The U.S. Department of Labor has accused Florida's unemployment compensation system of violating the civil rights of unemployed individuals, beginning in 2011. According to the DOL, Florida makes it difficult for the disabled and those who speak Spanish or Creole to file for unemployment benefits, according to an article in The Miami Herald.
Florida ranks the lowest in the percentage of eligible people receiving unemployement benefits. The state stands to lose millions in federal aid if the system is not fixed.
To read more, click here.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Friday, April 19, 2013
Captured!
Boston Marathon bombing suspect Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, was captured shortly before 8:45 this evening, bringing a massive manhunt to an end, according to The Boston Globe. The other suspect, Tamerlan Tsarnaev, Dzhokhar's older brother, died during an overnight shootout with police.
The younger Tsarnaev was found in a boat behind a house in Waterford, Mass., a Boston suburb, after being warned that he might be there.
As police and fire vehicles filed out, lights flashing, bull horns blaring, with the suspect in custody, they were cheered by throngs of citizens lining the sides of the street.
CNN reports that immediately after the arrest, Boston police tweeted, "CAPTURED!"
As President Barack Obama addressed the nation this evening, he stated, "They failed, because as Americans, we refused to be terrorized."
The younger Tsarnaev was found in a boat behind a house in Waterford, Mass., a Boston suburb, after being warned that he might be there.
As police and fire vehicles filed out, lights flashing, bull horns blaring, with the suspect in custody, they were cheered by throngs of citizens lining the sides of the street.
CNN reports that immediately after the arrest, Boston police tweeted, "CAPTURED!"
As President Barack Obama addressed the nation this evening, he stated, "They failed, because as Americans, we refused to be terrorized."
Boston Marathon Suspects - One Dead, Second Sought
One of the suspects in Monday's Boston Marathon bombings has been killed, and the second one is being sought in "an intense manhunt" this morning, according to The New York Times. Tamerlan Tsarnaev, 26, was killed after leading police on what the Times has described as a "wild chase...[following] the fatal shooting of a campus police officer."
A massive manhunt for the second suspect, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, has "effectively shut down" the city of Watertown, Mass., as a door-to-door search for Tsarnaev is being conducted, according to ABC News.
According to WCVB, the killed police officer was an MIT Police officer. WCVB also reports that the suspect also attacked officers using "grenades, other explosives and gunfire."
At one point, ABC News producer Megan Chuchmach was reporting the news in Watertown. She was stopped by police and forced to the ground so that they could search her camera bag and equipment.
For more details, go to The New York Times, ABC News"> or WCVB.
A massive manhunt for the second suspect, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, 19, has "effectively shut down" the city of Watertown, Mass., as a door-to-door search for Tsarnaev is being conducted, according to ABC News.
According to WCVB, the killed police officer was an MIT Police officer. WCVB also reports that the suspect also attacked officers using "grenades, other explosives and gunfire."
At one point, ABC News producer Megan Chuchmach was reporting the news in Watertown. She was stopped by police and forced to the ground so that they could search her camera bag and equipment.
For more details, go to The New York Times, ABC News"> or WCVB.
Heir To Busch Brewing Family Resigns Lifetime NRA Membership
An heir to the Anheuser-Busch fortune has resigned his membership in protest to the NRA after the U.S. Senate voted to defeat background checks for guns. According to the New York Daily News, Adolphus Busch IV, a member of the Busch brewing family and heir to the Anheuser-Busch fortune, "terminated his ([lifetime] membership to the NRA" Thursday, after learning that the U.S. Senate had rejected expanded background checks. The push for expanded background checks was prompted in part by the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut in December, 2012.
According to both the New York Daily News and the Huffington Post, Busch sent "a forceful letter" (NYDaily News) to NRA President David Keene in which he wrote, "I fail to see how the NRA can disregard the overwhelming well of its members who see background checks as reasonable."
According to both articles, the resignation was first reported by KSDK.
The NRA had "vigorously opposed" expanded background checks for those wanting to purchase guns.
Read more at KSDK, the New York Daily News, and the Huffington Post
According to both the New York Daily News and the Huffington Post, Busch sent "a forceful letter" (NYDaily News) to NRA President David Keene in which he wrote, "I fail to see how the NRA can disregard the overwhelming well of its members who see background checks as reasonable."
According to both articles, the resignation was first reported by KSDK.
The NRA had "vigorously opposed" expanded background checks for those wanting to purchase guns.
Read more at KSDK, the New York Daily News, and the Huffington Post
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Man Arrested After Freeing Animals From Florida Attraction
When Steven Trew learned that the Everglades Wonder Gardens would be closing soon, the Bonita Springs man "broke into the zoo" Monday, then proceeded to set many of the animals free, The Daytona Beach (Fla.) News-Journal reported Monday. Fortunately, most of the animals remained on zoo property.
Employee Jack Wollman made the discovery Monday morning when he arrived for work. He called owner David Piper before investigating further. Upon finding Trew attempting to leave on a bike, Wollman held the suspect until Lee County Sheriff's deputies arrived.
While Piper planned to close Everglades Wonder Gardens later this month, he was in town to meet with potential buyers.
Read the complete article at http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130415/APN/1304150939?p=1&tc=pg . Another article by The News-Press about the closing can be read at Everglades Wonder Gardens crocodiles get checkup from National Geographic TV host.
Employee Jack Wollman made the discovery Monday morning when he arrived for work. He called owner David Piper before investigating further. Upon finding Trew attempting to leave on a bike, Wollman held the suspect until Lee County Sheriff's deputies arrived.
While Piper planned to close Everglades Wonder Gardens later this month, he was in town to meet with potential buyers.
Read the complete article at http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20130415/APN/1304150939?p=1&tc=pg . Another article by The News-Press about the closing can be read at Everglades Wonder Gardens crocodiles get checkup from National Geographic TV host.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Boston Marathon Explosions leave 3 Dead, Over 130 Injured
Two explosions near the finish line of Monday's Boston Marathon killed "three and injured more than 130," according to Time Magazine (http://newsfeed.time.com/2013/04/15/boston-marathon-horror-twitter-erupts-with-word-of-explosions-at-the-finish-line/), while Boston's CBS affiliate, WBZ-TV, places the number of injured at over 140.
The explosions went off near the race's finish line at 2:50 p.m. as "thousands of runners were finishing the race," WBZ-TV went on to report. One of the dead was an 8-year-old boy.
Upon learning of the bombings, President Barack Obama issued a brief statement. "We will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable," President Obama said.
So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the bombings.
The explosions went off near the race's finish line at 2:50 p.m. as "thousands of runners were finishing the race," WBZ-TV went on to report. One of the dead was an 8-year-old boy.
Upon learning of the bombings, President Barack Obama issued a brief statement. "We will find out who did this and we will hold them accountable," President Obama said.
So far, no one has claimed responsibility for the bombings.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Multiple Explosions At Boston Marathon
There were multiple explosions today in Boston. The first two were at the finish line of the Boston Marathon, the third at the JFK Library. NBC reports 2 dead, at least 23 injured (as of 5:04 p.m. EDT).
According to a CNN tweet, Boston PD "is urging people to stay home and avoid large crowds." CNN's website also reports 2 dead, 28 injured ( http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/15/explosions-near-finish-of-boston-marathon/?on.cnn=1 ).
Will write more later...
According to a CNN tweet, Boston PD "is urging people to stay home and avoid large crowds." CNN's website also reports 2 dead, 28 injured ( http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2013/04/15/explosions-near-finish-of-boston-marathon/?on.cnn=1 ).
Will write more later...
Judge To Florida DEP: Issuing Permit Wrong
When the Florida Department of Environmental Protection decided to issue a permit for the Highlands Ranch Mitigation Bank in Clay County, Florida, Connie Bersok objected. Bersok, the DEP's top wetlands expert, warned that the "controversial project...would damage the environment" (Judge upholds suspended wetlands expert, blasts DEP for permitting controversial project, Tampa Bay Times).
The resulting loss of wetlands would have had an adverse effect on the environment, since the 300 acres are "considered vital to soaking up floodwaters and recharging the aquifer," according to St. Petersburg attorney Tom Reese. Bersok was suspended from her job because of her objection.
To read the Tampa Bay Times' article, go to http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/wetlands/judge-upholds-suspended-wetlands-expert-blasts-dep-for-permitting/2114754
The resulting loss of wetlands would have had an adverse effect on the environment, since the 300 acres are "considered vital to soaking up floodwaters and recharging the aquifer," according to St. Petersburg attorney Tom Reese. Bersok was suspended from her job because of her objection.
To read the Tampa Bay Times' article, go to http://www.tampabay.com/news/environment/wetlands/judge-upholds-suspended-wetlands-expert-blasts-dep-for-permitting/2114754
Tuition Break For Undocumented Immigrants' Citizen Children
The Florida House has approved extending in-state college tuition to the citizen children of undocumented immigrants. However, U.S. citizens with undocumented parents were granted this right under a 2012 federal ruling.
To read more, go to the Tampa Bay Times article at http://blogs.tampabay.com/news/education/college/florida-house-okays-giving-citizen-children-of-undocumented-immigrants/2114940
To read more, go to the Tampa Bay Times article at http://blogs.tampabay.com/news/education/college/florida-house-okays-giving-citizen-children-of-undocumented-immigrants/2114940
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Worker's Rights in Florida
While most Florida workers are aware that Floria is a "Right To Work" state, many may not be completely aware of what that means.
According to the state website (http://MyFlorida.com), Article 1, Section 6 of the Florida Constitution states, "The right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or non-membership in any labor union or labor organization. The right of employees, by and through a labor organization, to bargain collectively shall not be denied or abridged. Public employees shall not have the right to strike." (http://myflorida.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1065/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xMzY1OTYwNzA4L3NpZC9wTTQyRklubA%3D%3D).
So, while working Floridians may be allowed to work without joining a labor union, these same workers are not allowed to strike.
Another legality facing Florida workers deals with work and meal breaks. While many federal and state laws deal with working conditions, some things are not regulated by laws but by customs or agreements between companies and workers. According to the United States Department of Labor, the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) "does not require breaks or meal periods be given to workers." (http://www.dol.gov/whd/flsa/faq.htm) The FLSA does state, however, that some states may legislate these breaks, but that in states that don't legislate breaks, these breaks may be part of an agreement between employer and employee.
This is where Florida fits in. The state, in its wisdom to promote business (and, as many would point out, possibly exploit workers), has made absolutely no provisions or allowance for Florida workers to work or meal breaks, unless that worker is a minor. (http://myflorida.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/985/related/1/session/L2F2LzIvdGltZS8xMzY1OTYwOTg3L3NpZC9wTTQyRklubA%3D%3D)
Any Floridian wanting to contact Govenor Rick Scott or their legislators, check out the following links:
Govenor Rick Scott: http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/;
State Senate President Don Gaetz: http://www.flsenate.gov/Offices/President/Message;
House Speaker Will Weatherford: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4399&SessionId=73;
to find your Florida state senators: http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/;
to find your Florida representative: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx.
According to the state website (http://MyFlorida.com), Article 1, Section 6 of the Florida Constitution states, "The right of persons to work shall not be denied or abridged on account of membership or non-membership in any labor union or labor organization. The right of employees, by and through a labor organization, to bargain collectively shall not be denied or abridged. Public employees shall not have the right to strike." (http://myflorida.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1065/related/1/session/L2F2LzEvdGltZS8xMzY1OTYwNzA4L3NpZC9wTTQyRklubA%3D%3D).
So, while working Floridians may be allowed to work without joining a labor union, these same workers are not allowed to strike.
Another legality facing Florida workers deals with work and meal breaks. While many federal and state laws deal with working conditions, some things are not regulated by laws but by customs or agreements between companies and workers. According to the United States Department of Labor, the Federal Labor Standards Act (FLSA) "does not require breaks or meal periods be given to workers." (http://www.dol.gov/whd/flsa/faq.htm) The FLSA does state, however, that some states may legislate these breaks, but that in states that don't legislate breaks, these breaks may be part of an agreement between employer and employee.
This is where Florida fits in. The state, in its wisdom to promote business (and, as many would point out, possibly exploit workers), has made absolutely no provisions or allowance for Florida workers to work or meal breaks, unless that worker is a minor. (http://myflorida.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/985/related/1/session/L2F2LzIvdGltZS8xMzY1OTYwOTg3L3NpZC9wTTQyRklubA%3D%3D)
Any Floridian wanting to contact Govenor Rick Scott or their legislators, check out the following links:
Govenor Rick Scott: http://www.flgov.com/contact-gov-scott/email-the-governor/;
State Senate President Don Gaetz: http://www.flsenate.gov/Offices/President/Message;
House Speaker Will Weatherford: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/emailrepresentative.aspx?MemberId=4399&SessionId=73;
to find your Florida state senators: http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/;
to find your Florida representative: http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/myrepresentative.aspx.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Miami Beach Man Dies Over Slow Ambulance Response
A Miami Beach man died March 5 after an ambulance took 31 minutes to go the 2 miles from the fire station it was housed at to the man's home. The man's wife called 911 at 9:05 a.m.; the ambulance arrived 31 minutes from the nearby fire station, according to the Miami Herald.
The complete article may be found at http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/20/3297228/miami-beach-ambulance-takes-31.html#storylink=cpy or at Health News Florida (http://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/fire-rescue-delayed-man-dies).
The complete article may be found at http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/03/20/3297228/miami-beach-ambulance-takes-31.html#storylink=cpy or at Health News Florida (http://health.wusf.usf.edu/post/fire-rescue-delayed-man-dies).
Op-Ed: Michael Mayo about Gay Marriage
Michael Mayo, a columnist for the Sun Sentinel, made sense in his April 1 column for the paper. In it, he states that "If two consenting adults want to get married, they should be allowed to do so, no matter the race, creed, color, religion or gender/sexual orientation of the two parties." He then expands on that, in that he is not including marriage between people and animals or adults with children. He also states that he does not mean "three, four or seven" people.
There are many people who are offended by the thought of gays and lesbians marrying. There are still people who object to interracial marriages. But disallowing gay marriage - or any other rights offered to any other group of consenting adults - is keeping the entire GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered) community at what can be considered the 3/5ths rule. Prior to the Civil War, and even in years afterward, African-Americans were counted as 3/5ths of a person. Even after blacks were legally considered "whole" people, many whites still thought of them as 3/5 of a white. Now, it seems, those in the GLBT community are frequently considered as 3/5 of a heterosexual person.
This is wrong. Mayo points out that if a same-sex couple gets married in the state of New York, then moves to Florida, that couple is not afforded the same rights as a male-and-female married couple would. I personally know one same-sex couple who married in Connecticut, then moved back to Florida. They had hyphenated their last name so that, rather than being "Jane A" and "Susan B," they were legally "Jane A-B" and "Susan B-A." They went to change their driver's licenses to reflect that change and were told that they would have to go to court here in Florida and pay for each of them to have their names changed. Had they been John and Susan, it would have been a non-issue.
I digress. To read Michael Mayo's entire column on Gay marriage, please go to http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-04-01/news/sfl-mayo-gay-marriage-20130401_1_gay-marriage-2008-state-constitutional-amendment-straight-married-couple.
One last thing: If this were your brother, sister, son, daughter, or parent, you'd want that person to have full rights. Please keep that in mind.
There are many people who are offended by the thought of gays and lesbians marrying. There are still people who object to interracial marriages. But disallowing gay marriage - or any other rights offered to any other group of consenting adults - is keeping the entire GLBT (Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgendered) community at what can be considered the 3/5ths rule. Prior to the Civil War, and even in years afterward, African-Americans were counted as 3/5ths of a person. Even after blacks were legally considered "whole" people, many whites still thought of them as 3/5 of a white. Now, it seems, those in the GLBT community are frequently considered as 3/5 of a heterosexual person.
This is wrong. Mayo points out that if a same-sex couple gets married in the state of New York, then moves to Florida, that couple is not afforded the same rights as a male-and-female married couple would. I personally know one same-sex couple who married in Connecticut, then moved back to Florida. They had hyphenated their last name so that, rather than being "Jane A" and "Susan B," they were legally "Jane A-B" and "Susan B-A." They went to change their driver's licenses to reflect that change and were told that they would have to go to court here in Florida and pay for each of them to have their names changed. Had they been John and Susan, it would have been a non-issue.
I digress. To read Michael Mayo's entire column on Gay marriage, please go to http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2013-04-01/news/sfl-mayo-gay-marriage-20130401_1_gay-marriage-2008-state-constitutional-amendment-straight-married-couple.
One last thing: If this were your brother, sister, son, daughter, or parent, you'd want that person to have full rights. Please keep that in mind.
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