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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Proposed Florida bill would help find and protect historic Black cemeteries
Cemeteries around Florida are lying forgotten and derelict. Some are paved over or used as empty lots for storage. More often than not, these are historic Black cemeteries. “It creates the wrong precedent,” Natasha Goodley said. “If we don’t do something to step up and preserve these cemeteries.” Goodley, a Tampa resident, is advocating for change after seeing and hearing about her local cemeteries that are long gone. She has seen what she calls “desecration” of final resting places.
› FAU searches for new president — but it could be secretive
Florida Atlantic University will start looking for a new president this month, but the public won’t get much of a glimpse into who applies. The names of the candidates hoping to replace John Kelly, who stepped down Dec. 31 after 14 years, will remain secret unless they become finalists, according to a law passed last year by the state Legislature. For recent searches at the University of Florida and Florida International University, there was only one finalist.
› ‘Bookmobile’ return announced at Orange County Library System 100th anniversary kickoff
In 1949, the women of the Orlando Sorosis Club raised more than $6,000 for a school bus outfitted to become a mobile library, to be used by the Orange County Library System. Along with an additional $10,000 from the county commission to operate the bus as an extension of what was then called the Albertson Public Library, the “Bookmobile” program was born. At its peak, the buses circulated 13,000 books a month, before the service ended after 30 years. The Sorosis Club, a women’s civic organization, is spearheading its return, presenting a $100,000 check to the Orange County Library System on Saturday to kick off its 100-year anniversary celebration.
› El Cap has some new owners: St. Petersburg natives who plan to keep restaurant going
El Cap, St. Petersburg’s iconic 4th Street North hamburger joint, has been partly sold. But the juicy World Champ burgers within its wood-paneled walls aren’t going anywhere. Seed & Feed Hospitality, the group behind endeavors such as Trophy Fish and Mandarin Hide, has purchased half of the establishment at 3500 4th Street North. Cindy Nally, who has worked at El Cap for roughly two decades, will continue to own the remaining 50%, she said.
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