Florida
PFLAG, Equality Florida call for Tallahassee rally to oppose bills targeting LGBTQ youth
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – PFLAG and Equality Florida are urging parents, families and allies to travel to the state Capitol next week to oppose several measures they say would harm LGBTQ+ youth and families.
Lawmakers and state agencies are advancing proposals that organizers say would expand so-called “Don’t Say Gay or Trans” restrictions into workplaces, reduce HIV funding that could affect thousands of Floridians and roll back protections for LGBTQ+ youth in foster care, including measures that could allow conversion practices, the groups said.
“Being physically present at the Capitol helps slow harmful bills, shows decision-makers that families are paying attention, and reminds them that children deserve safety, affirmation and love,” the groups said in the release.
Equality Florida is organizing buses to make it easier for people across the state to attend key committee hearings. PFLAG said the organizations are asking families and allies to join them in Tallahassee the week of Feb. 16-19 to show a united presence for LGBTQ+ families.
For those with transportation challenges, organizers said they are renting a large passenger van that will carry up to 15 people to Tallahassee on Feb. 17 or Feb. 18.
Organizers asked interested people to contact PFLAG or Equality Florida for details about schedules, bus routes and how to reserve a seat.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
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Florida
Fast-growing South Florida wildfire consumes over 4,000 acres
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.
Florida
50 tons of South Florida aid headed to Venezuela following earthquakes
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.
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