Orlando

Senator Linda Stewart Calls On Governor Scott To End Inaction On Separated Refugee Families

Published

8 years ago

June 27, 2018

ORLANDO, FL – Frustrated with the lack of any direction from the Trump Administration to return countless separated refugee children now languishing in detention facilities in Florida, state Senator Linda Stewart (D-Orlando) called on Governor Rick Scott to deploy legal assistance to expedite reunification efforts.

The governor last week asked to be kept informed, “on any measures the state can facilitate to help the reunification process,” wrote Senator Stewart in a letter sent Tuesday. “One week later, nothing has been done by the Trump Administration to ‘facilitate the reunification process.’ And nothing has been done by you.”

Citing the recent action begun by New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, who took it upon himself to enlist the assistance of city attorneys and legal professionals to begin the identification and reunion process of hundreds of separated children now housed in foster facilities there, Senator Stewart urged Governor Scott to do the same.

“Waiting for direction from President Trump is not an option,” she wrote, noting the governor’s request for further instructions from Washington. “In the week since you sent your letter, the situation has further deteriorated, the parents are no closer to finding their children, and 2,300 young lives are hanging in the balance as an administration in chaos remains rudderless…

“You have the power, as governor, to show that your opposition to family separations is more than just words. Like Mayor de Blasio, you, too, can help end this crisis by summoning legal professionals within government to help ‘facilitate the reunification process’ for these families.”

Senator Stewart also suggested that the governor simultaneously issue a call for help from private attorneys, many of whom “would be eager and anxious to help end this humanitarian crisis.”

There are at least three facilities in Florida currently housing the children of refugee parents arrested under President Trump’s “zero tolerance” policy. The exact number transferred here remains unknown.

Although the president retreated on his separation orders following a massive public outcry, no real effort has yet begun by his administration to expedite the return of these children to their parents.

And, other than the letter sent last week to the U.S Secretary of Health and Human Services stating his opposition to the policy and asking to be kept informed, Governor Scott has likewise failed to launch any independent effort to reunite the separated children held in Florida detention facilities.

“Seven days without any action may seem insignificant, but to these parents and children, it is a lifetime,” wrote Senator Stewart. “You and I would move both heaven and earth if this were our children or grandchildren on the line, as would most Floridians.

“If you are as opposed to this separation policy as you stated, I ask you to join the majority of Floridians who agree that this ongoing segregation of refugee parents and children is wrong, and strongly against prolonging it on their behalf. I urge you to act on my recommendation immediately, and help these families become whole again by providing legal assistance.”

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Golf

Russell Henley Wins Red Cardigan at 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Published

1 year ago

March 9, 2025

Mike Brodsky

Russell Henley wins the 2025 Arnold Palmer Invitational (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Russell Henley wins his first red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. This is Henley’s fifth win on the PGA Tour.

Russell Henley is greeted by his family on the 18th green after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

Henley finished at 11 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 70 today. Collin Morikawa finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Scottie Scheffler, finished today at 4 under par, tied for 11th place.

Scottie Scheffler tees off at the Arnold Palmer Invitational (Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

NFL

UCF Hall of Fame Inductee Shaquem Griffin Launches Search For Greatness Combine With Joey Grant and GMTM

Published

1 year ago

October 30, 2024

Mike Brodsky

UCF Hall of Fame Inductee Shaquem Griffin Launches Search For Greatness Combine With Joey Grant and GMTM

Former UCF football players Shaquem Griffin and Joey Grant have partnered with GMTM to launch their Search for Greatness Combine at UCF on Saturday, November 9th. They’re giving local athletes a chance to showcase their talents and explore new sports opportunities. Griffin will be inducted into the UCF Hall of Fame on Saturday, November 2nd, during halftime of the Arizona vs. UCF football game. He is remembered for his tenacity, setting an NFL Combine record with the fastest 40-yard dash by a linebacker, and playing four seasons in the NFL, overcoming the challenge of only having one hand. He is now training to make the USA Paralympic Track and Field Team and hopes to compete in the 2028 Olympics. Joey Grant, the co-founder and CEO of GMTM, is a former UCF team captain, playing mostly Center for the Knights from 2011-2015.

Participation at the upcoming combine is free and invite-only, targeting athletes over the age of 18. To be considered, athletes must submit a highlight video via GMTM’s platform, showcasing their athleticism. GMTM will evaluate submissions and invite the most promising athletes to participate in the combine. The goal for this year’s event is to get 1,000 athletes to submit videos and be part of the combine process. Athletes chosen will receive personalized invites with further instructions, including event time slots and details. The athletes will be evaluated for their key athletic traits, to identify opportunities for them across multiple Olympic sports or professional sports programs. To learn more, or to apply for the combine, visit: https://gmtm.com/articles/the-search-for-greatness-at-ucf-with-shaquem-griffin-what-you-need-to-know.

Florida National News spoke with Shaquem and Joey about the combine, college football in the era of NIL and the transfer portal, and Griffin’s hall of fame induction. You can watch the full interview here:

Shaquem Griffin and Joey Grant interview

Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com and www.FloridaSportsChannel.com for more.

Florida

Scottie Scheffler Wins Second Red Cardigan at 2024 Arnold Palmer Invitational

Published

2 years ago

March 10, 2024

Mike Brodsky

Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN Sports) – Scottie Scheffler wins his second red cardigan at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, today, along with $4 million of the $20 million prize pool. The red cardigan was first awarded in 2017, in memory of Arnold Palmer who passed the year before. Scheffler first won the API in 2022.

Scottie Scheffler wins the Arnold Palmer Invitational. (Photo credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News)

The number one ranked golfer in the world, Scheffler finished at 15 under par for the four day tournament, carding a 66 today. Wyndham Clark finished in second place at 10 under par. API defending champion, Kurt Kitayama, did not make the cut, this weekend, finishing 7 over par after the first two rounds on Thursday and Friday.

This coming week, the top golfers head to TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra, for the 50th anniversary of The Players Championship. The winner will walk away with $4.5 million of the $25 million up for grabs. This is the PGA Tour’s largest regular season purse. Stay tuned to www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.