The victims, families, first responders and all who helped in the now completed search at the tragic Champlain Towers South condominium collapse in Surfside, Florida.
Governor Takes Action Against Ben and Jerry's
Ben & Jerry's and its parent company, Unilever, have been placed on the Continued Examination Companies that Boycott Israel List in Florida by GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis, starting the process to put both on the state's Scrutinized Companies that Boycott Israel List.
The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement is led by Palestinians promoting boycotts, divestments and economic sanctions against Israel.
"As you know, Florida has long had a strong relationship with the State of Israel," DeSantis' letter Thursday to the State Board of Administration read. "As a matter of law and principle, the State of Florida does not tolerate discrimination against the State of Israel or the Israeli people, including boycotts and divestments targeting Israel."
DeSantis wrote that his move comes amid plans for Ben & Jerry's to remove its products and prohibit the sale of its ice cream in Judea and Samaria.
"Should the State Board of Administration affirmatively place Unilever and its corporate entities on the Scrutinized Companies List, and these companies do not cease the boycott of Israel as required by Florida law, the Board must refrain from acquiring any and all Unilever assets consistent with the law," DeSantis' letter added.
The state would be restricted from buying Unilever stock and be unable to contract with its subsidies, including Ben & Jerry's, unless they end their boycott.
"These actions affirm the State of Florida’s relationship with the State of Israel and our commitment to a swift response to those who discriminate against the Israeli people," DeSantis' letter concluded.
DeSantis Prevails in Court
Federal appeals court late on Friday reversed course and let stand a lower court order prohibiting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from enforcing coronavirus-related cruise ship rules in Florida.
The decision is a win for Florida that had filed a lawsuit arguing the CDC curbs made it tough for the cruise industry to recover from the pandemic.
The 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta had only on Saturday voted 2-1 to block the lower court decision.
But in its latest brief statement, the three-judge appeals panel said it had withdrawn its earlier order on its own and was now rejecting the government's request because it had "failed to demonstrate an entitlement to a stay pending appeal."
The CDC said that even though it cannot require cruise ships to abide by the sail order, it will enforce its separate transit mask requirements on cruise ships in Florida that opt not to follow the now voluntary program.
All cruise ships in Florida will still be required to report "individual cases of illness or death and ship inspections and sanitary measures to prevent the introduction, transmission, or spread of communicable diseases," the CDC said late on Friday.
RPOF CHAIRMAN JOE GRUTERS' MESSAGE
Cuba Libra
Governor DeSantis and Senator Marco Rubio, along with Congresswoman María Elvira Salazar and other Florida Republicans, showed dynamic and passionate leadership during a town hall last Wednesday night hosted by Sean Hannity in Miami’s Little Havana.
The focus of the town hall was Cuba Libra, highlighting the peaceful but giant uprising by the Cuban people determined to create a new government, a new Cuba, that has as its foundation freedom. The coast of Florida is just a few miles from Cuba and America can and should play a key role in helping the Cuban people in their quest to be free. So far, the rudderless Biden White House has been largely missing at this crucial moment.
But Florida leadership, exemplified last night, has been electric in backing the Cuban people and the Cuban Americans in Florida who have poured into the streets in support of a new Cuba.
Governor DeSantis has said Florida companies stand ready to get full internet into Cuba, past the communist government’s efforts to block it, and called on the Biden administration to rapidly approve the action. But President Biden is radio silent on it, reflecting the general confusion in the Democrat Party over how to view this freedom movement in a communist country.
Senator Rubio has been blistering Democrats online and in the well of the Senate, passionately making the case for helping the Cuban people. He is the most important, informed, and persuasive voice in Washington on Cuba, and he is moving the listless apparatus of D.C.
Planning for red tide is paying off.
Governor DeSantis’ environmental foresight and commitment is paying off for Floridians as the state is prepared for the red tide growing off the Gulf Coast. The Governor, working with the Republican Legislature, allocated millions for red tide and blue-green algae in this year’s budget because they understand that these are long-term issues that also require rapid responses at times.
And because of that foresight, any state of emergency, as is being urged by some Democrats, would actually hurt Gulf Coast business and affected communities — and perhaps businesses statewide — by scaring away tourists and vacationers. We’ve seen it happen before in crises as the entire state gets painted as having a problem.
Florida Update
Florida continues to advance childhood education as Governor DeSantis announced that Florida is investing $270 million in literacy initiatives throughout the state during the celebration of the signing of House Bill 3. This means that K-5 students who are reading below grade level can receive quality books at their homes.
The new law creates the New Worlds Reading Initiative, Florida’s first statewide book distribution program. In addition to the New Worlds Reading Initiative for distributing books, the state is also funding other literacy initiatives.
“As a father of three young children, I want every child to have the opportunity to achieve their full potential,” said Governor DeSantis. “The biggest difference we can make in setting Florida children up for success is making sure they know how to read.”
Governor DeSantis visited the Southern Border over the weekend to meet with Florida law enforcement officers who have been deployed to Texas to help with the border crisis.
The Governor also met with Texas Governor Abbott for a tour and to receive a briefing on the rise in crime and drug trafficking that Texas is experiencing because of the Biden Administration’s failed border policies. At the briefing, Governor DeSantis announced that the Florida National Guard will remain in Texas to provide additional border support until October 2022.
Florida law enforcement have assisted with the apprehension of more than 2,800 illegal immigrants in 23 days and aided in more than 100 criminal arrests for felonies, including human trafficking, drug smuggling and stolen vehicles.
“We appreciate Texas stepping up where the federal government won’t,” Governor DeSantis said. “When Governor Abbott put out the call for help at the border, we immediately answered because we know that the success in Texas is America’s success.”
He added: “Of the individuals our law enforcement has apprehended at the border, more than 70% said they ultimately wanted to go to Florida.”
HAPPENINGS
