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Civil rights groups warn tourists about traveling to Florida

The Associated Press

In this aerial photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, attendees watch and toast the sunset at a Florida Keys bicentennial celebration, Friday, May 19, 2023, on the restored Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, Fla. Andy Newman/AP hide caption

In this aerial photo provided by the Florida Keys News Bureau, attendees watch and toast the sunset at a Florida Keys bicentennial celebration, Friday, May 19, 2023, on the restored Old Seven Mile Bridge in Marathon, Fla.

ORLANDO, Fla. — The NAACP over the weekend issued a travel advisory for Florida, joining two other civil rights groups in warning potential tourists that recent laws and policies championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida lawmakers are "openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals."

The NAACP, long an advocate for Black Americans, joined the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), a Latino civil rights organization, and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group, in issuing travel advisories for the Sunshine State, where tourism is one of the state's largest job sectors.

The warning approved Saturday by the NAACP's board of directors tells tourists that, before traveling to Florida, they should understand the state of Florida "devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color."

Critics say Florida aims to rewrite history by rejecting African American studies

An email was sent Sunday morning to DeSantis' office seeking comment. The Republican governor is expected to announce a run for the GOP presidential nomination this week.

Florida is one of the most popular states in the U.S. for tourists, and tourism is one of its biggest industries. More than 137.5 million tourists visited Florida last year, marking a return to pre-pandemic levels, according to Visit Florida, the state's tourism promotion agency. Tourism supports 1.6 million full-time and part-time jobs, and visitors spent $98.8 billion in Florida in 2019, the last year figures are available.

Several of Florida's Democratic mayors were quick to say Sunday that their cities welcomed diversity and inclusion.

"EVERYONE is always welcome and will be treated with dignity and respect," tweeted Mayor Ken Welch of St. Petersburg in a message echoed by the mayor across the bay in Tampa.

"That will never change, regardless of what happens in Tallahassee," tweeted Mayor Jane Castor of Tampa.

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The NAACP's decision comes after the DeSantis' administration in January rejected the College Board's Advanced Placement African American Studies course . DeSantis and Republican lawmakers also have pressed forward with measures that ban state colleges from having programs on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as critical race theory , and also passed the Stop WOKE Act that restricts certain race-based conversations and analysis in schools and businesses.

In its warning for Hispanic travelers considering a visit to Florida, LULAC cited a new law that prohibits local governments from providing money to organizations that issue identification cards to people illegally in the country and invalidates out-of-state driver's licenses held by undocumented immigrants, among other things. The law also requires hospitals that accept Medicaid to include a citizenship question on intake forms, which critics have said is intended to dissuade immigrants living in the U.S. illegally from seeking medical care.

"The actions taken by Governor DeSantis have created a shadow of fear within communities across the state," said Lydia Medrano, a LULAC vice president for the Southeast region.

Recent efforts to limit discussion on LGBTQ topics in schools, the removal of books with gay characters from school libraries, a recent ban on gender-affirming care for minors, new restrictions on abortion access and a law allowing Floridians to carry concealed guns without a permit contributed to Equality Florida's warning.

"Taken in their totality, Florida's slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those traveling to the state," Equality Florida's advisory said.

NAACP Issues Travel Advisory in Florida

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

May 20, 2023

Contact: Chyna Fields [email protected]

WASHINGTON – Today, the NAACP Board of Directors issued a formal travel advisory for the state of Florida. The travel advisory comes in direct response to Governor Ron DeSantis' aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools. 

The formal travel notice states, "Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color." 

"Let me be clear - failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all," said NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson. "Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We're not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation."

The travel advisory was initially proposed to the Board of Directors by NAACP's Florida State Conference. NAACP's collective consideration of this advisory is a result from unrelenting attacks on fundamental freedoms from the Governor and his legislative body. 

"Once again, hate-inspired state leaders have chosen to put politics over people. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have engaged in a blatant war against principles of diversity and inclusion and rejected our shared identities to appeal to a dangerous, extremist minority," said Chair of the NAACP Board of Directors, Leon Russell. "We will not allow our rights and history to be held hostage for political grandstanding. The NAACP proudly fights against the malicious attacks in Florida, against Black Americans. I encourage my fellow Floridians to join in this fight to protect ourselves and our democracy."

Following Gov. DeSantis' so-called leadership in driving the state to reject students' access to AP African American studies course in March, the NAACP distributed 10,000 books to 25 predominantly Black communities across the state in collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers's Reading Opens the World program. The majority of the books donated were titles banned under the state's increasingly restrictive laws. The NAACP continues to encourage local branches and youth councils to start community libraries to ensure access to representative literature.

The NAACP encourages Florida residents to join this effort to defeat the regressive policies of this Governor and this state legislature. Interested residents and supporters can visit www.naacp.org for additional information and updates. 

About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

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NAACP issues travel advisory alleging, Florida 'hostile to African Americans'

The NAACP president accused Gov. Ron DeSantis of a "dereliction of duty."

The national NAACP Board of Directors has issued a formal advisory against traveling to Florida , alleging the state has become "hostile toward African Americans" under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The move by the NAACP board calling on travelers nationwide to forgo visiting Florida comes as AAA Travel estimates 42.3 million Americans plan to hit the road this coming Memorial Day weekend.

The board voted unanimously to issue the travel advisory, saying the decision "comes in direct response to Governor Ron DeSantis' aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools."

"Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color," the advisory states.

Derrick Johnson, the NAACP president and CEO, accused DeSantis and other state leaders of a "dereliction of duty" and called the trend of failing to teach an "accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face" a disservice to Florida students.

"Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon," Johnson said in a statement. "He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We're not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation."

The travel advisory was initially proposed in March by the NAACP's Florida State Conference. At the time, DeSantis called the proposal "a pure stunt."

MORE: Florida students walk out to protest DeSantis race education policies

"We get involved in these stupid fights," DeSantis said in March. "This is a stunt to try and do that."

Following the vote by the national NAACP Board of Directors on Saturday, Jeremy Redfern, DeSantis' press secretary, issued a statement repeating the governor's previous comment, saying, "This is a stunt."

The NAACP's travel advisory follows similar ones issued by the League of United Latin American Citizens, a Latino civil rights group, and Equality Florida, a gay rights advocacy group.

Florida's economy heavily relies on tourism. An estimated 137.6 million people visited the state in 2022, the most ever, according to VISIT FLORIDA , the state's official tourism marketing corporation. In 2021, tourism pumped $101.9 billion into the state's economy, according to VISIT FLORIDA.

DeSantis, who won a second term as governor in November, is expected as early as this week to file paperwork with the Federal Election Commission declaring his candidacy for president in 2024, which would formally enter him in the race for the White House, two sources familiar with the plans told ABC News .

The governor and his administration recently rejected an AP African American studies course because it is "inexplicably contrary to Florida law and significantly lacks educational value," according to state officials. The DeSantis administration has also vowed to remove funding from diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in higher education, as well as certain lessons on race.

DeSantis also signed the so-called "Stop WOKE" Act into law in 2022, which restricts race-related curriculum and conversation in workplaces, schools and colleges. However, an appeals court has temporarily blocked the law from being implemented in colleges and universities.

Following DeSantis' drive for the state to reject students' access to AP African American studies courses in March, the NAACP distributed 10,000 books to 25 predominantly Black communities across the state in collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers' Reading Opens the World program. The majority of the books donated were titles banned under state laws.

"Once again, hate-inspired state leaders have chosen to put politics over people. Governor Ron DeSantis and the state of Florida have engaged in a blatant war against principles of diversity and inclusion and rejected our shared identities to appeal to a dangerous, extremist minority," Leon Russell, chair of the national NAACP Board of Directors, said in a statement.

Russell added, "We will not allow our rights and history to be held hostage for political grandstanding. The NAACP proudly fights against the malicious attacks in Florida, against Black Americans. I encourage my fellow Floridians to join in this fight to protect ourselves and our democracy."

ABC News' Kiara Alfonseca contributed to this report.

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NAACP issues travel advisory urging people to avoid Florida

The NAACP Board of Directors issued a travel advisory Saturday for the state of Florida, urging people to avoid the state.

The advisory comes as a direct response to what the Board says is an "aggressive attempt to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools" by Governor DeSantis.

The formal notice from the group states, "Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color."

"Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon. He should know that democracy will prevail because its defenders are prepared to stand up and fight. We're not backing down, and we encourage our allies to join us in the battle for the soul of our nation," NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson said.

Earlier this year , Desantis blocked student access to a new Advanced Placement course for high school students on African American studies.

Other organizations representing marginalized groups in the state, including the Florida immigrant coalition and the LGBTQ civil rights group have also issued similar advisories.

Equality Florida says the advisory, issued Wednesday, was prompted by "the passage of laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws, foment racial prejudice and attack public education by banning books and censoring curriculum."

A spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis' office told ABC News in a statement: "We aren't going to waste our time worrying about political stunts. We will continue doing what is right for Floridians."

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Florida is too dangerous to visit, civil rights groups warn

The NAACP is the latest to issue a travel advisory for Florida because of Ron DeSantis’s policies.

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Several civil rights organizations are now cautioning various minorities against traveling to Florida following a flurry of state legislation this year targeting the rights of Black Americans , immigrants, and LGBTQ individuals.

On Saturday, the NAACP joined the League of United Latin American Citizens ( LULAC ), a Latino rights advocacy group, and Equality Florida , an LGBTQ rights advocacy group, in issuing Florida travel advisories. The NAACP warned that Florida had become “openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color, and LGBTQ+ individuals,” highlighting its attacks on the teaching of Black history and on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in public schools.

It’s unclear whether the organizations’ advisories will have any real impact on tourism, which is one of Florida’s biggest industries. According to Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ’s office, a record 37.9 million travelers visited Florida in the first quarter of 2023, up 6.7 percent from a year ago and mostly driven by people coming from other US states. Overseas travel has not yet recovered to pre-pandemic levels, but lawmakers hoping to change that are pouring $80 million into tourism campaigns next fiscal year, an increase of $30 million over this year.

Though those visitors were recorded before the civil rights organizations issued their advisories, DeSantis’s policies have been well-covered in the national media, suggesting that many decided to visit Florida even as the legislature has taken a hard right turn this session.

Earlier this month, DeSantis, who is expected to announce his 2024 presidential campaign this week, signed legislation preventing public funds from being used to support DEI programs at public colleges and universities. He’s also eliminated Advanced Placement courses in African American studies for high school students in the state and banned the teaching of “ critical race theory ” — an academic framework that examines the role of racism in US culture and institutions.

In response, the NAACP has sent 10,000 books, mostly those subject to increasingly restrictive book bans, to 25 predominantly Black communities across the state.

“Let me be clear — failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all,” NAACP president and CEO Derrick Johnson said in a statement. “Under the leadership of Governor DeSantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon.”

LGBTQ and immigrant rights have also come under assault in Florida

DeSantis, aiming to prove his conservative bona fides ahead of announcing his 2024 bid, has also led Florida’s crackdown on immigrants.

He sent migrants to Martha’s Vineyard under what they say were false pretenses in an effort to score political points against the Biden administration ’s border policies, and has barred many Chinese citizens from buying property in the state.

He’s also signed a law mandating that businesses with at least 25 employees verify the citizenship status of workers and invalidating out-of-state identification cards issued to undocumented immigrants. The policy also prevents state authorities from issuing new IDs, meaning undocumented immigrants could be fined or possibly imprisoned just for driving with their existing licenses.

Domingo Garcia, president of the Latino advocacy group League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), called that law “hostile and dangerous” in a press conference earlier this month. “We do not doubt that if Abuelita or Tia is with us and we are profiled, DeSantis’ enforcement regulations will treat us like criminals, transporting a dangerous person who only wanted to visit family or enjoy Disney World,” he said in a statement .

DeSantis has also led a coordinated national campaign against LGBTQ rights. He signed Florida’s “Don’t Say Gay” law, which prevents teachers from talking about LGBTQ+ issues or people, and a ban on gender-affirming care for minors. He’s made it illegal for Floridians to use bathrooms and changing facilities that don’t correspond with their sex at birth, barred transgender women and girls from participating in school sports , and prevented teachers from using pronouns that align with their students’ gender identity . Those policies have already forced many families to consider relocating .

“It is with great sadness that we must respond to those asking if it is safe to travel to Florida or remain in the state as the laws strip away basic rights and freedoms,” Nadine Smith, Equality Florida’s executive director, said in a statement . “We understand everyone must weigh the risks and decide what is best for their safety, but whether you stay away, leave or remain we ask that you join us in countering these relentless attacks.”

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NAACP says Florida is 'openly hostile' toward African Americans. What you need to know.

The NAACP joined the ranks of Equality Florida and the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) over the weekend when the group issued a historic travel advisory for Florida, claiming that Gov. Ron DeSantis ’ policies were undemocratic and “openly hostile” to people of color and who identify LGBTQ+.

“Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals," the  travel advisory  reads. "Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.”

The travel advisory warning was officially approved Saturday after it was proposed to the NAACP’s board of directors . In it, the NAACP blasted "DeSantis’ aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools.”

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Jeremy Redfern, the governor's press secretary, responded to the announcement by saying, "This is a stunt."

The governor's office responded similarly when the League of United Latin American Citizens, or LULAC, the nation's largest and oldest Latino civil rights organization, issued a Florida travel advisory  a few days ago . And last month, LGBTQ civil rights group Equality Florida and the Florida Immigrant Coalition both  warned people away  from the state.

Who is the NAACP?

NAACP stands for National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and is the oldest and largest civil rights organization. It was founded in 1909 and advocates, agitates and litigates for the civil rights of Black Americans.

The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.

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Why did the NAACP issue a travel advisory?

The NAACP issued a travel advisory because it believes that under DeSantis, Florida has “engaged in an all-out attack on Black Americans, accurate Black history, voting rights, members of theLGBTQ+community, immigrants, women’s reproductive rights, and free speech, while simultaneously embracing a culture of fear, bullying, and intimidation by public officials.”

The civil rights group says these attacks include criminalizing protests, restricting the ability of educators to teach African-American history and engaging in a “war” against diversity and inclusion.

“On a seeming quest to silence African-American voices, the Governor and the State of Florida have shown that African Americans are not welcome in the State of Florida,” the advisory read. “Due to this sustained, blatant, relentless and systemic attack on democracy and civil rights, the NAACP hereby issues a travel advisory to African Americans, and other people of color regarding the hostility towards African Americans in Florida.”

Read the full travel advisory  here .

What other Florida travel advisories have been issued?

Other recent restrictions by the DeSantis administration have been  criticized by the Latino  and  LGBTQ communities .

LULAC's warning for potential Latino and Hispanic tourists or travelers  cited a new state law that prohibits local governments from providing money to organizations that issue identification cards to people illegally in the country and invalidates out-of-state identification cards held by undocumented immigrants, among other restrictions.

“The actions taken by Governor DeSantis have created a shadow of fear within communities across the state,” said Lydia Medrano, a LULAC vice president for the Southeast region, in a statement.

Florida immigration law: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs sweeping immigration bill SB 1718 into law. Five takeaways:

Anti-LGBTQ legislation has also been a large part of DeSantis' agenda. Last week, the governor signed  bills targeting drag shows, transgender minors and the use of bathrooms and pronouns .

Equality Florida's warning cited DeSantis' work to limit discussion on LGBTQ topics in schools, ban books with gay characters from school libraries and the state's recent ban on gender-affirming care for minors.

“Taken in their totality, Florida’s slate of laws and policies targeting basic freedoms and rights pose a serious risk to the health and safety of those traveling to the state,”  Equality Florida’s advisory said .

What does 'woke' mean? And why does Florida Governor Ron DeSantis want to stop it?

What are the laws NAACP is talking about?

In its advisory, the NAACP says that under the leadership of DeSantis, Florida has “criminalized protests, restricted the ability of educators to teach African-American history, and engaged in a blatant war against diversity and inclusion.”

Here are the laws the NAACP specifically mentioned in its travel advisory:

Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act

DeSantis signed the Combatting Violence, Disorder and Looting and Law Enforcement Protection Act into law in 2021, which created new criminal offenses and increased penalties for those who target law enforcement and participate in violent or disorderly assemblies.

This law was ruled unconstitutional in a 90-page decision by U.S. District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee.

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HB 7 — Stop Wrongs against Our Kids and Employees Act(“Stop W.O.K.E. Act”) Florida

DeSantis signed HB 7 into law in 2022, and was meant to give businesses, employees, children and families tools to stand up against “discrimination and woke indoctrination.” The bill included provisions to prevent discriminatory instruction in the workplace and public schools and defines individual freedoms based on the fundamental truth that all individuals are equal before the law and have inalienable rights, and was meant to take on corporate “wokeness” and Critical Race Theory in schools in one law.

HB 543 — Constitutional Carry Act

DeSantis signed HB 543 into law in April. The new law strengthened Florida’s Second Amendment rights by allowing Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. It will go into effect on July 1.

SB 266 — Higher education

In May, DeSantis signed HB 266, which prohibits institutions from spending federal or state dollars on “discriminatory” initiatives like diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs.

The bill prohibits programs, majors, minors, curriculum and general education core courses that violate Florida law regarding prohibited discrimination or that are based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political and economic inequities.

SB 7066 — Election administration

SB 7066 was signed into law in 2019 and addressed Amendment 4, which Florida voters passed in 2018, that restored voting rights for some convicted felons. The new law enumerated a uniform list of crimes that fall into the excluded categories and “confirmed” that Amendment 4 did not apply to a felon who had failed to complete all terms of their sentence.

Contributed: Associated Press and Douglas Soule, Thao Nguyen with the USA Today Network .

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NAACP says Florida is ‘actively hostile’ to minorities and issues travel warning

Civil rights group cites Governor Ron DeSantis’s ‘attempts to erase Black history’ and other groups have followed suit

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People has issued a travel advisory for the state of Florida , calling the state “actively hostile” to minorities as Florida’s conservative government limits diversity efforts in schools.

In a Saturday press release , the civil rights organization better known as the NAACP said the travel warning comes as Florida’s governor, Ron DeSantis, “attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools”.

“Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color,” the advisory said.

Under DeSantis, Florida’s department of education has restricted classroom material covering race, gender, sexuality and other identities. The state’s education department has also prohibited mathematics textbooks and other material for a range of reasons, including alleged inclusion of critical race theory.

DeSantis last week signed legislation banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in public colleges and universities.

In January, Florida rejected an advanced placement (AP) course in African American studies by the College Board, the company that oversees AP classes that can be used for college credit and standardized testing in the US. DeSantis said the proposed course violated Florida’s ban on “critical race theory”, signed by DeSantis last year, and “lacked educational value”.

Critics say that such laws supported by DeSantis are discriminatory and a threat to democracy.

“Let me be clear – failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all,” the NAACP’s president, Derrick Johnson, said in the advisory.

Prof Kimberlé Crenshaw is a leading voice and scholar of critical race theory, which explores systemic racism within US legal institutions. Crenshaw was one of several authors and academics edited out of the College Board’s AP African American studies course amid Florida’s rejection of the course.

Crenshaw told the Guardian in a March interview that laws against Black history in Florida and elsewhere were the “tip of the iceberg” of conservative efforts to roll back progressivism and push the US towards authoritarianism.

“Are [schools] on the side of the neo-segregationist faction? Or are [they] going to stick with the commitments that we’ve all celebrated for the last 50, 60 years?” asked Crenshaw, referring to progress made on equal opportunities since the 1960s.

“The College Board fiasco, I think, is just the tip of the iceberg. There are a lot of interests that have to make this decision,” she said.

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Other groups have also warned against travel to Florida. Equality Florida, an LGBTQ+ advocacy group, issued a travel advisory in April because of laws targeting LGBTQ+ rights, the Washington Post reported .

In a separate advisory , the Florida Immigrant Coalition said “traveling to Florida is dangerous”, warning that people of color, international travelers and those with an accent faced a higher risk of racial profiling and harassment.

The NAACP previously issued travel warnings in 2017 for Missouri over the death of a Black man in a jail and racist threats going unchecked on college campuses in that state, Time reported . Black drivers in Missouri were also stopped 75% more than white drivers, according to a 2016 report from the state attorney general’s office that the advisory referenced.

The Guardian could not reach a DeSantis spokesperson for immediate comment.

But DeSantis’s press secretary, Jeremy Redfern, responded to the NAACP travel advisory announcement on Twitter, the Post reported.

Redfern replied to the announcement with a gif of DeSantis saying: “This is a stunt. If you want to waste your time on a stunt, that’s fine. But I’m not wasting my time on your stunts. OK?”

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NAACP issues travel advisory for Florida, saying the state is 'openly hostile toward African Americans' under Gov. DeSantis' administration

Updated on: May 22, 2023 / 6:27 PM EDT / CNN

MIAMI -- Another advocacy group is warning people of color about traveling to Florida – but for different reasons.

The  NAACP issued a travel advisory  for the state "in direct response to Governor Ron DeSantis' aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools," the group said in a written statement Saturday.

The announcement came days after LULAC – the League of United Latin American Citizens – issued a travel advisory for Florida after DeSantis signed a new immigration law that will go into effect in July.

Both LULAC and the NAACP say actions under the DeSantis administration are "hostile" to their communities.

"Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals," the NAACP said. "Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color."

Under DeSantis, Florida has banned the teaching of critical race theory – which acknowledges systemic racism is a part of American history and challenges the beliefs that allowed it to flourish.

The governor said the concept would teach children "the country is rotten and that our institutions are illegitimate." He also passed legislation barring instruction that suggests anyone is privileged or oppressed based on their race or skin color.

The DeSantis administration also blocked a preliminary version of a new Advanced Placement course on African American studies, with Florida's Department of Education saying it "significantly lacks educational value."

The NAACP said DeSantis' actions are "in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon."

"Let me be clear – failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all," NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said.

CNN has sought comment from DeSantis' representatives, but has not yet heard back.

After the DeSantis administration rejected the AP African American studies course, the NAACP distributed 10,000 books to 25 predominantly Black communities across Florida in collaboration with the American Federation of Teachers' Reading Opens the World program, the NAACP said.

The majority of the books donated were titles banned under the state's increasingly restrictive laws. The NAACP continues to encourage local branches and youth councils to start community libraries to ensure access to representative literature.

This isn't the first time the NAACP has issued a travel advisory for a state. In 2017, the NAACP warned people of color about traveling to Missouri after the state passed  Senate Bill 43  – which makes it more difficult for employees to prove their protected class, such as race or gender.

While the governor said the new law puts Missouri's standards for lawsuits in line with other states, the NAACP said it allows unlawful discrimination.

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NAACP Cautions Black Americans Traveling to ‘Hostile’ Florida

• By Peter Wade

The NAACP issued a travel advisory for Florida , cautioning Black Americans who may travel to the state that is “ openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals .”

“Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color,” the organization said in a statement Saturday.

Florida’s Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has declared war on diversity and inclusion, which he describes as “woke indoctrination.” Last year, he signed a controversial bill that implemented a ban on teaching topics related to race in the state’s schools and blocked students’ access to an AP African American studies course , claiming that the course has a political agenda that would teach children “the country is rotten and that our institutions are illegitimate.”

In an email response to the Tallahassee Democrat, DeSantis press secretary Jeremy Redfern called the advisory “a stunt.”

The NAACP advisory comes just a few days after the League of United Latin American Citizens ( LULAC ) issued a similar warning to Latinos on Wednesday, the day DeSantis signed legislation cracking down on undocumented immigration, including harsh penalties for people who transport undocumented people. The warning encourages Latinos traveling in Florida with family members to be cautious if they encounter law enforcement.

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Equality Florida and the Florida Immigrant Coalition also issued an advisory against traveling to Florida in April, citing the state’s “laws that are hostile to the LGBTQ community, restrict access to reproductive health care, repeal gun safety laws, foment racial prejudice and attack public education by banning books and censoring curriculum.” Just this month, DeSantis signed several bills that criminalize transgender individuals’ use of certain bathrooms and gender-affirming medical care for minors. DeSantis has also banned Florida teachers from discussing sexual orientation or gender identity with students in kindergarten through third grade.

DeSantis is expected to announce his candidacy for president on Wednesday.

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NAACP issues travel advisory to Florida. Here’s what people are saying

By Hannah Murdock

The NAACP issued a formal travel advisory to Florida Saturday, telling people of color to be aware of the state’s politics before traveling there.

The advisory comes “in direct response to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ aggressive attempts to erase Black history and to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in Florida schools,” according to a statement from the civil rights group.

The travel warning reads: “Florida is openly hostile toward African Americans, people of color and LGBTQ+ individuals. Before traveling to Florida, please understand that the state of Florida devalues and marginalizes the contributions of, and the challenges faced by African Americans and other communities of color.” 

Under DeSantis, the state has banned the teaching of critical race theory , blocked an Advanced Placement course on African American studies and defunded DEI programs, CNN reported.

“Let me be clear — failing to teach an accurate representation of the horrors and inequalities that Black Americans have faced and continue to face is a disservice to students and a dereliction of duty to all,” NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said.

“Under the leadership of Gov. DeSantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon.”

"Under the leadership of Governor Desantis, the state of Florida has become hostile to Black Americans and in direct conflict with the democratic ideals that our union was founded upon." — NAACP President and CEO @DerrickNAACP Take a stand with us. https://t.co/zsgLbNYL8t — NAACP (@NAACP) May 20, 2023

What people are saying about the travel advisory

Several of Florida’s Democratic mayors responded by stating that their cities were welcoming to anyone, according to The Associated Press .

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor tweeted “I can absolutely assure anyone and everyone considering a visit or move to Tampa that they will be welcomed with open arms.”

As Mayor of Tampa, I can absolutely assure anyone and everyone considering a visit or move to Tampa that they will be welcomed with open arms. Diversity and inclusion are central to what makes Tampa one of America's greatest and friendliest cities. That will never change,… — Jane Castor (@JaneCastor) May 21, 2023

“Diversity and inclusion are central to what makes Tampa one of America’s greatest and friendliest cities. That will never change, regardless of what happens in Tallahassee,” she continued.

St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch tweeted that “Everyone is always welcome and will be treated with dignity and respect.”

We are intentional with our work to make @StPeteFL a shining example of bridge-building, collaboration, Intentional Equity, and respect for all. #WeAreStPete means EVERYONE is always welcome and will be treated with dignity and respect. #InclusiveProgress https://t.co/2U891fYX18 — Ken Welch (@MayorKenWelch) May 21, 2023

When the NAACP requested a travel advisory in March, DeSantis called the advisory a “joke,” WFLA reported.

“We get involved in these stupid fights,” DeSantis said. “This is a stunt to try to do that. It’s a pure stunt. And fine, if you want to waste your time on a stunt, that’s fine.”

What other groups have issued travel advisories to Florida?

The NAACP is not the only civil rights organization to issue a travel warning for Florida; Equality Florida , a gay rights advocacy group, issued one last month, The New York Times reported.

Meanwhile, the the League of United Latin American Citizens issued a travel advisory on Wednesday in response to “the anti-immigrant measures signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida,” according to a press release from the group.

The Florida Immigrant Coalition issues travel warning for Florida 

A national advisory warning immigrants on travel to Florida has been issued by The Florida Immigrant Coalition for what the group said was unsafe conditions for immigrants and their loved ones.

"Due to unconstitutional laws being passed in the state aiming to criminalize immigration and invite harassment of people without a regulated immigration status, every county in Florida now poses a high risk of unlawful detainment and potential family separation based on racial profiling," a media release issued by the group said. "Not only is this an attack on immigrants, but U.S. citizens and people who hold other migratory statuses could be charged with a felony if traveling or housing themselves with someone without a regulated immigration status."

The group said Governor Ron DeSantis is exercising an overreach of his power by criminalizing residents of other states who have legally issued licenses given to them by their states’ governments after meeting the requirements.

“We cannot in good conscience advise people to travel to a state where pretty soon they may be harassed by law enforcement and told their legally issued driver's licenses are invalid which could trigger a sequence of events where there is a potential for that person to never return home to their state but instead be swept up by immigration detention,” Adriana Rivera, Communications Director for the Florida Immigrant Coalition, said. “With political leaders in the state creating an increasingly hostile atmosphere for non-white citizens, many local officials are now feeling pressured to comply with unconstitutional directives that call into question their commitment to the safety of all those who reside in their communities.”

The Florida Immigrant Coalition is a statewide collective of more than 65 member organizations and over 100 allies, founded in 1998 and formally incorporated in 2004. 

Details of the advisory are attached and can be found at floridatraveladvisory.com .

“There is nothing more important than the safety of our communities and it is clear that our rights and civil liberties are under attack in Florida,” Rivera said. “For immigrants and people of color, it is vital that you understand that traveling to the state of Florida right now could put you and your family in immediate danger of unlawful detention and harassment within the state.”

A similar advisory was urged earlier in April by the Florida State Chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to its national board.

In addition to the threat of detainment, recent changes in Florida call into question the availability of emergency medical or public safety services for all those without a regulated immigration status and with legally issued driver’s licenses from other states as a form of identification.

If travel to the state cannot be avoided, immigrants and people of color should be aware of resources that are available to them should they find themselves facing legal jeopardy.

“We are urging everyone who must travel to Florida to make a Safety Plan for themselves and their families before they arrive in the state,” advised David Metellus, Director of Policy and Politics for the Florida Immigrant Coalition. “All those visiting Florida should memorize the phone number of a licensed civil liberties or immigration attorney, discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care or custody of children, pets, and belongings, and be aware of the resources available to them through organizations on the ground dedicated to protecting their safety.”

WGCU is your trusted source for news and information in Southwest Florida. We are a nonprofit public service, and your support is more critical than ever. Keep public media strong and  donate  now. Thank you.

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WEATHER ALERT

A severe thunderstorm warning and a special weather statement in effect for Osceola Region

‘extreme’ geomagnetic storm sends northern lights to central florida. here’s how to see, strongest solar storm since 2003.

Anthony Talcott , Digital Journalist

Jonathan Kegges , Meteorologist

An extreme geomagnetic storm sent the Northern Lights as far south as Central Florida on Friday night.

The rare G5 geomagnetic storm is the first to impact earth since 2003.

During that event, power outages were observed in Sweden, and transformers were damaged in South Africa. The Northern Lights were also seen in the southern United States.

[HAVE ANY PHOTOS OF THE NORTHERN LIGHTS IN FLORIDA? SHARE THEM WITH NEWS 6 ON OUR PINIT PAGE !]

NOAA officials announced that several coronal mass ejections (CMEs) — eruptions of plasma and magnetic field from the Sun — are expected to continue through the weekend.

According to NOAA, the source has mostly been a large, complex sunspot cluster that is 17 times the diameter of Earth. Additional activity from this region is still expected.

These solar winds can significantly disturb Earth’s magnetic field, producing Aurora Borealis (i.e. “Northern Lights”) around the poles.

And thanks to the strength of this geomagnetic storm, the lights are expected to be seen far more south than usual.

CAN I WATCH THEM FROM FLORIDA?

If the Aurora were to materialize in Central Florida with the current storm, it would likely be red and very low on the horizon.

While there is no guarantee the Northern Lights will be seen in Central Florida, hopeful sky watchers should allow 15 minutes for their eyes to adjust to the darkness.

Look north and low on the horizon.

A planetary K index of 9 is needed to catch glimpse in Florida. That value has been reached and is expected to continue through Saturday morning.

WHEN WILL THEY HAPPEN?

A G5 geomagnetic storm was observed just before 7 p.m. Friday , growing stronger through the early hours of Saturday before dipping back down again by Sunday morning.

However, the best time to view the aurora usually falls between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m. , the institute’s report shows.

IS THERE ANYTHING I SHOULD WORRY ABOUT?

According to the SWPC , the geomagnetic storm that causes these Northern Lights could impact communication infrastructure.

This infrastructure includes:

• electric power grids
• navigation (i.e. GPS-based apps)
• satellite operations

However, the storm could also impact everyday appliances, such as microwaves, stoves or dishwashers.

“It’s the computer inside that you don’t want to fry if there’s a power surge,” said CNN meteorologist Chad Myers.

Myers recommends turning off the breakers to those types of appliances rather than unplugging them.

Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily :

Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.

About the Authors

Anthony talcott.

Anthony, a graduate of the University of Florida, joined ClickOrlando.com in April 2022.

Jonathan Kegges

Jonathan Kegges joined the News 6 team in June 2019 and now covers weather on TV and all digital platforms.

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Solar storm hits earth, producing colorful light shows across northern hemisphere, can you really see the northern lights in florida here’s what it would take.

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What's your chance of seeing the northern lights tonight? A look at Saturday's forecast

Illuminating the night sky with pink, green and gray colors, the northern lights made its appearance in the United Kingdom and the northern half of the United States on Friday. The magical phenomena could happen again tonight.

The show fascinated many onlookers as they took out their phones to capture the beauty of the night sky. On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued extreme (G5) conditions across the United States. A storm of this intensity has not been seen since October 2003. The storm gained the name "Halloween Storm" and caused many power outages in Sweden and damaged transformers in South Africa, according to Earth.com .

Meteorologists have predicted that the northern lights can be visible on Saturday as well as Sunday. If you are going outside to see the northern lights, forecasters want to remind the public that their solar eclipse glasses can be used for viewing the phenomenon.

Here's what you need to know to prepare for the next viewing of the northern lights.

The northern lights: Danced across the US last night. It could happen again Saturday.

What is the cloud forecast Saturday night? Will clouds block the northern lights?

If you missed the aurora borealis Friday night, you might still catch a glimpse on Saturday or Sunday, depending on where you live. But not if clouds get in the way.

The cloud forecast for Saturday night is generally good for most of America, but some of the people who missed their chance last night due to clouds may have a similar problem Saturday, said AccuWeather senior meteorologist Tom Kines. Areas that are likely to be cloudy include New England and Mid-Atlantic regions, as well as parts of the Southern Plains, including Oklahoma, Kansas and Colorado.

“Even just a few breaks in the clouds will allow the aurora to be visible,” Kines said. “There’s always hope.”

Peak visibility time Saturday night will be between 9 p.m. and midnight, with some chance until 2 a.m., Kines said. The best views will be in dark areas away from the light pollution of cities, he said, though some reported seeing the auroras Friday night from metro areas like Milwaukee and Detroit.

Sunday night, if there is any aurora to see, those in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic can rejoice, because Kines said the skies should be clearer.

Where can you see the northern lights tonight?

The Space and Weather Prediction Center  offers an experimental forecast map  that shows the aurora may be visible in a wide swath of the U.S. including Oregon, Nebraska, Indiana and Pennsylvania. Other states like California, Alabama, Mississippi and Florida could also see the sky light up again for an encore performance. But visibility will depend on shifting factors that include weather, pollution and cloud cover.

Below are forecast predictions for seeing the northern lights in New York, Michigan, Wisconsin, Ohio and Indiana on Saturday.

Rain and clouds are expected to damper expectations to see the aurora borealis around the Rochester, N.Y. area . Elsewhere in NY, the  Lower Hudson Valley could see the lights again, if weather permits. 

NWS maps predicting the intensity and location of the northern lights Saturday and Sunday show the aurora will be visible in mid to northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula.

Saturday and Sunday are predicted to be mostly cloudy with some rain showers and isolated thunderstorms. The NWS predicted 48% to 58% sky cover in metro Detroit from 8 p.m. Saturday to 2 a.m. Sunday. The western portion of both peninsulas are expected to have a lower cloud cover.

In the Milwaukee area , the evening is expected to bring mostly clear skies and overnight will have scattered clouds, said Tim Halbach, local meteorologist with the National Weather Service. 

Those living around the Cincinnati region could be treated to the northern lights Saturday night with the NWS' Wilmington, Ohio , office forecasting dry, partly cloudy conditions. Clouds shouldn't be an issue as many Ohioans reported seeing the lights Friday despite some cloud cover.

 In a telephone interview, Mike Bettwy, operations chief of the NOAA's  Space Weather Prediction Center  in Boulder, Co, said Indianapolis and surrounding areas might have a better chance of seeing the aurora today and Sunday.

They can expect clear skies tonight, Bettwy said.

"The aurora itself might be actually a little bit less active than it was last night," he told IndyStar. "I think the ability for you to see it will be better because the skies will be clearing out — at least in the Indianapolis area and that immediate vicinity."

Northern lights forecast path

If you want to get a better idea of if you will be able to see the northern lights from your state, check NOAA's aurora forecast tool , which has a 30-minute forecast window. 

The auroras are a natural light display in Earth's sky that are famously best seen in high-latitude regions.

Scientist left amazed by the aurora

The aurora seen on May 10 amazed Antonella Fruscione, an astrophysicist at Harvard University. She sent photos of the lights and the April eclipse to her friends in Italy. The northern lights weren't as prominent in Italy as it was in other places.

"And I sent them the picture that I took at the solar eclipse and I said, 'Can you imagine how fortunate I was this year, one month apart, I see these two incredible spectacles of the universe,'" she recalled telling them.

The phenomena seen Friday and possibly Saturday night isn't usual, she said.

"It's a very rare occurrence, especially because last night it was really visible," Fruscione said.

That's because the Earth's magnetic activity was at a nine, the highest the index goes, coupled with the Sun being at an active peak, causing eruptions. She added the colors cannot be predicted either as it depends on how the solar energetic particles interact with oxygen and nitrogen atoms. Oxygen appears green, while nitrogen appears purple, blue or pink, she said.

"It just depends on which atoms in the atmosphere this particle interact with," Fruscione said.

She declined to predict how strong Saturday's aurora could be as it's not in her expertise, but said people make predictions all the time about space weather not just for the northern lights, but to ensure communications, space stations, astronauts and other matter in space doesn't get majorly disrupted.

Down on Earth, however, the activity is harmless to humans.

"It's completely harmless because the particles do not don't do not reach us," Fruscione said. "The reason why we see the colors is that the particle interacts with the atoms and they make these beautiful colors and that's it."

For Saturday, and any other day where chatter about the aurora borealis is high, Fruscione encouraged people to download an aurora forecasting app to their phones so they can see the colorful skies.

What are the northern lights?

The northern lights materialize when energized particles from the sun reach Earth's upper atmosphere at speeds of up to 45 million mph,  according to Space.com . Earth's magnetic field redirects the particles toward the poles through a process that produces a stunning display of rays, spirals and flickers that has fascinated humans for millennia.

Contributing: Eric Lagatta and Dinah Voyles Pulver , USA TODAY ; Tanya Wildt, Detroit Free Press ; Alex Groth, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel ; Contributing: Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer ; Contributing: Steve Howe, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle; Rockland/Westchester Journal News ; Alexandria Burris, Indianapolis Star

Ahjané Forbes is a reporter on the National Trending Team at USA TODAY. Ahjané covers breaking news, car recalls, crime, health, lottery and public policy stories. Email her at  [email protected] . Follow her on  Instagram ,  Threads  and  X (Twitter)

This is the major factor for Florida's No. 1 ranking in education by U.S. News

Did Florida receive all A's on its latest report from U.S. News & World Report? Kind of.

The U.S. News released its ranking of all 50 states , using 71 metrics across eight categories to determine the best states to live in.

Florida placed within the top ten overall best states to live in, particularly excelling in the " Education " category for the second year in a row. In evaluating the best states for education, the U.S. News examined metrics tied to both higher education and the space from pre-kindergarten through high school.

"The quality of a community’s schools can be central to a family’s aspirations," U.S. News writes. "And though public education has largely been a local matter for school boards and states that allocate most of schools’ funding, the federal government has played a large role for the past several decades."

Why is Florida the top state for education?

Out of all 50 states, Florida saw the top spot for education. It was also named the ninth best state to live in overall, going up from last year's placement.

U.S. News highlighted the state's higher education, placing first in the specific subcategory. It's metrics reflect the share of citizens in each state holding college degrees, as well as college graduation rates, the cost of in-state tuition and fees, and the burden of debt that college graduates carry.

"With several large cities, the state also has a sizable system of state universities and community colleges. The University of Florida in Gainesville and Florida State University in Tallahassee have been rivaled in enrollment by the University of South Florida in Tampa, University of Central Florida in Orlando, and Florida International University in Miami. Among the best known private institutions: University of Miami."

As for Pre-K through 12th grades, the state placed 10th overall. This subcategory measures state performance across the life cycle of a young person’s education, encompassing preschool enrollment, standardized test scores among eighth-graders, high school graduation rate and college readiness.

It also notes the state's average high school graduation rate is 87.3%, higher than the country's average of 85.9%.

DeSantis' legislation not reflected in 2024 ranking, U.S. News shares

In a further analysis of the results, U.S. News said addressed the debate around education in Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis' stance on "woke politics" in schools.

The education metrics used by U.S. News to rank the states tend to focus on aspects of affordability, accessibility and achievement, and the controversial moves DeSantis has made so far may not be reflected there," U.S. News said. "The data used also can lag behind more recent developments due to when it’s released by a source and to the time needed for analysis. Many education metrics are tied to the year 2022, for example, and policy shifts may take time to play out."

While DeSantis' message of "Make America Florida" didn't pander to other states in terms of education, the state sees high marks in the category. For example, in metrics reflecting pre-K through high school, Florida excelled the most in college readiness – an assessment of the share of 12th-graders who scored highly on the SAT, ACT or both. 

However, the analysis mentions critics contend DeSantis’ moves could have lasting effects on the education system and those within it.

What have Florida officials said about the ranking?

In a press release , the Florida Department of Education highlighted the ranking.

“Under Governor DeSantis’ leadership, Florida again ranks number one in education,” Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr said. “By focusing on core academic subjects and excellence in the classroom, Florida stands ahead of the rest.”

Back in April, DeSantis made a comment about Florida's education while signing HB 1285, which seeks to make it easier for underperforming schools to become charter schools, among other things.

What is HB 1285: In Pensacola, DeSantis touts bill limiting activists' ability to challenge school books

“Florida is the No. 1 state in the country for education,” DeSantis said . “By focusing on core academic subjects and rejecting indoctrination in the classroom, we have become a standard-bearer for educational excellence. The legislation I signed today continues to build on Florida’s previous accomplishments.”

How did Florida rank in other categories?

The other individual rankings for Florida included the following: 

• Economy - 1
• Crime & Corrections - 13
• Natural Environment - 13
• Fiscal Stability - 20
• Infrastructure - 20
• Health Care - 26
• Opportunity - 45

What are the top 10 best states for education in the country?

Here is what states follow Florida in education:

• Massachusetts
• Connecticut
• New Hampshire

What is the 'worst' U.S. state for education?

New Mexico placed 50th in overall education for the country, getting last place for Pre-K through 12 and 21th place for higher education.

New Mexico is home to only about a dozen four-year, degree-granting institutions but the ranking notes Albuquerque, the largest city in New Mexico, is home to one of the state's largest universities and employers, the University of New Mexico.

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Barron Trump Will Not Be a Delegate at the G.O.P. Convention After All

Two days after the Florida Republican Party selected Barron, 18, to be an at-large delegate, Melania Trump’s office said he “regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments.”

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By Michael Gold

• May 10, 2024

Barron Trump, former President Donald J. Trump’s youngest son who has stayed out of the spotlight since his father entered politics, will not serve as one of Florida’s delegates to the Republican National Convention, the office of Melania Trump announced on Friday.

In a statement released two days after Barron, 18, was selected to be an at-large delegate by the Florida Republican Party , Mrs. Trump’s office said that Barron was “honored” to be chosen but that he “regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments.”

The Trump campaign referred a request for comment to a spokeswoman for Mrs. Trump, who did not immediately respond to questions about what those commitments might be.

Barron, who will graduate from high school next week and who plans to attend college in the fall, has largely not participated in his father’s political career.

Mrs. Trump has fiercely guarded her son’s privacy, even as some of his older siblings have been in the spotlight, campaigning for their father during the Republican primary while he and Mrs. Trump were largely absent from the trail.

Hours before Mrs. Trump’s office released its statement, Mr. Trump suggested in a radio interview that Barron, whom he called “good-looking” and “on the tall side,” was among his political advisers.

“He’s really been a great student. And he does like politics,” Mr. Trump said on Talk Radio 1210 WPHT in Philadelphia. “It’s sort of funny. He’ll tell me sometimes, ‘Dad, this is what you have to do.’”

Barron’s older brothers, Donald Jr. and Eric, campaigned for their father this year during the Republican nominating contest, and both have become popular political figures in their own right. Both of them, as well as their sister Tiffany were among the 41 at-large delegates chosen by the Florida Republican Party for the national convention in July. Another sister, Ivanka Trump, who has not taken part in her father’s political ventures since she left the White House, was not.

The Florida Republican Party did not immediately respond to questions about how Barron had been chosen as a delegate.

All four of Barron’s siblings gave speeches at the party’s conventions in 2016 and 2020, when Barron was still a minor. The Trump campaign and Mrs. Trump’s office did not respond to questions about whether Barron would attend or otherwise take part in the 2024 convention in some fashion, and Mr. Trump did not address them in his radio interview.

Mr. Trump has said for months that his wife would join him on the campaign trail, though she has remained absent from rallies, speeches and victory celebrations. She did attend a fund-raiser last month for the Log Cabin Republicans, a group of L.G.B.T. conservatives.

Michael Gold is a political correspondent for The Times covering the campaigns of Donald J. Trump and other candidates in the 2024 presidential elections. More about Michael Gold

Our Coverage of the 2024 Election

Presidential Race

Donald Trump leads President Biden in five crucial battleground states, a new set of polls shows , as young and nonwhite voters express discontent with the president over the economy and the war in Gaza.

With Democratic Senate candidates running well ahead of Biden , the new battleground polling shows a ticket-splitting pattern, Nate Cohn writes .

In an extended riff at a rally in New Jersey, Trump compared migrants to Hannibal Lecte r, the fictional serial killer and cannibal from “The Silence of the Lambs.”

Dodging the Question:  Leading Republicans, including several of Trump’s potential running mates, have refused to say flatly that they will accept the outcome of the election .

West Virginia Senate Race:  Gov. Jim Justice’s companies have long had a reputation for not paying their debts. But that may be catching up to them  as Justice campaigns for a seat in the Senate.

Ohio Senate Race:  Bernie Moreno, the Republican challenging Senator Sherrod Brown, tells a riches-to-rags-to-riches tale. But the reality isn’t so tidy .

Maryland Senate Race:  The Democratic Senate primary between Angela Alsobrooks, the Prince George’s County executive, and Representative David Trone has grown tighter  as they vie to take on Larry Hogan, the popular former two-term Republican governor.

BREAKING: A controlled explosion frees the Dali container ship trapped beneath the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore 

In the mystery of Florida’s bizarre spinning fish, a leading suspect has emerged

A mysterious ailment causing fish in the Florida Keys to spin in circles has touched off a frantic race to find the cause and save an endangered species before it’s too late.

Eight months into scientists’ hunt, some think a primary suspect has emerged: Toxins from algae colonizing the seafloor may be causing neurological issues for some fish species.

Fishermen noticed the bizarre behavior in October, according to Ross Boucek, a fisheries ecologist with the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust, a nonprofit conservation and fishing group.

“When they shined their lights, fish would turn upside down and spin to the bottom,” he said.

Over the following months, Boucek received reports of upside-down stingrays and lemon sharks whirling violently in the mud. Dozens of species were afflicted, including the critically endangered smalltooth sawfish, which is known for its flat snout with teeth that looks like a saw blade.

At least 47 sawfish have died , though the number is likely higher, said Michael Crosby, the president and CEO of Mote, a nonprofit marine lab and aquarium. The toll is profound, given that there may be just several hundred of the fish left in U.S. waters .

An emergency response to rescue afflicted sawfish launched in early April, involving government agencies and nonprofit partners. Meanwhile, scientists at several laboratories are trying to figure out what’s causing the widespread distress for marine life.

Recently, researchers’ tests identified a cocktail of natural toxins in both seawater and the tissues of some stricken fish.

“The hypothesis I’m working on at the moment is really that the combination of these various benthic algal toxins are coming together to create the phenomenon we’re seeing,” said Alison Robertson, a senior marine scientist at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab.

But that isn’t confirmation, she added, and researchers don’t know what caused the algae or toxins to proliferate. Plus, other experts are less convinced.

“I honestly don’t think anything can reasonably be ruled out right now,” Crosby said.

Whatever researchers ultimately conclude may determine what’s on dinner plates at some Florida restaurants, how fishermen make their livelihoods and whether tourists come to visit. The Keys have already suffered several ecological shocks: Hurricane Irma in 2017, record sea surface temperatures last year and the mass die-off of corals.

“We’ve been bouncing from crisis to crisis down here,” Boucek said.

Allison Delashmit, executive director of a fishing group called the Lower Keys Guides Association, said “there’s a lot at stake.”

“Our economy is built on tourism. It’s not a good look to have spinning fish on the water and broadcasting it without answers about what it is,” she said.

That puts local scientists under intense pressure to deliver answers.

Is the algae to blame?

It’s been a tiring eight months for Boucek, whose freezer at home is filled with dead fish he plans to send out for testing. He compared the effort to “a final exam you forgot about and never studied before, and you have two hours to learn everything.”

When the work began, he said, the most likely explanations for the bizarre fish behavior did not pan out. Oxygen levels in the water were normal. There weren’t any signs of red tide. Tests for pollutants found nothing out of the ordinary.

Boucek figured the exposure was likely from the water, and when he removed spinning fish from the ocean and placed them in tanks with clean water, some recovered in as little as 25 minutes.

The only lead was elevated background levels of a genus of algae called Gambierdiscus in water samples.

That clue drew the attention of Michael Parsons, a professor of marine science at Florida Gulf Coast University and an algae expert who had been collecting that very genus in the Keys for more than a decade. In February, Parsons found that levels of Gambierdiscus cells were about four times higher than he’d ever recorded.

Robertson, an environmental toxicologist, reoriented her laboratory to respond to the crisis and has been working seven days a week. She estimates her team has performed more than 5,000 analyses of algae, seawater and the muscles, livers, kidneys and stomachs from a variety of affected fish species.

Her work has turned up toxins known to affect fish behavior, as well as some new potential toxins that had never been seen before in the Keys.

“The things we’re finding in benthic algae, we’re also finding in a lot of fish samples,” Robertson said.

She suspects a “cocktail” of toxins from seafloor algae, potentially from several species, are combining to cause the strange fish behavior, though she said there is still “no obvious smoking gun.” The toxins could be interacting with other environmental toxins too, she said.

Efforts to save the sawfish

Other scientists, meanwhile, are racing to help distressed sawfish.

In early April, Mote staffers rescued an 11-foot male sawfish that was swimming in circles in Cudjoe Bay. They loaded the fish onto a boat, brought it to a quarantine facility with clean, filtered seawater and infused it with antibiotics, lipid compounds and other treatments, according to Crosby.

“If you can put it in human terms, we had a patient brought into intensive care,” he said.

The fish stabilized and “was beginning to swim in a more natural pattern,” Crosby said.

But two weeks later, the animal’s health cratered and it had to be euthanized.

“We were clearly heading in a positive direction, but the internal organs were too far gone,” Crosby said.

He added that he hasn’t seen enough evidence to convince him that algae is to blame. Results of the necropsy (an autopsy of an animal) are still pending, but they could offer important information because researchers were able to run tests shortly after it died. Mote also plans to try to rescue more sawfish.

There are other reasons for hope, too.

Robertson said this episode does not seem to represent the crash of an entire ecosystem.

Other important species are doing OK, including barracuda, bonefish and tarpon, which seem to be largely unaffected, Boucek said.

Florida lawmakers have also agreed to spend $2 million on fish research in the Keys , which could help scientists reach answers more quickly.

“Because so many scientists are coming together on this issue, we’re going to be able to work out what’s going on and find mitigation strategies and solutions,” Robertson said.

Evan Bush is a science reporter for NBC News. He can be reached at [email protected].

Flight attendant reveals why plane passengers should NEVER fall asleep before take off

• Ale Pedroza, who lives in Orlando, Florida, took to TikTok to share her advice
• She revealed 'what not to do on an airplane' including when not to nap
• But dozens of viewers rushed to the comments to confess they were guilty

An experienced  fight attendant has revealed why plane passengers should never fall asleep before take off. 

Ale Pedroza, who lives in Orlando, Florida , took to TikTok to share her advice with her 47,500 followers.

She dished on 'what not to do on an airplane' including urging travelers not to sleep before leaving the runway.

But dozens of viewers rushed to the comments to confess they were guilty of catching some shut eye early on in their journey. 

In the clip, which has so far been viewed more than 624,000 times, Ale wastes little time in delving into her insights.

'Let's talk about things you shouldn't do on an airplane - coming from a flight attendant. 

'The first tip is try not to fall asleep before take off. I know travelling can be exhausting and sometimes you just want to get on an airplane and go straight to sleep.

'So not only is it not good for your ears to fall asleep before take off but you also want to remember that taxiing is one of the most crucial phases of flights.

'You want to make sure that you are completely aware and completely awake in case of an emergency or in case you have to evacuate.'

But Ale, who has nearly 10 years in the industry, did not stop there with her tips, adding: 'Next is do not consume your own alcohol. It is against federal relations to consume your own alcohol because we do need to make sure that you are drinking responsibly. 

'And if you are drinking your own alcohol we can't really track that. It is a federal thing it is not an airline thing.'

Last but not least, she concluded: 'One of the most obvious ones is don't walk around barefoot on any airline or any airplane.

'If you decide to take your shoes off in your seat, that's a different story but do not walk into the lavatory with bare feet.

'You never know what you are stepping on and the floor is not always the cleanest.'

Her invaluable insight was soon flooded with comments from viewers who admitted they were guilty of sleeping before being in the air.

One person wrote: 'Omgggg I fall asleep instantly… but I justify it with being an incredibly light sleeper and my gut knowing when to wake up.' 

A second person added: 'If I don't fall asleep before takeoff, I won't be sleeping. But I can usually sleep through the whole flight if I fall asleep as soon as I sit down lol.'

Another commented: 'I try to sleep before takeoff because my anxiety is so high with takeoff/landing.'

Someone else admitted: 'I get the best sleep before take off, especially during taxiing.'

According to Travel + Leisure : 'It's best to stay awake until after takeoff for two reasons: ear barotrauma and evacuation safety.

'Ear barotrauma, also known as airplane ear, is the stress that builds in your ear due to differences in air pressure between your environment and your inner ear. 

'This imbalance can cause your eardrum to bulge painfully.

'There's a second reason you shouldn't nap during takeoff and landing, and it has to do with your safety. 

'If you're asleep when an emergency happens, it might take you some time to get your bearings and react appropriately, and that could be a problem.'  

Ale's insight comes amid the ongoing airplane etiquette debate which has recently seen passengers complain about seat swapping tactics as well as 'very large seatmates.'

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Barron Trump, 18, won’t be serving as a Florida delegate to the Republican convention after all

Former President Donald Trump motions as he departs a midtown Manhattan firehouse after meeting with firefighters,Thursday, May 2, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

FILE - Barron Trump stands on the South Lawn of the White House on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention in Washington, Aug. 27, 2020. Former President Donald Trump’s youngest son has been chosen to serve as a Florida delegate to the Republican National Convention, the state party chair said Wednesday, May 8, 2024. Barron Trump has been largely kept out of the public eye, but he turned 18 on March and is graduating from high school next week. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

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MIAMI (AP) — Former President Donald Trump’s youngest son, Barron Trump, won’t be serving as a Florida delegate to the Republican National Convention after all, his mother’s office said Friday.

“While Barron is honored to have been chosen as a delegate by the Florida Republican Party, he regretfully declines to participate due to prior commitments,” Melania Trump’s office said.

Republican Party of Florida chairman Evan Power had said Wednesday that the 18-year-old high school senior would serve as one of 41 at-large delegates from Florida to the national gathering, where the GOP is set to officially nominate his father as its presidential candidate for the November general election.

Power did not respond to a request for comment Friday.

In an interview earlier Friday on “Kayal and Company” on Philadelphia’s Talk Radio 1210 WPHT, Donald Trump was asked about Barron joining the Florida delegation. “He’s really been a great student. And he does like politics,” Trump said. “It’s sort of funny. He’ll tell me sometimes, ‘Dad, this is what you have to do.’”

Barron Trump has been largely kept out of the public eye, but he turned 18 on March and is graduating from high school next week. The judge overseeing Donald Trump’s hush money trial in New York said there would be no court on May 17 so that Trump could attend his son’s graduation.

Donald Trump Jr., Eric Trump and Trump’s youngest daughter, Tiffany, are part of the Florida delegation to the convention taking place in Milwaukee from July 15 to July 18.