When the government assesses need, it does so on a census-block by census-block basis, where if just one household in a block has broadband it means that block is “served,” in the eyes of the government. This puts rural communities at a disadvantage because their low population densities mean their blocks cover a larger geographic area.

Asked on Monday how many attended the tri-county fair, Canaday said, “If you don’t put the numbers in context, they don’t mean anything …. We’re happy with having a lot of happy people here on the fairgrounds. We have gotten some very, very positive feedback through social media. People had a wonderful time and can’t wait for next year. And that’s what we’re going to measure it by.”

The “bridge parties” organized by Christine Primomo do not involve players sitting around a card table. Rather, they involve activists holding banners across a bridge — banners that Primomo says are to inspire passersby to join the movement to preserve democracy.

The central tenet of the New York State Universal School Meals program is that participating schools serve both breakfast and lunch to students at no cost.

A new website — ny.gov/phonefree — was launched on Aug. 14 so that parents and students in schools across New York can look up their district’s plan for implementing the state-required bell-to-bell smartphone restrictions with the new school year.

Referring to President Donald Trump’s reconciliation bill, Tonko said the “Big Betrayal Bill” has “a door opening to privatization” for Social Security.

The county’s goal is to lower costs for accessory dwelling units, making more housing available.

A federal rule change now requires Whitney Young and its counterparts across the nation to verify immigration status, forbidding Community Health Centers from using federal funds to treat undocumented immigrants. At the same time, changes to Medicaid will eliminate insurance coverage for millions of New Yorkers.

A new fair initiative this year is bringing city and country kids together on opening day to explore the fair together.“There aren’t enough opportunities for kids from different backgrounds to come together in a fun place and get to know each other,” said Anderson. “It’s an important thing that we’re missing in society.”