OCALA, Fla. — Congresswoman Kat Cammack (FL-03) joined area fire and law enforcement leaders at Marion County Fire Rescue Station 28 today to champion the Answering the Call Act of 2026 (H.R. 8637), her legislation to strengthen mental health support for first responders through the national 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.

“First responders see the worst of the worst, day in and day out, and it takes a toll. This bill creates a resource dedicated solely to them, with counselors trained to understand exactly what they are going through,” said Rep. Cammack. “They answer the call every single time, and it is high time we answer the call in return.”

The Answering the Call Act directs dedicated outreach and support to first responders through the 988 Lifeline. It funds specialized training for the counselors who answer those calls so they understand what first responders face, provides grants for states and departments to raise awareness of the resource, and keeps access completely anonymous so no one fears retaliation or judgment for reaching out. The bill covers firefighters, law enforcement, corrections officers, dispatchers, and EMS personnel.

Research has found that police officers and firefighters are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty, and the crisis has hit Marion County directly.

The choice of Station 28 was deliberate. It was the home station of firefighter and paramedic Allen Singleton, a six-year veteran and member of the Marion County Fire Rescue and Sheriff’s Office SWAT Medic team, who died by suicide in January 2023. Marion County Fire Chief James Banta said the department has lost four firefighters to suicide, a toll that underscores the urgency of the legislation. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier sued TikTok, alleging the popular social media platform committed a series of violations of Florida law by actively targeting and contracting with minors while deceiving parents about the dangers of the app.

“TikTok’s success hinges on its ability to addict children and teenagers to the platform,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “TikTok knowingly deceives parents and allows children to be exposed to harmful and inappropriate content in direct violation of Florida law. We have zero tolerance for companies that prioritize profit over children’s safety. TikTok should expect to be held accountable.”

“The State of Florida stands with families in protecting our children from the abuses of addictive social media apps,” said Representative Chip LaMarca. “Thank you to the AG for pursuing the fight against these bad actors.”

The complaint alleges that TikTok is in violation of House Bill 3, Florida’s online child protections law, which took effect on January 1, 2025. Specifically, TikTok is accused of letting children under 14 years old create accounts, and letting 15- and 16-year-olds do the same without parental consent. Both violate H.B. 3, which bans children under 14 years of age from social media platforms entirely and requires parental consent for 15 and 16-year-olds to create accounts. Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier joined community leaders and law enforcement partners in South Florida to reinforce joint prevention efforts against human trafficking. This comes as Miami anticipates an increased risk of trafficking activity while hosting the FIFA World Cup and several other large-scale global events.

“We are taking a proactive approach and joining forces across government and private industry to combat human trafficking,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Large-scale global events bring an increase in trafficking activity and crimes of exploitation, which is why we are standing together to get ahead of the bad guys. With six more World Cup matches in Miami, South Florida will see record-breaking tourism, but we will not let that devolve into record-breaking crime.”

“Human trafficking is modern-day slavery, and there is no place for it in South Florida. As millions of visitors arrive for the World Cup, law enforcement, businesses, and community leaders are working together to ensure that traffickers find no safe haven here,” said U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida Jason Reding Quiñones. “The Southern District of Florida is committed to identifying victims, dismantling trafficking networks, and holding those who profit from human exploitation fully accountable. Our message is simple: if you traffic human beings in South Florida, we will find you, we will prosecute you, and we will seek justice for your victims.”

“Human traffickers revel in their ability to dehumanize their victims, particularly their child victims, by stripping them of their individuality and turning them into walking money machines dispensing cash to the trafficker,” said State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle. “Only effective partnerships, such as our partnership with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier and our local, state and federal law enforcement communities, combined with the help and assistance of our business and educational communities can end the activities of these criminal traffickers.” Continue reading →

By Brigette Smith

Executive Director of the Republican Party

Remembering the true essence of our Independence. As we approach the 250th anniversary of our nation this July 4th, it’s time to remember what this holiday is truly about. In 1776, fifty-six brave men stood together and signed the Declaration of Independence. With those signatures, they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to a dangerous idea — that a free people could govern themselves. These weren’t reckless dreamers. They were defying the greatest military power on earth — Great Britain, with the world’s most powerful navy. They had no standing army, no navy of their own, and everything to lose.

Yet they chose liberty over safety. Some paid a heavy price. Homes were burned. Property was seized. Families suffered. Richard Stockton of New Jersey was captured and imprisoned. Others lost land and wealth. But they stood firm. Their courage gave us the chance to build something extraordinary. Continue reading →

Where did this picture come from? I don’t know where it came from but it is a sign! It a beautiful picture to display this time and date.

The Star-Spangled Banner

O say can you see, by the dawn’s early light, What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming, Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; O say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

The St. Johns River Water Management District Phase III “Extreme” Water Shortage Order is the highest level of water restrictions under the District’s Water Shortage Plan and is intended to protect groundwater and surface water supplies during severe drought conditions. The order became effective immediately upon execution on May 11, 2026.

Residential Lawn Watering Schedule

Odd-numbered addresses: May water only on Saturday

Even-numbered addresses: May water only on Sunday

Time Restrictions

Watering is prohibited between: 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

That means irrigation is only allowed:

Before 8 a.m.

After 6 p.m.

Only on the assigned watering day Continue reading →

An article from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation points out an aspect of the income/payroll tax system that has helped allow it to continue to exist – that aspect is tax breaks. The article makes these points:

* The United States lost an estimated $2.2 trillion in revenue through tax expenditures, commonly known as tax breaks, in 2025.

* According to the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT), tax exemptions “include any reduction in income tax liability that results from special tax provisions or regulations that provide tax benefits to particular taxpayers”.

* In 2025, the federal government collected $3.1 trillion in individual and corporate taxes. At the same time, the tax code generated $2.2 trillion in tax breaks – more than was spent on Social Security, Medicare, defense or any other program.

* The breaks exceeded the size of the $1.8 trillion deficit in 2025 by $444 billion. Continue reading →

From the internet

The DOJ has escalated its probe into meatpacking giants to criminal status, targeting potential price-fixing that squeezes ranchers while jacking up your grocery bill—what happens if they crack this cartel?

• DOJ Antitrust Division investigates Tyson Foods, Cargill, JBS, and National Beef for criminal antitrust violations in cattle contracts.
• Four firms control 85% of U.S. beef processing market, amid 50% beef price surge.
• President Trump sparked the probe in November 2025 after accusing packers of manipulating rancher prices and inflating consumer costs.
• Wall Street Journal revealed criminal nature on April 21, 2026; no charges yet, DOJ silent.
• Texas Ag Commissioner Sid Miller hails it as long-overdue fairness for ranchers.

President Donald Trump accused meatpackers of manipulating cattle purchase prices in November 2025 and demanded DOJ action. Tyson Foods, Cargill, JBS, and National Beef face scrutiny for contracts tied to a pricing benchmark ranchers claim is rigged. Continue reading →

MADISON, Fla.— Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a new statue honoring President James Madison as part of Florida’s continued celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. Madison is known as the “Father of the Constitution” because of his contributions during the American Revolution, and this statue honors his lasting legacy for both the nation and the state of Florida. With today’s dedication, Florida has completed the placement of statues honoring every Founder represented by a Florida namesake county.

“We honor President James Madison for his integral role in the founding of our nation and the American acquisition of Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “As part of our commemoration of America’s semiquincentennial this year, we have unveiled statues of great Americans throughout our state. With this new statue in Madison County, we now have statues of our Founding Fathers in every Florida county that is named for a founder. These statues symbolize Florida’s commitment to celebrating our nation’s history and the great men who laid the foundation for the American experiment.” Continue reading →