Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Featured

Featured

Consumer Alert: Equifax Data Breach

Posted on

Equifax Inc., a national credit reporting bureau, has announced that a cybersecurity incident potentially compromised the personal identifying information of approximately 143 million U.S. consumers. The Equifax hack includes names, addresses, birth dates, and Social Security Numbers. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation encourages Floridians to act now to protect their personal identifying information and reduce their risk of identity theft. 
Reduce your risk of identity theft by:
  • Changing your passwords on all your accounts regularly.
  • Checking your credit report at least annually with the three national credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
  • Shredding or destroying all documents with personal identifying information when you are finished with them.
  • Never verifying or giving personal identifying information over the phone or through email, especially if the contact was unsolicited.
  • Request fraud alerts on your accounts and your credit report. 
Keep the “Three C’s” in mind if you think you may be a victim of identity theft:
  • Check: Watch for suspicious or unauthorized transactions on your financial, professional and personal accounts. Contact the sender immediately if financial statements or bills do not arrive on time.
  • Contact: File a report with the Federal Trade Commission, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center and local law enforcement. Contact your financial institutions to alert them, and to replace your debit and credit cards. Request a freeze of your credit reports from the three national credit reporting agencies (Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion).
  • Collect: Collect all evidence that you may have to support your claim. This could be cancelled checks, credit card receipts, unusual email messages, etc. 
Equifax has established a website for consumers to find out if they may have been impacted by the data breach. 
The Florida Office of Financial Regulation offers an online Consumer Knowledge Center, where Floridians can learn more about a variety of financial literacy topics, including how to protect themselves from identity theft.

The Florida Lottery is giving players a new way to win for life

Posted on

THE FLORIDA LOTTERY IS GIVING PLAYERS A NEW WAY TO WIN
FOR LIFE WITH THE $10,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE SCRATCH-OFF GAME

Following the success of the WEEK FOR LIFE family of Scratch-Off games that launched in July, the Florida Lottery today introduces the new $20 Scratch-Off, $10,000 A WEEK FOR LIFE! This new game features more than $450 million in total cash prizes and over ten million winning tickets, including six top prizes of $10,000 a week for life! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-2.97.
The Florida Lottery also launched four additional Scratch-Off games today that offer more than $176 million in total cash prizes. All Lottery retailers are expected to have these new tickets in stock and available for purchase within 72 hours.
The $5 game, LUCKY 13, features 16 top prizes of $250,000 and 176 prizes of $10,000! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.01.
For just $3, players can win up to $50,000 with BANKROLL BINGO. There are over seven million winning tickets totaling more than $58 million in cash prizes! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-3.99.
The newest $2 game, MONEY ROLL, features more than $32 million in total cash prizes, including 30 top prizes of $20,000! The game’s overall odds of winning are one-in-4.50.
TRIPLE WIN offers 84 top prizes of $3,000 and more than $12 million in total cash prizes! This $1 game features more than four million winning tickets, and overall odds of winning are one-in-4.88.
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.

Justin Sayfie Joins Ballard Partners’ Washington, D.C. Office

Posted on

Fort Lauderdale Managing Partner Justin Sayfie
moves to Ballard Partners’ office in the nation’s Capital

Ballard Partners, a leading Florida-based government affairs firm, proudly announces Fort Lauderdale Managing Partner Justin Sayfie’s move to Washington, D.C., where the seasoned government affairs strategist will enhance his focus on the federal government at the firm.
“Justin Sayfie is widely respected throughout the Sunshine State for his in-depth knowledge of the political process and unparalleled relationships with key decision-makers in both Tallahassee and D.C. His contacts and expertise are ideally suited for a full-time position in Washington, D.C.,” said Brian Ballard, president of Ballard Partners. “Since joining our team in 2015, clients across the country have benefitted from Justin’s guidance, and his proximity to the nation’s capital will be a tremendous bonus to our clients and their public policy needs.”
Sayfie previously served as a top advisor to former Florida Governor Jeb Bush. He also served in the administration of President George W. Bush as a Commissioner on the Commission on White House Fellowships, where he helped oversee the nation’s top leadership development program. Additionally, in 2005, Justin was appointed by U.S. Senator Mel Martinez as Chairman of the Federal Judicial Nominating Commission for the Southern District of Florida, where he led the initial nominating process for Federal Judges and U.S. Attorneys in South Florida.
He appears regularly as a political commentator on CNN, Fox News and MSNBC, and has published Florida’s leading political news site and mobile app, Sayfie Review, for the past 15 years.
Sayfie received his bachelor’s degree in American Government from Georgetown University, and his juris doctor, cum laude, from the University of Miami.

Commissioner Putnam Announces Free School Meals for All K-12 Students in 48 Counties Impacted by Hurricane Irma

Posted on

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam announced today the U.S. Department of Agriculture accepted a request to allow all students in 48counties subject to a FEMA Major Disaster Declaration access to free school meals through the National School Lunch Program. These changes, in effect Sept. 18 – Oct. 20, will potentially impact over 3,000 schools and 2.5 million children. The department is requesting additional flexibilities as counties are being declared major disaster areas and as requests are submitted by counties. As such, additional counties could be added to the waiver in the coming days.
All Students in the following counties can access free school meals through the National School Lunch Program from Sept.18 – Oct. 20, 2017: Charlotte, Collier, Hillsborough, Lee, Manatee, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Pinellas, Broward, Palm Beach, Glades, Hendry, Sarasota, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Putnam, St. Johns, Brevard, Citrus, DeSoto, Hardee, Hernando, Highlands, Indian River, Lake, Marion, Martin, Okeechobee, Orange, Osceola, Pasco, Polk, St. Lucie, Seminole, Sumter, Volusia, Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Columbia, Dixie, Gilchrist, Lafayette, Levy, Nassau, Suwannee and Union.
Parents or guardians can find additional information here or contact the department at 1-800-504-6609 or [email protected].

UNF School of Music Celebrates Great American Jazz Series 30th Anniversary

Posted on

The School of Music, a flagship program at the University of North Florida, is celebrating the 30th anniversary of its Great American Jazz Series, a special component of the Jazz Studies Program that brings popular, talented jazz artists to campus. Performances kick off Thursday, Oct. 5, and run through Thursday, April 19.
“We’re thrilled to celebrate 30 years of the Great American Jazz Series and look forward to exposing the community to many more gifted jazz artists in the years to come,” said Randall Tinnin, UNF School of Music director.
The yearly series that began in 1989 hosts five or six high-profile jazz artists each year for week-long residencies during which they teach and perform with UNF jazz students. In 1986, the Koger Family Foundation created an endowment that provides support to the American Music Fund. Through this support, Jazz Luminary and Jazz Education Hall of Fame inductee Rich Matteson was hired to create a jazz studies program at UNF. Matteson recruited an all-star faculty, which attracted some of the best and brightest young students in the U.S.
Within a few years, the UNF Jazz Studies Program achieved national recognition, with students winning prestigious Down Beat Magazine awards and going on to perform in the Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, elite Washington D.C. Military ensembles and many other world-class artists.  This series has enabled the Jazz Ensemble 1 and 2 groups to perform in concert with over 100 esteemed artists, such as Herbie Hancock, The Count Basie Orchestra, Joe Henderson, Pat Metheny, Michael Brecker and more.
The 30th Anniversary Great American Jazz Series will feature the following performances, all under the artistic direction of Associate Professor of Music J.B. Scott:
Thursday, Oct. 5, 7:30 p.m. UNF’s Robinson Theater, Building 14A
Jazz Faculty Scholarship Concert: Jazz Studies faculty Danny Gottlieb on drums, Barry Greene on guitar, Dennis Marks on bass and Todd DelGiudice on saxophone will debut original arrangements and compositions. Tickets: $8/$10/$15
Thursday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m. UNF’s Robinson Theater, Building 14A
Trombonist Dave Steinmeyer-A Legend Salutes the Legends:  Dave Steinmeyer, adjunct professor of applied trombone, will perform in tribute to Rich Matteson, the late founder of the UNF jazz Studies Program. Steinmeyer has appeared as a performer and clinician at most of the major universities in the U.S. and has performed for eight U.S. presidents. Additionally, he has been a featured artist at the Sydney Opera House in Australia, the Kennedy Center and the White House. Tickets: $8/$10/$15
Thursday, Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. UNF’s Robinson Theater, Building 14A
Drummer Ignacio Berroa and trio: Grammy-award winner and international drum star Ignacio Berroa will perform with his trio in tribute to Afro-Cuban Jazz. Tickets: $8/$17/$25 
Thursday, Feb. 8, 7:30 p.m. UNF’s Robinson Theater, Building 14A
Guitarist Jack Peterson: Jack Peterson is an American jazz guitarist, composer, arranger and clinician who revolutionized guitar education. He will perform in tribute to Matteson, with all three jazz ensembles. Tickets: $8/$10/$15
Friday, March 16, 7:30 p.m. UNF’s Lazzara Hall, Fine Arts Center, Building 45
A Tribute to Woody Herman: YAMAHA performing artist Allen Vizzutti and two-time Grammy Award-winning Richard Stoltzman will perform with the UNF Orchestra and JE1 (Jazz Ensemble 1) in tribute to Woody Herman, a popular bandleader and Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award winner. This performance will be presented in partnership with The Beaches Fine Arts Series. Admission is free.
Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m. UNF’s Robinson Theater, Building 14A
Trumpeter Michael Mossman and Trombonist Luis Bonilla: A composer forum will take place featuring legendary composers, YAMAHA performing artist Michael Mossman and Grammy Award-winning Luis Bonilla.  Tickets: $8/17/25
Thursday, April 19, 7:30 p.m. UNF’s Robinson Theater, Building 14A
JE1 Plays the Music of JE1: Jazz Ensemble 1, the flagship ensemble of the UNF Jazz Studies Program, will conclude the Great American Jazz Series 30th Anniversary by performing original musical compositions. Tickets: $8/$12
Tickets are available online or by calling the Ticket Box Office at (904) 620-2878. For more information, contact Kolanda Douglas, Music coordinator marketing publications, at (904) 620- 2864.
The Department of Music was designated as a UNF Flagship Program in 2011, and as the UNF School of Music in 2015.  The UNF School of Music offers comprehensive instruction relevant in the music industry of the 21st century. It’s now the musical home of 250 students, 23 full-time faculty members and 18 adjunct faculty members. It offers undergraduate degrees in jazz studies, performance, music education, piano pedagogy as well as music technology/production and master’s degrees in jazz studies, conducting, performance, and music education (beginning in spring 2018), plus certificates in performance, music technology and production.

Senator Lauren Book Files Legislation to Require Nursing Homes and Assisted Living Facilities to Have Working Generators

Posted on

Changes proposed in Irma’s wake to protect Florida’s most vulnerable

State Senator Lauren Book (D-Plantation) today filed legislation (SB 284) that would require nursing homes and assisted living facilities to have working generators. The proposed bill is response to the deaths of eight elderly residents at the Rehabilitation Facility of Hollywood Hills, following air conditioner failure within the facility in Hurricane Irma’s wake.
“There is no excuse for failing to protect those most vulnerable among us,” says Sen. Book, who co-signed a letter to Governor Scott requesting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement open a formal investigation into the tragedy. “The loss of eight lives at Hollywood Hills was completely preventable, and that is what is so heartbreaking about this situation. One of the residents who perished lived to be 99 years old – but because of air conditioning failure and human negligence in the days following a storm, this very special life was lost. We can prevent these things – which never should have happened in the first place – from happening again…and we must, for the sake of our senior citizens and their families.”
If passed, the legislation would add electricity and emergency power sources to unannounced inspections of nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as well as require equipment sufficient to provide adequate day-to-day electricity, a fully operational emergency power source, and a supply of fuel sufficient to sustain the emergency power source for at least five days during a power outage.
The Rehabilitation Facility of Hollywood Hills air conditioning malfunctioned on Sunday and elderly residents had to endure oppressive conditions for three days before an evacuation was conducted.
Sen. Book intends to continue to fight for the health and rights of all citizens – especially senior citizens in the state of Florida, making senior wellbeing a special focus during her term.
“This is just the beginning of a set of essential and long overdue reforms needed to help ensure Florida’s seniors are being cared for in the way we would wish for our own parents, or grandparents,” Sen. Book concludes.

FDOT Work To Resume

Posted on

Motorists will begin seeing resumption of construction on state road projects in District 1, where it is feasible.
This resumption will neither conflict with recovery efforts, nor take away resources from debris removal, cutting and hauling.
The Florida Department of Transportation urges everyone to stay safe, drive carefully in construction zones, and stay alert to conditions during this time of recovery.

Statement Regarding Claims By Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center

Posted on


It is 100 percent the responsibility of health care professionals to preserve life by acting in the best interest of the health and well-being of their patients. Let’s be clear – this facility is located across the street from one of Florida’s largest hospitals, which never lost power and had fully operating facilities. The tragic and senseless loss at Hollywood Hills Rehabilitation Center is the subject of a criminal homicide investigation by law enforcement.

Gov. Scott Directs DBPR to Make it Easier for Floridians to Rebuild Following Hurricane Irma

Posted on

Governor Rick Scott directed Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s (DBPR) Secretary Jonathan Zachem to suspend certain regulations and fees that may prevent, hinder or delay necessary response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Irma. This order applies to all counties identified in the Major Disaster Declaration and will help Floridians more quickly repair and rebuild their homes and businesses. To view the Emergency Order, click HERE.
Governor Scott said, “Right now, families across the state are beginning the challenging process of repairing and rebuilding their homes and businesses after the impact of this massive storm. It is incredibly important that we do all we can to make it easier for these families to quickly and safely recover, which is why I have directed DBPR to take immediate action to suspend certain regulations that would hinder or delay recovery efforts. We will continue to work closely with our communities across the state to make sure they have all they need to help Florida fully rebuild and recover from Hurricane Irma.”
Secretary Jonathan Zachem said, “Many Floridians have been adversely impacted by Hurricane Irma. Under Governor Scott’s leadership, the Department is working to suspend burdensome regulations and provide the resources needed during this difficult time to help quickly repair and rebuild.”
The Emergency Order allows licensed general, building, and residential contractors to perform roofing repair and installation and also permits local governments to authorize local and specialty contracting licenses for individuals and businesses that are already licensed in jurisdictions throughout Florida so they can perform roofing repair and installation in impacted areas. This will allow areas of the state most affected by Hurricane Irma to be flexible and assist Floridians with immediate restoration during this difficult time. Florida’s high building standards and safety requirements will not be affected. Lastly, the order waives all Department fees for occupational or professional businesses who must relocate or reopen because of damage caused by Irma and its effects.
The Emergency Order will correspond with the effective dates of Governor Scott’s Executive Order 17-235 and any extensions thereof.