or skills to complete the online forms, and networks like his serve those communities. Cottam stressed nationally, people of color are disproportionately affected by lack of broadband connectivity.

"We want to make this a service that is integrated with other things that can help a family stabilize and realize greater economic security," Cottam asserted. "I want people to know it is OK to ask for help, and it is OK to get help."

He said the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law includes funding for Affordable Connectivity Program outreach, which should help groups already working with lower-income clients.

Former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris are aiming to appeal to labor groups on the campaign trail, especially in battleground states like Nevada.

Christofer Kimes, organizer for the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, lives just outside of Reno. He calls northern Nevada the "new Silicon Valley" and supports heavier union presence in the region to foster better wages, worker protections and benefits.

Kimes commended the Biden-Harris administration for being pro-union and pointed to policies such as the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act as proof.

He emphasized the conservative Project 2025's "anti-labor agenda" threatens the progress unions have made.

"They're sold an idea that if you make this guy that writes your paycheck, you make him richer and the company gets bigger, you're going to have all of this stuff that you have already, you have worker's rights," Kimes outlined. "They don't understand that Project 2025 is a direct repeal of a lot of that."

Project 2025 lays out a number of labor-related reforms, like outlawing public sector unions as well as investigating labor leaders. Kimes argued another four years of Trump would "decimate" unions.

In 2018, Trump signed executive orders weakening the ability of unions to negotiate contracts and cut the hours union representatives were able to tend to member complaints. Trump has tried to distance himself from Project 2025. Conservatives argue the plan is about government accountability.

Kimes is an independent, but added when people in his mostly conservative northern Nevada community find out he is a union organizer, they are skeptical. He acknowledged they have preconceived notions about what being pro-union means. Instead of approaching the conversations in a political tone, he uses a historical one.

"The moment you begin to have the political argument on the level that I'm at, people shut down and they don't want to hear it," Kimes noted. "People gave their lives so that you have Saturday and Sunday with your kids, you get a weekend, you don't have to work 80, 90 hours a week, that all comes from unions."

Kimes recognized there has been a significant decline in the number of workers represented by unions over the past several decades. The share of U.S. workers who belong to a union has fallen since 1983. In 2023, only 10% of workers were in a union, according to the Pew Research Center.


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A dozen Eastern Kentucky counties will receive a total of around $40 million in federal funding to connect working-age residents to resources and training for jobs in a region heavily impacted by the decline of coal mining.

State data show last year, Eastern Kentucky's unemployment rate was more than 7%, far higher that the Commonwealth's overall rate of around 4%.

Brandon McBride, executive director of the Appalachian Regional Commission, said federal investment is critical for boosting local workforce capacity.

"We want to make sure that Appalachians have the skills and workforce training that they need to take advantage of new opportunities that might be coming into the region," he explained.

The nonprofit Shaping Our Appalachian Region or SOAR is spearheading the project, in collaboration with major local employers Pikeville Medical Center and Appalachian Regional Healthcare, to build new training facilities. The funds will also be used to support businesses and nonprofits that focus on regional childcare, transportation and housing challenges - longstanding barriers to employment for rural and low-income communities.

Research shows job skills training can in some cases increase earnings by nearly 70%. McBride predicted future growth is expected in several industries.

"Right now we're seeing growth in tourism, IT and cyber security. We've also seen some growth in manufacturing, especially in the automotive space, and then we're also seeing growth in the healthcare industry," McBride continued.

According to SOAR, healthcare has been among the fastest-growing local sector. Over the past three decades, the number of private sector healthcare employers in Eastern Kentucky increased by more than 200%.

U.S. postal workers will rally across the country on Tuesday to bring attention to their working conditions. An Idaho postal worker helped start the event.

Sheri Butler with the United States Postal Service is a member of her local postal workers union based in Spokane. She lives and works in Coeur d'Alene.

She spoke out about understaffing at a USPS Board of Governors meeting last year. Then, the board limited public comments at its hearings to once a year.

So she started a letter-writing campaign, which has since turned into two rallies.

"It just kind of grew as more people became interested," said Butler. "The small idea of a letter-writing campaign turned into a larger movement called 'We Won't Be Silenced.' With this movement we are ending the silence and sharing why our stories need to be told."

Members at the American Postal Workers Union national convention in July then passed her resolution for a rally. Rallies are scheduled across Idaho - including in Boise, Caldwell, and Idaho Falls.

Workers will call for more public comment opportunities at Board of Governors meetings, better staffing and services, and more cooperation from management at the bargaining table.

Workers are also frustrated with Postmaster General Louis DeJoy's consolidation and reform plan for the post office - called Delivering for America - which is likely to slow mail delivery in many rural parts of the country.

DeJoy argues the changes are needed to improve the postal service's financial situation. But Butler noted that DeJoy has delayed the implementation of parts of his ten-year plan.

"He began to change his course once people started speaking up," said Butler. "Constituents are reaching out to their senators, and the senators are responding. We need the public to keep voicing their concerns loudly and pressuring USPS management to act in the best interest of the people."

Organizers have planned more than 120 rallies nationwide for Tuesday.