Latest news with #Driskell
Yahoo
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Controversial gun bill moves through Florida legislature following deadly FSU shooting
The Brief Several state lawmakers said now is the time to rethink a controversial gun bill that's moving through the legislature. It comes as students, staff and families continue grieving the victims of Florida State University's on-campus shooting. Supporters of the new bill said last month lowering the age limit to 18 is a matter of consistency and giving people the right to defend themselves. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - As Florida State University students, staff and families grieve following a deadly on-campus shooting, several state lawmakers said now is the time to rethink a controversial gun bill that's moving through the legislature. The Florida House Democratic Caucus leaders held a virtual news conference on Monday, devoting a major portion of their remarks to the shooting at FSU. RELATED: Florida State resuming classes on Monday, days after tragic shooting on campus "There isn't a community in Florida that hasn't been impacted by gun violence," said Rep. Fentrice Driskell of Hillsborough County. The backstory The comments come after a gunman opened fire on FSU's campus, killing two people and wounding six others. Days before the shooting, a bill passed through the Florida House of Representatives that would lower the minimum age to purchase rifles and other long guns from 21 to 18 years old. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Big picture view The bill would undo a bipartisan law passed after the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018 that raised the minimum age to 21. Democratic leaders believe the law has helped reduce the number of shootings. "What we don't want to do is add fuel to the fire. What we don't want to do is try to exacerbate situations like what we just saw at Florida State," Driskell said. The other side Supporters of the new bill, however, said last month lowering the age limit to 18 is a matter of consistency and giving people the right to defend themselves. "We are either an adult at 18 or we're not. It's legitimately that simple. That's the basis of this argument," said Rep. Danny Alvarez, R-Hillsborough County. MORE: Lakeland student describes suspected FSU shooter "If you are treated as an adult to defend our country and to vote in our country, we must not infringe upon your constitutional rights," added Rep. Judson Sapp, R-Putnam County. What's next A related bill in the Florida Senate was proposed and would need to pass. At the moment, however, it has not been discussed in committees. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Aaron Mesmer. It also contains previous FOX 13 News reports on the shooting at Florida State University. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Writers bring us ‘something particularly humane,' says KY's next poet laureate
Kathleen Driskell chairs Spalding University's Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing in Louisville. (Spalding University photo) Kathleen Driskell of Oldham County will be Kentucky's new poet laureate, succeeding novelist and essayist Silas House. In naming Driskell Thursday, Gov. Andy Beshear said she has 'made a real impact on the commonwealth's rich literary community through her poetry and passion for teaching.' Driskell, the author of multiple books of poetry, has been honored with the Appalachian Review's Denny C. Plattner Award in Creative Nonfiction. She has received grants from the Kentucky Arts Council and the Kentucky Foundation for Women among other honors. Her published books include 'Goat-Footed Gods,' 'Blue Etiquette: Poems,' 'Next Door to the Dead' and 'Seed Across Snow.' She also serves as the chair of Spalding University's Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Writing in Louisville. Driskell will serve as the poet laureate from 2025-2026. A conversation with Silas House, Kentucky's new poet laureate 'All genres of art are important, but there's something particularly humane about the work writers bring us,' Driskell said in the Capitol rotunda Thursday. 'Language and creativity at the end are largely qualities that make us human. And so it's not surprising that for so many of us, when we find our writing lives, we find our authentic lives,' she said. 'We deepen our own ability to practice compassion, and we make lasting connections with our loved ones, our communities, and we carry our history forward.' House, who was appointed in 2023 and was the state's first openly gay poet laureate, held writing workshops throughout the state and created an oral history project, among other initiatives during his tenure. 'It has been such an honor to serve as poet laureate for the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the past two years,' House said. 'In that time, this work has made my love for the state only deepen. I've had the opportunity to meet so many who are doing their best to be great neighbors and to make our world a better place.' House, who was a rural mail carrier in his native Eastern Kentucky, is author of many articles and novels, including 'Clay's Quilt,' 'A Parchment of Leaves,' 'Eli the Good' and 'Lark Ascending.' 'My number one goal has always been to make more people aware how rich our literature is here in Kentucky, and to make writing instruction more accessible,' House said. Driskell will be inducted into House's current role on April 24 in the rotunda. Both she and House will hold readings during that event. 'We are fortunate to have her as a guiding voice,' Beshear said of Driskell, thanking her for 'encouraging future writers and supporting Kentuckians in pursuing their dreams right here in their new Kentucky home.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
15-04-2025
- Yahoo
First graduates announced from SoLaCC Welding Certification Program for SMPLEC offenders
ST. MARY PARISH, La. () — In a remarkable milestone for inmate rehabilitation and workforce development, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Gary Driskell today announced the graduation of the first class of SMPLEC offenders from the . Seven offenders housed at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center successfully completed the program, marking the beginning of a promising transition from incarceration to gainful employment. The commencement ceremony, held on Friday, April 11, was attended by Sheriff Driskell, Chief Deputy John Kahl, Major Nick Rogers (SMPLEC Warden), and deputies. The graduating class is part of a groundbreaking pilot program designed to equip offenders with welding skills. This initiative prepares them for participation in the Work Release Program, enabling them to secure jobs even before completing their corrections sentences. The program not only provides vocational training but also serves as a critical step toward reducing recidivism. By fostering practical skills and self-reliance, the initiative aims to support offenders as they reintegrate into society, thereby contributing to safer communities and more hopeful futures. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now 'This work release program gives offenders the chance to re-enter society with a trade, a job, and money in their pockets,' said Sheriff Driskell. 'I am so proud of these men. They worked hard and earned this honor 100%. I have always believed that sometimes, people don't need a handout—they need a hand up. For these men to now be welders with opportunities to earn a good living, and to be in a position to invest in their futures, is a monumental accomplishment. We believe this program will help them, as well as others in the future, achieve success in life and avoid becoming another recidivism statistic. I can't thank SoLaCC enough for making this a reality.' Iberia Parish man sentenced to life in prison for sex offenses against 11-year-old girl White House launches national security investigation into pharma, semiconductors Ohio State football team visits White House Diddy pleads not guilty to additional charges in new indictment First graduates announced from SoLaCC Welding Certification Program for SMPLEC offenders Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
BRIC program's termination cost Jacksonville nearly $25 million in lost funding
Millions of dollars intended to harden Jacksonville's infrastructure to mitigate storm damage could now be at risk due to FEMA's cancelation of the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities, or BRIC program. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Statewide, nearly $300 million BRIC program funding are now in question. In Jacksonville alone, as much as $24.9 million could be at risk. That money had been requested for road projects, generators and improvements to the Buckman Water Reclamation Facility, which made up the bulk of the funding. According to JEA, the Buckman Water Reclamation Facility project was slated to cost roughly $32.5 million, with the BRIC program covering roughly $23.2 million. In addition to improvements at the facility itself, the project also aimed to improve drainage at Bigelow Branch Creek. 'JEA will proceed with the improvements to the Buckman WRF following internal project prioritization and funding procedures,' a JEA spokesperson told Action News Jax in an emailed statement. 'The drainage improvements to Bigelow Branch Creek will need to be reviewed for the availability of other external funds.' Governor Ron DeSantis pushed back on the suggestion the funding is entirely lost during a press conference Monday. DeSantis argued President Donald Trump will still make the funds available through other channels. 'He is going to blockgrant the money to the states. And so, we're not gonna be left in the cold. But I can tell you that the FEMA bureaucracy is an impediment to disaster recovery. It is not doing a good job,' said DeSantis. But Florida House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) was skeptical during a press call Monday morning. 'In a time when we are experiencing stronger and stronger hurricanes and stronger natural disasters, it's not the time to cut FEMA funding,' said Driskell. She argued the BRIC program, which was started during President Trump's first term, is yet another casualty of the mad dash to cut government spending without fully considering the consequences. 'Money that was meant to keep our communities safe has been called wasteful, political, a wasteful politicized grant program and now these projects meant to protect life and property won't be completed,' said Driskell. On top of the nearly $25 million in question here in Jacksonville, the mayor's office told Action News Jax the city had also just applied for an additional $5.3 million to install underground power lines in Arlington. In a statement, the Mayor's Office told us it is hopeful Congress will reauthorize the BRIC program in next year's budget so, 'The application for this critical infrastructure project could be reconsidered'. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Florida education bill sparks debate over funds for advanced placement programs
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida lawmakers battled it out on the House floor this week over a bill that could lead to significant funding cuts to education. The bill has parents, students, and advocates on edge about advanced placement programs possibly taking a hit. Lawmakers focused on the state's budget this week, and in the budget bill, they are proposing a 50% cut in extra funding, also known as add on weights, for advance courses like AP and IB programs. Advocates, however, oppose this move, saying Florida students could lose in the end. Tariffs could impact Tampa Bay shoppers, businesses by summer, economist says House Bill 5101 has faced push back from students, teachers, and Democrats at the statehouse. Their concerns center around education funding for advance placement programs. 'In Polk County, where I grew up, the school paid for our AP classes, and coming from a family of six that was on a salary of a teacher and my dad who worked at Publix, I don't know that we could have afforded those,' said House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa). Driskell spoke in opposition of the 50% cut, saying lawmakers should pause and rethink future funding. 'Those courses allowed me to achieve my personal dream of attending Harvard University and placing out of some of those classes in my first year after coming from a public school in little humble Polk County,' Driskell said. However, Republicans behind the efforts say the bill does not cut or defund these important programs. State Representative Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-Fort Meyers) encourages students who care about this issue to continue to advocate for themselves in front of their local school boards. 'It's the school board that is deciding where those funds go and whether those funds are following you, the student, in funding these programs,' Persons-Mulicka said. The bill sponsor added that data for the past few years isn't matching up with the actual cost of these classes and this bill would allow the money to follow the students. Even with the pushback, and after over five hours of budget debate on Wednesday, the bill got the green light. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
