The memo over the latest spending plan, dated March 28, is a public record in Florida, and the proposal had come at the behest of at least one unnamed city commissioner. The city’s public records, such as memos and emails, would show who made such requests, but the city so far has refused to release them in recent weeks. ... Read More
Month: April 2021
Florida Senate declines to protect COVID-19 vaccinated employees from discrimination
So Pizzo offered up a proposal on Thursday: “A business, a governmental entity, or an educational institution may not reject, restrict, obstruct, interfere, prevent, or deny a person access to, entry upon, or services from a business, a governmental entity, or an educational institution because the person is vaccinated against COVID-19.” ... Read More
Man arrested in shooting of basketball players at Pembroke Pines court
Detectives released surveillance video Tuesday of a person of interest who was visiting a neighboring convenience store. He wore a red jacket with white trim, no shirt, black sweatpants with white stripes on the outside seams, multi-colored running shoes, and he was carrying a multi-colored backpack. ... Read More
Superintendent Robert Runcie may stick around awhile
At a minimum, Runcie, who makes $356.000, would leave with $333,000. That includes $137,000 for 20 weeks of severance, the most allowed under state law, and $196,000 for about 6½ months worth of unused sick and vacation time accrued during his nearly 10-year tenure. ... Read More
Study: Black Christians See Limits to Multiracial Churches
About a third experience racism and obstacles to leadership in congregations that value diversity. Most practicing Christians believe the church can enhance race relations in this country by welcoming people of all races and ethnicities, new research finds. But 29 percent of Black practicing Christians say they have experienced racial prejudice in multiracial congregations, compared to about a tenth who report such an experience in monoracial Black churches. And a third of Black Christians... Read More
Legislature passes police reform, data privacy bill, eyes Friday session end
First, the Senate unanimously approved a police reform bill, HB 7051, that requires applicants for law enforcement jobs to disclose whether they have any pending investigation against, creates minimum training standards for the use of chokeholds, the use of force, de-escalation tactics, and the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force. The bill now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk. ... Read More
Makoto Fujimura Sings with God, Carries His Cross, and Awaits the New Creation
In a new book, the renowned Christian artist gathers a lifetime of insights on faith and creativity. One of the most formative moments early in my artistic journey was hearing Andrew Peterson’s song “Let There Be Light.” I was in my late teens at the time, just beginning to grapple with the musical gifts that would eventually lead me to a career in composition. But as Peterson crooned the lyrics, “When your spirit is hovering over the deep / In the image of God just... Read More
‘Faithful’ Project Offers Sacred Space for Christian Women to Create
A new collaboration from Integrity Music brings together musicians and Bible teachers to celebrate God’s faithfulness to women in a way that transcends evangelical silos. The essence of Faithful, as both a product and a model of creative collaboration, is a meditation on authority and vulnerability and how they coexist in the stories and experiences of women. Through a thoughtfully designed book, album, and broadcast event, Faithful tells stories of women in the Bible—Rahab, Ruth,... Read More
Is It Too Early to Get Excited About a Malaria Vaccine?
The war on the mosquito-spread disease has taken millions of lives. Could this be coming to an end? In 2019, 400,000 people around the world died of malaria. But it may never reach that high a number again. Early trials of a new vaccine have been shown to be 77 percent effective. This is not the first vaccine that has attempted to fight the deadly mosquito-transmitted disease. But it is the only one that has had this level of efficacy. This news comes when COVID-19 vaccines dominate the... Read More
Founder of disputed Publix subs Twitter account reveals new details of fight with grocery chain
In an interview, Bryan Dickey, 26, said he plans to “see what happens” as he keeps updating the @PubSubs_on_sale Twitter account, which has nearly 40,000 followers. That happened after an outpouring of support on social media and vitriol directed at Publix after details of a trademark showdown emerged earlier this week. ... Read More