The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Demand for broadband increased during the pandemic, but many rural areas still lack it

Brian Moline and Farrah Anderson
 
i3 Broadband installing fiber cable internet in St. Charles County, Mo. in December.

i3 Broadband installing fiber cable internet in St. Charles County, Mo. in December. Tim D. Johnson/i3 Broadband Facebook

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Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2022

Today's headlines:

  • Senator Dick Durbin says the United States will not put up with a Russian attempt to invade Ukraine.

  • Two Illinois companies have proposed pipelines that would store carbon deep underground in Illinois, which could help offset carbon emissions.

  • Because of the forecasted wind chills and a lack of school bus drivers, Danville District 118 says it is closed Wednesday. The district says it wants to avoid having children wait at the bus stop or walk to school.

In today's deep dive, Paul Cronin, the CEO of i3 Broadband, talks about increased demand for broadband service during the pandemic and the challenges of bringing broadband to rural areas.

217 Today is produced by Farrah Anderson. Reporting today contributed by Hannah Allam, Emily Hays, Reginald Hardwick and Tim Shelley.