Politics
U.S. Congressman Darren Soto’s Bills Pass in Final Farm Bill
Published
7 years agoon
By
Willie David 
Washington, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed five bills introduced by Congressman Darren Soto (FL-09) inthe Conference Report on H.R. 2, the Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (more commonly known as the Farm Bill), a bill to strengthen our nation’s farm and food economy. In the Farm Bill, Rep. Soto helped secure $125 million to combat citrus greening, a key Florida industry; $300 million for the National Animal Health Vaccine Bank that will help the ranchers in Central Florida prepare for potential outbreak of disease; funding for priority conservation programs; and fully fund food assistance programs for Florida’s families.
“Florida’s economy, and in particular our district’s economy, relies on the thriving farmers and ranchers in our community. With our constituents in mind, I am proud to have secured these vital provisions in the Farm Bill to support our agricultural industry in Central Florida, while nationally protecting SNAP benefits, supporting strong conservation programs, investing in research, increasing rural economic development, and ensuring families have the nutrition support they need,” stated Rep. Soto. “There was nearly two years of work put into this critical bipartisan legislation. This final bill is a win for farmers and conservationists, as well as Florida’s families.”
Rep. Soto’s original bills that were included in the final bill are:
- H.R. 5169, Sensor Research: (section 7305), prioritizes specialty crop research on sensor and imager technology in agriculture.
- H.R. 2659, BARD Act: (section 7122), which codifies the appropriated U.S. – Israel Binational Agricultural Research and Development (BARD) Program, which is a cooperative research and development agriculture program between the United States and Israel.
- HR. 5234, Algae Research: (section 9010), removes algae from the list of excluded materials for biomass crop research.
- H.R. 5448, Agriculture Assistance for Disabled Veterans: (section 7214), provides for assistive technology for veterans with disabilities and makes behavioral therapy programs eligible for grants under this program.
Rep. Soto also co-led the following bill with Rep. Mark Pocan which passed in the Farm Bill:
- H.R. 5208, Seeds for the Future: (sections 7205 and 7206), which reinvests our public seed breeding and research programs, while improving coordination across the federal agencies that support these activities.
The Farm Bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 369 to 47 and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. With the passage of this bill, Congressman Soto has passed 11 bills in the 115th Congress.
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Politics
King Charles Strips Prince Andrew of All Royal Titles, Now Known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor
Published
8 hours agoon
October 31, 2025By
Willie David
LONDON (FNN) – In a historic and unprecedented decision, King Charles has stripped his younger brother, Prince Andrew, of all royal titles, including “Prince,” effectively removing him from the public and formal life of the British monarchy.
Buckingham Palace confirmed Thursday, October 30, 2025, that Andrew, 65, will no longer be referred to as His Royal Highness or by any of his former peerages. Instead, he will be known simply as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.
“His Majesty has today initiated a formal process to remove the Style, Titles, and Honours of Prince Andrew,” Buckingham Palace said in an official statement. “Prince Andrew will now be known as Andrew Mountbatten Windsor.”
Royal Titles and Honors Revoked
Andrew, the second son of the late Queen Elizabeth II, had held the title of Duke of York since 1986, as well as Earl of Inverness and Baron Killyleagh, all granted on his wedding day to Sarah Ferguson. Those titles, along with his honors as a Knight of the Garter and Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Victorian Order, have now been revoked.
The move also affects his long-term residence. Andrew has been ordered to surrender his lease at Royal Lodge in Windsor, where he has lived for decades.
“His lease on Royal Lodge has, to date, provided him with legal protection to continue in residence,” the palace said. “Formal notice has now been served to surrender the lease, and he will move to alternative private accommodation.”
The statement emphasized that these measures were necessary “notwithstanding the fact that he continues to deny the allegations against him.”
Epstein Scandal and Royal Family Reaction
The decision comes amid renewed scrutiny of Andrew’s association with the late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and ongoing public backlash over past allegations of misconduct. While Andrew continues to deny all accusations, palace insiders say the King’s decision reflects concerns about the monarchy’s integrity and public image.
“Their Majesties wish to make clear that their thoughts and utmost sympathies have been, and will remain with, the victims and survivors of any and all forms of abuse,” the statement concluded.
According to royal sources, King Charles used his Royal Prerogative—a power allowing the sovereign to manage royal titles and honors without parliamentary approval—to finalize the move. The decision reportedly has the support of Prince William and other senior members of the royal family.
The last time a British royal was formally stripped of a title was in 1917, when Prince Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale, lost his titles under the Titles Deprivation Act after swearing allegiance to Germany during World War I.
With this move, Andrew Mountbatten Windsor becomes the first modern royal to be fully divested of all royal status by a reigning monarch.
Central Florida News
Orange County Mayor Demings Breaks Ground on $7 Million Osprey Sound Affordable Housing Community for Seniors
Published
9 hours agoon
October 31, 2025By
Willie David
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) – Orange County leaders broke ground today on Osprey Sound, a new 100-unit affordable apartment community for seniors located at 5453 Rio Grande Avenue.
Developed by Denver-based Ulysses Development Group, Osprey Sound will offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom units designed for residents aged 62 and older earning at or below 70 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI).
The County supported the project with a $7 million investment from its Affordable Housing Trust Fund, in addition to $378,000 in impact fee waivers to help make the development possible.
Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings, District 6 Commissioner Michael Scott, and District 3 Commissioner Mayra Uribe attended the groundbreaking ceremony to celebrate the milestone.
“With housing developments like these, we are moving the needle in our community to make housing more affordable,” said Mayor Demings. “The seniors living here will be incredibly blessed with a good place to live. This is going to uplift the entire community.”
Since the creation of the Affordable Housing Trust Fund in 2020, Orange County has allocated $58 million to support more than a dozen affordable housing projects, creating nearly 2,400 new affordable units. In October 2025, the Board of County Commissioners approved an additional $58.5 million investment over the next three years, expected to create or preserve an estimated 3,570 affordable housing units.
Set to open in Spring 2027, Osprey Sound will feature a variety of modern amenities, including:
- In-unit washers and dryers 
- Stainless steel appliances 
- Walk-in closets 
- A fitness center 
- A business center 
- Multipurpose space for resident activities and crafts 
- A swimming pool 
The Osprey Sound project underscores Orange County’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to affordable housing and improving quality of life for seniors across Central Florida.
Politics
42 Million Americans Face Food Insecurity as SNAP Ends; No Kings Alliance Mobilizes Communities
Published
1 day agoon
October 30, 2025
WASHINGTON, D.C. (FNN) – With the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) officially ending on November 1, more than 42 million Americans, including 16 million children and 8 million seniors, are expected to lose access to food assistance. The No Kings Alliance, the new rapid response arm of the No Kings movement, is calling for a nationwide mutual aid response to prevent widespread hunger and hardship.
1. National Food Aid Crisis
The Trump Administration’s decision to halt SNAP funding has left millions at risk of food insecurity. As a result, 25 states have filed lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), accusing the agency of unlawfully withholding critical food aid funding. The loss of SNAP will have devastating impacts on vulnerable families across the country, particularly those already struggling with inflation and rising food costs.
2. No Kings Alliance Mobilizes Communities
In response, the No Kings Alliance is urging Americans to take immediate action by supporting local food banks, shelters, and mutual aid networks. The organization outlined three key ways to make a difference:
- Donate to local food banks: Financial contributions help provide direct aid to families impacted by the SNAP shutdown. 
- Collect and distribute supplies: Donate food, clothing, menstrual products, and essentials to local shelters and community aid groups. 
- Host a give-back drive: Organize food or supply drives in your neighborhood. Visit NoKings.org to learn how to get started. 
3. Building Resistance and Solidarity
The No Kings Alliance emphasizes its commitment to nonviolent action and collective resistance to what it calls “authoritarian power grabs” by the Trump Administration. The group plans to announce regular opportunities for direct action and mutual aid through its online platform at NoKings.org/alliance.
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