North Florida News
Jacksonville: Downtown Investment Authority Announces Several Updates To Dockless Mobility Program, Partners With Vendors To Expand Operations Of E-Scooters In Downtown
Published
2 years agoon
Jacksonville, Fla. (FNN) – Program updates come on the heels of successful pilot program for electric scooters.
The City of Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) today announced updates to its Dockless Mobility Program, better known as the “e-scooter” program. These updates, which were based on the results of a successful pilot program, will be adopted on a permanent basis and include:
- Selection of two e-scooter vendors: Following a Request For Proposal (RFP) from the City that drew submissions from six scooter companies, vendors Bird and Lime have been awarded contracts to operate the e-scooters throughout Downtown. The contracts will remain in effect for two years with authorization for one two-year renewal.
- Broader geofencing boundaries: With an expanded geography, pedestrians are now able to rent and ride e-scooters in Brooklyn on the Northbank, across the St. Johns River and into the Southbank.
- Rules of operation: The program’s hours and operational limits have been adjusted in partnership with fellow City departments to reflect lessons learned during the pilot program, and to promote safe enjoyment of the program for all participants:
- Hours of operations: 5 a.m. – midnight
- Top motor-powered speed of 10 miles per hour when operating on a sidewalk
- Top motor-powered speed of 15 miles per hour when operating in the right-of-way
- All riders are encouraged to wear a helmet when operating an electric scooter
- Riders under 16 must wear a helmet when operating an electric scooter
Data from the pilot program indicate that the launch of the program contributed positively to the overall vibrancy of Downtown Jacksonville. Since the pilot program launched in March 2021 until August 2022, the DIA saw nearly 150,000 rides across all vendors, benefiting residents, customers and business owners alike.
“The launch of the e-scooter program has undoubtedly become another step toward expanding mobility options for Downtown residents, workers and visitors — especially as a ‘last mile’ solution to quickly navigate the neighborhood,” said Lori Boyer, CEO of the DIA. “E-scooters have emerged across the country as a healthy, viable and environmentally sustainable transportation alternative. We are excited to continue the program in Downtown Jacksonville through our partnership with electric bike and scooter companies Bird and Lime.”
All equipment can be rented and dropped off at designated, geofenced corrals between 5 a.m. – midnight. To ride with Bird and Lime, users pay $1 to unlock plus a per-minute fee of $0.49.
To learn more about the City of Jacksonville’s e-scooter program, visit
http://dia.coj.net/escooters.
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North Florida News
Representative Adam Anderson to Present $5 Million to FSU Health at Pediatric Rare Disease Symposium
Published
4 months agoon
October 3, 2024
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – Florida State University’s Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU Health will host the Pediatric Rare Disease Symposium on Monday, October 7, 2024, from 9 AM to 4 PM Eastern, bringing together the nation’s leading experts in pediatric rare disease research. The symposium aims to foster collaboration between researchers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers to advance treatment and research for pediatric rare diseases.
State Representative Adam Anderson will kick off the event with special opening remarks, where he will present a $5 million funding check to support the Institute for Pediatric Rare Diseases at FSU Health.
“Florida State University is at the forefront of pediatric rare disease research. This symposium will be the catalyst for a collaborative nationwide effort, ensuring that institutions share the best knowledge and practices to bring new cures and hope to millions of children and their families,” said Rep. Anderson.
Other highlights of the event include:
- Keynote address by Dr. Terence R. Flotte, Executive Deputy Chancellor and Provost at UMass Chan Medical School
- Presentations from experts representing NIH, Harvard, Stanford, University of Florida, University of Miami, and Nicklaus Children’s Health System
- Industry roundtable focusing on the intersection of industry, healthcare, and academia in advancing pediatric rare disease research
What to Bring:
- Relevant research materials or presentations
- Questions for the panelists and speakers
Note: The symposium is focused exclusively on pediatric rare disease research. For more information or to register, visit med.fsu.edu/iprd/.
FSUHealth, RareDiseaseResearch, PediatricCare, MedicalBreakthroughs, FSUSymposium
North Florida News
Harris Campaign to Launch Historic Mobilization Blitz in Florida Panhandle
Published
7 months agoon
July 26, 2024
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) – The Harris for President campaign is set to kick off its largest mobilization effort to date in the Florida Panhandle, capitalizing on the surge of grassroots energy across the state. This massive weekend of action, marking 100 days until the general election, comes just days after Vice President Kamala Harris secured her position as the presumptive Democratic nominee for president.
Starting tomorrow, the campaign will engage thousands of supporters through over 36 events statewide, including canvass launches, press events, and appearances by notable Democratic leaders such as Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, former Florida House Representative and Attorney General candidate Sean Shaw, and Florida House Representative Kevin Chambliss.
Key Points:
- Mass Mobilization: More than 36 events will take place across Florida, including the Florida Panhandle.
- High-Profile Support: Democratic leaders like Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Sean Shaw will participate.
- Grassroots Energy: Over 7,000 organic volunteer signups have been recorded.
- Campaign Goals: Harris is focusing on strengthening democracy, protecting reproductive freedom, and ensuring economic opportunities for all.
- Opposition Stance: The campaign contrasts Harris’s vision with Donald Trump’s Project 2025 agenda, which they claim would threaten rights and hurt the middle class.
The weekend’s events, open to media, include the Harris for President – 100 Days of Action Weekend Black Men’s Roundtable in Hillsborough County on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at 3:00 PM EST.
North Florida News
Rep. Tant: HB 7063 Goes into Effect on Monday, July 1
Published
8 months agoon
June 28, 2024
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Monday, July 1st, HB 7063, Anti-human Trafficking will take effect and officially become law.
Part of this bill, Section 7, was worked in by Representative Allison Tant (D-Tallahassee) to create new language concerning contracts between governmental and nongovernmental entities in Florida. This language ensures that any nongovernmental entity wanting to do business with a governmental entity in Florida must confirm under penalty of perjury that they do “not use coercion for labor or services.”
“Exposing more crimes in which people were trafficked will ultimately lead to a safer community for everyone,” says Representative Tant. “I was glad to see this language included in HB 7063 and I am hopeful for the changes it will bring.”
Brought forward by Leon County Commissioner Rick Minor, this same language was adopted by Leon County in 2021 and was brought before members of the Legislature this session. “Thanks to Representative Allison Tant, it is now harder for human traffickers to operate in Florida,” said Commissioner Minor. “With this new policy becoming law, we’re telling unscrupulous organizations which profit from coerced labor that they cannot do business with our state and local governments. Not only does it protect vulnerable workers from human trafficking, but it also supports the overwhelming number of Florida businesses that conduct business honestly and pay their employees fairly. We’re grateful to Rep. Tant for her leadership in the legislature and for working to make this a reality.”
Robin Hassler Thompson, Executive Director of the Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center also helped advocate for this bill alongside Commissioner Minor. “Everyone in our community has a role in ending sex and labor trafficking. This bill goes a long way to making sure that local taxpayer dollars do not end up in the hands of human traffickers,” said Ms. Thompson. “The Survive and Thrive Advocacy Center is extremely grateful to Representative Allison Tant for standing with human trafficking survivors and being their advocate in the Florida Legislature.”
This bill does many other things including extending the statutory authorization for the Florida Alliance to End Human Trafficking and ensuring that the hotline number is included on human trafficking signs.
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