Politics

Florida Poly designated Fulbright Top Producing Institution

Published

3 hours ago

February 25, 2025

Florida Polytechnic University has been designated a Fulbright Top Producing Institution by the U.S. Department of State for its commitment to global academic excellence.

It’s a top honor, with just 130 of the nation’s four-year institutions — representing just 5% of such schools — earning the designation.

The honor recognizes colleges and universities with the highest number of candidates selected for the prestigious Fulbright U.S. student and scholar program.

“Our strong focus on international collaborations, such as those through the Fulbright Program and the lasting benefits they provide, is a key part of Florida Poly’s efforts to contribute to a successful technological and economic future in Florida and beyond,” Florida Poly President Devin Stephenson said. “We are honored to receive this recognition and proud of the innovative work our faculty and students are producing through the program.”

The Fulbright Program is an international academic exchange program that seeks to increase friendly and peaceful relations between Americans and citizens of other nations. It was founded in 1946. Now, the U.S. government oversees fellowships and scholarships with more than 160 nations across the globe.

Florida Poly launched its Fulbright Program in 2018 and has seen steady momentum since. The program fosters global collaboration and academic excellence, with one of its earliest achievements being the creation of research and chair positions for Fulbright Visiting Scholars. The program has enabled students and visiting students and faculty from around the world to engage in groundbreaking research.

“This achievement is a testament to your institution’s deep commitment to international exchange and to building lasting connections between the people of the United States and the people of other countries,” Scott Weinhold, principal deputy assistant secretary at the State Department, said in a letter to Stephenson.

“Florida Polytechnic University’s designation as a Fulbright Top Producing Institution clearly demonstrates your dedication to promoting global engagement and mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.”

Florida Poly continues to expand its Fulbright Program and actively seeks opportunities to enrich international academic and research collaborations for both students and faculty.

“Florida Poly and the Fulbright Program share a tradition of excellence that drives innovation and scientific progress,” said Mustapha Achoubane, the university’s senior advisor for international relations. “Our mission is to cultivate world-class talent to power economic and technological advancement.”

Florida Poly was one of 27 institutions designated a Fulbright Scholar Top Producing Institution, which also included Florida State University, Miami Dade College, the University of Tampa, the University of Florida and the University of South Florida. The University of Central Florida, meanwhile, was designated a Fulbright Student Top Producing Institution.

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Politics

From Space Coast to west coast, 7 businesses busted for illegal gaming operations

Published

3 minutes ago

February 25, 2025

May Greene

Florida Gaming Control Commission agents nailed illegal gaming activity at seven convenience stores across the state in the past week.

The investigations ended with charges of possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house filed against the store’s owners and managers. The busts stretched from Florida’s Space Coast to the west coast.

Two of the crackdowns took place in Brevard County. A Sunoco gas and convenience store on Eau Gallie Boulevard in Indian Harbour Beach was raided by investigators who seized three illegal gambling machines and $5,665 in cash. The store manager was issued a notice to appear in court for charges of possession of slot machines and keeping a gambling house.

The Mobil gas and convenience on Jimmy Buffett Memorial Highway, also in Indian Harbour Beach, was targeted by investigators who found five illegal gambling machines, with similar charges awaiting the manager in a notice to appear.

There was another illegal gambling raid in Holly Hill, just north of the Space Coast in Volusia County. Four illegal gambling machines were seized at the Speedy Mart on Center Avenue, and the owner of that business was issued a notice to appear.

Two stores in Tampa were also busted for illegal gambling activity. A BP gas station on North Nebraska Avenue had six illegal gambling machines seized, while the Los Amigos Grocery and Meats store on Stuart Street had 13 illegal gambling machines confiscated. Notices to appear were served to managers of both of those stores.

Perry, in Florida’s Big Bend area, was the site of two more busts by illegal gambling investigators. The Perry Fast Mart on South Jefferson Street saw three illegal gambling machines confiscated. Katie’s Kountry Korner on Beach Road in Perry was the scene of another crackdown, where one illegal gambling machine was seized. Notices to appear in court were filed against the manager or owner of both of those stores.

“Standalone illegal casinos aren’t the only ones offering illegal slot machine gaming in this state,” said Florida Gaming Control Commission Acting Executive Director Ross Marshman. “Business franchisees, owners, and managers need to be aware of the law. If someone approaches your legitimate business with an opportunity to make more money that seems too good to be true, it probably is. These illegal schemes will result in criminal charges and hurt the business you worked hard to build.”

That sweep of illegal gambling establishments comes on top of another operation by state investigators recently. Similar busts were executed in Tavares in Central Florida as well.

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Politics

Gov. DeSantis appoints Shevaun Harris and Taylor Hatch to new roles

Published

39 minutes ago

February 25, 2025

May Greene

Gov. Ron DeSantis has announced new appointments in two key state agencies, the latest update in what’s been a series of promotions and job changes among Florida officials.

Department of Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Shevaun Harris is moving to become the Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA), DeSantis said. Harris previously served 15 years at AHCA, including as Acting Secretary.

To fill Harris’ position leading DCF, Taylor Hatch, the Secretary of Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities, will take over.

“Both Secretaries Harris and Hatch have been doing a phenomenal job serving the people of Florida in their respective roles, and I know each of them will contribute significantly to their new positions,” DeSantis wrote on Facebook. “Thank you, Shevaun and Taylor, and congratulations!”

The chain of events began when DeSantis named Jason Weida, the previous head of AHCA, to be his new Chief of Staff earlier this month.

James Uthmeier, a longtime DeSantis ally who was previously the Chief of Staff, was sworn in as the next Attorney General to replace Ashley Moody who headed to Washington as a U.S. Senator.

“Harris began her career as a social worker, which led to her true passion — policy and administration in the field of health and human services,” according to her agency bio. “She spent nearly two decades at the Agency for Health Care Administration where she excelled and served in key roles, including Acting Secretary. The majority of her tenure at AHCA was focused on the administration of the multi-billion dollar Florida Medicaid program, impacting millions of Floridians through implementation of sound policy and quality improvement efforts.”

Hatch’s background included working as the Director of Legislative Affairs for the Department of Management Services, the state’s real estate manager, and director of workforce services at the Department of Economic Opportunity.

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Politics

Judge gives Donald Trump administration two days to unfreeze funds for U.S. foreign aid

Published

1 hour ago

February 25, 2025

May Greene

It’s the second time a judge has found the Trump administration did not follow a court order.

A federal judge on Tuesday gave the Trump administration less than two days to release billions of dollars in U.S. foreign aid, saying the administration had given no sign of complying with his nearly two-week-old court to ease its funding freeze.

U.S. District Judge Amir H. Ali ruled in a lawsuit filed by nonprofit organizations over the cutoff of foreign assistance through the U.S. Agency for International Development and State Department.

The cutoff followed a Jan. 20 executive order by President Donald Trump targeting what he portrayed as wasteful programs that do not correspond to his foreign policy goals.

Nonprofit groups who receive federal grant money for work abroad said the freeze breaks federal law and has shut down funding for even the most urgent life-saving programs abroad. USAID and State partners say the administration has stiffed them on billions of dollars in money already owed.

It’s the second time a judge has found the Trump administration did not follow a court order. U.S. District Court Judge John McConnell in Rhode Island also found this month that the administration had not fully unfrozen federal grants and loans within the U.S., even after he blocked sweeping plans for a pause on trillions of dollars in government spending.

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Republished with permission of The Associated Press.

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