With Gov. Ron DeSantis determined to rid Florida’s public schools of Common Core, his administration’s next task is to figure out what language arts and math standards should replace them. To that end, the Florida Department of Education has opened a survey, seeking input on what educators, parents and others might not like about the Common Core standards and what they think should be adopted in their place. Florida’s version of Common Core — called Florida Standards — spells out... Read More
How to Jump Back In to Bible Reading
Christian leaders have their own reasons for not reading Scripture. It’s worth remembering that Augustine was “weeping, with agonizing anguish in heart” over his inability to control himself before he read Romans 13:13–14. We tend to think that Scripture usually works the other direction. We read seeking instruction, wisdom, or intimacy and then read a challenging word like Paul’s that prompts contrition: “Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in... Read More
Man shot dead in front of his Fort Lauderdale home
A 28-year-old man was gunned down and killed in front of his Fort Lauderdale home on Saturday night, police say. Detectives were hunting for the suspect Sunday and still trying to piece together what happened, Detective Tracy Figone said. Here’s what they do know: Roy Palarchie was shot several times at 9:06 p.m. in front of his home in the 400 block of Northwest 13 Avenue. He was pronounced dead at the scene. “This is an active investigation and circumstances surrounding the incident... Read More
Emerging Adults and the Church: Is There Really an Exodus?
Are emerging adults are leaving their faith behind? We are hosting a conference to explore this question. It seems every few weeks a new article makes the rounds on social media heralding the collapse of religion in America. Often central to these pieces is an emphasis on the role of emerging adults, focusing either on their declining church attendance or their rejection of traditional beliefs or practices. Emerging adulthood describes that phase of life between adolescence and full... Read More
Wrong-way crash kills two, including Miccosukee police officer, on Alligator Alley
A wrong-way driver caused a predawn crash Saturday that killed him and a Miccosukee police officer on Alligator Alley near U.S. 27, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Curtis Woolwine, 32 of Plantation, and Miccosukee Officer Steven Greco, 40, both died in the head-on crash that happened about 5 a.m. Saturday, just east of an Interstate 75 toll plaza, the Highway Patrol said. Courtesy of Salvatore Greco Miccosukee Officer Steven Greco, far right, was killed in a crash on I-75 while on his... Read More
Ex-cop accused of pawning guns and gear
A former Hallandale Beach officer has been jailed on the charge he illegally pawned police guns and other equipment that belonged to the force, police said. Yan Kleyman, 33, made 15 pawn shop transactions between March 11, 2017, and Aug. 6, 2018, selling police weapons and equipment that included a semi-automatic rifle, a Glock pistol and several laser sights, according to his arrest report. Kleyman’s thumbprint was on each of the pawn transaction documents, investigators said. He turned... Read More
10 more dismissed from Broward Sheriff’s Office under new regime
Add 10 more names to the list of more than a dozen who have left the Broward Sheriff’s Office since Gov. Ron DeSantis replaced Sheriff Scott Israel last month with Gregory Tony. This week’s dismissals include a captain who got into trouble last year over a homophobic Facebook post and the community outreach team he oversaw. Collectively, they made nearly $850,000 annually, records show. “With any new administration there comes changes,” Tony said in an emailed statement. Capt.... Read More
How Cracking Wheat’s Genetic Code Reminds Us Who We Are
This grain’s genome echoes of the strength found in the diversity of God’s people. Like many kids, I grew up picking wild grasses believing that they were wheat. I would pick one from the yard of my childhood home, believing the harvest I held in my hands could be transformed into food. As I grew up, I quickly learned that the “wheat” in my yard was far from a bountiful harvest and instead was actually weeds and wild grasses. Yet, my childhood confusion about wheat is, in one... Read More
Florida Panthers near vote to replace gun show at War Memorial
The Florida Panthers are serious about plans to replace the gun show at War Memorial Auditorium — a multimillion-dollar investment to provide public ice skating and hockey rinks, and indoor sports fields. The chilly new sports destination could be part of a larger overhaul for the city’s Holiday Park, a 93-acre playground off Federal Highway, south of Sunrise Boulevard. The Panther plans could get a boost Tuesday, when city commissioners are expected to vote to formalize their intent to... Read More
21 new specialty license plates could be coming to Florida
It’s been years since Florida got a new specialty license plate, but 2019 could see the approval of 21 new ones that would raise charitable funds for everything from the Pulse shooting to gopher tortoises to beekeeping to plates for universities outside the state. The majority of them, though, would be part of a sweeping bill that would also see the elimination of several plates by raising the minimum number of registrations required annually, as well as cap the total number of possible... Read More