After the Surfside building collapse, engineers say inspections are required for all buildings

Area of Surfside Building Collapse, Surfside, FL – Courtesy: Shutterstock — Kristi Blokhin According to recommendations by the state’s engineering associations made in the wake of the tragic Surfside building collapse, Florida should require nearly all large buildings to be inspected for any damages or structural problems within their first 30 years, with follow-ups every

Florida is short more than 5,000 teachers — A combination of the pandemic and low pay are to blame

School Teachers – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Drazen Zigic The Florida teacher shortage has worsened since the beginning of the new school year, with teacher vacancies surging to more than 5,000 according to data collected from the Florida Education Association. According to FEA President Adam Spar, there are also 4,000 openings for other school

Florida will begin enforcing $5,000 fine for seeking COVID vaccine proof

Vaccine Card – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by vovidzha According to a Department of Health rule issued last Friday, Florida will begin to issue $5,000 fines to schools, businesses, and government agencies that require visitors or customers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccination. Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill earlier this year that

Florida sports betting plan faces second legal challenge

Sports Betting Board – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Tino Bandito TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Stepping it up in the courts, two pari-mutuel facilities have filed a second federal lawsuit challenging Governor Ron DeSantis’ 30-year gambling agreement that gives the Seminole Tribe control over sports betting in Florida. The latest legal challenge was filed Monday, in

More than 10,000 students in Hillsborough County isolated or quarantined a week into new school year

COVID-19 Quarantine – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Halfpoint Just a week into the 2021-2022 school year, over 10,000 students and staff in the Hillsborough County Public Schools district have been either quarantined or isolated as districts throughout the entire state struggle throughout the fight against COVID-19. With more than 213,000 students, Hillsborough is the

The Florida Wildlife Corridor Act has been signed at Disney Wilderness Preserve

Aerial View of Florida Everglades at Sunset Hour – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by ocudrone POINCIANA, Fla. – Recently, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Florida Wildlife Corridor Act into law in Poinciana. The governor signed SB 976 at the Nature Conservancy’s Disney Wilderness Preserve at 2700 Scrub Jay Trail.  The legislation guides the Florida

As 2021-2022 school year kicks off, Florida continues to roll out $1,000 bonuses to teachers & principals

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis School – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by YES Market Media ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – As several Florida educators remain waiting or have received their $1,000 bonuses, Gov. Ron DeSantis made a quick stop at a school in St. Petersburg to hand-deliver checks to teachers. DeSantis was joined by Florida Department of

South Florida boaters warned not to take part in flotilla to Cuba

Support of Protestors in Cuba – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Fernando Media MIAMI, Fla. – With several reports of South Florida boaters planning to set sail and travel to Cuba in an attempt to show support for the protests going on, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is warning sailors to think twice about

$44 million improvement grant to Florida’s lowest-performing schools

Education, Elementary School – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Syda Productions JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis announced on Wednesday that Florida’s Department of Education is granting $44 million to support 149 struggling Florida public schools. The money will be given as federal Unified School Improvement Grant funds. These funds will support initiatives for Florida’s

People take to streets of Miami and Cuba to demand freedom for struggling island nation

Caravan and Protest Cuba – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Domitille P MIAMI, Fla. – Major changes could be on their way in Cuba. On Sunday, hundreds of Cubans took to the streets in the struggling island nation to protest against Miguel Díaz-Canel’s brutal regime. The Cubans marched on Havana’s Malecon promenade and other parts