As more and more of our daily life moves online, digital access has become essential.

But not everyone has the skills, or the tools, needed to keep up in a digital age.

The Digital Equity Act was designed to help close the gap. But recent funding cuts by President Trump have stalled that progress.

This hour, we explore how those cuts are affecting communities in Connecticut and beyond. We’ll hear how local institutions – like libraries – are working to keep people connected despite the challenges.

GUESTS:
P.R. Lockhart: Economic Development Reporter, CT Mirror
Bonnie Solberg: Director of Public Services, Hartford Public Library
Bridget Quinn: President and Chief Executive Officer, Hartford Public Library
Dr. Elena Forzani: director of the Literacy Education and Reading Education programs and an assistant professor, Boston University

As more and more of our daily life moves online, digital access has become essential.
But not everyone has the skills, or the tools, needed to keep up in a digital age.
The Digital Equity Act was designed to help close the gap. But recent funding cuts by President Trump have stalled that progress.
This hour, we explore how those cuts are affecting communities in Connecticut and beyond. We&rsquo;ll hear how local institutions &ndash; like libraries &ndash; are working to keep people connected despite the challenges.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/plockhart/">P.R. Lockhart</a>: Economic Development Reporter,&nbsp;CT Mirror</li>
<li>Bonnie Solberg: Director of Public Services,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hplct.org/">Hartford Public Library</a></li>
<li>Bridget Quinn: President and Chief Executive Officer,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.hplct.org/">Hartford Public Library</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.bu.edu/wheelock/profile/elena-forzani/">Dr. Elena Forzani</a>: director of the Literacy Education and Reading Education programs and an assistant professor,&nbsp;Boston University</li>
</ul>

Produced by Connecticut Public, 'Where We Live' puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

Where We Live is a call-in talk show about who we are in Connecticut and our place in the world.

Where We Live

Produced by Connecticut Public, '<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/where-we-live/about">Where We Live'</a> puts Connecticut in context. Host Catherine Shen brings us fascinating, informed, in-depth conversations and stories beyond news headlines.  We start local, but we take time to explore domestic and international issues and consider how they impact us personally and here at home.

What the end of the Digital Equity Act means for Connecticut residents

A new exhibit at Yale’s natural history museum is highlighting a culture with deep ties to many in the state.

It’s called “¡Taíno Vive!” or “Taíno lives,” and it’s all about the native people of the Caribbean.

Today we celebrate the history and contributions of Taínos. It’s a culture with roots in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica and other ancestral homes throughout the Caribbean.

We’ll learn about legislative efforts to recognize Taínos and examine the ongoing question of identity for Taínos both in the past and today.

Guests:
Rachel Iacovone: Connecticut Public Puerto Rican Communities Reporter.
Stephanie Bailey: Archaeologist and member of AraYeke Yukayek, a New York based Caribbean Indigenous Taíno community.
Geraldo Reyes: Democratic state representative representing Waterbury
Matunheri Angel Sibakuyali: Representative from Higuayagua Taíno of the Caribbean
Victor Piñeiro: Author of "The Island of Forgotten Gods"

A new exhibit at Yale&rsquo;s natural history museum is highlighting a culture with deep ties to many in the state.
It&rsquo;s called &ldquo;<a href="https://peabody.yale.edu/events/taino-vive-exhibition">&iexcl;Ta&iacute;no Vive!</a>&rdquo; or &ldquo;Ta&iacute;no lives,&rdquo; and it&rsquo;s all about the native people of the Caribbean.
Today we celebrate the history and contributions of Ta&iacute;nos. It&rsquo;s a culture with roots in Puerto Rico, Haiti, Jamaica and other ancestral homes throughout the Caribbean.
We&rsquo;ll learn about legislative efforts to recognize Ta&iacute;nos and examine the ongoing question of identity for Ta&iacute;nos both in the past and today.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Rachel Iacovone:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/rachel-iacovone">Connecticut Public Puerto Rican Communities Reporter</a>.</li>
<li>Stephanie Bailey:&nbsp;Archaeologist and member of&nbsp;<a href="https://arayekeyukayek.wixsite.com/arayeke">AraYeke Yukayek</a>, a New York based Caribbean Indigenous Ta&iacute;no community.</li>
<li>Geraldo Reyes:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.housedems.ct.gov/Reyes">Democratic state representative representing Waterbury</a></li>
<li>Matunheri Angel Sibakuyali: Representative from&nbsp;<a href="https://higuayagua.com/">Higuayagua Ta&iacute;no of the Caribbean</a></li>
<li>Victor Pi&ntilde;eiro: Author of "<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/220481327-the-island-of-forgotten-gods">The Island of Forgotten Gods</a>"</li>
</ul>

Taíno culture and heritage celebrated across CT

How will you preserve your family history? Maybe through journaling or family movies? What about grabbing an audio recorder?

Today, we’ll hear all about oral history projects in Connecticut that are recording stories for posterity. Later on, we’ll also hear how the Yiddish language and its dialects are being preserved.

Guests:
Katie Heidsiek: Director of Exhibitions for the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History
Jamil Ragland: writer for the New Haven Independent, Hartford community member and Hartford bureau chief for "Midbrow"
Elizabeth George: Doctoral student at the University of Connecticut and an instructor for “My Story, Our Future.”
Christa Whitney: Director of the Yiddish Book Center's Wexler Oral History Project

How will you preserve your family history? Maybe through journaling or family movies? What about grabbing an audio recorder?
Today, we&rsquo;ll hear all about oral history projects in Connecticut that are recording stories for posterity. Later on, we&rsquo;ll also hear how the Yiddish language and its dialects are being preserved.
Guests:
<ul>
<li>Katie Heidsiek:&nbsp;Director of Exhibitions for the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History</li>
<li>Jamil Ragland:&nbsp;writer for the New Haven Independent, Hartford community member and Hartford bureau chief for "Midbrow"</li>
<li>Elizabeth George:&nbsp;Doctoral student at the University of Connecticut and an instructor for &ldquo;My Story, Our Future.&rdquo;</li>
<li>Christa Whitney:&nbsp;Director of the Yiddish Book Center's Wexler Oral History Project</li>
</ul>

Preserving stories and languages one oral history at a time

Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner. But it’s been a rough winter for those growing crops and raising livestock.

Today, we hear how this winter season has impacted Connecticut agriculture and farms.

More Connecticut farmers are working to bring new products to market and maybe inspire your tastebuds along the way. We hear from one farm doing just that.

Find your local farm by visiting www.ctgrown.org.

GUESTS:
Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt: Connecticut Department of Agriculture
Mackenzie White: Diversified Livestock Extension Field Based Specialist at the UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources
Spencer Lord: Owner of Oracle Mushrooms Company in Kent, Connecticut
Matt Went: president of the New Connecticut Farmer Alliance

Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner. But it&rsquo;s been a rough winter for those growing crops and raising livestock.
Today, we hear how this winter season has impacted Connecticut agriculture and farms.
More&nbsp;<a href="https://www.grownconnected.org/findfarms">Connecticut farmers</a>&nbsp;are working to bring new products to market and maybe inspire your tastebuds along the way. We hear from one farm doing just that.
Find your local farm by visiting&nbsp;<a href="https://ctgrown.org/">www.ctgrown.org.</a>
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li>Commissioner Bryan Hurlburt:&nbsp;<a href="https://portal.ct.gov/doag">Connecticut Department of Agriculture</a></li>
<li><a href="https://extension.uconn.edu/2024/11/07/meet-mackenzie-white/">Mackenzie White:</a>&nbsp;Diversified Livestock Extension Field Based Specialist at the UConn Extension College of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources</li>
<li>Spencer Lord:&nbsp;Owner of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.oraclemushrooms.com/">Oracle Mushrooms Company</a>&nbsp;in Kent, Connecticut</li>
<li>Matt Went:&nbsp;president of the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newctfarmers.com/">New Connecticut Farmer Alliance</a></li>
</ul>

What the end of the Digital Equity Act means for Connecticut residents

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