Florida
Florida Senators Book, Thompson, Jones, Osgood, Powell React to New Black History Standards
Tallahassee, Fla. – This week, the Florida Board of Education approved new Black history standards that will now include instruction on “how slaves developed skills which, in some instances, could be applied for their personal benefit.”
Senate Democratic Leader Lauren Book (D-Davie) – ‘These new African-American history standards approved by the Board of Education unacceptably skew the darkest points of the history of our nation and state — forcing schools to misinform students about horrific realities of slavery. What’s next? Suggesting some Jews benefitted from the Holocaust by learning perseverance from their trauma? We cannot spin these atrocities and must instead name them for what they are: black spots in history which we must learn from and must never repeat.
This implementation of the misguided so-called ‘Stop WOKE Act’ runs at odds with actual history. I was proud to stand with my colleagues in the Black Caucus to sponsor a bill ensuring the truth about the Ocoee massacre is taught in Florida schools — but this new rule denies those victims of segregation and racism in the Jim Crow South any justice or recognition. We have unacceptably taken several steps back in history.’
Senator Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando) offered her own testimony during the Board of Education’s public comment at the meeting, saying, “If I were still a professor…I would give this a grade of ‘I’ for ‘Incomplete’. It recognizes that we have made an effort, we have taken a step, however, this history needs to be comprehensive, it needs to be authentic, and it needs additional work.
In 2020 the Legislature passed a bill championed by former Senator Randolph Bracy, Leader Book and Senator Geraldine Thompson to begin the process to add the Ocoee Election Day massacre to Florida’s K-12 education curriculum. On the impact of these new standards to the teaching of the Ocoee Massacre, Thompson said, “When you look at the history currently it suggests that the [Ocoee] massacre was sparked by violence from African Americans. That’s blaming the victim, when in fact it was other individuals who came into the Black Community and killed individuals, and burned homes, schools, lodges, etc. So we want to tell the whole story.”
After releasing a statement on the Florida Department of Education “whitewashing African American history and chipping away at LGBTQ+ youth safety in schools”, Senator Shevrin Jones (D-Miami Gardens) was featured on MSNBC’s Katy Tur Reports, saying, “The Florida Department of Education has set our state back years with the passage of these new education guidelines…Slavery was NOT a benefit to the enslaved. If we want to teach accurate African-American studies, don’t start our history at slavery. Talk about the land we were taken from – where we were kings and queens and owned land. I was a teacher for nearly a decade and I can tell you, teachers are not indoctrinating students. Teachers are teaching what the truth is, which we should be teaching children when they come into the classroom. That’s not ‘woke-ism’. That’s called history and that’s called facts.”
Other responses by members of the Senate Democratic Caucus include an appearance by Senator Rosalind Osgood (D-Tamarac) on CBS News Miami to share her thoughts on what Black history education in Florida should include and Senator Bobby Powell (D-West Palm Beach) joining elected officials in a town hall this weekend in Haverhill to discuss, in part, the new education standards.
Florida
U.S. Embassy Reopens in Caracas, Offering New Opportunities for Venezuelans in Central Florida
WASHINGTON (FNN NEWS) — The United States has formally resumed operations at the U.S. Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela, marking the first permanent diplomatic presence in the country since 2019 and signaling a new phase in U.S.-Venezuela relations.
The reopening could have significant implications for Florida’s growing Venezuelan community, particularly in Central Florida, where thousands of Venezuelan families now call the Orlando region home.
The U.S. Department of State announced that diplomatic operations officially resumed March 30, following years in which U.S. engagement with Venezuela was conducted through the Venezuela Affairs Unit at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.
In January, Ambassador Laura F. Dogu arrived in Caracas as Chargé d’Affaires to lead U.S. government operations on the ground and oversee preparations for the eventual return of full embassy personnel and consular services.
Potential Impact on Venezuelan Families
For years, many Venezuelans seeking U.S. visa interviews or consular assistance were required to travel to Bogotá, often incurring significant travel expenses and logistical challenges.
While routine visa and passport services have not yet resumed in Caracas, U.S. officials said embassy personnel are working toward restoring full consular operations.
Once fully operational, the embassy could provide Venezuelan families with easier access to visa processing, family reunification services, emergency assistance and other consular support.
Economic and Business Opportunities
The reopening could also strengthen economic and commercial ties between Venezuela and Central Florida.
Florida has become a major destination for Venezuelan entrepreneurs, investors and professionals. Business leaders say a restored diplomatic presence may encourage additional trade, investment and business expansion opportunities between the two regions.
Industries including real estate, healthcare, construction, logistics and professional services could benefit from increased cross-border activity.
Strengthening Community Ties
Community leaders believe renewed diplomatic relations could further strengthen cultural, educational and civic connections between Venezuela and Central Florida.
Orlando-area organizations, universities and business groups may find new opportunities for collaboration, exchanges and partnerships as relations continue to normalize.
Former Florida Lawmaker Welcomes Diplomatic Reengagement
Former Florida State Representative Daisy Morales, who is also a candidate for Florida House District 43, applauded the reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Caracas and highlighted its potential impact on Central Florida’s large Venezuelan and Hispanic communities.
Morales, a retired federal official who served with both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State, said the reopening represents an important first step toward strengthening diplomatic and economic ties between the United States and Venezuela.
“I applaud the United States for taking this important first step in reopening the U.S. Embassy in Caracas and strengthening diplomatic relations with Venezuela,” Morales said. “This decision could have a positive impact on Central Florida, particularly for Venezuelan families, businesses and community organizations. As diplomatic relations continue to improve, it could also create opportunities to establish a Venezuelan consulate or honorary consulate in Orlando to better serve the growing Venezuelan population in our region.”
Morales noted that during her tenure in the Florida House, the district she represented was approximately 70 percent Hispanic, providing her with extensive experience working with diverse immigrant communities, foreign nationals and diplomatic representatives of Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Haiti, Grenada and France.
“Throughout my public service, I have worked closely with foreign nationals and diplomats on issues affecting our communities,” Morales said. “As conditions continue to improve and return to normalcy, I would not rule out visiting Venezuela in the future to strengthen relationships and explore opportunities that benefit both our communities and Central Florida.”
Morales also said that while renewed diplomatic engagement presents opportunities, policymakers should remain mindful of past experiences involving U.S. diplomatic relations with other nations.
“When President Barack Obama announced the reopening of the U.S. Embassy in Cuba in 2015, many viewed it as the beginning of a new chapter in U.S.-Cuba relations,” Morales said. “However, diplomatic relationships can evolve over time and are often affected by changing political and security conditions. As the United States begins this new chapter with Venezuela, policymakers should proceed carefully and remain focused on protecting U.S. interests, promoting democratic values and ensuring the safety and well-being of Americans.”
Challenges Remain
Despite the reopening, challenges remain.
The U.S. Embassy in Caracas has not yet resumed routine consular services, and the State Department continues to maintain travel advisories for Venezuela because of ongoing security concerns.
In addition, immigration programs affecting Venezuelans residing in the United States, including asylum and Temporary Protected Status policies, remain separate from the embassy reopening and continue to be governed by federal immigration policy.
For many Venezuelans in Central Florida, however, the return of a U.S. diplomatic presence in Caracas represents an important milestone and a step toward reconnecting families, expanding economic opportunities and strengthening ties between both regions.
Florida
Joe Strada Loans Campaign $5 Million, Launches $1 Million Ad Buy in Congressional District 11
The ad was produced by political strategist Brad Herold of Something Else Strategies and marks the first major media investment of the campaign.
$5 MILLION PERSONAL LOAN TO CAMPAIGN
Strada, founder of Strada Services, announced last week that he had loaned his congressional campaign $5 million, providing the campaign with substantial financial resources early in the election cycle.
Strada Services is one of the nation’s largest privately held, family-owned companies specializing in air conditioning, electrical, security, and plumbing services.
The campaign said the loan and advertising investment demonstrate Strada’s commitment to communicating directly with voters throughout Central Florida.
FIRST MAJOR MEDIA PUSH
The $1 million advertising effort is expected to reach voters across Florida’s 11th Congressional District through a combination of television, radio, and digital media platforms.
The campaign has positioned Strada as a conservative outsider and successful entrepreneur focused on bringing private-sector experience to Washington.
Additional details regarding future advertising and campaign events are expected in the coming weeks.
ABOUT FLORIDA’S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Florida’s 11th Congressional District includes portions of Central Florida and is expected to be one of the state’s closely watched congressional races during the 2026 election cycle.
Crimes and Courts
Attorney General Uthmeier Announces Charges Against Six in South Florida Drug Trafficking Enterprise
