By Commissioner RenĂ© GarcĂa Human trafficking is a grave crime against human dignity and a reality that affects communities around the world, including our county. As the Commissioner for Miami-Dade’s District 13 and a former Florida State Senator, I have dedicated years to foster institutional partnerships and secure resources that strengthen our community’s response and […]
As the director of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program at the University of North Florida, I have been charged with graduating as many doctorally prepared advanced practice nurses as I can in response to the continual anesthesia provider shortage problem. But it is so disheartening to watch graduates cross that stage at commencement, […]
By Nick Orlando, Executive Director of the Florida Smoke Free Association Florida is already grappling with a flood of unregulated disposable vapes, and pretending otherwise jeopardizes our youth. The Florida Smoke Free Association stands firmly behind SB 980 because it delivers what Florida needs: real, enforceable safeguards. This isn’t about inviting new products; it’s about […]
By Jeffrey Mazzella In recent elections, voters have made it clear that they prefer leaner government, free markets, and policies that reflect core American values that foster innovation. In other words, precisely those principles that have solidified Florida as an economic juggernaut. As state policymakers seek to improve healthcare affordability, they must therefore avoid overshooting […]
While researching health plans for my father, I was advised to explore Medicare Advantage. After reviewing the available options and ensuring his preferred doctors were in-network, I chose Medicare Advantage—and I’m so glad I did. Once enrolled, his providers took the initiative to schedule preventive care exams he otherwise wouldn’t have prioritized, making it easier […]
By Driena Sixto Over the last three years, close to a dozen American children have been kidnapped by a parent and moved to or retained in Thailand. The country’s complex legal landscape, under its constitutional monarchy, often creates an environment where a parent can relocate and stay with a child without the other parent’s consent. […]
True leadership is measured by clear thinking and honest direction. The public response to recent events in Venezuela shows something else: repetition without substance. Across offices and platforms, the messaging is nearly identical. The same openings. The same moral framing. The same cautions. Different names attached, but interchangeable language. This is not consensus. It is […]
By Frank De Varona In Florida, in 2023, the discussion over frivolous lawsuits and the impact they were having on our auto, home, and medical malpractice insurance was a raging debate. Our insurance market was in crisis. Many people were even losing their policies. The answer seemed to lie in one key area: lawsuits. Florida […]
Caring for a loved one is one of the most meaningful responsibilities a person can take on, but it often feels like it brings too many challenges. Thankfully, preventive care, such as vaccines, plays a crucial role in easing that burden. When vaccines and other preventive services are easy to access, caregivers can plan ahead […]
By Rachel Moscoso Vibrant energy and undeniable culture have fueled Miami’s growth. But behind the scenes, the city’s spending is spiraling out of control. Miami’s budget has expanded far faster than population growth or inflation can justify. New data from Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) found that […]
The hardest part of being a foster mom isn’t the late nights or the paperwork—it’s realizing how close so many children came to real danger before someone stepped in. You start to understand the gap between what the system promises and what it actually delivers. I’ve helped kids piece their lives back together after adults […]
In recent years, a new and dangerous threat has emerged above America’s correctional facilities, one that the law has not yet caught up to. What began as hobbyist drones flying over prison fences has evolved into a coordinated criminal enterprise. Drones are no longer a nuisance; they are sophisticated tools of organized crime being used […]
For Florida patients with chronic wounds, especially those with diabetes, vascular disease, or other complex conditions, healing isn’t simple. It often requires advanced therapies like cellular, acellular, and matrix-like products, also known as skin substitutes. These products are more than clinical innovations, and for many of my patients, they have meant the difference between amputation […]
By Jeff DeWit As a proud American and loyal longtime supporter of President Donald J. Trump, I can say without hesitation that his second term is off to a very successful start. Among many things since taking office, President Trump has improved national security, made the world a safer place by ending wars around the […]
By Steve Adelstein Every Floridian knows the fear and uncertainty that comes with hurricane season. Streets flood, power grids fail, and essential services grind to a halt. But one of the most dangerous – and least talked about – threats after a storm is what happens when wastewater systems collapse. Families can be left without […]
By David Santiago For years, Hispanic families in Florida have been contributing to our state’s success in every way imaginable. We’ve opened businesses, raised families, served our communities, and powered key industries that keep this state running. But far too often, our contributions have gone overlooked and been sidelined in policy debates. That’s why the […]
By Senator Rene Garcia Budgets are not just numbers. They are value statements that reveal whether a government is truly serving its people or serving itself. That is why this year, I voted NO on the Miami-Dade County budget for FY 2025–26. It was not a decision I took lightly, but one made of conviction. […]
 The Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement has taken the U.S. by storm, with millions of parents voicing their concerns about the hidden dangers to their children in everyday products. Whether it’s advocating against toxic chemicals in baby shampoos, removing artificial dyes from cereals, or pushing for better food labeling, so-called MAHA "mom-fluencers" have been at the forefront of advocating for child health and safety.  With the support of the Trump administration, these women […]
