Florida
“I-4 to TEXAS”… A Florida Grassroots Disaster Relief Effort for the Victims of Hurricane Harvey
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – On Sunday, September 3rd, donors and supporters gathered to send the first of five semi-trailer trucks filled with toiletries, diapers, pet food/supplies, nonperishable human food, water and more as part of a grassroots drive called “I-4 to Texas.” The event organizer and Florida National News contributor, Randy Ross, said, “This truly was a community movement to help the victims of the hurricane. This could just as easily have been Florida. We had donations driven in from Orange, Lake and Polk counties [in addition to] people from all over the State. It was refreshing to see Americans helping each other. ”
Chris Comins, a Belle Isle resident who funded the donation item transportation along with his girlfriend Ashley Morgan noted, “It’s great to see us come together as Americans putting aside our political differences. No matter your socioeconomic status or race or gender…seeing everyone come together warms my heart and makes me proud to be an American.” This is not Comins’ first generous offering to the community. As previously reported, Comins rebuilt the City of Belle Isle Police Department and is in the early stages of building a special needs park in Orange County’s Warren Park.
Over 20,000 pounds of pet food and supplies were collected. The Animal Medical Clinic of Orlando began an internal donation drive early in the week with so many pet supplies and food they needed a large box truck to deliver them. Organizers arrived with over 20 of their staff and volunteers at Belle Isle City Hall. Animal activist Ashley Morgan spoke to the outpouring of support for pets, especially for horses, “I am so happy we are part of this. Not only did you pull together to help people, but also dogs and cats, and cows and chickens and horses. Thank you so much.” Morgan also donated over 200 pounds of horse feed to the cause.
Chris Comins and Ashley Morgan
The Animal Medical Clinic of Orlando supplies
Cheryl Hall organized the Lake County effort. “This experience was very overwhelming and touched my heart like nothing else. This is about and should be about people helping people. I’ve never experienced a community coming behind an event like they did. It was a blessing.”
Cheryl Hall with Randy Ross
Students from all over, who received much needed community service hours, came out to learn the value of hard work and volunteerism. Four Boone High School students showed up multiple days to help in the community effort.
Boone High School volunteers (l-r) Conner Paffrath, Cole Hutto, Jameson Degan, Shane Hutto
While 1 of 5 semi-trucks is on the road to Houston, the balance of trucks, along with volunteers from Orange and Lake Counties, will depart for Houston on Tuesday. Ross shared, “We aligned with AmeriCorps as our delivery partner as we wanted to ensure the donations received would go directly into the hands of the people who needed them most. When we arrive in Houston on Wednesday, we will meet up with AmeriCorps and The American Red Cross to begin our distribution process.”
What started as a few bottles of water and a box of diapers at 8AM on Wednesday morphed into the following estimations on the five-tractor trailers in five days.Here’s the breakdown of what was received and his headed to Houston:
-Over 20,000 pounds of pet food and supplies. (including dog, cat, bird and horse)
-Over 75 pallets of water and Gatorade
-2,500 boxes of diapers and baby wipes
-6,000 pounds of nonperishable human food
-56 pallets of paper towels and toilet paper
-600 earphones valued at nearly $18,000.00
-3,000 blankets from a local resort
-25,000 individual toiletry items including toothpaste, toothbrushes, soaps, feminine products, deodorant, shampoos, hand sanitizers, first aid supplies and other hygiene items
The relief effort flier went viral and has been shared more than 1,000 times on Facebook.
The original donation estimate was $250,000.00 and now nears $300,000.00
The kickoff event concluded with Burma Davis Posey recognizing President Trump’s National Day of Prayer. All prayed. “I am so glad we recognized President Trump’s call for a National Day of Prayer. It’s going to take months, maybe years, for some to rebuild their lives,” Posey said. “This is a reminder of what made America great in the first place. By standing together and leaning on Gods wisdom we will save our beloved America. That continues to be my prayer each day.”
Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke remarked, “This is just a great outpouring of support. I sure wish we could share this support and love 365 days a year. Imagine how much better our world would be?” Belle Isle Commissioner Bobby Lance added, “I couldn’t be more proud of how the residents of our community have come together.”
FNN News contributor Randy Ross will report live from Houston for Florida National News and provide feedback as to “I-4 to Houston” disaster relief delivery as well as the conditions in Houston overall.
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
