Latest news with #FloridaHighSchoolAthleticAssociation
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Miami Northwestern football players ask school board to reinstate Teddy Bridgewater
During the public forum of Wednesday's Miami-Dade school board meeting, several football players from Miami Northwestern High asked the school board to reinstate the school's head football coach, Teddy Bridgewater. They told the board members about how much Bridgewater inspired and believed in them and how he turned the football team into a family. The former Miami Dolphins quarterback was suspended by his alma mater after he posted on social media that he paid for players' Uber rides, which is considered 'impermissible benefits' by the Florida High School Athletic Association's rules. Read more: Miami Northwestern suspends football coach Teddy Bridgewater for upcoming season 'He didn't just coach football. He taught us about manhood, discipline and character,' said Miami Northwestern football player Anthony Bell during the public comment portion of Wednesday's school board meeting. 'He gave us rides when we didn't have no way to get to practice and the way going back home. He made sure we had meals. He connected us with colleges we never thought we'd have access to. He's gone above and beyond. Not because he had to but because he wanted to. He used his platform as a former NFL player to shine a spotlight on our team and because of that we are finally being seen.' 'Please don't take away one of the few people that cares about our future.' Stephen Rivera, a barber who has been volunteering to offer haircuts to student athletes at Miami Northwestern, was in tears as he stood at the podium and spoke into the microphone about Bridgewater. 'Teddy is a true leader. He elevates and gives back the way he can. We should not be suspending him, but celebrating his efforts to give kids hope,' said Rivera. Bridgewater led Miami Northwestern back to prominence last season, guiding them to their first state title since 2019 and their ninth overall. Northwestern had gone 4-6 the previous season and missed the playoffs. Student athlete Amir Day said his team would not have won the championship without Bridgewater. 'Why suspend a coach for giving back to his team?' 'He is building up young men and teaching us our value,' added Day. School board member Dorothy Bendross-Mindingall thanked the speakers and said she was advised by the general counsel for the school district, Walter Harvey, not to comment further as an investigation is underway by the Florida High School Athletic Association. Bridgewater confirmed the suspension via a post on his Facebook page earlier this month. The post did not specify the length of the suspension, but according to a source connected to the South Florida football scene, Bridgewater will not be allowed to coach the Bulls this coming season. During the meeting several parents also took to the podium to ask that the school board investigate Miami Northwestern's booster organization. They accused the organization of misspending money donated to support the football team. 'How much money have they raised? Who has access to it? Where are receipts and invoices?' said Latoyah David, a parent. The Florida Board of Education has already reached out over the past week to Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Jose L. Dotres demanding Bridgewater's reinstatement. A petition was also started recently by Katherine Higgs-Palmer, a 1978 graduate of Miami Northwestern, on which has drawn over 2,300 signatures as of Wednesday night. 'According to multiple reports and firsthand accounts from students and parents, Coach Bridgewater's impact extends beyond the football field,' Higgs-Palmer wrote on the petition's website. 'His dedication to improving students' lives through education and personal mentoring is unparalleled. It's imperative to recognize that his presence is crucial in guiding our young athletes towards success, both in their sports and academic endeavors. 'By reinstating Teddy Bridgewater, we reaffirm our commitment to the values that have always made Miami Northwestern great: excellence, leadership, and community. In these trying times, his leadership is needed more than ever to steer our young athletes in the right direction and continue building a legacy of achievement and integrity.'
USA Today
06-07-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Iowa women's basketball 2027 four-star recruit commits to IMG Academy
After two dominant seasons at Cardinal Mooney (Sarasota, Fla.), Iowa women's basketball's four-star 2027 small forward recruit Madison Mignery announced on Friday that she will be transferring to IMG Academy to further her blossoming development. In her sophomore campaign with Cardinal Mooney, Mignery averaged an impressive 16.0 points per game on 56% shooting from the floor, 36% from 3-point territory, and 77% from the free-throw line through 28 contests. The 6-foot-1 forward also captained the Cardinal Mooney team to a 24-9 record, helping guide the school to a 2025 Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A state championship with 19 points and 11 rebounds in the title game against Bolles. The Sarasota, Florida, native is regarded as the No. 2 player in the Sunshine State per Prep Girls Hoops. The Hawkeyes extended Mignery an offer on May 29, which added Iowa to a growing list of offers, including Ohio State, Florida State, Michigan, Michigan State, Kentucky, Florida, TCU, and Stanford. With the move to IMG, Mignery will compete against some of the top talent in the nation, which should help her improve her game as her recruitment furthers while staying relatively close to home in nearby Bradenton, Fla. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews
Miami Herald
30-06-2025
- Health
- Miami Herald
Florida Laws Changing on July 1: From Condos To Dangerous Dogs
Over 100 new laws will come into effect from Tuesday in Florida, according to local media, concerning everything from health and property to animal welfare. Many are in response to observed issues concerning the health of student athletes as well as other threats to Floridians such as opioids and dangerous dogs. Drawn from media reports and state legislation, below are some of the most significant new laws taking effect in Florida from Tuesday. SB 1514: Anaphylaxis in Public and Charter Schools The bill, approved by Governor Ron DeSantis in May, requires each district and charter school board to ensure that adequate training is provided to school personnel regarding anaphylactic shocks-potentially life-threatening reactions to allergens. Training should ensure that school personnel are able to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis and know how to administer an epinephrine delivery device, or EpiPen. SB 1070: Electrocardiograms for Student Athletes The bill, also known as the "Second Chance Act," requires the Florida High School Athletic Association to increase the use of electrocardiogram (EKG) tests for student athletes and adopt policies barring students with abnormal EKGs from participating in sports without medical clearance. It mandates athletes to complete at least one screening before participating in interscholastic athletic competitions. It comes after a student from Port St. Joe High School student died while competing in a football game in September last year. HB 597: Diabetes Management in Schools The bill, referred to the House of Representative's educational and health subcommittees, aims to ensure schools are better equipped to handle diabetic emergencies. It authorizes schools to maintain stocks of undesignated glucagon, a medication used to treat severe hypoglycemia, authorizing flexible acquisition options such as via purchase, reduced pricing, free donation and transferred supplies that meet certain safety standards. It also requires that these glucagon supplies be kept in secure and easily accessible storage. HB 593: Dangerous Dogs The "Pam Rock Act" is aimed at regulating dangerous dogs and increasing the penalty for owners whose pets cause serious injury or death. The bill, unanimously passed in both chambers, was named after Pamela Rock, a woman killed in 2022 by a group of dogs with known histories of aggressive behaviour. HB 593 requires that dogs which have killed or seriously injured a human be confiscated, and that owners of dogs classified as dangerous obtain liability insurance of at least $100,000, microchip the dogs and securely confine them in suitable enclosures. HB 255: Aggravated Animal Cruelty Otherwise known as "Dexter's Law," this provides harsher sentences for individuals involved in aggravated cases of animal cruelty, while making it more likely that those found guilty of these crimes will go to prison. The bill was named after Dexter, a rescue dog who was adopted in 2024 and found beheaded in a public park days later. The bill will also create an online database of convicted animal abusers, allowing pet adoption services to screen applicants. HB 351: Dangerous Excessive Speeding This bill will impose harsher penalties and jail time for those who exceed speed limits by 50 miles per hour or more, or those who operate a vehicle at 100 mph or more "in a manner that threatens the safety of other persons or property or interferes with the operation of any vehicle." Those convicted of "dangerous excessive speeding" will face imprisonment of up to 30 days, a fine of $500 or both. Subsequent convictions will be punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $1,000 or both. HB 913: Condominium and Cooperative Associations The bill prohibits anyone whose community association manager (CAM) license is revoked from having any ownership interest in a community association management firm-a company contracted by a homeowner's association to handle the day-to-day management of a community-for a specified period. CAMS must also maintain up-to-date online accounts with Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation. SB 1388: Vessels The "Boater Freedom Act" is designed to safeguard access to Florida's waters and reduce regulatory impediments for boaters. It bars local government entities from banning gas-powered boats, prohibits authorities from conducting vessel inspections without probable case, and directs the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to proactively provide Florida Freedom Boater decals which will demonstrate to law enforcement that boaters have "taken the necessary steps to maintain proper safety requirements," per a statement on the governor's website. HB 279: False Reporting HB 279 aims to increase the penalties for those who misuse emergency communication services, specifically in cases where this results in serious harm or death. If found guilty of making false emergency calls-or "swatting"-individuals will have to pay restitution to victims as well as expenses incurred by law enforcement. SB 994: Driver License Education Requirements The bill requires that anyone aged 18 or older applying for a driver license must first complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course. Learner driver licenses may also be issued for anyone aged 15 who has completed an approved driver education course. HB 259: Special Observances HB 259 designates August 21 as Florida's Fentanyl Awareness & Education Day, encouraging schools to "sponsor events to promote awareness of dangers of fentanyl & potential overdoses" on this date. HB 549: Gulf of America This bill requires state agencies to rename the Gulf of Mexico in all geographic materials, reflecting the change adopted at the federal level earlier this year. The bill also mandates that public and charter schools adopt the new name in instructional and library materials after July 1. HB 209: State Land Management The legislation, also referred to as the "State Park Preservation Act," mandates that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) encourage the protection of the state's public lands for recreational use. HB 209, which passed both chambers unanimously, also encourages transparency from the DEP regarding the use of public lands with public hearings and publicly available electronic copies of land management plans for parcels of a certain size and those located in state parks. SB 700: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Also known as the "Florida Farm Bill," this was signed into law by DeSantis in May. It introduces several departmental reforms, including expanded authority over hiring practices, giving the agency greater flexibility in staffing decisions. While it does not specifically mention the word fluoride, the bill bans "the use of certain additives in a water system" which do not meet strict new requirements. In effect, this will make Florida the second state after Utah to ban fluoride from public drinking water. Florida Representative Judson Sapp, who sponsored the Dangerous Dogs bill, said: "This bill addresses the rising number of attacks and fatalities caused by dangerous dogs in Florida by clearly defining what constitutes a dangerous dog, establishing a tracking system, and providing a process for removal when necessary. At the same time, it includes safeguards to prevent misidentification and protect responsible pet owners." Florida Representative Anne Gerwig, sponsor of the Special Observances bill, said: "Thousands of lives are lost every year due to opioid and fentanyl overdoses and this particularly affects our young adults and youth. Some lives are lost due to unintentional exposure including babies, young children and public servants that come into contact with this drug. The pain of addiction and the loss of lives due to fentanyl touches almost every family. "Bringing awareness of the dangers and hope for those that need it can change lives. By bringing attention to the fact that almost 60,000 lives were lost to fentanyl last year, we can spread awareness of this deadly crisis." Related Articles Disney Cruise Rescue As Child Falls Overboard, Father Jumps In: What To KnowTrump Admin Shares Meme of ICE Alligators Outside Florida Prison'Alligator Alcatraz' Faces Legal Challenge Days Before OpeningTrump Supporter Detained by ICE Thought Only Criminals Would Be Deported 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
30-06-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Florida Laws Changing on July 1: From Condos To Dangerous Dogs
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Over 100 new laws will come into effect from Tuesday in Florida, according to local media, concerning everything from health and property to animal welfare. Many are in response to observed issues concerning the health of student athletes as well as other threats to Floridians such as opioids and dangerous dogs. What Florida Laws Will Change on July 1? Drawn from media reports and state legislation, below are some of the most significant new laws taking effect in Florida from Tuesday. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference on May 1, 2025, in Miramar, Florida. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaks during a press conference on May 1, 2025, in Miramar, 1514: Anaphylaxis in Public and Charter Schools The bill, approved by Governor Ron DeSantis in May, requires each district and charter school board to ensure that adequate training is provided to school personnel regarding anaphylactic shocks—potentially life-threatening reactions to allergens. Training should ensure that school personnel are able to recognize the signs of anaphylaxis and know how to administer an epinephrine delivery device, or EpiPen. SB 1070: Electrocardiograms for Student Athletes The bill, also known as the "Second Chance Act," requires the Florida High School Athletic Association to increase the use of electrocardiogram (EKG) tests for student athletes and adopt policies barring students with abnormal EKGs from participating in sports without medical clearance. It mandates athletes to complete at least one screening before participating in interscholastic athletic competitions. It comes after a student from Port St. Joe High School student died while competing in a football game in September last year. HB 597: Diabetes Management in Schools The bill, referred to the House of Representative's educational and health subcommittees, aims to ensure schools are better equipped to handle diabetic emergencies. It authorizes schools to maintain stocks of undesignated glucagon, a medication used to treat severe hypoglycemia, authorizing flexible acquisition options such as via purchase, reduced pricing, free donation and transferred supplies that meet certain safety standards. It also requires that these glucagon supplies be kept in secure and easily accessible storage. HB 593: Dangerous Dogs The "Pam Rock Act" is aimed at regulating dangerous dogs and increasing the penalty for owners whose pets cause serious injury or death. The bill, unanimously passed in both chambers, was named after Pamela Rock, a woman killed in 2022 by a group of dogs with known histories of aggressive behaviour. HB 593 requires that dogs which have killed or seriously injured a human be confiscated, and that owners of dogs classified as dangerous obtain liability insurance of at least $100,000, microchip the dogs and securely confine them in suitable enclosures. HB 255: Aggravated Animal Cruelty Otherwise known as "Dexter's Law," this provides harsher sentences for individuals involved in aggravated cases of animal cruelty, while making it more likely that those found guilty of these crimes will go to prison. The bill was named after Dexter, a rescue dog who was adopted in 2024 and found beheaded in a public park days later. The bill will also create an online database of convicted animal abusers, allowing pet adoption services to screen applicants. HB 351: Dangerous Excessive Speeding This bill will impose harsher penalties and jail time for those who exceed speed limits by 50 miles per hour or more, or those who operate a vehicle at 100 mph or more "in a manner that threatens the safety of other persons or property or interferes with the operation of any vehicle." Those convicted of "dangerous excessive speeding" will face imprisonment of up to 30 days, a fine of $500 or both. Subsequent convictions will be punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a fine of $1,000 or both. HB 913: Condominium and Cooperative Associations The bill prohibits anyone whose community association manager (CAM) license is revoked from having any ownership interest in a community association management firm—a company contracted by a homeowner's association to handle the day-to-day management of a community—for a specified period. CAMS must also maintain up-to-date online accounts with Florida's Department of Business and Professional Regulation. SB 1388: Vessels The "Boater Freedom Act" is designed to safeguard access to Florida's waters and reduce regulatory impediments for boaters. It bars local government entities from banning gas-powered boats, prohibits authorities from conducting vessel inspections without probable case, and directs the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to proactively provide Florida Freedom Boater decals which will demonstrate to law enforcement that boaters have "taken the necessary steps to maintain proper safety requirements," per a statement on the governor's website. HB 279: False Reporting HB 279 aims to increase the penalties for those who misuse emergency communication services, specifically in cases where this results in serious harm or death. If found guilty of making false emergency calls—or "swatting"—individuals will have to pay restitution to victims as well as expenses incurred by law enforcement. SB 994: Driver License Education Requirements The bill requires that anyone aged 18 or older applying for a driver license must first complete a traffic law and substance abuse education course. Learner driver licenses may also be issued for anyone aged 15 who has completed an approved driver education course. HB 259: Special Observances HB 259 designates August 21 as Florida's Fentanyl Awareness & Education Day, encouraging schools to "sponsor events to promote awareness of dangers of fentanyl & potential overdoses" on this date. HB 549: Gulf of America This bill requires state agencies to rename the Gulf of Mexico in all geographic materials, reflecting the change adopted at the federal level earlier this year. The bill also mandates that public and charter schools adopt the new name in instructional and library materials after July 1. HB 209: State Land Management The legislation, also referred to as the "State Park Preservation Act," mandates that the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) encourage the protection of the state's public lands for recreational use. HB 209, which passed both chambers unanimously, also encourages transparency from the DEP regarding the use of public lands with public hearings and publicly available electronic copies of land management plans for parcels of a certain size and those located in state parks. SB 700: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Also known as the "Florida Farm Bill," this was signed into law by DeSantis in May. It introduces several departmental reforms, including expanded authority over hiring practices, giving the agency greater flexibility in staffing decisions. While it does not specifically mention the word fluoride, the bill bans "the use of certain additives in a water system" which do not meet strict new requirements. In effect, this will make Florida the second state after Utah to ban fluoride from public drinking water. What People Are Saying Florida Representative Judson Sapp, who sponsored the Dangerous Dogs bill, said: "This bill addresses the rising number of attacks and fatalities caused by dangerous dogs in Florida by clearly defining what constitutes a dangerous dog, establishing a tracking system, and providing a process for removal when necessary. At the same time, it includes safeguards to prevent misidentification and protect responsible pet owners." Florida Representative Anne Gerwig, sponsor of the Special Observances bill, said: "Thousands of lives are lost every year due to opioid and fentanyl overdoses and this particularly affects our young adults and youth. Some lives are lost due to unintentional exposure including babies, young children and public servants that come into contact with this drug. The pain of addiction and the loss of lives due to fentanyl touches almost every family. "Bringing awareness of the dangers and hope for those that need it can change lives. By bringing attention to the fact that almost 60,000 lives were lost to fentanyl last year, we can spread awareness of this deadly crisis."
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Laurie Martin-Giordano lost her son. Her tireless advocacy is saving countless others.
FORT MYERS – Laurie Martin-Giordano turned an unimaginable tragedy into a personal mission to protect high school athletes. In 2017, her 16-year-old son Zach collapsed during a summer high school football workout at Riverdale High School. Suffering from heat stroke, his core temperature measured 107 degrees at the hospital and he slipped into a coma. Eleven days later, Zach died. Driving home from the hospital, Martin-Giordano made a vow that would forever alter her future. 'I said out loud we are not going to take a loss on him," she said. "He had so much potential that is not going to be realized, and there are so many people who would have been positively affected by his life that are never going to know what they've missed out on. So we have to make that happen. And that became my guiding light through the next several years." 2024 honoree: Philanthropist Wendy H. Steele is Florida's honoree for USA TODAY's Women of the Year Martin-Giordano became a tireless advocate for exertional heat stroke prevention and treatment in Florida. At the time of Zach's death, the Florida High School Athletic Association had no policies or guidelines regarding heat illness, which is 100% survivable if recognized and treated promptly. She routinely made the six-hour drive to the state capital in Tallahassee, speaking to groups of legislators about the need for a statewide law to protect high school athletes. Three years later, on June 23, 2020, Martin-Giordano's birthday, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Zachary Martin Act, which requires heat illness training and life-saving equipment for every FHSAA member school. 'Since the Zachary Martin Act was signed into law, there's been several kids that have gone down but we didn't lose any of them which tells me somebody was doing the right thing,' she said. For her efforts, Martin-Giordano has been named a 2025 USA TODAY Women of the Year honoree. Martin-Giordano continues her work through the Zach Martin Memorial Foundation, which provides education and awareness about exertional heat illnesses to athletes, coaches and parents. The foundation also donates life-saving cold water immersion tubs to high schools for use in all sports. Martin-Giordano said parents shouldn't be afraid to ask their children's coaches and schools about the preventive measures they have in place. 'You are handing over your most precious possession, so no parent should feel awkward about asking those questions,' she said. 'Parents need to be the gatekeeper for their kids when it comes to safety.' For more information, visit Meet the 2024 Women of the Year: Inspiring women across America (Responses have been edited for length and clarity) A: It still makes me tear up because there were so many emotions that were happening. The first, obviously, was joy and celebration that the state of Florida had looked at what happened to my son and several other kids and decided this was enough and they weren't going to allow it to happen anymore. But right on the heels of that was still the sadness and grief, because Zach was not here to to experience it. Most people only know him from what I've told them about him. And as every human being is, there's so many sides to him that people will never know, and so that is always a piece of it too. A: I think he would be very incredibly proud. Zach at his core was a protector from a very young age and that was what made his great at football. It made him a fantastic brother and son and a really good friend too. As a mom, you always have that sort of Mama Bear mentality that's always at the ready, but your kids don't necessarily see it. And watching me work to make this law happen, I think my family and Zach especially got to witness how a Mama Bear works to make things happen. A: Courage is action based on beliefs and regardless of feelings. I think a lot of people confuse courage with bravery. I had a lot of people tell me I was brave and I can tell you I was not. It wasn't fear that I had to overcome. It was absolute pain and agony and that's very different. I was in agony every day but I understood my voice needed to be present. It took a lot of courage to get up in the middle of the night and drive six hours for a 9 o'clock committee meeting and tell a room full of people about the absolute worst thing that has ever happened in my life. A: I can't come up with just one person but over the past seven years the people I look up to the most are the families I've come in contact with who like me have lost a child. I'm in awe of them taking steps to put their lives back together and make a difference. Watching them find that courage is a privilege to be able to see. I would rather they did not have this hard road but I'm incredibly honored to be a part of their journey. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: USA TODAY Women of the Year honoree for Florida is Laurie Martin-Giordano
