DIGITAL DRIVER’S LICENSES Under development since 2014, Florida will soon see digital driver’s licenses and State IDs. The license holder’s phone would scan a QR code from someone, like a law enforcement officer, requesting verification. The user’s device sends the request for data to a server, which then bounces the identification data back to the user and the person requesting the data. People requesting proof of age, like a store, would receive less personal information than law enforcement. State law currently requires people to have a physical ID in addition to a digital ID.
MARY MCLEOD BETHUNE STATUE Bethune Cookman University in Daytona Beach is currently hosting the newly chiseled statue of educator and philanthropist Mary McLeod Bethune, which will be placed in statuary hall of the U.S. Capitol in January. Each state has two statues. The Florida Legislature voted to replace the statue of Confederate General Edmund Kirby with that of Bethune. To see the statue at the campus before December 12th, go to mmbstatue.org to reserve a free ticket.
AFRICAN-AMERICAN CULTURAL AND HISTORICAL GRANTS The Florida Department of State announced the African-American Cultural and Historical grant program to provide funding for the construction of facilities in Florida that highlight the contributions, culture, or history of African-Americans. Applicant organizations may request up to $500,000 with no match or up to $1,000,000 with 50 percent matching funds from other sources. More details can be found here.
CIVICS EDUCATION The State Board of Education approved a new rule on October 22nd requiring all public schools teach civics education to its students. Instilling patriotic values will be a key part of the curriculum as well as learning how political ideologies such as communism and totalitarianism conflict with the principles of freedom and democracy.
BE A FLORIDA HERO Attorney General Ashley Moody has launched the initiative “Be a Florida Hero” in an attempt to recruit law enforcement candidates from around the country. Details may be found here https://beafloridahero.com/