By LaKeshia N. Myers Wisconsin’s students – from my hometown in Milwaukee to rural Northern Wisconsin – rely on fast, quality broadband internet to succeed. The internet is a portal that allows students to engage with the world around them. Students are exposed to new ideas, and are able to broaden their horizons, while sharing […]
High-Speed Internet Connection for Millions Requires Continued Support from Congress
By Karen Stokes The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides free high speed internet to working families across the country including Black and Latino households will be running out of funds this April if Congress doesn’t act soon. “In the 21st century, affordable reliable high speed internet is a key to opportunity. High speed internet […]
Let the Affordable Connectivity Program Continue
By Mayor Cavalier Johnson It’s not hyperbole to say that high-speed internet has become a necessity in recent years. The pandemic shined a light on the fact that connectivity is required to ensure our kids are getting the best possible education, that those in the workforce can access job training and employment resources, and that […]
Pandemic brings telehealth boom to rural Wisconsin, but barriers linger
Physician shortages and broadband gaps hinder access to care. Some gains could be lost if certain pandemic-era telehealth flexibilities expire. By Hina Suzuki Wisconsin Watch and Tyler Katzenberger Wisconsin Watch Wisconsin Watch is a nonprofit, nonpartisan newsroom. Subscribe to our newsletters for original stories and our Friday news roundup. This story is part of our series Unhealthy Wisconsin, which examines […]
The Digital Divide’s Ability to Divide
Legislatively Speaking By Senator Lena C. Taylor Almost everything we do, these days, is connected to the internet. COVID-19 exacerbated our dependency or highlighted the need for broadband, depending on whom you ask. Groceries, home goods, and just about any retail service you can think of is available online. Brick and Mortar stores have been […]
High Speed Internet Access is Necessary
By LaKeshia N. Myers In our digital age, having internet access is merely square one. As the tech industry flourishes, so do the technological resources received by school districts and families – that is, as long as they have the money to afford it. In our new age of technological advancement, a socio-economic disparity has […]
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Over $40 Billion to Connect Everyone in America to Affordable, Reliable, High-Speed Internet
By Karen Stokes President Biden and Vice President Harris have unveiled a groundbreaking initiative, allocating $40 billion to ensure widespread access to high-speed internet for communities across the nation. High-speed internet access has transitioned from being a luxury to becoming an essential requirement for Americans to work, engage in education on an equitable basis, avail […]
Senator Baldwin Delivers More than $1 Billion to Wisconsin to Expand Access to High-Speed Internet
Investment comes after Baldwin successfully “Badgered the FCC” to improve broadband map and ensure Wisconsin gets its fair share of resources WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 26th, U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) announced that Wisconsin is receiving $1.05 billion in federal funds through the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program to connect more Wisconsinites […]
Affordable Internet Now Available for Millions of Americans
By Karen Stokes The Biden administration on Monday, May 9, announced a plan to expand affordable high-speed internet access for millions of Americans. “High speed internet is not a luxury any longer,” the president said at an event to unveil the program in the White House Rose Garden. “It’s a necessity, and that’s why the […]
Broadband Access is an Urban and Rural Problem
By Alex Lasry Reliable broadband access is a major problem across Wisconsin. While most public discussions of the need for broadband focuses on isolated, rural communities, the reality is that families in our urban cities, especially Milwaukee’s poor urban neighborhoods, also struggle daily with this problem. Broadband has become as much a public necessity as […]