TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General Ashley Moody is suing Google for illegally and unfairly maintaining a monopoly on the app store for Android devices. Google allegedly uses exclusionary conduct relating to the Google Play Store for Android mobile devices and Google Billing. This antitrust lawsuit is the newest legal action against the tech giant, claiming anticompetitive, illegal and unfair business practices. The suit accuses Google of using its dominance to unfairly restrict competition with the Google Play Store, harming consumers by limiting choice and driving up app prices. Attorney General Moody joins a coalition of 37 attorneys general in filing the lawsuit.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “Time and time again, we have seen Google use its power in the tech industry to unscrupulously exploit the marketplace. Google’s manipulation of app distribution on Android devices forces consumers into using Google’s services to purchase apps—resulting in a 30% commission charge on in-app payments.
“The tech giant’s monopoly on Android app purchases significantly hinders other in-app payment processors from entering the marketplace, leaving consumers with no other options when seeking to download apps. We will not allow Google to continue to monopolize an entire sector—eliminating competition and harming consumers.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—In the midst of the 2021 Atlantic Hurricane Season, Attorney General Ashley Moody traveled to Osceola County to highlight the No Scam Price Gouging Reporting App that is available in both English and Spanish. At a news conference hosted by the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, Attorney General Moody highlighted the first-of-its-kind app that allows consumers to report allegations of price gouging during a declared state of emergency in real time directly to the Attorney General’s Office. The app allows users to attach pictures and copies of receipts directly from smartphones when reporting suspected price gouging.
Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “The No Scam app has helped thousands of consumers report outrageous price increases during declared states of emergency, in English and Spanish. As this year’s hurricane season is already underway, I am encouraging all Floridians to download this free app to be ready to help us fight price gouging.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis, Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis, Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie, Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett and Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava are at the Surfside Building Collapse site to receive a briefing of the situation, tour site damage and coordinate state resources.
Early this morning, the State Watch Office received a report regarding the collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside. Local fire rescue teams immediately responded and began search and rescue efforts.
Governor DeSantis hosted a press conference on the site to provide an update about the disaster and ongoing state response efforts. Remarks from Governor DeSantis and FDEM Director Kevin Guthrie are available.
State response efforts include:
FDEM has deployed State Emergency Response Team personnel to assist response teams. Continue reading
~ Targeted School Improvement Funds will Elevate Students, Teachers and School Leaders in 149 Struggling Schools ~
PETERSBURG, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis announced that the Florida Department of Education awarded $44 million in federal Unified School Improvement Grant (UniSIG) funds to support 149 struggling schools in 29 districts.
“It can be hard for struggling schools to recruit and retain top talent, and today I’m proud to announce $44 million to address this problem,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I have consistently said that the number one way to create great opportunities for our students is by ensuring they have great teachers. In Florida, we will continue to take a strategic, data-driven approach to make our schools the best in the country.”
“Frederick Douglass said it best when he said, ‘It is easier to build strong children than repair broken adults,’ and with these funds we ensure our students have world-class educators in front of them each and every day,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “Our number one goal is to ensure each of Florida’s 2.9 million public school students receive a world-class education and are given the tools to succeed. These funds help accomplish that important work by incentivizing great educators with proven track records of success to come help our most vulnerable students in our most vulnerable schools succeed.” Continue reading
PETERSBURG, Fla. –Governor Ron DeSantis joined the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to survey the impacts of the red tide bloom affecting southwest Florida and the Tampa Bay area. Governor DeSantis also provided an update on the state’s response efforts which include funding to cover cleanup costs, increased water quality monitoring and use of innovative technology to continuously image water samples.
“I directed all agencies to take an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ approach to respond to the red tide impacting the Tampa Bay area,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I want to thank DEP and FWC for their constant presence in response to this bloom. My administration is committed to continue ensuring that local needs are met to address this red tide event.”
“DEP and FWC continue to prioritize frequent, direct coordination with the local governments that are on the front lines of this response effort,” said DEP Interim Secretary Shawn Hamilton. “Governor DeSantis has made it clear that the state is committed to ensuring impacted communities have the support they need today and moving forward. DEP will maintain its presence in the region to ensure continued collaboration and the most comprehensive event response.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Following a townhall event focused on the crisis in Cuba on Hannity last night, Cuban-American leaders in Florida are commending Governor Ron DeSantis’ call for the Biden Administration to take action and provide internet access for the people of Cuba who are standing up against communist oppression.
Over a week ago, Governor DeSantis sent a letter to President Joe Biden urging the federal government to provide internet access into Cuba remotely to support those demanding freedom from their repressive Communist government. There has not yet been a response to the letter.
“As the people of Cuba continue to rise against the tyrannical regime, they deserve our nation’s support,” said Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez. “The Governor urged the Biden Administration to take immediate action to provide a pathway for unfettered access to the internet, but we have yet to receive a response. My parents fled the oppression orchestrated by the communist Castro regime. As a Cuban-American, I stand with our brothers and sisters on the island who desperately yearn for freedom.”
The Villages Elementary School of Lady Lake will re-open and welcome schoolchildren on August 10, 2021. The Lady Lake Police Dept. would like to remind all drivers to remain alert and use extra caution around school buses and school zones. The penalties for failure to stop for a school bus in Florida is a minimum of $200 and if there’s a second offense committed in 5 years, the license will be suspended for up to 1 year. Some tips for motorists to remember when driving near and around schools, school zones and school buses:
- Pay extra attention to the lowered speed limits in school zones
- Watch and obey signals from traffic control officers assisting motorists and pedestrians around school zones
- Load and unload children in designated loading/unloading areas
- Stop and yield to pedestrians crossing in a crosswalk
- NEVER pass a school bus from behind if it is stopped to load or unload children. Stop far enough back (at least 10 feet) to allow children space to safely enter and exit the bus.
- Be extra cautious around bicyclists as children tend to be unpredictable and turn without looking or signaling
- Put away the phone, don’t get distracted, and be extra vigilant
Lady Lake Police officers will be patrolling the school zones and bus stop areas in the Town of Lady Lake to enforce compliance with the rules of the road and to ensure the safety of the children.
Our New Vision family grieves the loss of co-founder, retired employee and volunteer, and all-around great man Robert Schott who passed this week, reuniting with his beloved wife Doris, who passed in May. The loss of the Schotts is bittersweet as New Vision celebrates our 16th birthday: our organization would not have been “born” without them. Together, we will continue their legacy of service and kindness. Our thoughts, prayers, and love are with the extended Schott family.
Helen Keller said, “Walking with a friend in the dark is better than walking alone in the light.”
Thank you, Bob and Doris, for being a “light in the dark” for so many!
You may have seen their eye-catching trailer driving around town, or parked at your neighbor’s house and wondered…what is Fair Way Mobile Golf Car Services?
Fair Way Mobile Golf Services is new to The Villages, and it brings new ways of doing business! They are excited to remove the hassle from service appointments because they come to you – right at your house and on your schedule. Their main goal is to provide you with an outstanding customer service experience by hiring the best employees and giving them ownership in the company. Employees that feel valued at work enjoy getting up each morning and will always aim for a job well done. Fair Way employees will bring that excitement and dedication to their service calls, and YOU, the customer, will experience the difference.
Owner Pat McBride is excited to bring this new business to your doorstep. “We launched our business just before Independence Day, which is so perfect, because we love this country and the opportunities it provides to everyone,” McBride said. “I grew up in inner-city Philadelphia. We were at the bottom of the economic ladder, but I never felt poor. Instead of feeling at a disadvantage, I looked around and saw opportunities.” Continue reading
Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday formally prohibited federal prosecutors from seizing the records of journalists in leak investigations, with limited exceptions, reversing years of department policy.
The new policy largely codifies the commitment Garland made in June, when he said the Justice Department would abandon the practice of seizing reporters’ records as part of efforts to uncover confidential sources. It aims to resolve a politically thorny issue that has long vexed Justice Department prosecutors trying to weigh the media’s First Amendment rights against the government’s desire to protect classified information.
“The United States has, of course, an important national interest in protecting national security information against unauthorized disclosure,” Garland wrote in his memo. “But a balancing test may fail to properly weight the important national interest in protecting journalists from compelled disclosure of information revealing their sources, sources they need to apprise the American people of the workings of their government.” Continue reading
