MIAMI, Fla.– Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Success Academy, one of the nation’s highest-performing charter school networks, is opening its first charter school in Miami as part of Florida’s Schools of Hope initiative. This represents a major expansion of high-quality educational options for families living in communities served by persistently low-performing schools.
“Florida leads the nation in educational freedom, and today we are adding to that promise,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “With Success Academy opening in Miami, students will now have access to one of the highest-performing education models in the country. Florida’s families deserve world-class education, and we will continue to make it available to every child no matter their zip code.”
“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, parents are empowered to choose the educational path that best suits their children’s unique needs,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “Success Academy offers families another high-quality option, backed by a nationally recognized track record of academic excellence and school improvement.” Continue reading
STUART, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis highlighted the success of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Python Action Team – Removing Invasive Constrictors (PATRIC) program in achieving record-setting removal numbers of invasive Burmese Pythons from Florida’s Everglades. The governor also called on funding for the program to be continued annually to build off of the state’s initial $2 million investment in 2025.
“FWC’s partnership with Inversa has supercharged the removal of invasive Burmese Pythons from the Everglades,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The new program accomplished more removals in July 2025 alone than in the entire year before. Our $2 million investment in python removal in the state budget has made this partnership possible, amplifying the success of the PATRIC program. We must now build on their achievements and continue investing in this proven strategy to protect the Everglades for many years to come.”
By Kat Cammack
On September 19th, House Republicans voted to keep the government open and spending flat. Unfortunately, Senate Democrats made the choice to shut down the federal government.
While the political blame game plays out on national television, the facts are clear:
- Senate Democrats are pushing an alternative funding bill that includes $200 billion in healthcare coverage for illegal immigrants (which can be found on page 57, section 2141 of their proposal).
- They also want to roll back $50 billion in direct rural healthcare investments and redirect $400 billion in subsidies that go directly to insurance company.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier’s Office of Statewide Prosecution, in an operation led by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement, charged seven defendants for their involvement in a multilevel criminal enterprise centered on stealing smoke detectors from The Home Depot.
“This operation is the result of a great partnership between Florida’s Ag Law and our Office of Statewide Prosecution,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “We are proud that Florida doesn’t have stores with merchandise locked behind glass like you see in California, and we intend to keep it that way.”
“Today’s announcement shows Florida means business when it comes to organized retail theft. Our Office of Agricultural Law Enforcement — working with local and state partners — led a months-long investigation that dismantled a major criminal enterprise stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars of products from Home Depot stores across our state,” said Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson. “While too many states are weakening their laws and turning a blind eye to retail theft, Florida is strengthening its laws and holding criminals accountable. If you steal from Florida businesses and citizens, expect to be caught and prosecuted.”
“At The Home Depot, combating organized retail crime is about protecting the safety of our customers, associates, and communities,” said Scott Glenn, vice president of asset protection for The Home Depot. “We’re grateful for the leadership and willingness of Attorney General Uthmeier and Florida lawmakers to stop these criminals, and we remain committed to working with law enforcement and policymakers to address this growing issue.” Continue reading
TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that the Office of Parental Rights is filing of a civil enforcement action against Roku, Inc. and its Florida subsidiary for violations of the Florida Digital Bill of Rights (FDBOR) and the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act (FDUTPA).
“Florida families deserve to know what is happening with their children’s personal information,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Parents—not technology companies—direct the upbringing of their children. We will hold any company that conceals or exploits that information accountable.”
Roku is a platform for streaming video content; it acts as a smartphone for your TV, providing access to a vast library of apps for movies, TV shows, live news, sports, and more. Roku is the U.S. market leader in streaming video distribution, reaching 145 million people as of 2024. Continue reading
Field trips to Discovery Center are a great way to enhance classroom lessons! We offer field trips for schools, home school groups, day care centers and summer camps.
The Discovery Center hosts field trips Tuesdays through Fridays, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. The average field trip runs about two hours. All field trips include 45 minutes of free play in the current exhibit with the option to one of our add-on programs. Each program is approximately 45 minutes long. Students are put into a group rotation between the exhibit hall and classroom programs.
Group capacity is 90 people per day. Groups over 90 people will be booked for two or more days. Large groups will be booked for the closest consecutive days available at time of booking.
The Discovery Center serves over 35 schools and organizations in Marion County by providing engaging, hands-on science programming correlated to Florida State Standards. Continue reading
Alex Sosa, B.B. Graphics
“Flying influences everything I do in life, including how I run my business.”
CEP partner Alex Sosa draws clear parallels between how he runs B.B. Graphics and how he approaches aviation.
“Being a captain teaches you leadership in its purest form,” he says, stressing the importance of details. “When people’s lives are in your hands, your decisions carry real weight. I approach business the same way—making sure our product is top-quality, our team is well-trained, and every client’s experience is seamless.”
Away from the office, it’s up, up, and away for Alex, who has built an unshakeable bond with the friendly skies starting the moment he received his high school diploma.
“I began my flight training right out of high school and aviation has taken me places I probably never would have seen otherwise.”
Flying runs deep in Alex’s family, as multiple family members have spent time in the cockpit. Continue reading
By TomL
I did not know Charlie James Kirk, but what I had heard and what I saw made me curious, so I started researching him. I was watching TV the day he got assassinated. While combing the internet, I was very surprised at what I found. He and his team of believers help Trump get elected by motivating young people into voting and voting for Trump. Millions of people heard him before I did, then I saw him on TV with Trump. I think at the first time I saw him on TV there was doubt that he could deliver the youth vote, HE DID! TRUMP WON!
He was born October. 14, 1993. He grew up in Chicago suburbs. He attended Harper college. He dropped out after the first semester. He wanted to pursue a full time political career. Its was not long before he was considered an American right Wing Activist, he was also an entrepreneur and a TV / media personality. Charlie’s co-founder of Turning Point USA was Pastor Rob McCoy in 2012. That was when he created Turning Point Faith and was talking about Christian nationalism. He became the executive Director of Turning Point until he died. Charlie was quit accomplished, he published books. He hosted the “Charlie Kirk Show” He became a prominent voice of the Republican Party and Prominent Voice of the MAGA movement as part of the Republican Party! He was considered an icon of American contemporary conservatism.
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO THANK CHARLIE KIRK IN PRINT! (IT’S FREE!) Send me a short note and I will use your first name only unless you request otherwise. tloury@att.net subject line “Charlie Kirk”
Following a comprehensive national search led by the CEP’s Executive Committee, McCormick was selected for his proven leadership, deep expertise in business and community development, and strong commitment to advancing the Ocala Metro.
McCormick brings 27 years of chamber and economic development leadership experience, most recently serving as President and CEO of the Columbia Chamber of Commerce in Columbia, Missouri. During his tenure, he championed workforce development initiatives, strengthened advocacy efforts at both the local and state level, and expanded the economic impact of the business community.
“On behalf of the board, we are thrilled to welcome Matt McCormick as the next leader of the CEP,” said Charisse Rivers, Chair of the Board. “What excites us most is not only his vision and energy, but his heart for people and community. We believe Matt will inspire collaboration, champion innovation, and carry forward the CEP’s mission of making Ocala and Marion County a place where families, leaders, and businesses can thrive for generations to come.”
In his new role, McCormick will lead the CEP’s strategic initiatives, partner engagement, advocacy efforts, and economic development programs to support businesses across the region.
“I am honored to be named President and CEO of the Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership and to have the opportunity to serve this organization, the business community, and the region,” said McCormick. “The CEP has a tremendous foundation of supporting business growth and development, and I look forward to working with our team, partners, and community leaders to build an even stronger economic future for the region.”
The CEP also extends its deep appreciation to Interim CEO and Chief eXperience Officer Tamara Fleischhaker for her leadership and guidance throughout the transition.
Photo by Mabe Media
Ocala, FL The Ocala Metro Chamber & Economic Partnership’s (CEP) Equine Initiative, presented by Pyranha Animal Health, is proud to announce the All-Breed Horse Capital of the World® Parade, taking place Saturday, October 4, at 10 a.m. in Downtown Ocala.
Presented by Pat Myers Electric, the parade will bring together horses of all breeds and disciplines to showcase the heart of the community and highlight one of the many reasons why Ocala/Marion County is recognized as the Horse Capital of the World®.
Spectators are encouraged to line the official parade route—which will include the Downtown Square and Citizens’ Circle—to enjoy a unique and family-friendly celebration of the equine industry.
“Being the only Chamber in the world that we know of that has an initiative like this is pretty special and we believe that this All-Breed Horse Parade through the downtown of ‘the horse capital’ best showcases the diversity of breeds who call Ocala/Marion County home. While always keeping the goal in mind of introducing non-horse people and the next generation to as many of the over 70 breeds in our community, who make up a 4.3-billion-dollar industry, we are almost certain to also provide the best in equine edutainment,” said Louisa Barton, Director of Equine Engagement at the Ocala Metro CEP.
The Ocala Police Department is partnering with the CEP to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
The All-Breed Horse Capital of the World® Parade is part of the CEP’s Equine Initiative, presented by Pyranha Animal Health, which works to strengthen the region’s position as a global equestrian hub. The CEP would also like to thank
Wilmek Construction for their support of this event. Continue reading
