Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Contributor

Contributor

Attorney General Bondi Warns Parents About Internet-Connected Toys this Holiday Season

Posted on

As parents shop for children’s gifts this holiday season, Attorney General Pam Bondi urges caution when purchasing Internet-connected toys. Before purchasing smart toys, such as dolls that speak with children and smart watches that contain GPS tracking technology, consumers should ensure toys employ adequate security and privacy protections for children.
“When shopping for children’s presents, safety should be the top priority. I urge parents to be cautious of any toy that could collect and share a child’s sensitive information,” said Attorney General Bondi.
Smart toys may collect children’s personal information that can include address, age, location, name, pictures and voices data. Toys that lack adequate security protections may expose a child’s sensitive information, creating a risk of child identity fraud or exploitation. Additionally, without adequate privacy protections, children’s personal information may be sold to third parties for targeted advertising.
As an example, the My Friend Cayla doll uses an unsecured blue-tooth connection that can be accessed by individuals nearby. The product also fails to provide information regarding privacy policies required by federal law. Despite these security and privacy flaws, My Friend Cayla represents that it is kid safe. Although many retailers pulled the dolls from shelves and France and Germany issued warnings regarding this toy, online retailers continue to sell the doll.
There are steps consumers should take before purchasing smart toys this holiday season. Here are some recommendations from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to ensure safe purchases of Internet-connected toys:

  • Research for reported security issues using online resources from sites that conduct cyber security research, consumer product reviews and child and consumer advocacy;
  • Only connect and use toys in environments with trusted and secured Wi-Fi Internet access;
  • Look into the toy’s Internet and device connection security measures. Check if the toy uses authentication when pairing the device with Bluetooth or uses encryption when transmitting data from the toy to the Wi-Fi access point and to the server or cloud;
  • Find out if toys can receive firmware or software updates and security patches. If so, ensure the toys are running on the most updated versions and that any available patches are implemented;
  • Check where user data is stored—with the company, third party services or both—and whether any publicly available reporting exists on the company’s reputation for cyber security; and
  • Carefully read disclosures and privacy policies from company and any third parties.

For more information and tips about cyber safety, please visit SafeFlorida.net.

Port Charlotte man claims top prize in new $500,000 HOLIDAY CASH Scratch-Off game

Posted on

Gerald Diff poses with his wife and oversized check after claiming
a top prize in the $500,000 HOLIDAY CASH Scratch-Off game.

The Florida Lottery announces that Gerald Diff, 60, of Port Charlotte, claimed a top prize in the $500,000 HOLIDAY CASH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He purchased his winning ticket from Circle K, located at 2646 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte.
The new $5 Scratch-Off game, $500,000 HOLIDAY CASH, launched on October 23, and offers more than three million winning tickets, with 118 prizes from $10,000 to $500,000. Overall odds of winning are one-in-4.07.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 68 percent of ticket sales and generating more than $784 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) in fiscal year 2016-17.

Sen. Bill Nelson on FCC vote to end “net neutrality”

Posted on

Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the Federal Communication Commission’s vote today to repeal so-called “net neutrality” rules:

“The Republican-led FCC just turned its back on consumers. By voting to give internet providers the ability to decide what websites their customers will see, how fast they’ll see them and how much they’re going to have to pay, the FCC just ended the internet as we know it.”

Sen. Bill Nelson on FCC vote to end "net neutrality"

Posted on


Following is a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on the Federal Communication Commission’s vote today to repeal so-called “net neutrality” rules:
“The Republican-led FCC just turned its back on consumers. By voting to give internet providers the ability to decide what websites their customers will see, how fast they’ll see them and how much they’re going to have to pay, the FCC just ended the internet as we know it.”

Lt. Governor López-Cantera and FDLE host Florida Missing Children’s Day

Posted on

Lt. Governor Carlos López-Cantera and First Lady Ann Scott joined Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Rick Swearingen and hundreds of law enforcement personnel, public officials and citizens today for the 2017 Florida Missing Children’s Day ceremony in Tallahassee. The annual event is held to remember Florida’s missing children, recognize the state’s efforts in child protection and educate Floridians on child safety and abduction prevention.
Governor Scott said, “As a father and grandfather, I take the safety of Florida’s children very seriously, and my heart goes out to the parents and families who have experienced the heartache of a missing child. Our prayers are with each of them every day. Florida is now at a 46-year crime low thanks to our hardworking law enforcement officers and we will keep fighting to protect those most vulnerable in our state.”
First Lady Ann Scott said, “As First Lady, I’ve had the opportunity to meet thousands of children across the state, and I am constantly reminded of how important it is to protect them. Rick and I are so grateful to the law enforcement officers, first responders and volunteers who dedicate their time to reuniting these families and ensuring the safety of our communities.”
In 2016, more than 33,000 incidents of missing children were reported to Florida law enforcement agencies and 12 AMBER Alerts were issued statewide. Since its inception, 218 AMBER Alerts have been issued, including 10 so far this year. AMBER Alerts have directly aided in the rescue of 69 children.
FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen said, “The security of Florida’s children and the safe recovery of those missing remain a priority for FDLE. We are committed to working with our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to prevent child abductions and apprehend predators.”
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said, “Today we remember all of Florida’s missing children and their loved ones—who continue to hope and pray for their safe return. My heart breaks for families still searching for their children and I pray for our law enforcement officers working diligently to locate missing children and bring to justice those responsible for so much pain.”
Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said: “Those who dedicate their lives to protecting Florida’s children and educating our communities on ways to prevent child abduction are nothing short of heroic. While there is always more work to be done, we are forever grateful for the service they have provided, and will continue to provide, to the children and families of our great state.”
Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam said, “Florida Missing Children’s Day is a solemn day to remember our missing children and grieve with their families and loved ones. It is also a day to recommit to doing all that we can to make Florida a safer place for our most vulnerable residents.”
During a formal ceremony, Lt. Governor López-Cantera and Commissioner Swearingen recognized citizens, canine trailing teams and law enforcement officers for their exemplary efforts in missing children investigations.
The following individuals are recipients of the 2017 Florida Missing Children’s Day Awards:
Combatting Human Trafficking Award
Winner: Miami-Dade Police Department, Human Trafficking Squad

  • Lt. Lewis Velken
  • Sgt. Marie Perez
  • Sgt. Joseph Menendez
  • Det. Raul Cabrera
  • Det. Hector Arreola
  • Det. Kurtis Lueck
  • Det. Isabel Soto
  • Det. Paul Espana

Agency: Miami-Dade Police, Special Victims Bureau, Human Trafficking Squad
In June of 2016, the Human Trafficking Squad (HTS) assisted in the arrest of a human trafficker whose crimes spanned three countries and multiple states. The investigation resulted in the recovery of seven human trafficking victims.
Local Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award
Winner: Officer Troy Belden, Daytona Beach Police Department
Officer Troy Belden, while off duty, witnessed an attempted kidnapping when a suspect attempted to enter a vehicle occupied by two children. Officer Belden chased and apprehended the suspect and placed him under arrest.
State/Federal Law Enforcement Officer of the Year Award
Winner: Special Agent Donald Cannon, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Miami Regional Operations Center
Special Agent Donald Cannon led an investigation that resulted in the arrest of a suspect accused of abusing nearly a dozen children, both in Florida and in the orphanage he operated in Haiti. The suspect was arrested for violations in Foreign Commerce with the Purpose of Engaging in Illicit Sexual Conduct with a Minor.
Jimmy Ryce K9 Trailing Team of the Year
Winner: Deputy Sheriff Jacob Durrance and K9 Chase, Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Summary: Deputy Jacob Durrance and K9 Chase tracked a 16 year old, suicidal girl. They began from her home and tracked her into the woods a mile from her home, where she was recovered and transported to the hospital.
Law Enforcement Task Force of the Year
Winner: Child Abduction Response Team: Polk County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Federal Bureau of Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol

  • Resident Agent in Charge Brett Thompson, FDLE
  • Special Agent Scott Gibson, FDLE
  • Special Agent Andrew Powell, FDLE
  • Special Agent Joshua Rios, FDLE
  • Special Agent Charles Massucci, FDLE
  • Special Agent Donald Schrenker, FDLE
  • Sergeant Joseph Makal, Polk County Sheriff’s Office
  • Detective Maria Sorensen, Polk County Sheriff’s Office
  • Deputy Sheriff Jeffrey Bradford, Polk County Sheriff’s Office
  • Task Force Detective Robert Mateo, Polk County Sheriff’s Office
  • Sergeant Robert Kirkpatrick, Polk County Sheriff’s Office
  • Special Agent Joe Boland, FBI
  • State Trooper George Seiler, FHP

This Child Abduction Response Team led an abduction investigation that covered three states: Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee. The young girl was taken from her home and AMBER alerts were issued in all three states. The girl was recovered in Tennessee and flown back to Florida by the FDLE Aviation Unit.
School Bus Operator of the Year
Winner: Linda Sheldrake, Flagler County
Linda noticed, at one of her stops, a strange man sitting in his car focusing on one of the girls in a group. Knowing the girl had a further walk than the rest, Linda contacted the mother about the situation and began dropping the girl off closer to her home to avoid the strange man.
John and Revé Walsh Award
Winner: Dr. Michael Warren
This year, Dr. Michael Warren retired from his position as director of the C.A. Pound Human Identification Laboratory where he helped identify numerous remains of missing persons in the state of Florida. Dr. Warren has remained an integral part of the investigation into the disappearance of Tiffany Sessions.
Evelyn D. Williams Memorial Award
Winner: Jan Henderson
Jan Henderson recently retired from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement where she led FDLE’s Unidentified Deceased Initiative. Ms. Henderson helped identify the remains of multiple unidentified deceased cases. Ms. Henderson has also played an important role in the organization of the Missing Children’s Day event for over a decade.
To see a current list of unsolved AMBER Alert cases, please click here.
A current list of unsolved Missing Child Alert cases can be found here.
FDLE invites the public to follow FDLE on Facebook and Twitter, and sign up to receive Missing Child and AMBER Alerts via email or text message by visiting missingchildrenalert.com. For more information about the Florida Missing Children’s Day Foundation, visit fmcdf.org.
 

Senator Brandes Files Privacy Bill

Posted on

Bill would ensure citizens’ privacy in the use
of their cell phones and home-use devices

Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg) today filed SB 1256, which protects citizens’ expectation of privacy in the use of their cell phones and microphone-enabled household devices, such as the Amazon Echo and Google Home, by requiring that law enforcement obtain a warrant in order to search communications and location data contained in these devices.
“As technology continues to become more integrated in our daily lives, it is critical that the law recognize that electronic devices are the modern day equivalent of papers and effects, falling under the protections of the 4th Amendment of the Constitution,” stated Senator Brandes. “It is my hope that this collaborative effort will accomplish my goal of bringing us into this day and age technologically without compromising law enforcement’s ability to provide public safety.”
Senator Brandes sought advice from industry experts and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement prior to filing the bill to ensure that privacy is maintained and to provide clarity as to how law enforcement may access these devices.
SB 1256 makes clear that collection by law enforcement of an individual’s location, a cell phone, or a home enabled device, without the consent of the person or owner of the devices, should be allowed only when authorized by a warrant, unless certain exigent circumstances exist.

For more information on SB 1256, please visit flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2018/01256.

Commissioner Adam Putnam to Address Florida Highway Patrol’s 137th Recruit Class at Graduation

Posted on

MEDIA ADVISORY

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam tomorrow will address Florida Highway Patrol’s 137th Basic Recruit Class at their graduation ceremony.
Event: 137th Recruit Class graduation
Date: Friday, Dec. 15, 2017
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: Christian Heritage Church
2820 Sharer Rd.
Tallahassee, Fla.

New JMI Report Lauds University of Florida’s Efforts to Promote Free Speech

Posted on

A new report by The James Madison Institute’s Marshall Center for Educational Options finds that the entire Florida higher education system could be “very well positioned to meet the growing demand for intellectually-serious academic study at an affordable cost.”
Entitled, “Free Expression and Intellectual Diversity: How Florida Universities Currently Measure Up,” the JMI report compiles a variety of different measures that examine how well today’s universities protect free speech, promote a campus culture open to different viewpoints, and respond to speech-bullying by those seeking to drown out viewpoints they oppose.

On all of these measures, the University of Florida ranks among the nation’s leaders. In fact, UF’s ranking tied for 5th nationally in the composite scores of Heterodox Academy, an ideologically-diverse consortium of scholars working to improve viewpoint diversity in their academic fields and institutions. In addition, UF is one of only three dozen universities in the U.S. to claim the highest “green light” rating for protecting free speech given by the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE).

Six other Florida universities have improved their FIRE ratings since JMI collaborated on a similar report in 2013 – Florida Gulf Coast, Florida International, New College, North Florida, South Florida, and West Florida. Of these, UNF stands out, as it went from “red light” status to “green light” status.

Still, Florida’s higher education system has room for improvement, says JMI President and CEO Dr. Bob McClure. Citing recommendations found in the report, McClure called for “Florida’s university leaders to abolish all ‘speech codes,’ and ‘speech zones.”

“It would be a mistake to think that Florida’s public universities are in no way threatened by the rise of speech-bullying nationwide,” observed report author and Director of JMI’s Marshall Center for Educational Options William Mattox. He cited the University of Missouri’s troubles in the wake of a 2015 speech-squelching incident as a cautionary tale.

“At the same time, it would be an even bigger mistake for Florida higher education leaders to approach this topic with fear and trembling,” Mattox observed. “The campus unrest at many universities around the country gives Florida’s institutions of higher learning an opportunity to distinguish themselves as citadels of free expression, intellectual diversity, and academic excellence.”

 The JMI policy brief, including each university’s score, is available HERE.

FHCA: Constitution Revision Commission Should Act Carefully on Changes Affecting Care Options for Frail Elders

Posted on

Members of the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) today provided members of the Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) with invaluable information and insights to help preserve a crucial policy affecting the care of Florida’s most frail residents. In presentations to a CRC panel, FHCA speakers detailed why nursing centers should be removed from any repeal of the Certificate of Need process.

FHCA, Florida’s largest advocacy organization representing 82% of Florida nursing centers and the elderly they serve, told the CRC General Provisions Committee that both the quality of care for the state’s seniors and the health of the nursing centers that care for them could be significantly impacted by a proposal under consideration. The association is advocating for an exemption for nursing homes from a proposed Constitutional Amendment (Proposal 54) that would eliminate the Certificate of Need (CON) process for all health care facilities.

“Repealing nursing home Certificate of Need will most certainly result in unmanaged growth, low occupancy rates, inefficiencies in how buildings operate, and a reduction in the value of our state’s nursing centers. All of this will greatly impact how quality care is provided to our state’s seniors,” Brian Perry of HCR ManorCare, which operates 29 nursing centers in Florida, told members of the committee.

“CON repeal has affected elder care in other states,” Perry noted. “For example, Texas operates twice as many nursing centers as Florida but is plagued by facilities that have beds that remain empty and deliver a poor quality of care. Indiana was forced to impose a moratorium on building nursing centers due to unmanaged growth 16 years after it repealed its CON process.”

Jeff Marshall of Omega Healthcare Investors, a real estate investment trust with the nation’s largest portfolio of nursing home investments, told committee members that limiting the supply of nursing home beds to meet demand through the CON process represents a very important element of stabilizing nursing home value, encouraging both initial investment and subsequent reinvestment to enhance quality of care and environment for residents.

“Elimination of the nursing home CON process would ultimately lead to the unintended consequence of reduced access to nursing home care for Floridians covered by Medicaid,” said Marshall. “As newly built nursing homes focus on admitting profitable Medicare, insurance, and private-pay patients to cover construction costs, Medicaid residents will increasingly be restricted to older nursing homes. Those facilities that serve the highest percentage of Medicaid residents will suffer the most upon elimination of the CON process – not a desirable outcome.”

FHCA speakers also noted that by promoting an environment in which new nursing centers would have to lure elders to fill costly beds, repeal of CON for nursing centers would run contrary to Florida’s long-standing commitment to enabling elders to remain in their homes or in community-based care for as long as possible.

“Florida has attained a system that strikes the right balance. Those who can be cared for in a home and community-based setting are receiving it there – and those who come to my nursing center and others around the state do so because that is the only place they can safely receive the more specialized care they need,” said Joe Mitchell, CEO of mid-size nursing center operator Summit Care.

More information on how the Certificate of Need issue may affect the care of Floridians in skilled nursing centers can be found at cqrcengage.com/ahcafl/CONProcess.

Report northern bobwhite quail sightings to help conservation efforts

Posted on

Seeing northern bobwhite quail on your land?
Report sightings to help conservation efforts

To help restore the state’s northern bobwhite quail populations, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking private landowners to report sightings of bobwhite quail on their land.
Landowners can go to a new FWC webpage to record when and where they see northern bobwhite quail on their property: MyFWC.com/QuailSightings.
Hearing bobwhite quail calls also qualifies as a sighting.
The information collected will be useful to biologists in the FWC’s Landowner Assistance Program, who collaborate with private landowners on the restoration of bobwhite quail habitat. Bobwhite quail populations in Florida have declined by an estimated 82 percent over the past 50 years, primarily due to loss of habitat.
“I encourage landowners to get involved and let us know when you see or hear bobwhite quail on your land. The more landowners who decide to report their bobwhite quail sightings to the FWC’s new webpage, the more data we will have on the current locations and abundance of bobwhite quail throughout the state,” said Morgan Richardson, who heads the FWC’s Landowner Assistance Program. “Your participation will help us improve our efforts to restore bobwhite quail populations in Florida.”
The National Bobwhite Conservation Initiative in its State of the Bobwhite 2017 report mentions how FWC’s private lands biologists “provided technical assistance and cost share opportunities to landowners, creating roughly 8,000 acres of new bobwhite habitat throughout the state – nearly doubling last year’s acreage total.”
More than 19 million acres of Florida’s nearly 35 million acres are in private ownership. The land management practices encouraged by the FWC to maintain and restore bobwhite quail habitat include:

  • Planting low-density longleaf pine forests (less than 500 trees per acre).
  • Frequently doing prescribed burns.
  • Planting and maintaining field borders with native plants, providing food and cover for bobwhite quail.

The FWC wants to record sightings of wild quail, not pen-raised quail that are released for hunting. Sightings of bobwhite quail that are current or within the past year are preferred, but older sightings may be reported if the year and month are known.
Learn more about the Landowner Assistance Program at MyFWC.com/LAP where you can contact an FWC private lands biologist.
The FWC also relies on citizen scientists to report sightings of other species. Go to MyFWC.com/Get-Involved and click on “Citizen Science” and then “Sightings.”