Digitunity Releases New Case Study on Expanding Computer Access in Rural Mississippi
NORTH CONWAY, NEW HAMPSHIRE / ACCESS Newswire / April 22, 2025 / Digitunity, a national nonprofit focused on closing the digital divide through expanding computer ownership, has released a new case study about its recent work in Coahoma and Warren Counties, Mississippi. The report details a collaborative effort to expand computer ownership, digital skills training, and affordable internet in rural communities that face some of the country's highest rates of digital disconnection.
In partnership with the Mississippi Broadband Association(MSBA), AT&T, and local community organizations, Digitunity helped distribute refurbished laptops and fostered sustainable pathways to computer ownership. By combining computer access with digital literacy instruction and localized support, the initiative helps build a community-centered model known as a Sustainable Device Ecosystem.
"We know that access to a computer is more than a convenience; it's a gateway to opportunity," said Scot Henley, Executive Director at Digitunity. "This case study shows what's possible when communities come together to build their own digital future."
The need is urgent. In 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 1 in 4 households in Mississippi lacked access to a large-screen computer or relied only on a smartphone for internet connectivity. That figure rose to 39% in Coahoma County, while in Warren County, 25.3% of households faced the same barrier.
Digitunity's work in Mississippi reflects its role as a field catalyst, helping rural communities create systems they can adopt, sustain, and lead independently. The model documented in this case study offers a replicable framework for practitioners, funders, and policymakers focused on long-term digital access strategies.
Key Highlights from the Case Study
As of January 2025, more than 500 refurbished laptops have been distributed or are scheduled for deployment across Coahoma and Warren Counties through various community-driven initiatives outlined in the case study.Community-based pathways to computer ownership were integrated with workforce development and digital skills training through local institutionsLaunch of a Digital Opportunity Fund reinvests in local access and training
The full case study is available now on Digitunity's website.
About DigitunityDigitunity is a national nonprofit organization with a mission to make owning a computer possible for everyone. For over 40 years, Digitunity has been engaged in the work of shaping and strengthening systems to address computer ownership among those impacted by the digital divide. Through generating and placing donated computers with organizations serving people in need, supporting a national practitioner network, and providing strategic advisory support to states and cities, Digitunity works to create sustainable solutions that make computer ownership possible for all.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Indianapolis Star
2 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
Measles Cases Increasing Worldwide, Need the New NV-387 Broad-Spectrum Antiviral to Combat, Says NanoViricides
SHELTON, CT / ACCESS Newswire NanoViricides, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE Amer.:NNVC) (the 'Company'), and a clinical stage, leading global pioneer in the development of broad-spectrum antivirals based on host-mimetic nanomedicine technology that viruses cannot escape, announced that its drug candidate NV-387 is the weapon necessary for combatting growing cases of measles worldwide, especially in the industrialized world including, USA, Canada, UK, and European Union. NV-387 is possibly the only drug candidate that has been shown to be effective and safe in animal model studies of Measles virus in humanized h-CD150+ knock-in mice, as reported previously by NanoViricides. NV-387 has completed a Phase I clinical trial with no reported adverse events, indicating excellent safety and tolerability in humans. The development of NV-387 as a treatment for Measles can be accelerated under the US FDA programs. Measles is considered a rare orphan disease in the USA. As such, NV-387 for the treatment of Measles would qualify for an Orphan Drug Designation. Orphan drug designation qualifies sponsors for incentives including tax credits for qualified clinical trials, exemption from user fees, and potential seven years of market exclusivity after approval [1]. The Company also plans to explore a 'Fast Track' designation for the NV-387 Measles indication. If granted, a drug approval can occur on the basis of a successful Phase II clinical trial without requiring a Phase III clinical trial, which significantly reduces the timeline to approval. Measles has become an important disease of concern globally in the recent years for several reasons. Most importantly, Measles disease can wipe out the previously learned immunity of the patient against many infections, including from prior infections, and non-live virus vaccines, making the population vulnerable to viruses that were encountered previously. This is because Measles virus attacks the CD150-bearing immune cells that are responsible for memorizing the prior infections and mounting defenses against them later. Measles is possibly the most communicable diseases, spreading through aerosol, that is known to humans. In patients, it produces severe morbidity with skin rash, pain, fatigue, and other syndromes. Rarely it can cause a brain disease. Measles mostly affects children. There were a total of 1,319 confirmed measles cases reported in the USA as of July 22, breaking the most recent record of 1,274 cases in 2019. Hospitalization rates for measles in the USA are about 13%, and fatalities are rare, although in 2025 there were three deaths to date. Canada is having a much worse Measles season than the USA, with more than 3,800 cases [2] to date in 2025. A Measles holiday warning has been issued in the UK this year [3]. England itself had more than 3,000 cases of Measles in 2024. In the European Region, 127,350 measles cases were reported for 2024, double the number of cases reported for 2023 and the highest number since 1997, according to an analysis by WHO and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) [4]. Worldwide, Measles cases continue to occur every year. Globally, there have been about 108,000 confirmed measles cases in 2025 to date, while in 2024 there were about 360,000 confirmed cases, according to the WHO [5]. A sustained measles vaccination rate of at least 95% is estimated to be required to maintain community immunity ('herd immunity'). Such a high rate is becoming increasingly difficult to achieve even in developed countries where access to vaccination is not an issue. While growing vaccine hesitancy is considered an important reason for the fall in Measles vaccination rates, two other factors are of importance as well: (i) The overall population in the industrialized world, as well as in developing world, has increased frequency of immune dysfunction, obesity, and diabetes. The people with immune dysfunction or immune compromise are less likely to benefit from almost any standard vaccination as compared to healthy people and are likely to result in breakthrough infections. (ii) Additionally, the current vaccine for Measles is a live attenuated vaccine of the 1968 era, and the virus has evolved well past that, although so far the Measles virus strains continue to be susceptible to antibodies produced from the standard vaccine; this can change with continuing circulation of the virus in vaccinated persons and can result in a virus that can substantially defeat the vaccine [6]. Further, vaccine hesitancy itself is not irrational because the standard Measles vaccine is a live attenuated vaccine to be given to infants at early age; it is a virus infection that continues to remain in the subject, which is why it provides lifelong immunity. Measles infection itself also provides lifelong immunity that includes the current strains of the virus. Thus, the Company projects continuing Measles cases worldwide, that require a drug to control the disease in the patient and its spread to others. We believe NV-387 fills this important medical need. There is no approved drug for treatment of Measles at present. ABOUT NANOVIRICIDES NanoViricides, Inc. (the 'Company') ( is a publicly traded (NYSE-American, stock symbol NNVC) clinical stage company that is creating special purpose nanomaterials for antiviral therapy. The Company's novel nanoviricide™ class of drug candidates and the nanoviricide™ technology are based on intellectual property, technology and proprietary know-how of TheraCour Pharma, Inc. The Company has a Memorandum of Understanding with TheraCour for the development of drugs based on these technologies for all antiviral infections. The MoU does not include cancer and similar diseases that may have viral origin but require different kinds of treatments. The Company has obtained broad, exclusive, sub-licensable, field licenses to drugs developed in several licensed fields from TheraCour Pharma, Inc. The Company's business model is based on licensing technology from TheraCour Pharma Inc. for specific application verticals of specific viruses, as established at its foundation in 2005. Our lead drug candidate is NV-387, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that we plan to develop as a treatment of RSV, COVID, Long COVID, Influenza, and other respiratory viral infections, as well as MPOX/Smallpox infections. Our other advanced drug candidate is NV-HHV-1 for the treatment of Shingles. The Company cannot project an exact date for filing an IND for any of its drugs because of dependence on a number of external collaborators and consultants. The Company is currently focused on advancing NV-387 into Phase II human clinical trials. The Company is also developing drugs against a number of viral diseases including oral and genital Herpes, viral diseases of the eye including EKC and herpes keratitis, H1N1 swine flu, H5N1 bird flu, seasonal Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis C, Rabies, Dengue fever, and Ebola virus, among others. NanoViricides' platform technology and programs are based on the TheraCour® nanomedicine technology of TheraCour, which TheraCour licenses from AllExcel. NanoViricides holds a worldwide exclusive perpetual license to this technology for several drugs with specific targeting mechanisms in perpetuity for the treatment of the following human viral diseases: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Rabies, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), Influenza and Asian Bird Flu Virus, Dengue viruses, Japanese Encephalitis virus, West Nile Virus, Ebola/Marburg viruses, and certain Coronaviruses. The Company intends to obtain a license for RSV, Poxviruses, and/or Enteroviruses if the initial research is successful. As is customary, the Company must state the risk factor that the path to typical drug development of any pharmaceutical product is extremely lengthy and requires substantial capital. As with any drug development efforts by any company, there can be no assurance at this time that any of the Company's pharmaceutical candidates would show sufficient effectiveness and safety for human clinical development. Further, there can be no assurance at this time that successful results against coronavirus in our lab will lead to successful clinical trials or a successful pharmaceutical product. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. Actual events could differ materially and substantially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors. Certain statements in this release, and other written or oral statements made by NanoViricides, Inc. are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors that are disclosed under the heading 'Risk Factors' and elsewhere in documents filed by the company from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. Although it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, they may include the following: demonstration and proof of principle in preclinical trials that a nanoviricide is safe and effective; successful development of our product candidates; our ability to seek and obtain regulatory approvals, including with respect to the indications we are seeking; the successful commercialization of our product candidates; and market acceptance of our products. The phrases 'safety', 'effectiveness' and equivalent phrases as used in this press release refer to research findings including clinical trials as the customary research usage and do not indicate evaluation of safety or effectiveness by the US FDA. FDA refers to US Food and Drug Administration. IND application refers to 'Investigational New Drug' application. cGMP refers to current Good Manufacturing Practices. CMC refers to 'Chemistry, Manufacture, and Controls'. CHMP refers to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, which is the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) committee responsible for human medicines. API stands for 'Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient'. WHO is the World Health Organization. R&D refers to Research and Development. Public Relations Contact: ir@ View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire The post Measles Cases Increasing Worldwide, Need the New NV-387 Broad-Spectrum Antiviral to Combat, Says NanoViricides appeared first on DA80 Hub.
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Miami Herald
Unusual Machines to Announce Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provide Corporate Update
ORLANDO, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / August 7, 2025 / Unusual Machines (NYSE AMERICAN:UMAC), a leading provider of NDAA-compliant drone components, today announces that it will host a live webcast on Thursday, August 14th at 4:30 p.m. to discuss the Company's financial results and provide a corporate update for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025. A question-and-answer session will follow management's remarks. Event: Unusual Machines Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2025 Financial Results and Corporate Update Date: Thursday, August 14, 2025 Time: 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time Webcast: Registration Link A webcast replay will be available for three months on Unusual Machine's Investor Relations website for those who cannot join the live event. About Unusual Machines Unusual Machines manufactures and sells drone components and drones across a diversified brand portfolio, which includes Fat Shark, the leader in FPV (first-person view) ultra-low latency video goggles for drone pilots. The Company also retails small, acrobatic FPV drones and equipment directly to consumers through the curated Rotor Riot e-commerce store. With a changing regulatory environment, Unusual Machines seeks to be a dominant Tier-1 parts supplier to the fast-growing multi-billion-dollar U.S. drone industry. According to the global drone accessories market is currently valued at $17.5 billion and is set to top $115 billion by 2032. For more information, please visit Investor Contact CS Investor Relationsinvestors@ SOURCE: Unusual Machines, Inc.
Indianapolis Star
3 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
SumUp Continues Its Global Commitment to the Environment in 2025 With Initiatives Across Europe, Latin America and Asia
Global Fintech Doubles Down on ESG Commitments to Build a More Sustainable and Inclusive Future BOULDER, CO / ACCESS Newswire For the fourth consecutive year, global fintech, SumUp has reaffirmed its dedication to making a meaningful and lasting impact through its environmental initiatives. Guided by its mission to champion small business ownership globally and its '3Es' framework – focusing on Environment, Education and Entrepreneurship, SumUp continues committed to initiatives that empower thousands of people around the world. Learn more about SumUp's ESG efforts below: Environmental Initiatives Having already worked with Belgium-based NGO, River CleanUp, to remove 215 tons of plastic from the Citarum River since 2022, SumUp is pledging to remove a further 100 tons of plastic in 2025. Together with Wilderness International, SumUp has helped protect 300,000 m2 of rainforest in Peru, preserving valuable habitats and biodiversity while offsetting 18,000 tons of CO2. SumUp is also supporting StoveTeam International to supply 3,000 families in Central America with safe, fuel-efficient cookstoves. Education Initiatives Since 2022, SumUp has been working with American NGO, Generation, to offer free Java Full Stack courses to unemployed minority youth across Brazil, Chile and Colombia, with over 80% of the graduates securing jobs in the tech industry. In Brazil, SumUp is collaborating with Associação Comunitária MonteAzul, who provide 350 children each month in the MonteAzul favela with extracurricular activities, cultural projects and psychological care. Additionally, SumUp supported an initiative with Brazilian charity, CapacitaMe, to help 500 vulnerable individuals enter the labor market. SumUp has worked with the Rusalya Association in Bulgaria to improve the quality of education for 50-70 socially disadvantaged children at the Dimitar Ekimov Boarding School of Arts and Crafts. Entrepreneurship Initiatives In partnership with DharmaLife, SumUp has made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of girls in rural India. Building on the success of the Lighting Up Young Minds program – a digital platform that delivers education to over 10,000 children each year – SumUp now also funds JAYA, an entrepreneurship-focused initiative. SumUpco-founder, Marc-Alexander Christ comments: ' As a global industry leader, we recognize the importance of empowering individuals worldwide to reach their full potential while championing environmental conservation efforts. In 2025 we've taken action to complete our first double materiality assessment and understand our carbon footprint in preparation for further ESG reporting, doubling down on our commitments to sustainability and social impact initiatives.' About SumUp SumUp is a global financial technology company driven by the mission of empowering small businesses all over the world. Established in 2012, SumUp is the financial partner for more than 4 million entrepreneurs in over 35 markets worldwide. In the United States, SumUp offers an ecosystem of affordable, easy-to-use financial products, such as point-of-sale and loyalty solutions, card readers, and invoicing. For more information, please visit SOURCE: SumUp View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire
