North Carolina

North Carolina awarded more federal money to improve digital divide

Published

2 years ago

December 26, 2022

North Carolina awarded more federal money to improve digital divide

Lindell Lynch needs to make a greater life for herself dwelling in Halifax County. She’s working two jobs and carving out time at evening to attend faculty on-line. The workload is hectic and disturbing, however one factor that is making the method even tougher is her entry to the web.

“It is 2022. We must always have had satisfactory web service by now,” Lynch stated.

She has a hotspot at house, however it’s virtually simpler to drive half-hour to the closest metropolis for robust service to do coursework.

“It is a problem with out web service,” stated Lynch. “It is virtually like the agricultural neighborhood right here has been forgotten about as a result of everybody else is advance and we’re simply nonetheless behind.”

There are lots of of 1000’s of North Carolinians preventing for entry to steady web service and lots of rural communities, with a powerful Native American inhabitants, are being shut out of an inter-connected world.

Greater than 1.1 million individuals throughout the state discover themselves on the fallacious aspect of the digital divide.

North Carolina is embarking upon a plan to carry connectivity to distressed counties.

The grant space encompasses greater than 200 miles. The plan is to put in fiber traces in these space and produce high-speed web entry to the individuals dwelling there.

It is taking place in Warren and Halifax counties, in addition to for the individuals dwelling the Haliwa-Sponi tribal space.

The trouble will assist greater than 2,500 unserved addresses and 100 companies, with the purpose of bettering digital equality.

“We all know right this moment that probability of a white family having excessive velocity web connectivity or subscription to web connectivity is at 76 %. That quantity drops to 68 % for Latino neighborhood, that quantity drops to 64 % for African American communities and that quantity drops even additional to 58 % for Native American communities,” stated North Carolina Division of Info Know-how Secretary James Weaver. “The governor’s problem to us is 80 % throughout all racial subdivisions. That is the purpose we’re making an attempt to attain.”

The state is dedicating greater than a billion {dollars} of American Rescue Plan funds to shut the hole.

The price of connecting every family is popping out to greater than $4,000 and it comes with one other problem.

“It does us no good to construct out connectivity to somebody’s home and so they cannot afford it, and so they do not have the units to make use of it. What did we accomplish?” stated Weaver.

By means of extra federal funding, low earnings households can get a $30 per 30 days subsidy after which place themselves on the digital freeway to alternative.

“The flexibility to finish a level, make money working from home, search for a job — (since) no one’s making use of for a job with paper utility — discover digital work alternatives exterior of her neighborhood, entry telemedicine companies, all of those require excessive velocity web,” stated North Carolina Broadband and Digital Equality Deputy Secretary Nate Denny.

Lynch has excessive hopes for what the change means for her and the general growth in Halifax.

“They cannot come and begin enterprise right here after they do not have web capabilities,” stated Lynch. “Hopefully, it should lower our unemployment charge right here.”

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North Carolina

Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Memorial Day

Published

2 hours ago

May 23, 2025

Press Room

Lowering U.S. and NC Flags to Half-Staff in Honor of Memorial Day

In tribute to the sacrifices of our armed services personnel, Governor Josh Stein has ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities be flown at half-staff from sunrise until 12 noon on Monday, May 26 in honor of Memorial Day.

Statement from Governor Stein
“Throughout our nation’s history North Carolinians have answered the call to serve our country and protect our freedoms, and this weekend we honor those who paid the ultimate price in that service. Anna’s and my heart are with all the North Carolinians who are mourning their loved ones. Let us honor their legacy by preserving their memories, celebrating their bravery, and nourishing our democracy.”

Background
North Carolina flag announcements are issued in accordance to regulations outlined in the U.S. Flag Code.
Click for the NC State Government Flag Guide.
Sign up for the North Carolina Flag Alert list.

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North Carolina

Obituary for Donna Darlene Foy at Jones Funeral Home of Jacksonville

Published

18 hours ago

May 22, 2025

Press Room

Obituary for Donna Darlene Foy at Jones Funeral Home of Jacksonville

Donna Foy, 61, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Monday, May 19, 2025 at New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington. Donna was a devoted Wife, mother, and Mamaw. She was a fervent animal lover donning the nickname, Elly May, as a young girl. She was beloved by

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North Carolina

Spotted lanternfly confirmed in western North Carolina

Published

2 days ago

May 21, 2025

Press Room

Spotted lanternfly confirmed in western North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) — The invasive spotted lanternfly has been confirmed in western North Carolina, the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (NCDACS) said.

The department said it confirmed the presence of the insects in Rockingham County after initial surveys indicated that the insects were concentrated in Reidsville within a two mile radius.

“NCDA&CS has ramped up surveillance in the Triad area since this pest was detected in in Kernersville in 2022,” said Dr. Bill Foote, director of the NCDA&CS Plant Industry Division. “Members of our Plant Industry team are moving quickly to assess and prevent the spread of this brightly colored pest, and we ask members of the public to be on the lookout for more spotted lanternfly and report any finds by through a form found at www.ncagr.gov/SLF.”

The insects and their egg masses have been found in 17 states, including North Carolina.

Foote said the spotted lanternfly poses a serious threat to the state’s wine and grape industries and can cause damage to more than 100 species of plants.

“Spotted lanternflies like to feed high in the treetops, but they are not good at telling the difference between a truck tire and a tree trunk,” said Amy Michael, Entomological Programs manager. It is very likely this new population came from lanternflies hopping in with an unsuspecting commuter.”

The NCDACS said concentrated surveys will be performed year-round in Rockingham County to find if the insects are in additional locations.

Officials advise people to look for and destroy lantern eggs before they hatch.

The egg masses can be found on a variety of surfaces including trees, rocks, vehicles, equipment and lawn furniture.

“Taking a moment to check your clothing, shoes and vehicle for these insects and removing any you see goes a long way in preventing this pest from spreading any further,” Michael said.

To learn more about the spotted lanternfly or to report a sighting visit here.

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Prevention Tips

According to the USDA’s website, there are some things you can do to prevent and deter the spotted lanternfly from taking over your plants.

Inspect your trees and plants for signs of this pest, particularly at dusk and at night when the insects tend to gather in large groups on trunks and stems.

Check your vehicle before leaving a parking lot or work site and inspect vehicles for eggs or insects. Check doors, sides, bumpers, wheel wells, grills, and roofs. If found, destroy any eggs or insects you find.

Close your car windows as spotted lanternflies and their nymphs can enter vehicles unsuspectedly. When parked, make sure to keep windows closed. If possible, try to park 15 feet away from trees.

Look for egg masses in your trees, bricks, stones, and other smooth surfaces. If you find eggs, smash them and scrape them into a plastic zippered bag filled with hand sanitizer or rubbing alcohol to kill them. Then, zip the bag shut and dispose of it in the trash.