Florida voter registration deadline is Oct. 4
Elections will be held on Nov. 2 but Florida residents must register to vote by Oct. 4. In order to register, you must be a U.S. citizen, be a Florida resident, and be at least 18 years old. You must not have been convicted of a felony or your civil right must have been restored. You must also provide your Florida license or identification number. If you don’t have either, you must provide the last four digits of your Social Security number. To register, visit http://election.dos.state.fl.us/pdf/webappform.pdf and mail your application to your county Supervisor of Elections. Once your application is processed, you will receive a voter information card.
Florida to allow gay adoptions
Last week an appeals court ruled that Florida’s ban on homosexuals adopting children was unconstitutional. In a unanimous decision, the three-judge panel ruled to overturn the restriction that had been in place since 1977. As a result, Gov. Charlie Crist said that the state will immediately cease to enforce the ban.
Cuba to lay off 500,000 employees
The Cuban government announced in late August that 500,000 government employees will be laid off by March. However, Cuban President Raul Castro said he would ease restraints on the private sector so that those who are fired can find jobs more easily. The government is also hosting assemblies to instruct employees how to make a living after being fired. Although, this is the first change in the government’s economic plan in 50 years, Castro clarified that there is no intention to abandon the communist regime.
NSU donates to Hispanic organization
NSU donated $30,000 to the Hispanic Unity of Florida, an organization that helps Hispanic families succeed in the U.S. George L. Hanbury II, Ph. D., NSU president, and Larry Calderon, Ed. D., vice president for community and governmental affairs, presented the check on Sept. 9 to the organization where Calderon serves on the board of directors.
Adjunct law professor receives award
Charles B. Morton, adjunct professor of trial advocacy at the Shepard Broad Law Center, received the Florida Prosecuting Attorney Association’s lifetime achievement award for legal education. Morton has taught prosecutors from Florida’s 20 districts and serves as Broward County’s chief assistant state attorney.
Oceanographic Center dean selected as business leader of the year
Seafarer’s House at Port Everglades selected Richard Dodge, Ph. D., dean of NSU’s Oceanographic Center, as the 2010 South Florida Business Leader. Dean Dodge will be recognized at an official luncheon on Nov. 10 for his research and conservation of marine life in South Florida.
Google maps misplaces Sunrise, FL
Last week, if someone looked for Sunrise, FL using Google maps, the application would direct the person to Sarasota, FL instead. This was third time Google maps misplaced the city. The error was fixed after the public and city officials complained to Google.
Senate repeals military and immigration policies
Last week, the U.S, senate voted on the repeal of the “Don’t ask, don’t tell” military policy and the DREAM act and neither passed. The “Don’t ask, don’t tell” policy states that homosexuals cannot serve on the military, but they cannot be asked about their sexuality. The repeal of the act would mean that gay men and lesbians could openly serve in the military. The DREAM act was a proposed policy that would allow illegal immigrant students who came to the U.S. before they were 16 years old and lived in the country for two years or more to become legal residents.
