Florida
Florida Gov. DeSantis, cabinet green light $90M for immigration enforcement
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet on Tuesday approved $90 million in grants for local law enforcement agencies for items related to enforcement of illegal immigration.
The $90 million is for new and amended grants to 56 county and city police departments for radios, body cameras, riot gear, ballistic helmets, X-ray machines, inmate restraint chairs and other items.
DeSantis, Attorney General James Uthmeier, Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, who comprise the State Board of Immigration Enforcement, unanimously approved the funding.
Out of the $90 million in grants, $30.3 million is for new awards and $57 million are additional funds for law enforcement agencies that had already asked for assistance.
In the latest batch of requests, Orange County and Polk County sheriff offices asked for the most money. The bulk of Orange County’s $10 million proposal is for equipment, with $9 million of those funds going to 910 portable radios.
The Polk County Sheriff’s Office asked for $10 million, with $8.7 million being spent on encrypted radio device systems and servers. The current radios the sheriff’s office uses cannot communicate with ICE agents because they lack encryption capabilities, the request says.
“With the proposed upgrades, communication with ICE will be enabled, ultimately reducing the risk of our officers and ICE agents, and strengthening the overall security of our sensitive communications,” the request states.
The Walton County Sheriff’s Office south about $9 million, which includes more than $2.5 million for a rapid DNA testing system and 2,000 DNA processing swabs.
“With DNA results available quickly, we can reduce detention and processing times, resolve immigration status faster, and reallocate resources to more critical enforcement and investigative tasks,” Walton County’s request says.
The Collier County Sheriff’s Office requested more than $8 million, with about $5 million to be used for communication equipment, including radios. Notably, the county is asking for $600,000 for two Skywatch mobile towers to “enhance situation awareness and support immigration enforcement operations.”
The state has approved $147 million in immigration enforcement grants and disbursed almost $5 million to 25 local law enforcement agencies, according to Transparency Florida, a state website that tracks government spending.
Lawmakers in 2025 set aside $250 million to reimburse local law enforcement for purchases related to illegal immigration enforcement, including overtime for officers who participate in operations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The board also extended an emergency rule allowing funds to reimburse agencies with an agreement with ICE for vehicle purchases.
Local law enforcement agencies are allowed to buy one multi-passenger van to transport immigrants between county, state and federal detention facilities.
A swiftly-growing wildfire in western Broward County has consumed over 4,000 acres, having ballooned in size since igniting a few days ago.
The Atlantic Fire, located near the Sawgrass Expressway and Commercial Boulevard, burned 4,755 acres and was 0% contained as of 8:01 p.m. June 29, according to a map of active wildfires provided by the Florida Forest Service. The fire began over the weekend, and had grown to 180 acres by Sunday.
Wildfires in neighboring Miami-Dade County burned thousands of acres in recent weeks
Three wildfires burning in Miami-Dade County cumulatively consumed over 19,000 acres over the past few weeks.
The Quarry 2 Fire, which began on June 15 near NW 137 Avenue and NW 41 Street, had grown to 19,018 acres and was 97% contained as of 1:26 p.m. June 21, according to a map of active wildfires provided by the Florida Forest Service. The Well Fire, which began on June 16 and is located near NW 122 Avenue and NW 58 Street, had burned 2,814 acres and was 90% contained as of 4:41 p.m. June 25.
The Corrections Fire, located south of 8th Street and west of Krome Avenue, had burned 363 acres and was 95% contained as of 12:12 p.m. June 25.
Sarah Perkel is a South Florida Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network’s Florida Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY.
Fifty tons of humanitarian aid donated by South Floridians are on their way to Venezuela following the earthquakes that rocked the country last week.
The aid shipment departed from Miami International Airport around 9 p.m. Monday aboard a LATAM Cargo plane.
According to the Global Empowerment Mission, or GEM, the 50 tons of supplies are equivalent to the weight of about 10 adult elephants and include food, medicine and other critical items.
Rows of strategically packed pallets lined the tarmac Monday night before being loaded onto the aircraft.
GEM partnered with LATAM Cargo for the rapid deployment effort after the earthquakes devastated parts of Venezuela.
“So in this load right here, it’s a combination of our family kits,” Michael Kesti with GEM Government Affairs said. “The kit is enough food for a family of four for five days, so beans and rice and that. A small generator, we give them as well, and a case of water. And then in some cases, we have tents as well.”
GEM has already delivered supplies to earthquake victims in Venezuela, but officials said Monday’s flight carrying 50 tons of aid is the organization’s largest shipment so far.
“This is an extraordinary gesture because everybody is waiting on pins and needles to see how we can help,” Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said.
At Global Empowerment Mission’s (GEM) headquarters in Doral, volunteers are working around the clock as donations continue to pour in following Venezuela’s devastating earthquakes.
GEM is not the only organization working to provide relief.
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church has also been collecting and organizing donations since the disaster struck.
Officials with the church said they have collected about 150 pallets of goods and have already sent both a plane and a ship carrying aid to Venezuela.
Fernando Bolanos, with the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, said the community has been deeply affected by the tragedy.
“The main thing is that we are deeply, deeply touched with what happened there. We are suffering a lot, and this is a way to carry on,” Bolanos said. “We were so happy with the World Cup and everything, and now everything changed.”
GEM said there is now a critical need for additional medical supplies as relief efforts continue.
On Saturday the United States of America will be celebrating its 250th birthday, and the milestone will be celebrated all over the South Florida area.
If you don’t know where to watch the fireworks this 4th of July, here are a few places to check out.
1.) Bayfront Park
From 1 p.m. to midnight live music, fireworks and of course FIFA World Cup viewing will be hosted at Bayfront Park. According to Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau, this free event will also have food and drinks for the entire family to enjoy. Admission does require an RSVP found with this link. The event is located at 301 N. Biscayne Blvd. Miami, FL 33132
2.) Tropical Park
Miami-Dade County Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Department will be hosting their annual Fourth of July Celebration. The free event will be taking place from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. and will include live music, food and a Carnival Cruise Line Fun Zone for kids. The event will be hosted at 7900 SW 40th Street, Miami, FL 33155.
3.) Lummus Park
Are you a fan of classical music? This Fourth of July Lummus Park will be the venue for the Independence Day Fireworks & Patriotic Concert. The evening will begin at 8:30 p.m. with an orchestra performance by the Miami Beach Classical Music Festival.
A fireworks show will begin at 9 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to bring beach chairs, blankets and picnic supplies. The celebration will take place at 12th Street and Ocean Drive Miami Beach, FL 33139.
4.) Altos Del Mar Park
Starting at 5 p.m. families can dance to live music as a Fourth of July celebration kicks off at Altos Del Mar Park.
Near the Miami Beach Bandshell at 7275 Collins Avenue there will be a free outdoor roller disco from 5 to 9 p.m.
At 9 p.m. the night will end with a drone and firework show. The event is located at 7601 Atlantic Way, Miami Beach, FL 33141.
5.) Palmer Park
If you are in the South Miami area, Palmer Park will be hosting a Fourth of July Celebration from 5 to 9 p.m. There will be live music, food, local vendors and of course fireworks!
The address for the park is 6100 SW 67th Avenue.
6.) Risco Park
Fireworks, live music and family activities will be hosted at Risco Park for Independence Day. Hosted by the City of Miami Gardens, the 4th of July & The Juneteenth Experience Park-In & Party will intertwine both holiday themes in a community gathering focused on “freedom, inclusion and family.”
The event will include a DJ, performances by local talent, food trucks, raffles and more. The party will end with a fireworks display at 9 p.m. If you are interested in attending, the address is 19000 NW 37th Ave. Miami Gardens, FL 33056.
7.) Las Olas Oceanside Park and Fort Lauderdale Beach
The city of Fort Lauderdale is throwing a free 4th of July event hosted by Grammy-nominated country singer Walker Hayes.
Hayes will be performing at 7:30 p.m. and the event will also feature a kids zone, beach games, contests and more.
At sunset, attendees can expect a drone show over the beach at 8:45 p.m. Then at 9 p.m. a fireworks display will begin.
Find the event at 3000 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308.
8.) Biltmore Hotel, Coral Gables
Located at the historic Biltmore Hotel, local residents and enjoy this Fourth of July Celebration. The event starts at 5 p.m., following a Greater Miami Symphonic Band Concert at 7 p.m. and then a drone and fireworks show at 9 p.m. The event will be located at 1200 Anastasia Ave, Coral Gables, FL 33134.
9.) Milander Park, Hialeah
This event will feature a 30-minute firework and laser display. There will be local food trucks, and the festivities are expected to bring together over 20,000 attendees. The award-winning celebration will take place at 4800 Palm Ave. Hialeah, FL 33012.
10.) Homestead Miami Speedway
On Saturday evening residents can gather at the speedway for a night full of fireworks, live music and an interactive fan zone. Admission and parking are free. According to Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau, attendees are encouraged to arrive early before the evening finale with fireworks.
It will be held at One Ralph Sanchez Speedway Blvd Homestead, FL 33035.
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