Internet https://www.wcmu.org/tags/internet Internet en-US Copyright Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:55:40 GMT High-speed internet project continues making progress across Michigan https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-11-12/high-speed-internet-project-continues-making-progress-across-michigan The $87 million project will create underground fiber optic cable networks across Michigan. One network will connect the Upper and Lower Peninsulas through Beaver Island. Wed, 12 Nov 2025 22:55:40 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-11-12/high-speed-internet-project-continues-making-progress-across-michigan Brianna Edgar Legislation would mandate age verification for young internet, social media users https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-10-05/legislation-would-mandate-age-verification-for-young-internet-social-media-users A state senator from Lowell wants Michigan to follow the lead of some other states and require users of certain websites and apps to provide proof they are 18 or older. The proposal, which raises some privacy and free speech concerns for the ACLU and Electronic Frontier Foundation, would also give parents more control over their children’s use of social media. Sun, 05 Oct 2025 10:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-10-05/legislation-would-mandate-age-verification-for-young-internet-social-media-users Samantha Ku Rural America still needs fast internet. Some worry new federal plans will fall short https://www.wcmu.org/2025-09-29/rural-broadband-internet-bead The Trump Administration asked states to find the lowest-cost option in the latest program to build broadband infrastructure in rural areas. That opens the door for more types of technology, which some worry could be less reliable in the long-term. Mon, 29 Sep 2025 09:00:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/2025-09-29/rural-broadband-internet-bead Anna Pope Statewide digital literacy program put on hold by Trump administration https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-06-07/statewide-digital-literacy-program-put-on-hold-by-trump-administration The U.S. Department of Commerce has terminated the State Digital Equity Capacity Grant program after President Donald Trump declared it "unconstitutional." This has put the future of Michigan’s Inclusive, Training, Technology and Equity program on pause. Sat, 07 Jun 2025 13:49:07 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-06-07/statewide-digital-literacy-program-put-on-hold-by-trump-administration Blace Carpenter 'We can't do online learning': The challenges one rural school faces after the ice storm https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-04-29/we-cant-do-online-learning-the-challenges-one-rural-school-faces-after-the-ice-storm WCMU's David Nicholas interviews Katy Xenakis-Makowski, superintendent of the Johannesburg-Lewiston school district, about recovering from the ice storm and the challenges her students face. Tue, 29 Apr 2025 19:12:00 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-04-29/we-cant-do-online-learning-the-challenges-one-rural-school-faces-after-the-ice-storm David Nicholas More high-speed internet coming to Midland https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-04-09/high-speed-internet-coming-to-midland New fiber optic cables will soon be installed in Midland. Fri, 28 Mar 2025 21:00:36 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-04-09/high-speed-internet-coming-to-midland Jozef Korzeniewski Testing to begin this summer for Beaver Island fiber optic cable https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-03-25/testing-to-begin-this-summer-for-beaver-island-fiber-optic-cable The cable would run underwater in Lake Michigan, stretching from Charlevoix to the Central Michigan University Biological Station on the eastern portion of the island. Another segment would extend from the northern part of the island to the Upper Peninsula. Tue, 25 Mar 2025 17:44:48 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2025-03-25/testing-to-begin-this-summer-for-beaver-island-fiber-optic-cable Teresa Homsi Northern Michigan University to get $27 million from federal "Rip and Replace" cybersecurity program https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-12-26/northern-michigan-university-to-get-27-million-from-federal-rip-and-replace-cybersecurity-program Northern Michigan University will receive $27 million to replace telecommunications equipment it purchased from Chinese manufacturers that is now considered a security risk. Thu, 26 Dec 2024 22:04:47 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-12-26/northern-michigan-university-to-get-27-million-from-federal-rip-and-replace-cybersecurity-program Tracy Samilton LISTEN: State helps connect 10,000 homes and businesses to high-speed internet https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-12-13/listen-state-helps-connect-10-000-homes-and-businesses-to-high-speed-internet It marks steady progress on the way to making 72,000 connections across the state under a current grant program initiated through the Michigan High-Speed Internet Office known as ROBIN (Realizing Opportunity with Broadband Infrastructure Networks). Sat, 14 Dec 2024 00:28:28 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-12-13/listen-state-helps-connect-10-000-homes-and-businesses-to-high-speed-internet David Nicholas Rural Michigan communities are eligible for funds to help expand high-speed internet access https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-07-25/rural-michigan-communities-are-eligible-for-funds-to-help-expand-high-speed-internet-access The millions of dollars in grant money come from 2021 bi-partisan infrastructure law and will be distributed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thu, 18 Jul 2024 22:09:42 GMT https://www.wcmu.org/local-regional-news/2024-07-25/rural-michigan-communities-are-eligible-for-funds-to-help-expand-high-speed-internet-access Ellie Frysztak