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The Figgers Foundation announced a new initiative to provide eligible Floridians with a free device, three years of internet service, and 4G LTE cell phone service. Devices are limited, so early application is strongly encouraged, especially if your family is looking for support and connectivity during the holiday season. Residents of Florida’s 18 counties can apply for a free device through Florida Connect. Florida Connect devices will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis and quantities are limited. This program is designed to bring technology directly to communities that may have limited connectivity. Counties covered by Florida Connect: Tallahassee Region:…

Below is an official statement from Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ office. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet approved more than 21,500 acres of conservation and farmland protection, including acquisitions from the Florida Forever and Rural and Family Land Conservation Programs, representing a total investment of $27.4 million. These strategic acquisitions strengthen Florida’s conservation network, support military preparedness through Sentinel Landscapes, protect family-owned farmland, and keep the state’s natural and rural landscapes intact for future generations. “From the beginning, my administration has recognized the importance of preserving Florida’s environment for future generations,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.…

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet on Tuesday approved $27.4 million to protect more than 21,500 acres of conservation and farmland across the state through the Florida Forever and Rural and Family Land Conservation Programs. State officials said the acquisition will strengthen Florida’s conservation network, support military preparedness through designated sentinel landscapes and preserve family farms and ranches. The preserve spans multiple regions and is part of the Florida Wildlife Corridor, a statewide effort to preserve connected natural and working landscapes. “These investments are designed to protect the right land in the right places,” DeSantis said…

Mikey Reichert remembers growing up watching RuPaul’s Drag Race, the reality show that started in 2009 and is now credited with bringing drag culture to the mainstream. For Reichert, a “closed-off high school student,” attending the competition allowed her to explore her own queerness and later opened the door for her to dive deeper into the world of drag. Now, he’s witnessing a “dream come true” as Mikey Meeks, one of 14 queens chosen to compete on the show’s 18th season, which premieres on January 2nd. “Name another show as fun, quirky, gay, colorful or intense as ‘Drag Race.’ They’re…

Florida may not have snow-capped mountains, but the Sunshine State brings some major Christmas magic when it comes to holiday rail travel. From Polar Express style journeys to illuminated historic trains, these festive excursions are perfect for families, couples and anyone who believes trains and Christmas go hand in hand. Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or want a memorable evening close to home, here’s our guide to the best Christmas train rides across Florida. Florida Railroad Museum North Pole Express, Parrish, Florida (Sarasota Area) From now until December 22nd Website: https://www.frrm.org/north-pole-express/ A historic railway carriage has been transformed into…

As Christmas Day approaches, millions of Christians will return to their local churches to hear the story of Jesus’ birth and the days and months that followed. Despite the fact that most Christians and non-Christians alike are familiar with the story of the three wise men who visited Jesus, the details of those wise men remain a mystery to many. If we follow the Biblical text (Matthew 2) strictly, the Bible never says there were three visitors, nor does it refer to them as kings. It says, “Magicians from the East came to praise Jesus” (Matthew 2:1-12). The “three” comes…

I recently went to meet some friends and colleagues at a nice new local coffee shop. When I arrived, she was parked at the back of the place, surrounded by thrifted furniture. As I put down my bag and went to order, she handed me a mysterious drink wrapped in a nondescript recycled paper cup. “I got this beat thing,” she said. “It’s really good!” “Beet coffee?” I said. Actually, I like beets. And like Forrest Gumpian (roasted beets, beet salad, beet juice, beet kombucha, borscht…). “I don’t think there’s any coffee in it,” she said. “Try it.” I did…

Before taking over as the state’s chief financial officer this year, Blaise Ingoglia was a Florida state senator who made illegal immigration a key issue. In 2023, the state Senate passed a bill introduced by Ingoglia that would require hospitals that accept Medicaid to ask about a patient’s immigration status on admission or registration forms. Governor DeSantis signed the bill. Ingoglia now hopes to use his position as Florida’s chief financial officer to expand the reach of undocumented immigrants currently in Florida and those planning to come to Florida. Earlier this month, the CFO announced the legislative priorities he would…

Florida is leading the way in expanding school options, and one option parents are taking advantage of is homeschooling. Homeschooling has grown in popularity since the COVID-19 pandemic, and distance learning has proven convenient for students for several reasons. In 2023, the Republican-led Congress expanded the School Choice Act, which allows families to use education funding for programs such as school choice. More than 155,000 students learned from home during the 2023-24 school year, according to the Florida Department of Education. This is a 46% increase from 2019 to 2020. Despite this increase, Florida ranks fourth among states with the…

This month, the Florida Chamber of Commerce Foundation (FCF), a statewide, business-led, nonpartisan research organization, released a new county-by-county study examining the impact of undercounting in the 2020 Census. FCF announced that 750,000 Floridians were not counted in the 2020 Census. The undercount resulted in an estimated $11.4 billion in federal funds that could have been used to support schools, health care, roads and community programs, and about $1 billion a year going to other states that should go to Floridians. This study highlights the widespread impact of undercounts on the flow of federal funding that supports local communities and…