Central Florida News
State Senator Geraldine Thompson Hosts Town Hall with Congressman Maxwell Frost, and Attorney Ben Crump August 12, 2023
ORLANDO, Fla. – Senator Geraldine F. Thompson (D-Orlando) has organized a Speak Out Town Hall Meeting to include Congressman Maxwell Frost and Attorney Ben Crump from 10:00 a.m. until noon on August 12, 2023 at the James R. Smith Center located at 1723 Bruton Boulevard in Orlando, Florida.
Congressman Frost will focus on federal calls to revise Florida’s African American History Standards. Attorney Crump, who recently won a settlement in the 70-year-old Henrietta Lacks cancer cell line taken from an African American woman without her consent, will focus on legal recourse to the African American History Standards. The Speak Out Town Hall will feature descendants of families killed or displaced during the Ocoee and Rosewood Massacres. The descendants have expressed concerns regarding how their ancestors are being possibly portrayed in newly adopted African American History Standards introduced by the DeSantis administration and the Florida Department of Education.
Spokespersons for the Ocoee and Rosewood Massacre descendants who will participate in the Speak Out Town Hall include Pastor Stephen Nunn, a descendant of July Perry who was lynched after he attempted to vote in Ocoee and Mr. Gregory Doctor, a descendant of Thelma Evans Hawkins, a Rosewood Massacre survivor. The families of both massacres were victims of racist mobs. The new Florida African American History Standards related to the massacres direct teachers to highlight violence perpetrated against and by African Americans which some consider a distorted view of these historical events.
Also invited to participate in the Speak Out Town Hall Meeting are students and teachers who will focus on the impact of the new standards on a balanced and inclusive education.
WHO: Senator Geraldine Thompson (D-Orlando)
Congressman Maxwell Frost (FL-10)
Attorney Ben Crump
Descendants of Families Killed or Displaced During the Ocoee and Rosewood Massacres
WHAT: Speak Out Town Hall Meeting
WHEN: Saturday, August 12th, 2023 at 10:00 am
WHERE: Dr. James R. Smith Neighborhood Center
1723 Bruton Boulevard
Orlando, FL
The Town Hall is free and open to the public; however, individuals are encouraged to register to insure adequate seating and instructional material. Individuals who wish to register for the Speak Out Town Hall should call Senator Thompson’s office at 850-487-5015 or email Brien.Michael@FLSenate.gov.
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New team will debut at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027 as fans help shape the franchise’s identity
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — UPSHOT League officially announced the arrival of professional women’s basketball in Tampa Bay, with the new franchise scheduled to begin play at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027.
UPSHOT Tampa branding unveiled as the league prepares for its inaugural 2027 season in Tampa Bay. Image courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Owner Morgan Busby introduced the vision behind bringing elite women’s basketball to the region, while Garland Cooper was announced as team president. UPSHOT Deputy Commissioner Taj McWilliams-Franklin also joined the launch alongside local leaders as the organization emphasized community involvement, fan experience and competitive excellence as core parts of the franchise.
FAN INVOLVEMENT: The Tampa franchise does not yet have an official team name. Fans are being invited to submit ideas and take part in helping shape the team’s identity ahead of its inaugural season. Season-ticket deposits and founding membership opportunities are also available.
UPSHOT Tampa President Garland Cooper speaks with media following the announcement of Tampa Bay’s new professional women’s basketball franchise. Photo courtesy of UPSHOT Tampa.
Community outreach began immediately with a “Shoe a Day” initiative supporting young athletes in the Tampa Bay area. During media availability, Cooper also spoke about the importance of giving young girls an opportunity to see what is possible through professional women’s sports.
Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise and Advisory Board Chair Kathleen Shanahan were among the community leaders in attendance, highlighting the potential economic and social impact of adding another professional sports organization to the region.
INAUGURAL SEASON: UPSHOT Tampa is scheduled to tip off at the Yuengling Center in summer 2027, adding professional women’s basketball to an established Tampa Bay sports market that already includes the Buccaneers, Lightning and Rays.
The team name, branding and additional franchise details are expected to be announced as the organization continues building toward its first season.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Bulls move to 4-1 as Hartline turns attention toward corrections and the week ahead
TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — South Florida’s unbeaten start ended Saturday night at Raymond James Stadium as Temple defeated the Bulls 17-13. USF struck first behind a Nico Gramatica field goal but went into halftime trailing 10-3 before finding momentum after the break.
USF responded in the third quarter as D.J. Crowther’s one-yard touchdown tied the game at 10.
USF and Temple battle at the line of scrimmage. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
The Bulls’ defense added a key stop when No. 1 C.J. Hicks recovered a Temple fumble in the end zone. Gramatica later connected from 49 yards to give USF a 13-10 fourth-quarter lead. Temple answered with the defining possession of the night, driving 96 yards before quarterback No. 13 Ajani Sheppard scored on a 34-yard run to put the Owls ahead for good.
Temple’s 96-yard fourth-quarter drive became the turning point in the 17-13 finish.
Joshua Porter sprints for catch with Adrian Laing closing in for Temple. Photo Credit: Nisey Spruill / Florida National News
USF was unable to answer late, dropping to 4-1. Following the game, head coach Brian Hartline focused on returning to the film, correcting the mistakes that surfaced and making sure the Bulls use the loss to improve heading into the next week.
FINAL: Temple 17, USF 13
Up Next: USF travels to San Antonio to face UTSA on Thursday night.
– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com
Central Florida News
Orange County Announces $28,200 Public Art Opportunity at Tangelo Park Community Center
