MIAMI, Fla. — The 5th Annual Commissioner’s Summit focused on school safety and security, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 757 into law. This legislation further strengthens protections for students, faculty, and staff across Florida’s educational institutions and builds on Florida’s nation-leading school safety framework. The legislation expands key safety and security measures to the state’s colleges and universities, reinforcing the state’s commitment to maintaining safe learning environments at every level of education.

“We’ve made historic strides to implement school safety measures that are working to protect our schools. Today, I was proud to build on these efforts by signing HB 757, which enhances campus security requirements and best practices at our colleges and universities throughout Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We can have the highest academic standards, the strongest workforce programs, and the most innovative pathways for students, but must also continue our focus on the safety of our students and educators.”

“Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has set the national standard for school safety, and House Bill 757 builds on that strong foundation by extending critical protections to our state colleges and universities,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “By extending the Guardian Program to higher education institutions, we are equipping campuses with additional tools to help safeguard students and professors. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe and secure environment, and this legislation reinforces Florida’s unwavering commitment to protect our schools.” Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswomen Kat Cammack and Teresa Leger Fernández, along with Speaker Mike Johnson and Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, today announced a bipartisan partnership between the Republican Women’s Caucus and Democratic Women’s Caucus to combat workplace sexual misconduct in Congress. The two Caucuses will work together to identify reforms and solutions to make Congress a safer work environment for women and all survivors.

As the Chairs of the Republican and Democratic Women’s Caucuses in the House, Rep. Cammack and Rep. Leger Fernández were designated by Speaker Mike Johnson and Leader Hakeem Jeffries respectively to lead this bipartisan effort. Next steps and any proposed reforms will be done in coordination with House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (WI-01) and Ranking Member Joe Morelle (NY-25), who will both participate in this effort in an ex-officio capacity.

“No woman — regardless of party, title, or position — should ever feel unsafe in her workplace. Period,” said Republican Women’s Caucus Chair Kat Cammack (FL-03). “As Chair of the Republican Women’s Caucus, I am proud to be leading a bipartisan effort alongside the Democratic Women’s Caucus to take a hard look at the systems, reporting mechanisms, and workplace culture on Capitol Hill surrounding sexual harassment and assault. This effort has the support of Speaker Johnson and Leader Jeffries because this issue transcends politics. It’s about dignity, accountability, and ensuring that every person who comes to work in the People’s House is treated with respect and protected from abuse. The reality is that coming forward is extraordinarily difficult. Fear of retaliation, damage to careers, public scrutiny, and institutional pressure often silence victims long before justice has a chance to speak. We cannot claim to support women while ignoring the very real barriers that prevent them from reporting misconduct in the first place. Yes, bad actors must be held accountable and removed when warranted. But if we are serious about fixing this problem, we also have to confront the environment that allowed the behavior to occur, persist, or be concealed. Accountability cannot begin and end with punishment after the fact. It must include prevention, transparency, education, and systems people can actually trust. Congress should set the standard — not lag behind it. This effort is about restoring confidence that Capitol Hill is a workplace where professionalism, respect, and safety are non-negotiable. Every staffer, intern, employee, and Member deserves that.” Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Rep. Kat Cammack (FL-03) introduced the Bereaved Parents Rights Act, legislation that ensures hospitals and freestanding birth centers provide clear information about the rights that grieving parents have regarding the cremation or burial of their miscarried or stillborn child.

“Losing a child you never got the chance to hold is a pain no parent can ever prepare for,” said Rep. Cammack. “In the most vulnerable moment of their lives, parents are too often failed by a broken system that leaves them to grieve and fight at the same time — that ends now. The Bereaved Parents Rights Act ensures parents have the information, guidance, options, and time they need to make deeply personal decisions. I’m proud to help lead this initiative to ensure grieving parents receive the dignity, resources, and support they deserve.”

Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. Continue reading →

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Rep. Kat Cammack announced that the Fiscal Year 2025 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG), Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER), and Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant opportunities are now open for applications.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA have made $648 million available nationwide to support firefighters and first responders through critical investments in equipment, staffing, training, and fire prevention initiatives.

The funding opportunities include:

$291.6 million through the Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) program for personal protective equipment, emergency response vehicles, and responder health and wellness initiatives.

$324 million through the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) program for firefighter salaries, recruitment, and training.

$32.4 million through the Fire Prevention and Safety (FP&S) grant program for fire prevention research and firefighter safety, health, and wellness initiatives. Continue reading →

Courtesy of the Office of the Attorney General

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrest of 14 individuals for their roles in a multi-county criminal enterprise that dealt in and trafficked stolen retail and construction materials.

“Our Organized Retail Task Force brings law enforcement agencies together to get the maximum punishment for these criminal enterprises,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Enterprises like this take millions of dollars in products off the shelves, and consumers foot the bill as retailers try to recover the costs. Thanks to interagency collaboration, we dismantled this crime ring from the top down, and we will hold them accountable.”

“This operation exposed a highly organized criminal enterprise that stretched far beyond county and state lines,” said Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister. “Through strong partnerships and relentless investigative work, we were able to dismantle a network responsible for millions of dollars in stolen merchandise and illegal profits. Organized retail theft impacts businesses, consumers, and entire communities, and we remain committed to holding those responsible fully accountable.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier announced that Jacob Rookey, 21, of Cudjoe Key, has been arrested and charged with 1 count of Promotion of Child Sexual Abuse Materials (CSAM), one count of Possession of CSAM, one count of Transmission of CSAM by Electronic Device, two counts of Solicitation of CSAM, three counts of Generated Altered Sexual Images, three counts of Generated CSAM, and seven counts of Promotion of Animal Sexual Abuse Materials.

“Trading in material that involves the sexual exploitation of children and animals is what keeps the sick market for this material alive,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “We will seek the maximum punishment under the law for predators who perpetuate this abusive trade.”

“Preying on our community’s most innocent and vulnerable will never be okay in Florida. FDLE will investigate these vile crimes and work with Attorney General James Uthmeier’s statewide prosecutors to ensure you do not have the opportunity to victimize our children ever again,” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass. “We urge parents and guardians to talk to your children and learn more about what they are putting online. Prevention is the best way to deter crime. Visit the Secure Florida website, which is maintained by the FDLE Cyber Crime and Telecommunications Bureau.” Continue reading →

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Attorney General James Uthmeier awarded the 2025 Attorney General’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year to Detective Eva Solis of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. The 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Ceremony honored the service of Detective Solis and 11 other brave officers who demonstrated great courage and selflessness while going above and beyond the call of duty last year.

“It is my honor to recognize Detective Solis as the 2025 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year, and Officer Cody Poppell as our inaugural Moment of Valor Honoree,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Detective Solis’ and Officer Poppell’s commitment extends far beyond the call of duty. Detective Solis is responsible for the rescue and recovery of four human trafficking victims, and Officer Poppel stepped into the line of fire to save countless lives at FSU. I am proud to recognize their service to the Free State of Florida.”

The recognition stems from the detective’s exceptional investigative work on one of the most horrific child exploitation and human trafficking cases in Clay County Sheriff’s Office history. A citizen discovered a thumb drive locked in a safe at an abandoned storage unit. The device was turned over to law enforcement, where investigators discovered extensive material related to child sexual exploitation. Some of the key findings from the investigation include seven identified victims, one child rescued, three victims recovered, and more than two million CSAM files. Continue reading →

Letter was sent to the BCC on behalf of the MCREC, also this issue was on the agenda this week for the BCC, it was taken off the agenda for review in October (TBD).

When this issue was present in late April to the P&Z Commission the applicant rep, as well as the documentation provided by the County, mistakenly indicated the current water supply system had only on well.   This was incorrect and likely influenced the Commission to approve the project or at least voided any questions of why not just upgrade the two existing well on USFS property.

There was a Community meeting on May 14th held by the County in Salt Springs, (I attended) as asked at the meeting there are no pending letters from the USFS that the current operation at Salt Spring is affecting their operation or any request to stop operating.   The Community meeting was well run but highlighted the issues of concern and some key data gaps.

Just to be clear upgrading the wells and adding an additional storage tank to service this rural community is well-founded project, the need to change well locations lacks any substantial rational from a cost / technical basis.    Continue reading →

Sue Fullerton’s journey into the world of travel is rooted not only in a love of exploration, but in a deep understanding of what truly matters—time, connection, and the memories we create along the way. Since becoming a travel advisor in 2008, Sue has dedicated herself to helping others experience the world in meaningful, memorable ways, all while based in sunny Florida with her husband of 48 years.

Together, Sue and her husband have built a strong and loving blended family that now spans four children, twelve grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren—with another eagerly anticipated addition on the way. Family plays a central role in Sue’s life, and it’s this appreciation for togetherness that shapes how she approaches travel planning. She understands firsthand how powerful shared experiences can be, whether it’s a multi-generational cruise, a milestone celebration, or a long-awaited getaway.

Originally raised in California, Sue later made her way to New Jersey, where she met the love of her life. Their journey together has been filled with growth, change, and the kind of life experiences that give Sue a unique ability to connect with her clients on a personal level. She doesn’t just plan trips—she listens, she understands, and she designs travel experiences that reflect each client’s story, priorities, and dreams. Continue reading →

By Brigette Smith

Executive Director of the Republican Party Marion County

DID YOU KNOW:  Sewage effluent is being dumped into our Aquifer.

According to the CDC, Marion county is leading in cancer sicknesses and it is getting worse.  Boiling water won’t help remove carcinogens, according to health officials.  Best way to say it is, we have a sewage problem in central Florida, and it’s not coming from farmer’s agriculture, nor homes with septic systems.

Few people know that the University of Florida and Gainesville utilities inject vast quantities of sewage effluent every day and we are all living with this awful situation.  According to their own data, the University of Florida and Gainesville Utilities are injecting 16 million gallons of sewage effluent every single day straight into the Florida aquifer – right under where people live and drink and especially suffer downstream.  No one currently employed at the sewage treatment plants invented this method of dumping sewage effluent.  It’s been going on and increasing for many decades.  Some wastewater goes in the Alachua sinkhole into the drinking water aquifer, some goes into Kanapaha injection pipes to the drinking water aquifer, This must stop.

That’s not “recharge!” That’s chronic low-level exposure to sewage carcinogens daily for thousands of families in Ocala, Silver Springs, Lake Weir, Rainbow Springs, the Villages and Marion county now leads the nation in cancer rates for people under 50 according to the CDC and NIH. Continue reading →