Local

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Florida’s Republican-led Legislature passed a sweeping bill Thursday in Tallahassee that would ban all kids under 16 from using social media – even with a parent’s permission – and would require everyone else in the Sunshine State to prove they are adults to continue using their online accounts.

Within hours of the Senate’s vote, Gov. Ron DeSantis resurfaced his own objections over banning high school students who are 14 or 15 and whose parents might want to give their children access. “Parents need to have a role in this,” he said at a news conference. He added, “We can’t say 100% of the uses are bad.”

“It’s still under negotiation,” DeSantis said. “We’re working.”

The Senate voted 23-14 to pass the bill, a priority of House Speaker Paul Renner and one of the most consequential and far-reaching pieces of legislation considered this year by lawmakers. The House voted later in the day 108-7 to pass the Senate’s version of the measure and send it to DeSantis for signature.

“We know that there are pedophiles and sexual predators on these platforms and children can be groomed in less than 45 minutes,” said Sen. Erin Grall, R-Fort Pierce, who championed the measure in the Senate. “The sale of human beings is happening with our most vulnerable children in these platforms.”

Grall said Thursday that she hasn’t discussed concerns with the governor or his representatives.

“I haven’t communicated with the governor’s office on the bill, at all,” Grall said.

Under the bill – and an amendment by Grall that passed late Wednesday – adults in Florida would be required to submit proof-of-age documents or evidence to third-party, U.S.-based companies to prove to social media companies they are old enough to use their accounts on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X, Snapchat, Reddit and others. 

The bill would require that these companies immediately delete copies of any age-verification information at the end of the process and assure the anonymity of anyone who submitted it. It did not specify what documents or evidence would be acceptable to prove age, but legislative researchers said options include government-issued records such as drivers’ licenses, credit or banking records or even biometric tools that use facial recognition to estimate a person’s age.

It would go into effect July 1. 

The Senate vote was largely along party lines, except that five Republicans voted against the bill and two Democrats supported it. Debate on the Senate floor was rancorous. In the House, the only lawmakers who opposed it were Reps. LaVon Bracy Davis of Orlando, Daryl Campbell of Fort Lauderdale, Anna Eskamani of Orlando, Ashley Viola Gantt of Miami, Angela Nixon of Jacksonville and Felicia Simone Robinson of Miami Gardens – all Democrats.

Sen. Tina Polsky, D-Boca Raton, said the bill – if enacted – would almost certainly be blocked by legal challenges. Critics said it interferes with the First Amendment rights of social media users. A similar law in Arkansas was blocked after a judge ruled that it placed too high a

burden on adults and children attempting to access protected content.

“We are walking ourselves into a judicial defeat, and I’d like to know who’s paying for that,” Polsky said. “We’re cutting our budget; we’re cutting our programs. We’re going to spend another million dollars on defending a case that we all know is unconstitutional.”

NetChoice LLC, a trade organization for major social media platforms, said the age-verification requirement for adults in Florida raised serious privacy concerns. 

“The terrifying component of this bill is a requirement that private businesses send and export sensitive personal information of users to another company,” said Carl Szabo, the group’s top lawyer. “That’s really scary that my most sensitive personal information would be required by Florida law to be sent to a third party to verify I am who I say I am.”

The bill identifies social media services as having “addictive features,” which Grall compared to drug addiction. The bill wouldn’t apply to email providers, streaming services, photo-editing applications, news sites or other popular digital services.

“This has been equated to digital fentanyl,” Grall said. “This is a different version of drug use than most of us have ever seen, but it is just as bad and it affects their brain development and it affects their ability to participate in society.”

Polsky unsuccessfully offered an amendment late Wednesday that would exempt teens under 16 in Florida who could show a reasonable need to use social media, such as young entrepreneurs, dance or recording artists or prospective athletes who showcase their talent to college coaches online. 

On the Senate floor, Polsky read from a news story published earlier Wednesday by Fresh Take Florida, a news service operated by the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications, that included interviews with teens who ran businesses or advocacy groups before they turned 16.

Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Hollywood, said parents, not the government, should control what their children can do online. 

“If you need 40 people hanging out in Tallahassee for 60 days to be able to teach your kids, or restrict them from something, you need to seek help,” Pizzo said. 

Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, who voted against the bill said it could prevent children from watching popular cartoons on YouTube Kids. 

Szabo, the lawyer for NetChoice, said his group or others would seek a preliminary injunction in court to block the bill from taking effect if signed by the governor. 

“We can do that on First Amendment grounds because when it comes to free speech, the chilling of free speech, the limiting of free speech, even the threat of losing the opportunity of free speech is a harm unto itself,” Szabo said.

Grall said she believed Florida’s new law would hold up to court challenges because it targeted social media platforms with addictive features, not specific online companies. Such features include “autoplay,” when a website plays videos automatically in succession, or “infinite scroll,” when a website serves up content endlessly.

“This language is very different from some of the other states,” she said. “Some of the other states have specific exclusions for specific platforms. Those make it look like we’re targeting one platform over another versus focusing on the addictive harms that our children are facing.”

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

NEWBERRY ‒ The City has noticed Elite Pro Ball Academy to vacate its baseball training facility at Easton Newberry Sports Comple. In May 2011, the City entered into an agreement with Elite Pro Ball Academy in which the City would provide land at its Easton Newberry Sports Complex for Elite Pro Ball to construct a baseball training facility. The agreement included an initial term of 20 years with options to renew for an additional 20 years. A condition of the agreement provided that Elite Pro Ball would pay ad valorem taxes on the business and the property.

According to the City of Newberry, the company failed to pay the taxes for several years. When the City became aware, it noticed Elite Pro Ball of its failure to pay the taxes and requested that they cure the default. The company failed to pay the taxes despite follow-up notices from the City requesting that the taxes be paid.

According to City Attorney Scott Walker, the company’s failure to cure the default within 30 days after proper notice is grounds for termination of the contract.

“Despite the City’s best efforts to work to resolve the issue,” said Recreation Director Travis Parker, “the company has refused to vacate the property. They are not paying rent and have recently paid some of the taxes owed, but still owe for one more year’s taxes.”

City Attorney Scott Walker said that the agreement calls for mediation and he has contacted Tommy Bond from Ocala to mediate the issue. Mediation fees range from $3,000 - $5,000, depending on length of discussions.

Commissioners authorized direction to proceed with mediation and legal action required to terminate the master operating agreement.

#     #     #

Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

GAINESVILLE, Fla., Feb. 21, 2024 – Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) held a groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday, celebrating its latest expansion project: a four-level, 418-space parking garage and intermodal transportation center.

County and City leaders, agency officials, hospitality partners and well-wishers gathered at the construction site of the facility and heard from airport and community leaders about the benefits the project will bring.

“This project has been years in the planning and promises to be another important milestone in our continuing efforts to provide high quality air services and passenger facilities to our region,” said Allan Penksa, GNV’s Chief Executive Officer.

Gainesville Alachua County Airport Authority (GACRAA) Board Member Todd Chase remarked, “This four-level facility provides approximately 420 new parking spaces and will help meet our parking needs for years to come. The intermodal center portion of this project, with major funding by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Program, will result in less curb congestion during busy flight times, improving safety.”

The intermodal center will provide a convenient place for waiting city bus riders and those meeting Uber, Lyft and taxicabs, reducing loading and unloading directly in front of the terminal. The facility will also include convenient restrooms and covered seating for travelers awaiting pick-up.

Gainesville Mayor Harvey Ward commented on how far the airport has come since he was a child and consisted of several portable buildings, “so every time we add something else to this, I feel real good about it.”

The approximately $13 million dollar facility will be funded by three entities. The $1.8 million-dollar intermodal transportation center portion of the project, which includes staging areas for ground vehicles, covered walkways, a bus canopy and restrooms, will be funded 90% by a federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) grant administered through the FAA. The balance of the project costs are to be funded equally by GACRAA and grants from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Mr. Chase commented that GNV is in the midst of approximately $52 million dollars in improvements currently in development with more to come, thanks to the support of state and federal partners and airline passengers through collection of passenger facility charges (PFCs). Recent projects include $21 million of investment in existing airfield taxiways and aircraft parking aprons, expansion and renovation of airline ticket offices and the first phase of a new baggage handling system, which will soon break ground.

The project construction team will be led by Scherer Construction, as design-builder. Team members include Michael Baker International (design and engineering); Coreslab Structures (precast parking structure); VoltAir Inc. (mechanical, electrical and plumbing engineering); Cal-Tech Testing, Inc. (geotechnical engineering); JBPro (surveying and permitting support) and Blue Leaf Landscape Architects.

The anticipated timeframe for the project will be 10 to 12 months.

For a rendering of the parking garage and intermodal transportation center, please visit: Gainesville Garage – A2

About Gainesville Regional Airport:

Gainesville Regional Airport (GNV) serves North Central Florida and the Heart of Florida through all facets of aviation: commercial airlines, general aviation, military operations, medical missions and air cargo. Located in Gainesville, Florida, just minutes away from the University of Florida, GNV provides a close, convenient and competitively priced “gateway” to the Heart of Florida. The airport currently operates 12 daily departures on American Airlines, Delta and Silver Airways with nonstop service to the international hubs of Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas Fort Worth, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, providing access to hundreds of destinations around the world in one stop. GNV is served by a full-service fixed base operator, University Air Center (UAC). With more than 400 part- and full-time employees and tenants at the airport, GNV has an annual economic impact on North Central Florida of $556 million. In 2023, 547,457 commercial passengers flew in and out of GNV. For more information, please visit flygainesville.com

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

GAINESVILLE – Dr. J. Nathaniel “Nate” Southerland has been selected as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Sutherland has served in multiple leadership roles in higher education, including four and a half years as Provost at Coconino Community College in Flagstaff, Arizona, which followed five years as Associate Provost during his nine-year career in academic leadership at Salt Lake Community College in Salt Lake City, Utah. 

“Dr. Southerland’s vast experience in leadership positions throughout Academic Affairs and his experience working with university and community partners will advance our mission and bolster our academic enterprise,” SF President Paul Broadie II said. “He will be an advocate for Santa Fe as we launch our new innovative semiconductor program, build our Automotive Technology Training Center, and prepare for the opening of the Cellon Institute for Skilled Trades and Advanced Technology.”

Most recently, Southerland served St. Johns River State College as Assistant Vice President for Workforce Development.

“I am thrilled to be joining Santa Fe College at this pivotal moment and look forward to working alongside President Broadie and the faculty and staff as we continue Santa Fe's long tradition of excellence while growing in our capacity to meet the needs of our students and community stakeholders,” said Southerland. “This is an exciting time to be working side-by-side with our government, business, nonprofit, K-12, and university partners to set a new bar for transforming the lives of individuals and the communities in which we live, work, and serve. It's great to be a Saint!”

Southerland has led efforts in developing academic master plans, launched multiple innovative academic programs, promoted the importance of dual enrollment, and has 20 years of teaching experience, including nearly a decade of experience as an adjunct in both community college and university settings.

In an announcement to the college community, President Broadie thanked the members of the Provost Search Committee for their diligence, as well as interim Provost Dr. Mercedes Quiroga, who stepped into the role last July and provided stability for the institution throughout the search process.

Southerland will take leadership of Academic Affairs Monday, March 11.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

GAINESVILLE, Fla. - Below are the updated City of Gainesville traffic impacts scheduled for Feb. 23-March 1, 2024. 

New Notices 

SW 10th Street: Southwest 10th Street between Southwest First Avenue and West University Avenue will have flaggers for northbound and southbound lanes. This will occur Monday, Feb. 26-Tuesday, Feb. 27 during daytime hours.

SW Third Ave.: Southwest Third Avenue between Southwest Sixth Street and Southwest Fifth Street will have flaggers for eastbound and westbound lanes. This will occur during daytime hours until March 1. 

Continuing Notices 

SE Fifth Ave.: Southeast Fifth Avenue will be closed with detours between Southeast Third Street and Southeast Sixth Terrace until Feb. 23.

NW 12th Drive: Northwest 12th Drive from Northwest Fifth Avenue to Northwest Third Avenue is currently closed northbound, but is open as a one-way street heading southbound. This is expected to end March 1.

SW 52nd Street: The eastbound right turn-lane onto Southwest 52nd Street from Southwest 20th Avenue is closed until March 25.

Southeast First Ave.: Southeast First Avenue (eastbound only) will be closed between South Main Street and Southeast First Street until April 1.

Clark Butler Blvd. area: The new traffic signals at Clark Butler, Southwest 62nd Boulevard, Southwest 43rd Street are turned on (in flashing mode). The traffic is guided through the intersection with traffic control devices.

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com

Photo special to Alachua County Today

ALACHUA ‒ A.L. Mebane Middle School’s Concert Band performed for the City of Alachua Commission as a part of the most recent Commission meeting, held on Monday, Feb. 12, 2024.

The Commission Chambers were filled with students, their instruments, proud parents and other members of the community.

Students in the band performed Imperium, a concert band piece composed by Michael Sweeney. Music filled the room as pictures were taken and videos were recorded by the audience. It was a memorable experience for all in attendance.

“Our Commission has a strong commitment to cultural arts in our community,” said Alachua City Manager Mike DaRoza. “It is especially nice to have the opportunity for students from our community schools to perform during our Commission meetings.”  

Jacqueline Holbrook, Director of A.L. Mebane Middle School’s band, was elated to showcase her students’ talent and hard work. “Thank you so much,” Holbrook said. “It was a privilege to play for you all.”

#     #     #

Email editor@

alachuatoday.com