Local Issues
Severe weather alerts include tornado warnings for Florida in advance of front
The Story:
According to Howard Cohen of the Miami Herald, South Florida is at risk for tornadoes during this upcoming weekend due to the income cold front. There have been several weather advisories made to residents of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. There could potentially be funnel clouds, extreme wind gusts, and severe precipitation. The severe storm warning has been extended to the northern parts of Florida (including Gainesville and the Panhandle) as well as potentially freezing temperatures.
The Issue:
Florida is no stranger to extreme weather, but because we experience it so often we begin to ignore all the warnings, for example, Hurricane Michael in October 2018. Tornadoes can be extremely devastating, and more so when accompanied by extreme storms and temperatures, however, I haven’t heard any of my family or friends in South Florida express any concern about the incoming weather systems. South Floridians are not heeding this warning seriously, which could lead to catastrophic events.
The Affected:
Residents of Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade Counties, Politicians involved with these counties, family and friends of residents
Even out at sea, the air on cruise ships may be dirtier than you think, study shows
The Story:
The air aboard a Holland America, a Princess, and two Carnival cruises was tested by Associate Professor Ryan Kennedy of Johns Hopkins to determine the number of ultrafine particles in the air. Kennedy believes that consumers believe that just because they are on the open sea, the air is fresh and clean. His research completely contradicts this belief and proves that the emissions coming from the cruise ships can be severely harming the passengers aboard. The Environmental Protection Agency doesn’t currently have any guidelines or standards for these pollutants but has recently created an advisory board to begin creating them. According to Kennedy’s research, there is under 500 particles per cubic centimeter on a beach, and anywhere from 1,540 to 33,514 particles per cubic centimeter on all four ships. This measurement is comparable to the approximate 30,000 particles per cubic centimeter on a busy street in Beijing.
The Issue:
People go on cruises to get away from the hustle and bustle of daily life. They’re expecting crisp tropical air to refresh them and take away all their worries. This research shows us that going on a cruise might be more harmful to our health than beneficial to our lives. The fact that the EPA hasn’t officially set any standards for an industry that services over 30 million people annually is terrifying. Exposure to such air pollution can be extremely detrimental to the health of anyone in the area, it is no secret that a common practice in big cities in China, people wear masks to avoid inhalation of foul air. Is this really going to become common practice for cruise ships also? An issue like this is probably at a much larger magnitude on larger ships with more large parts, like Royal Caribbean, Disney, and Nickelodeon cruises, ships that are also frequented by families with small children who are at much greater risk of sickness due to toxic air.
The Affected:
The EPA, Cruise Passengers, Cruise Staff, Employees at cruise companies (Particularly Executives at Carnival, Holland America, and Princess)
Rat seen scurrying inside Florida high school's vending machine
The Story:
A video of a rat inside of a vending machine used by students at a public high school in Palm Beach County went viral in December. Students and parents alike were horrified at the conditions at the school. As soon as school authorities were notified the machine was locked and no longer available for use.
The Issue:
There are very obvious health and safety concerns for the students at this school. Events like this also help to make us aware how dangerously unattentive officials are to public schools. At my own high school a cat was found taking a nap inside the vending machine, more than once. Stray animals like these can carry deadly diseases. This can be especially dangerous in a time when parents are refusing to vaccinate their children and the diseases can begin to spread like wildfire.
The Affected:
Highschool students, the school board, parents of students, school faculty and administration
A cop kicked at a suspect's head and another covered his bodycam. Now, it's under review.
The Story:
About two years ago robbery suspect Ravon Boyd was corned by police officers in Overtown. According to Boyd, video footage, and audio from the scene an officer (Sgt. Claude Adam) ran to him and kicked him in the face and continues to attempt to physically injure Boyd along with the other officers. The video wasn’t discovered until November 2017, about 6 months after the actual incident. Through reports and an Internal Affairs i,nvestigation the officers stuck to their story that they believed Boyd was reaching for a weapon seeing as his hands were under him. But it is clear that Boyd put his hands in the air and laid them out on the turf in front of him as he laid out on the ground. There were also about 25 seconds during the arrest were the body cam of officer Brian Castro was covered. Originally Adam was cleared of any fault in August of 2018. The invesigation and incident are now once again under review by Miami’s Civilian Investigative Panel.
The Issue:
Police brutality has affected the people of color in this country almost since its inception, but in the past few years, since the murder of Trayvon Martin, the public has become increasingly aware and the issue has since spiraled out of control, even sparking the Black Lives Matter movement. It seems that everyday you can find a story on the news of somebody else being beat up or killed by the police. Black men and women are recording their traffic stops and any interactions with police officers to attempt to avoid injustice. Although not every cop is racist, it is easy for those that are to become high on their own power and authority and lash out in ways they wouldn’t in other circumstances. Their confidence also increases when they see these reports in the news of other officers getting away scot free because of an inherently racist and unfair system.
The Affected:
Young Black Men (primarily), their parents and families, people of color, the police force, politicians and lawmakers
Florida-Cuba travel is in flux. Some airlines want in and others opt out.
The Story:
American airline companies are beginning to drop their flights to Cuba. Although it is understandable that the most interest comes from the South Florida area, commercial flights to Cuba are important in creating a relationship with the vulnerable country. Many companies are choosing to stop their flights because of the tedious application process, they are instead choosing to focus all of their Cuba attention on the Miami to Havana service from the Miami International Airport. Even cargo companies like FedEx are decreasing their movements in to Cuba. American and JetBlue are both trying to expand on the market now that other major carriers are dropping out of the competition.
The Issue:
Although it is safe to say the biggest concentration of cuban nationals and descendants are in Miami, FL, it is not fair to those around the country to be restricted in their travels. Forcing all Cuba flights to go through Miami will dissuade many from visiting because of all the expenses. Travelling to Cuba is ridiculously expensive as it is, speaking from experience, but the new commercialization of flights has made the entire process much easier and in my opinion had been very successful. Now that airlines are dropping out of the competition and leaving the market to two major competitors prices are sure to rise, making it difficult for people with family visit and making it unlikely there will be many tourists. It is like we are taking two steps back in this relationship with the island, instead of continuing to move forward.
The Affected:
Cuban-Americans, Cubans, Cuban & US Governments, potential tourists
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