NAACP Fort Lauderdale/Broward Branch Membership Chair Alice Hughes, representing New Era Lodge No. 69 /G, joined forces with the Ujima Men’s Collective and the NAACP Fort Lauderdale/Broward Branch to host an impactful community conversation with Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on the state of our nation and the government shutdown.
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The word used to describe the heart and soul of every note tells a story. Held in the hands of a young musician, a violin suddenly becomes more than an instrument — it can become a key. A key to confidence, creativity, and an obtainable future. That is what the Black Violin Foundation has been developing for years: doors where there used to be walls, and music where there used to be silence.
As Halloween nears, beware of phantom energy. These “energy phantoms or vampires” are devices that are seemingly turned off but are still plugged in and drawing power. This can account for 5-10% of the average household’s energy usage and have a real impact on your wallet over time.
Not long ago, I was in a conversation with someone, and they said something that stuck with me: “All snakes don’t hiss, they fist bump nowadays.” At first, I laughed. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized they were speaking straight facts.
In our community, family means everything. It’s the bond that carries us through challenges, the love that comforts us, and the commitment that strengthens us. For many of us, pets are part of that family story. A loyal dog guarding the front porch or a gentle cat warming our lap is more than companionship—it’s family. And just like any family member, they deserve care, protection, and love.
As of September 25, 2025, open carry became legal in Florida. A person can now carry a firearm anywhere, including government buildings or government-owned outdoor areas in the State – as well as any privately owned business, unless they opt out. So what does that mean for “Florida’s Friendliest Hometown?” Well, imagine someone having consumed one too many at a town square and that someone is openly carrying a firearm when he/she spies someone wearing a tee shirt with a saying s/he doesn’t like? What could possibly go wrong? So just to be clear, according to The Villages administration, open carry is allowed everywhere in public facilities in The Villages.
Eugene K. Pettis, a Co-Founder and Senior Partner at Haliczer Pettis & Schwamm, has been elected to the 15-member Board of Regents of the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL). He will represent Region 7, which includes Florida, Georgia, and Alabama, for a four-year term. Eugene has been an ACTL Fellow since 2007.
During Florida’s 2025 Legislative Session, legislators passed Senate Bill 2514 (see flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/2514 for more information), which includes a provision that medical marijuana patients should be aware of. Signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, it introduces the prospect of some patients immediately losing the ability to legally use medical cannabis if convicted of involvement in illegal drug activity.
Get ready to witness history. Florida Memorial University and St. Johns County Government will officially sign the lease for the first-ever Florida Black History Museum, marking an extraordinary milestone in the state’s cultural and historical legacy. This event cements Florida’s commitment to honoring and preserving the profound contributions of African Americans — from past struggles to present triumphs.
A pepper spray incident inside a classroom at Blanche Ely High School on Thursday sent 12 students to the hospital, officials confirmed.