Spectrum required to provide cheaper services, hummingbird migration, Finger Lakes moments

Good morning ☀️

Congratulations on making it through another week. I’ll be diving into some Finger Lakes moments later on in this newsletter to start your weekend on the right foot.

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Without further ado, here's an update on a new requirement that would provide cheaper communications services to low-income NY customers.

NY requires Charter Communications to provide cheaper service to low-income New Yorkers

Low-income Spectrum customers in New York must receive discounted broadband service for the next four years as part of a settlement recently reached between the communications company and the state.

Charter Communications, Spectrum's parent company, reached an agreement with the state's Public Service Commission, which requires the largest cable provider in the state to provide discounted broadband service to its customers who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits or partake in the National Free School Lunch Program, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Thursday.

Here’s what the settlement entails and why it’s important, especially to those struggling to make ends meet.

Here’s some more of what you need to know today

• It’s peak hummingbird season, but that will change come November: Here’s an article from Rick Marsi on how the hollow-boned flyers migrate and operate.
• Remember the little things in life : The Bills are bringing another product to the shelves of Wegmans, this time playing on some nostalgia.
• The Ithaca Commons was a buzz with firefighters yesterday: Here’s what happened according to the Voice. Turns out it was a smoky generator on the Harold’s Square apartment building.

Friday Finger Lakes Moments

Each week I like to take some time to highlight bravery and kindness to help start the weekend off with some smiles. Here’s this weeks list:

📣 As workers continued to strike for the third day running Thursday, the Party for Socialism and Liberation’s Finger Lakes Chapter supported them on social media with posts like this , including some inspiring photos.

🏆 Ithaca-based State Farm Insurance Agent Nick Romo was named a Finger Lakes Favorite for 2024, he announced Thursday, thanking those who made it all possible.

👩‍🎨 If you missed the unveiling on Aug 17, check out this article by Mary Catt and Cornell ILR on two new statues at the corner of North Cayuga and Seneca Streets, and at the corner of West Clinton and South Geneva Streets.

That's all I've got for you this week, but check your inbox Monday for more updates, and feel free to reach out to me at jmack@gannett.com with any comments, questions, or concerns regarding this newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Ithaca Journal: Spectrum required to provide cheaper services, hummingbird migration, Finger Lakes moments