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Florida Democrats Slam Sham Starbucks Investigation
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 23, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT
FLORIDA DEMOCRATS SLAM SHAM STARBUCKS INVESTIGATION
Tallahassee, FL — Yesterday, Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody joined Ron DeSantis on his takeover of Sean Hannity’s radio show to announce an investigation into Starbucks for their diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. In response, the Florida Democratic Party has released the following statement:
“The Republican Party’s obsession with DEI is a sham, and so is Ashley’s investigation into Starbucks,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. “The vast majority of business leaders — including 95% of conservative business leaders — know that diversity initiatives are strategically important for the economic health of their company. The fact that Republicans continue to attack businesses for making their own choices proves that the era of ‘free market Republicans’ is dead and gone.
“Florida Republicans are playing a dangerous and unconstitutional game in an effort to impress Donald Trump and stir up their base. Florida Democrats believe that the government has no business interfering with the practices of private corporations, and we plan to fight back against this extreme Republican overreach at the ballot box this November.”
FAMU Master of Health Administration Program Receives Seven-Year Reaccreditation
To Haley Voters: There’s a Home For You on Team Biden-Harris
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FDLE arrests Kissimmee man for possession of child sexual abuse material
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2024
FDLE arrests Kissimmee man for possession of child sexual abuse material
KISSIMMEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Alexander Tehrani-Mercedes, 18, of Kissimmee, for 10 counts of possession of child sexual abuse material.
FDLE’s investigation began after the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office provided agents a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The tip reported a user that uploaded multiple files of child sexual abuse material. Upon further investigation, the associated information identified Tehrani-Mercedes to be the account holder.
On May 21, agents served a search warrant on Tehrani-Mercedes’s residence and seized multiple electronic devices. An initial forensic examination located several images and videos depicting the sexual abuse of children, some as young as 3 years old.
FDLE’s Cybercrime Task Force in Orlando is investigating the case, which remains active.
Tehrani-Mercedes was booked into the Osceola County Jail without bond pending first appearance. Additional charges are possible pending further forensic analysis. The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, Ninth Judicial Circuit.
Please visit the FDLE website to review tips for keeping your children safe online at https://secureflorida.org/Family-Safety/BPParents.htm.
For Further Information Contact:
FDLE Office of Public Information
(850) 410-7001
Fla.’s Housing Market: Closed Sales, Median Prices, Inventory Up in April
Contact: Marla Martin, Florida Realtors® Senior Media Relations & Communications Manager, or Jeff Zipper, Senior Vice President of Communications; 407/438-1400, ext. 2326 or 2314
Fla.’s Housing Market: Closed Sales, Median Prices, Inventory Up in April
ORLANDO, Fla., May 22, 2024 – Florida’s housing market in April showed more closed sales, more for-sale inventory, more new listings and higher median prices compared to a year ago, according to Florida Realtors®’ latest housing data.
“More active listings provide more options and more homeownership opportunities for buyers, which in turn helps encourage buyer demand,” said 2024 Florida Realtors® President Gia Arvin, broker-owner with Matchmaker Realty in Gainesville. “In time, having more available inventory could ease the pressure of rising prices; however, cautious buyers and sellers are still wary of high mortgage interest rates, which are hovering around 7%.”
Last month, closed sales of existing single-family homes statewide totaled 24,682, up 5.8% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 10,228, up 1.9% over April 2023. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.
Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor noted that while sales rose compared to the same time last year, they have not reached pre-pandemic levels.
“Closed sales remain lower than what we may have been used to prior to the pandemic, but they are holding fairly steady,” he said. “Meanwhile, prices continue to rise at a much more sustainable pace and options for buyers continue to expand.”
The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes in April was $429,900, up 4.9% over April 2023, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Last month’s statewide median price for condo-townhouse units was $335,000, up 3.1% over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.
“As for the incoming supply of homes for sale, new listings of single-family homes remained elevated in both property type categories,” said O’Connor. “In April, new listings of single-family homes were up 25% compared to a year ago, although this level of new listings, while significantly greater than last year, is more in line with our typical pre-pandemic numbers. Similarly, new listings of townhouses and condos were up 24.2% year-over-year in April. But in this property type category, we are seeing a level of new listings higher than what we would have expected pre-pandemic.”
He said, “With new listings outpacing sales, and homes on the market a bit longer than a year ago, we have seen quite a bit of inventory growth in recent months here in Florida. You’re probably seeing lots of headlines about the state’s rapid rise in inventory but let’s put that in perspective. Single-family inventory is not quite back to the typical 2014-to-2019 level, but it’s getting close, while the condo-townhouse inventory is now over the typical level of inventory that we had in the years ahead of the pandemic.”
Still, Dr. O’Connor noted, “The fact that the measure of days on market is much more similar to what we saw immediately ahead of the pandemic or even below that level in some cases, gives us reason to be positive about our recent increase in inventory. This increase is going to ease price growth and allow for more opportunities for prospective buyers who were left in the cold when inventory was so low just a couple of years ago.”
On the supply side of the market, inventory (active listings) rose year-over-year with single-family existing homes at a 4.2-months’ supply in April, while condo-townhouse inventory was at a 6.9-months’ supply.
To see the full statewide housing activity reports, go to the Florida Realtors Newsroom and look under Latest Releases or download the April 2024 data report PDFs under Market Data.
Florida Realtors® serves as the voice for real estate in Florida. It provides programs, services, continuing education, research and legislative representation to 238,000 members in 51 boards/associations. Florida Realtors® Newsroom website is available at http://floridarealtors.org/newsroom.
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Lauren’s Kids Named Winner Of Alliance For Women In Media 2024 Gracie Award
CONTACT:
Kayla Lott | 845.476.4560
Lauren’s Kids Named Winner Of Alliance For Women In Media 2024 Gracie Award
Yesterday, Senator Lauren Book and Lauren’s Kids, an organization that works to combat childhood sexual abuse through awareness and education, was presented with a 2024 Gracie Award in the original online programming, standalone video category for their Safer, Smarter Kids Think, Feel, Act (TFA) safety video. Senator Book, Lauren’s Kids CEO & Founder, accepted the award at the Gracie’s Gala held on May 21, 2024, at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, California.
“We are so honored to receive a Gracie Award from the Alliance for Women in Media,” Senator Lauren Book, founder, and CEO of Lauren’s Kids, said. “Child sexual abuse knows no bounds, with 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 5 boys being abused before graduating high school, and 1 in 5 children who touch a computer being sexually solicited online. Armed with the knowledge that 95% of this abuse is preventable through education and awareness, we are empowering and teaching children personal safety from a place of fun, not fear.”
The Alliance for Women in Media was formed in 1951, initially as American Women in Radio and Television. Nearly 25 years later, the annual award program was created to recognize individuals in the media who reflected women’s changing roles, issues, and concerns. This year marks the organization’s 49th anniversary of the Gracie Awards. The Gracies recognize individual achievement and exemplary programming created by, for, and about women in all facets of media and entertainment.
Last month during National Sexual Abuse Awareness Month, Senator Lauren Book and the Lauren’s Kids Foundation walked 1,500 miles for child safety as part of their annual “Walk in My Shoes” event. Senator Book stopped at numerous school’s along her 1500-mile trek and taught lessons on personal safety from the EMMY Award-winning Lauren’s Kids Safer, Smarter Kids and Safer, Smarter Teens curriculum. The Walk in My Shoes began in 2010; since that time, tens of thousands of participants have joined to walk across the state raisinge awareness about child sexual abuse prevention and honoring the 42 million survivors living in the U.S.
Armed with the knowledge that 95% of child sexual abuse and exploitation is preventable through awareness and education, visit www.laurenskids.org today to learn how to keep children and communities safe.
To join the celebration, follow the hashtag #TheGracies and @Allwomeninmedia.
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About Lauren’s Kids
Lauren Book, M.S. ED, founder and CEO of Lauren’s Kids, is an internationally recognized child protection advocate, best-selling author and Florida State Senator who works every day to protect childhood. She is also a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, suffered at the hands of a trusted caretaker from the time she was 10 until the age of 16. Armed with the knowledge that 95 percent of sexual abuse is preventable through education and awareness, Lauren has worked to turn her horrific personal experience into a vehicle to prevent childhood sexual abuse and help other survivors heal.
An official 501(c)(3) since 2007, Lauren’s Kids educates adults and children about sexual abuse prevention through in-school curricula, ADDY and EMMY Award-winning public awareness campaigns and speaking engagements around the country and the world. The organization provides more than 8 million direct mail education and awareness materials statewide. The foundation has helped advocate for the passage of nearly two dozen laws to support survivors and protect children from predators. For more information, please visit www.laurenskids.org.
FDACS Provides Information on Florida Energy Rebate Programs
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Florida PSC Encourages Preparedness and Readiness for 2024 Hurricane Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
MEDIA CONTACT: (850) 413-6482
Florida PSC Encourages Preparedness and Readiness
for 2024 Hurricane Season
TALLAHASSEE — Hurricane season, beginning June 1, is quickly approaching. With a more active than normal season predicted, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) ensures the state’s investor-owned electric utilities are prepared for the 2024 storm season.
Today, Florida utilities reviewed updates to their storm response and recovery procedures at the PSC’s annual Hurricane Preparedness Workshop. Each review included the current status on PSC-mandated storm preparedness initiatives:
- Facility inspections, maintenance, and repairs;
- Vegetation management;
- Flooding and storm surge mitigation;
- Wooden pole inspections; and
- Coordination with other utilities, government, and community groups.
“The PSC’s storm preparedness rules help Florida’s electric utilities continually improve their storm readiness, but customers also need to be prepared,” said PSC Chairman Mike La Rosa. “To assist customers, the Commission has posted Customer Storm Preparation and Recovery Information under Hot Topics on our website, including storm planning and recovery tips.”
Planning tools include the PSC’s “Hurricane House,” with 19 preparation tips for home and family, from planning an evacuation route to dealing with downed power lines. Also included is a home electric connection graphic, showing who—the utility or the customer—is responsible for repairs, as well as utility storm hardening reports.
Following each named storm that impacts our state, the PSC aggregates the available data related to power outages and publishes this information on the PSC website.
Today’s workshop presentations are available under Hot Topics on the PSC website.
For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.
Follow the PSC on X and LinkedIn.
Subscribe to the Commission’s YouTube channel for Consumer Tips and PSAs.
Team Biden-Harris Enters June Ahead of Trump with $192M War Chest
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