2020 – Page 9 – Next Century Cities

Arlington Residents Are Pressuring Local Officials to Explore Public Broadband Options

Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, Models 101, News / nextcentury

Citizen advocates in Arlington, Virginia, are calling on the County Board to establish a broadband authority. A broadband authority would be able to provide faster, more affordable internet service options for Arligton residents. On August 19, 2020, community leaders hosted a forum to discuss the nature of the digital divide and possible solutions, particularly a […]

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NCC Makes Recommendations for State Lawmakers to Address the Homework Gap

Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, COVID-19, Digital Inclusion, News / nextcentury

On August 20, 2020, Next Century Cities addressed state lawmakers from across the country on a ‘Future Now’ panel to describe how states and municipalities are tackling the homework gap during the COVID-19 pandemic. The “homework gap” refers to approximately 17 million students who are struggling with access to broadband. Aside from being unable to

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OCC Presents on Financing Broadband Networks in Rural Areas and on Tribal Lands

Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, News / nextcentury

As many continue to struggle with telework and distance learning mandates, developing robust wireline and wireless networks has taken center stage in communities across the nation. There are a variety of models that could help improve connectivity, each with unique costs, risks, and distribution of responsibilities among participants. One of the main barriers to municipal

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Census Bureau Ends Counting One Month Early. Local Leaders Understand the Far-Reaching Impact of an Undercount.

Blog Entry, By Lukas Pietrzak, COVID-19, News / nextcentury

On August 3rd, the U.S. Census Bureau (“Bureau”) announced major changes to their operational timeline for the 2020 Decennial Census. Since March, the Bureau has been working to ensure an accurate and complete count amidst unprecedented challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially, the agency halted field operations and began planning to collect data with

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Local Leaders Discuss How New York’s Broadband Commission Could Bring Connectivity Within Reach for Unserved and Underserved Populations

Blog Entry, By NCC Staff, News / nextcentury

Syracuse, New York On August 3, 2020, community leaders from across the Next Century Cities network shared local connectivity stories in a virtual hearing before the Commission tasked with reimagining broadband connectivity in New York. Established by Governor Andrew Cuomo in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent recovery, the “Reimagine Commission” will work

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Courts in the Age of Covid: Do Virtual Hearings Ensure Protection of A Parties’ Rights?

Blog Entry, By Ryan Johnston, COVID-19, News / nextcentury

Photo Credit: Flickr The Fifth Amendment of the United States Constitution ensures that “[n]o person shall. . . be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law.” This promise guarantees that all people will have their day in court and be able to defend themselves (pro se or with representation) against the

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A Spotlight on King County, Washington

Blog Entry, COVID-19, News, Spotlight City / nextcentury

Please give us a brief overview on the status of broadband connectivity in King County. Digital equity is one of our fundamental social justice goals, as access to information and technology is essential for residents to fully participate and prosper in our global world. We completed our Broadband Access and Adoption Study in January. The

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Next Century Cities Supports Day of Action to Extend the Rural Tribal Priority Window

By NCC Staff, COVID-19, NCC News, News / nextcentury

On Thursday July 23, 2020, Next Century Cities submitted a letter to the Federal Communications Commission supporting the National Congress of American Indian’s Emergency Motion for Stay of the 2.5 GHz Rural Tribal Priority Window. The letter highlighted the following points: Broadband access on tribal lands is not sufficient for modern applications. The Rural Tribal

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Broadband Helps Largely Disconnected Populations with Civic Engagement

Blog Entry, By Brittany-Rae Gregory, News / nextcentury

I call to check on my grandmother weekly. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I have started chatting with her more often. Grandma Frankie is a social butterfly, so limiting interactions to immediate family members means missing out on the countless other people in her community. Last week, part of our conversation went something

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Informing the Newly Minted Voter

Blog Entry, By Lukas Pietrzak, News / nextcentury

When November 3, 2020 arrives, 16 million Americans will be voting in their first presidential election. For the first time, these newly minted voters will take part in a bedrock practice of our country, one that ensures a government reflects its citizenry. Our founders envisioned a democratic republic, though imperfect at the time, in

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