Minneapolis’ municipal wifi network is up and working (though slower when it snows). As part of the contract with the city, the contractor, the Twin Cities-based US Internet, has donated to a fund to address local digital disparities. The first grants from this Digital Inclusion program were awarded last week. Recipients include the Minneapolis Public Library (now Hennepin County Library), for programs for internet literacy for Somali and Spanish speaking patrons, and the TC Media Alliance, the parent organization of the wonderful TC Daily Planet, for a neighborhood citizen journalist initiative that I would love to be part of if I had some extra hours in the day. The grants also have some connection to a local organization called Digital Access that’s been behind the development of community technology centers across the metro. This is all heartening news.