The Florida Agricultural Commissioner has requested $300 million to help protect farms across the state.
The funds will help the Rural and Family Lands Protection program in an effort to preserve undeveloped land. Commissioner Wilton Simpson has asked for the $300 million to be included in next year’s state budget.
The program’s 2024 to 2025 priorities are to support farmers impacted by Hurricane Idalia, wildfire first responders and modernizing the department’s procedures.
Local firefighter heading to the Big Apple
A Hillsborough County firefighter was chosen to attend the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. Jessica Coy and her family are headed to New York thanks to Home Clean Heroes, an organization that honors the hard work of our first responders.
Source Layth Mekkaoui
Coy is a veteran firefighter at station 29 in Apollo Beach and has been serving the community for 17 years. She was chosen from hundreds of applicants across the country and she said that she’s grateful for the opportunity to see the parade in person.
“So for them to select a firefighter especially from Florida all the way up to New York City for the Macy’s (Thanksgiving) Day parade will be a great experience for myself and my family,” Coy said.
The trip is a chance for Coy to relive a special moment in her life. Coy’s husband proposed to her on the Empire State Building in 2012. Her 7-year-old daughter will experience the infamous Big Apple for the first time.
Home Clean Heroes in addition to covering the trip awarded Coy with a plaque and $500 to spend.
Credits:
Editor: Emily Ward
Anchor: João Pedro Magalhães
Tech Director: Eddie Reksiedler
Camera: Matthew Narváez
Editor in Training: Aviva Kram
Producer: Jadon Rolle
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Social Media: Layth Mekkaoui