This week, I had the pleasure of kicking off the 2018 Law Enforcement Torch Run benefiting Special Olympics Florida. This year, Special Olympics is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and to mark this milestone, local, state and federal law enforcement officers, corrections officers and support staff will carry the Flame of Hope 1,500 miles throughout Florida to bring awareness to Special Olympics.

Eight thousand members of Florida’s law enforcement and corrections community will carry the torch in a relay to the opening ceremonies at the Annual Florida State Summer Games. This year’s games take place May 18-19 at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista. In Florida, more than 46,000 dedicated athletes participate in Special Olympics activities to showcase inspiring strength and skill for the world to see. [Read more…]

By Florida Senator Baxley

The 2018 Legislative Session has come to an end! We have worked hard to secure good policy for our constituents and the people of Florida. During our time in Tallahassee this year, some big issues were addressed: protecting our schools and seniors, more clarity on our freedom of speech, permanent increase for bright futures funding, and increased focus on mental health and the opioid crisis.

As a result of the terrible tragedy that occurred at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14^th, the legislature was forced to take a very serious look at how our schools and students are protected. After weeks of talking with those on the front lines in education, law enforcement, our court system, and mental health experts, the Florida Legislature passed and Governor Rick Scott signed into law the Marjory Stoneman Douglas School Safety Act, a comprehensive plan to address mental health issues and implement safety measures to protect our students. This bill, SB 726, creates the Office of School Safety within in the Department of Education, permits a sheriff to establish a Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program, and creates the mental health assistance allocation to assist school districts in establishing or expanding school-based mental health care, among several other provisions. [Read more…]

March 30,0218

This week, I had the privilege of joining Governor Rick Scott and CFO Jimmy Patronis for the signing of SB 376 to help first responders receive Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder treatment. PTSD occurs when someone experiences a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. PTSD activates a fight-or-flight response in the body meant to protect a person from harm creating a range of emotions, such as extreme stress, depression and fear.

Our state has recently faced devastating tragedies, such as the attack at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando and the more recent massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. No amount of training can prepare the mind for the horrific scenes witnessed by first responding firefighters, law-enforcement, and paramedics in the wake of these unthinkable attacks. Florida’s first responders selflessly run into harm’s way to protect our communities without thinking about the emotional impact of their service. [Read more…]

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott signed the following bills into law:

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New labor shed analysis: Nearly half of Marion County workers commute to nearby counties Good news is, fewer workers under 55 leave county for employment  

OCALA, Florida (April 2, 2018) – Nearly half of the workers living in Marion County leave the county for employment, with most commuting to Orange, Lake and Alachua counties, according to a new labor shed analysis of workforce and demographic characteristics commissioned by CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion.

At the same time, the daily outflow of workers under age 55 is slowing, with slight declines both as a percentage and in total numbers, while there was little change in the number of workers 55 and older commuting for employment.

The analysis highlights Marion County commuting patterns showing where workers work and where workers live. It was prepared by the Florida Department of Economic Development’s Bureau of Labor Market Statistics using 2015 annual Census data – the latest available. The labor shed report is designed to help economic developers and existing or prospective businesses determine where a labor market draws its commuting workers. [Read more…]

Yesterday, devastating news unfolded in Miami at Florida International University where a 950-ton pedestrian bridge collapsed on unsuspecting motorists. My heart absolutely breaks for everyone involved with this tragedy. My condolences go out to all the victims and their families during this difficult time. I am also praying for the heroic first responders that rushed to the scene and worked throughout the night to search and recover victims. May God bless and comfort the whole community of FIU and the City of Sweetwater.

Earlier this week, my Office of Statewide Prosecution stood with local, state and federal law enforcement agencies to announce the conclusion of a massive investigation into more than five million dollars’ worth of SNAP/EBT benefits fraud. SNAP/EBT benefits, better known as food stamps, is funded by hardworking taxpayers. These benefits are designed to help some of our most vulnerable Floridians, such as seniors, children and underprivileged families. Anyone who is willing to defraud this system—which intends to aid those who need it most—is shameful. [Read more…]

(NAPSI)—Each year, millions of people head to Cape Canaveral, Florida to visit an iconic American landmark where history has been made and innovation continues today. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun. It allows visitors to get as close as possible to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, with exclusive tours and an in-depth look at the space program’s past, present and future.

With so much to do, see and explore, visitors should plan ahead. Following are insider tips on five must-see and -do experiences while visiting:

1. Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame^®: The newest addition to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Heroes & Legends is designed to be a guest’s first stop. The experience uses the early years of the space program to explore the concept of heroism and the qualities of the individuals who inspired their generation. Cutting-edge technology, mesmerizing special effects, priceless artifacts and thought-provoking exhibits amaze and inspire.
2. Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour: The KSC Bus Tour takes visitors behind the gates, providing exclusive access to the restricted areas of America’s spaceport. The tour concludes at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Uber space enthusiasts can purchase a Special Interest Tour, which includes additional stops.
3. Space Shuttle Atlantis^®: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the permanent home of space shuttle Atlantis. A dramatic presentation teaches guests about the shuttle’s 33 historic missions, including those that secured the future of the Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. The Shuttle Launch Experience® ride and training simulators teach shuttle docking and landing.
4. NASA Now: This exhibit provides unprecedented access to the present and future of space travel. Offering an up-close look at the most recent vehicles to have traveled to space, vehicles destined for future visits and those designed to further exploration and development, NASA Now continues to grow. A recent addition is the Boeing full-scale engineering model of its CST-100 Starliner crew vehicle.
5. Lunch With An Astronaut: Lunch With An Astronaut is a not-to-be-missed add-on. During a catered lunch, a veteran NASA astronaut will share personal stories about what it’s really like to launch, live and work in space. Visitors can ask questions about anything, from how to sleep in space to what experiments were performed. Guests can also take a photo with the astronaut.

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(NAPSI)—For a growing number of American women, knowing their numbers may just save their life.

The Risk

The problem is heart disease. According to the American Heart Association, it kills one woman about every 80 seconds.

The Awareness Paradox

While a new national poll, conducted by Morning Consult for CVS Health, found that women are aware of the risks of heart disease, most don’t know their numbers for factors that could increase their own risk, such as cholesterol, blood sugar, Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist circumference.

The survey also found that more than one in three women have heart-related conditions such as high cholesterol, hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes, and history of stroke or a heart defect. [Read more…]

(NAPSI)—You may have been hearing a lot about the workings of your government and its official documents lately—but often they’re much easier to see than most people realize.

That’s because the Federal Depository Library Program of the U.S. Government Publishing Office partners with 1,150 nationwide federal depository libraries to provide the public with free access to U.S. government documents and informational resources, both current and historic.

There are federal depository libraries throughout the United States and its territories offering all sorts of U.S. government resources. Information is available on such subjects as science, history, health, careers, the military, statistics, travel, citizenship, environment, education, genealogy, and small business management, among others. [Read more…]

by Chip LaMarca

(NAPSI)—Florida has now sustained 117 direct hits by hurricanes in recorded history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. This is almost twice as many major storms as the runner-up state of Texas.

In fact, in Florida’s annual hurricane season, which runs from June through November, residents can anticipate tropical storm and hurricane warnings for all or parts of the state.

From the effects of Hurricane Andrew in 1992, to more recent Hurricanes Maria and Irma, we’ve been here before—and, sadly, know all too well the aftermath that comes with them.

Floridians typically expect the storms to hit somewhere along the Sunshine State’s 1,350-mile shoreline, but how prepared are their homes, offices and other buildings to withstand the potential damage? Not very, it seems. [Read more…]