The Gila River Indian Community received a $4.4 million dollar grant from the Biden administration’s American Rescue Plan to help improve access to and use of broadband internet service among tribal citizens.... Read more»
The White House announced a partnership Monday with 20 internet providers to bring high-speed plans to low-income customers who qualify for federal assistance, a population numbering in the tens of millions. ... Read more»
Before the pandemic, a growing number of parents, educators and advocates criticized how students were tested and the importance placed on statewide tests - now, experts on both sides of the debate say this is the moment to reconsider testing.... Read more»
When President Joe Biden told business leaders recently that it was their “patriotic obligation” to protect their networks from likely Russian cyberattacks, security officials in Arizona agreed with a nod – and a shrug. ... Read more»
Maricopa County’s ballot tabulation system was never connected to the internet during the 2020 election and there were no routers to inspect, concluded a team of experts assembled by former Congressman John Shadegg as part of the so-called “audit” of the last presidential election. ... Read more»
The $1.5 trillion omnibus spending bill passed by Congress last week includes $75 million in Help America Vote Act grants — a major reduction compared to years past, and experts say the amount is insufficient to fund local elections and leaves local election offices without resources.... Read more»
A pro-Putin network of dozens of accounts spread across Twitter, TikTok and Instagram whose behavior, content and coordination are consistent with Russian troll factory the Internet Research Agency are spreading similar or identical text, photos and videos across accounts and platforms.... Read more»
More than 10 million low-income households have lower internet costs thanks to the Broadband Affordability Program - part of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal - which gives qualifying households up to $30 off their monthly internet bill and up to $75 if they live on tribal lands. ... Read more»
The federal government’s effort to fund expanded broadband infrastructure in Indian Country overlooked a fundamental issue, advocates say - many tribes did not have the broadband access needed to apply for the funding that would let them improve broadband access.... Read more»
An initiative funded by the 2020 CARES Act will help Phoenix schools bridge the digital divide by creating the Phoenix Digital Education Connection Canopy, a broadband network designed to provide free Wi-Fi to 250,000 families who have students in 13 Phoenix districts.... Read more»
High-speed internet at home is a necessity for American families - however, 28.2 million U.S. households lack what has become a basic need, and issues around broadband affordability disproportionately affect low-income, Black, and Latinx communities. ... Read more»
The City of Tucson is providing wireless internet access to some members of the community so they can engage in support remote learning, teleworking, and access to virtual services.
... Read more»
Robocalls to Arizonans dropped by more than 3 million in July, to about 84.4 million for the month, as the first phase of a new federal mandate took effect that requires phone companies to implement anti-robocall measures. ... Read more»
Even though the United States has the best broadband in the world at the best value, 19 million Americans still don't have access to broadband — which is clearly an essential service in 2021.... Read more»
Many Native people have found innovative ways throughout the pandemic to continue sharing their culture despite physical distancing restrictions. Social media groups have provided some remedies, in ways that may continue after the pandemic wanes.... Read more»
The Federal Communications Commission has granted broadband spectrum licenses to 11 Arizona tribes in what FCC Chairman Ajit Pai called “a major step forward in our efforts to close the digital divide on Tribal lands.”... Read more»
2111111I want to help TucsonSentinel.com offer a real news alternative!
We're committed to making quality news accessible; we'll never set up a paywall or charge for our site. But we rely on your support to bring you independent news without the spin. Use our convenient PayPal/credit card donation form below or contact us at donate@tucsonsentinel.com today.
Subscribe and stretch your donation over time:
Or give a secure one-time gift with PayPal or your credit card:
TucsonSentinel.com is an Arizona nonprofit organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible.
