Browsing: Local News

Supporters of Confederate monuments and other historical markers could sue over removal or destruction of the displays, under a controversial proposal continuing to move forward in the Florida Senate.

Attorneys for Gov. Ron DeSantis late Monday urged the Florida Supreme Court to toss out an attempt by suspended Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren to get reinstated, arguing the issue should be decided by the state Senate.

Florida State Senator Shevrin Jones (SD-34) released the following statement:

  As we mark the 55th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s assassination, we cannot ignore the ongoing fight for human and civil rights that persists today.  Dr. King so eloquently noted in his last speech, ‘I’ve Been to the Mountaintop,’ the reality that our country remains a work in progress, calling on America to ‘Be true to what you said on paper.’  Fast forward to last night: Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book, and other peaceful protestors were arrested while demonstrating against the state’s latest draconian abortion ban.  Our right to protest and speak freely without fear of legal intervention ought to be safe – but that’s unfortunately not the case in Ron DeSantis’ Florida.

The NAACP South Dade Branch is deeply concerned about the numerous bills that have been introduced in Tallahassee attacking freedom of speech, parental choice, gutting diversity, and inclusion programs, ending gender, race and ethnic studies as areas for study, and the blatant attempt at privatizing public education. Despite the very real problems facing all Floridians – a lack of affordable housing, loss of Medicaid coverage, and high-priced home insurance, Governor DeSantis and the Legislature are more focused on culture wars and further dividing our communities.

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness and Child Abuse Prevention Month, a time to speak out and support survivors of sexual assault and child abuse. In 2022, The Nancy J. Cotterman Center (NJCC), part of the County’s Human Services’ Crisis Intervention & Support Division, helped 1,503 children and received 1,157 Sexual Assault Helpline calls.

     Florida Board of Governors (FBOG) on Wednesday named College of Law alum Deveron Gibbons to serve on the Florida A&M University (FAMU) Board of Trustees. His appointment came on the same day Governor Ron DeSantis named attorney Natlie G. Figgers to the board. 

State regulators Tuesday could approve a proposal that would reduce Florida Power & Light customers’ bills in May because of lower-than-expected natural gas prices. The proposal, which will go before the Public Service Commission, would partially offset rate increases, which took effect in April. Utilities generally are allowed to pass along projected fuel costs to customers.

CareerSource Broward (CSBD) will host its first “Learn. Work. Win.” Job and Educational Opportunity Fair on Thursday, April 20, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Urban League of Broward County (560 NW 27th Ave, Fort Lauderdale). This event, a new collaboration with Urban League of Broward County and Hispanic Unity, aims to serve individuals seeking jobs as well as those looking for training options.