TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Environmental advocates, community leaders, and concerned Floridians are preparing to rally at the Florida State Capitol on Monday, November 17, urging Governor Ron DeSantis to stop the state’s proposed black bear hunt, the first in nearly a decade.

The demonstration, organized by Sierra Club Florida, seeks to protect Florida’s recovering black bear population and raise public awareness about the ecological importance of these native animals. Supporters say the hunt could reverse years of conservation progress and threaten an already vulnerable species.

To encourage participation from across the state, Sierra Club Florida is providing three free round-trip charter buses from key regions, giving residents a chance to unite their voices in defense of Florida’s wildlife.

The “Rally to Stop the Florida Black Bear Hunt” will feature remarks from environmental advocates and coalition leaders, including:

• Susannah Randolph, Sierra Club Florida

• Katrina Shadix, Bear Warriors United

• Adam Sugalski, Bear Defenders

• James Scott, Speak Up for Wildlife

• Bobbie Lee Davenport, Environmental Confederation of Southwest Florida (ECO SWF)

• Patti Whitehead, Responsible Growth Management Coalition

WHEN: Monday, November 17 | 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM EST
WHERE: Florida State Capitol, 400 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32399

Organizers are calling on Floridians to join the rally, stand in solidarity, and urge state leadership to prioritize science-based wildlife management and the protection of Florida’s black bears for future generations.

ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – Hon. Daisy Morales honors Veterans Day with a message of gratitude and legislative impact, which the former Florida state lawmaker shared on her official Facebook page.

In observance of Veterans Day, former Florida State Representative Daisy Morales shared a heartfelt message recognizing the bravery, sacrifice, and service of America’s military veterans and their families. Morales, a proud mother of a U.S. military veteran, emphasized her deep respect for those who have worn the nation’s uniform and her continued commitment to advancing veteran-related policy.

Honoring the Heroes Who Serve

“As a proud mother of a U.S. military veteran and as a former member of the Florida House of Representatives, I hold deep respect and gratitude for the men and women who have served our nation in uniform,” Morales said. “Their courage, sacrifice, and unwavering dedication to defending our freedoms embody the very best of America.”

Legislative Leadership for Veterans and Military Families

During her first term in the Florida House of Representatives, Morales sponsored and co-sponsored several key pieces of legislation designed to support veterans and their families. Among her most notable contributions was House Bill 45: Educational Opportunities for Disabled Veterans, which became a national model for recognizing and assisting those who have served.

“These efforts reflect my commitment to ensuring that our veterans receive not only our gratitude but also the tangible support they deserve,” Morales added.

A Call to Action for All Floridians

As Veterans Day is commemorated across the state, Morales encourages residents to reflect on the service of veterans and to show appreciation in their communities.

“This Veterans Day, I encourage all Floridians to take a moment to honor our heroes—past and present—and to extend a hand of friendship and community to veterans and military families in your neighborhood. Let us stand united in appreciation and continue working to make Florida the most veteran-friendly state in the nation.”

— The Honorable Daisy Morales, Former Florida State Representative

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN) — Before a packed ballroom of cheering supporters at the Rosen Centre on Orlando’s International Drive Thursday evening, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings officially launched his campaign for Governor of Florida in 2026, declaring that it’s time to “turn the page” on division and usher in a “new style of leadership.”

The 66-year-old former Orlando Police Chief and Orange County Sheriff — now serving his second term as mayor — delivered a powerful, hopeful message reminiscent of President Barack Obama’s campaign themes of unity and renewal, rallying voters with the promise that “the power of the people is greater than the people in power.”

A Message of Unity and Renewal

“This is not a right or left moment, but a right or wrong moment in our history,” Demings told the energized crowd. “We’re tired of toxic and divisive politics. If you vote for me, it’s a vote for a new style of leadership. It’s a vote for change. It’s a vote for democracy.”

The crowd erupted as Demings leaned into his record of public service and crisis management, drawing a sharp contrast with political partisanship in Tallahassee. He pledged to restore local control, raise wages, stabilize housing costs, and improve access to mental health care through public-private partnerships.

“They call me woke,” Demings said, pausing as the audience laughed. “I don’t know what they mean — but after four and a half decades of public service, they woke me up.”

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings’ wife, former U.S. Congresswoman Val Demings, tells a standing-room-only crowd, “Help is on the way,” during her husband’s campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
Photo by J. Willie David, III / Florida National News

Val Demings: ‘Help Is on the Way’

Demings’ wife, former Congresswoman Val Demings, introduced him to thunderous applause. “Through all of the darkness,” she told the audience, “help is on the way.”

Her remarks framed her husband’s candidacy as a call to hope and action, positioning him as a pragmatic problem-solver rooted in Florida values.

Demings, who has long clashed with Governor Ron DeSantis over COVID-19 restrictions, immigration, and state control of local budgets, promised to bring people together across party lines. “My goal is to engage the private sector in working with the public sector to solve the issues that affect us all,” he said.

Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings held a press conference to answer questions from the media following his historic campaign kickoff rally for Florida governor at the Rosen Centre in Orlando, Florida, on Thursday, November 6, 2025. Photo by J. Willie David, III / Florida National News

A Campaign to Make History

If elected, Demings would become Florida’s first Black governor — a milestone both Republicans and Democrats acknowledge as a turning point in the state’s history.

He faces a crowded field, but his reputation as a steady crisis manager — having led Central Florida through mass shootings, hurricanes, and the pandemic — has made him a formidable contender.

Asked to contrast himself with likely Republican opponent Rep. Byron Donalds, Demings didn’t hesitate: “He’s never been a crisis manager or leader. I’ve led through storms, tragedies, and rebuilding — not from the sidelines, but in the arena.”

‘A New Sheriff in Town’

Demings’ closing line drew roaring applause: “If you vote for me, it’s a vote for the right person at the right time,” he said. Then, echoing a phrase once used by DeSantis himself, Demings smiled and declared, “It’s time for a new sheriff in town.”

With a listening tour planned across the state, Demings aims to build a grassroots movement that transcends party lines — one he hopes will awaken Florida’s independent voters and redefine what leadership looks like in the Sunshine State.

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J Willie David, III | News@FloridaNationalNews.com