SHARE:
Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Eagles Act, named for Stoneman Douglas, aims to thwart shootings in schools, workplaces, houses of worship
A coalition of Democratic and Republican lawmakers is renewing the effort to expand a Secret Service threat-assessment program to include a greater focus on preventing violence at schools. The proposed Eagles Act would expand the U.S. Secret Service’s National Threat Assessment Program. It is named in honor of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Eagles. The Parkland high school was the site of the Feb. 14, 2018, shootings in which 17 people were killed and 17 injured.
› Cocoa's Stone Funeral Home makes history with 100 years in business
On the humble strip of King Street that stretches just west of the railroad tracks, Stone Funeral Home has been a mainstay of Cocoa life and death for as long as many can remember. But this year marks an historic milestone for the Black-owned enterprise as they achieve a century in business, a rare distinction. City Councilman Alex Goins had been researching local Black history trivia for Black History Month this February. He wondered: what were the oldest businesses in the city of Cocoa. "Doing my research, I came across Stone Funeral Home—founded in 1923," Goins said.
› Southwest Florida Airport balances urgency with demand in massive expansion project
Southwest Florida Airport, like many others in Florida, is racing to update and expand its infrastructure during a significant gain in passenger traffic. The airport is the second-busiest in the country with one runway, which leads to logistical challenges during emergency times. New air traffic control tower is expected to be open by the second quarter, while terminal expansion is scheduled to be completed by 2024.
› Head of veterans charity pleads guilty to buying vintage Jaguar, Rolex watch with PPP funds
A Jacksonville man who ran businesses including a charity for families of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan has pleaded guilty to fraud and money laundering involving COVID-era paycheck protection loans, prosecutors reported. Kenneth S. Landers, 57, has agreed to surrender $910,000 the U.S. Justice Department called proceeds of wire fraud as well as a home and a business the government said the fraud funded, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.
In case you missed it:
