ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) – The streets of Downtown Orlando were alive with celebration as the 41st annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade unfolded along Orange Avenue. Among the procession of floats, marching bands, and community groups, Orange-Osceola County State Attorney Monique Worrell stood out as a beloved figure, earning cheers and adoration from attendees.

State Attorney Monique Worrell visibly moved by community support at the 41st Orlando MLK Parade, Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J Willie David, III

Worrell’s appearance at the parade felt like a victory walk as she received enthusiastic applause, countless handshakes, and heartfelt hugs from parade-goers. Many described her as “the people’s State Attorney,” a sentiment visibly etched on Worrell’s face as she smiled and engaged with the community.

MLK Parade attendees gathered in Downtown Orlando on Saturday, January 18, 2025, to support Monique Worrell’s return as State Attorney. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III.

The outpouring of support came on the heels of Worrell’s remarkable political comeback. In the 2024 election, Worrell defeated Andrew Bain, who was appointed as State Attorney by Governor Ron DeSantis after her controversial suspension in 2023. Worrell’s re-election was a powerful statement from voters who stood by her leadership. She was officially sworn in on January 7, 2025, reclaiming her role with renewed determination.

State Attorney Monique Worrell’s Chief of Staff, Keisha Mulfort, smiles during the 2025 MLK Parade as the duo returns to the State Attorney’s Office to ensure the safety of Orange and Osceola County citizens on Saturday, January 18, 2025. Photo by Florida National News / J. Willie David, III.

Worrell’s presence at the MLK Parade carried a symbolic resonance. The event, held in honor of Dr. King’s legacy of justice and equality, paralleled Worrell’s fight to return to office and her commitment to justice for all. Her supporters praised her resilience and unwavering dedication to the community.

“Monique Worrell represents what leadership should look like,” said one attendee. “She stands up for the people and fights for what’s right, no matter the obstacles.”

The MLK Parade served not only as a celebration of Dr. King’s impact but also as a moment of triumph and unity for Worrell and her constituents.

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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
news@FloridaNationalNews.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – State Senator Barbara Sharief (D-Broward) has introduced SB 306, titled “Managed Care Plan Network Access,” to address significant barriers faced by Medicaid enrollees using managed care plans. The bill seeks to ensure Medicaid recipients can receive medical care in a timely and accessible manner, even from providers not under contract with their managed care plan.

Currently, Medicaid enrollees are restricted to specific providers within their managed care network, regardless of long wait times or geographic challenges. This often leaves patients, particularly in rural areas, struggling to access vital medical services or forced to delay treatments due to transportation barriers.

Key Provisions of SB 306

If passed, the bill would:

• Allow Medicaid enrollees to seek care from non-contracted Medicaid providers when a participating provider is geographically inaccessible or cannot provide care in a timely manner.
• Benefit rural communities where geographic barriers to healthcare are most significant.
• Improve access to care for patients with chronic symptoms who require faster relief or urgent treatments.

Impact on Floridians

This legislation could have a transformative impact on the healthcare system in Florida:

• Rural Areas: Residents in rural regions with few participating Medicaid providers would have access to care closer to home, reducing transportation issues.
• Timely Treatments: Patients with time-sensitive medical needs, such as chronic illnesses or urgent care situations, would experience shorter wait times for necessary treatments.
• Healthcare Equity: By removing network limitations, Medicaid enrollees in underserved areas gain access to higher-quality care and improved health outcomes.

If approved, SB 306 would significantly improve healthcare access for vulnerable populations across Florida, reducing disparities in care and improving patient outcomes.

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J Willie David, III
Florida National News and FNN News Network
news@FloridaNationalNews.com

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – State Senator Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) and State Representative Rita Harris (D-Orlando), who represent legislative districts with Florida’s largest Puerto Rican population after defeating prominent Puerto Rican candidates—Senate candidate Carmen Torres and former State Representative Daisy Morales—in 2024, have filed groundbreaking legislation aimed at making standardized testing more accessible to English Language Learners (ELLs) in public schools. Senate Bill 260 and House Bill 159 would allow students to take statewide standardized assessments in their primary language, providing a path toward equitable academic success for students of diverse linguistic backgrounds.

If passed, SB 260/HB 159 would break down language barriers in Florida’s education system, enabling a fair assessment of students’ knowledge regardless of their proficiency in English. This initiative seeks to reflect the true academic potential of the 350,000+ students learning English across the state.

“It is an honor to serve as the Senate sponsor for this bill alongside Representative Harris. Standardized tests are tools that help track the academic progress and success for our students. It is important that these tests accurately reflect the educational outcomes of all our students, including those who have English as a second language,” Senator Arrington emphasized. “Our students deserve equitable access to standardized tests, so they can perform at their very best. The success of our students is vital to our community, and I am proud to support this bill.”

With over 243 languages spoken by students in Florida, the proposed legislation would significantly impact the state’s educational landscape. Advocates believe the bill will send a strong message: language proficiency does not equate to intelligence.

Representative Harris stated, “With this bill, we have an opportunity to make Florida’s public schools more accessible to students with a native language other than English. Language proficiency is not a reflection of these students’ intelligence, and we can send that message with this bill. Instead, the state can offer pathways of success for each individual student, giving them the option to take standardized tests in the language they’re most comfortable with.”

Advocacy groups are rallying behind the bill, including the Florida Association for Bilingual Education (FABE) and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). FABE President Susanne Peña, who endorsed Harris over Morales in the 2024 election, noted. “The linguistic fabric of our state is reflected in the fact that over 243 languages are spoken by our students. Providing tools that allow all students to demonstrate their knowledge is essential for fostering an effective learning environment.”

LULAC Florida also offered strong support: “Educational policies should support students’ abilities to complete academic work, including the use of languages other than English.”

However, the proposed bills face significant challenges in the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature. Critics argue that implementing multilingual testing may impose logistical and financial hurdles. Despite these potential roadblocks, proponents of SB 260/HB 159 are optimistic about its long-term benefits for Florida’s diverse student population.

If enacted, the bills would take effect for the 2027-2028 school year. Florida’s legislative session begins March 4, 2025.