News from the South - Florida News Feed

Young baseball player with prosthetic leg recognized nationally by Shriners Children's

Published

9 months ago

November 17, 2024

www.youtube.com – ABC Action News – 2024-11-17 12:00:27

SUMMARY: Fifteen-year-old Zavi Gonzalez, who was born with fibular hemimelia and received his first amputation at eight months, is a role model for children with prosthetics in the Tampa Bay area. Passionate about sports, especially baseball, he believes in the power of perseverance, stating, “it’s not a disability, it’s a different ability.” Zavi has received over 15 prosthetic limbs through Shriners Children’s, which he credits with enabling his active life. He recently represented Tampa Bay at the Shriners Children’s Open, meeting golfer Rickie Fowler. Zavi aspires to become the first MLB player with a prosthetic limb, inspiring others to pursue their dreams.

When you watch 15-year-old Zavi Gonzalez field a ground ball or hit a double, you’d have no idea that this teenager from Lithia has only one leg. “When I was born, I was diagnosed with Fibular Hemimelia,” said Gonzalez. “I got my first amputation at eight months, and I got my first prosthesis at 12 months old.” He likes to say it’s not a disability; it’s a different ability, and he continues to prove it on the diamond by excelling at baseball.

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

Texas Gov. Abbott vows to approve GOP-leaning congressional voting map

Published

15 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Staff Editor

www.news4jax.com – Jim Vertuno, Joey Cappelletti And Hallie Golden, Associated Press – 2025-08-23 09:57:00

SUMMARY: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott pledged to quickly sign a new GOP-favored congressional map designed to help Republicans maintain their slim House majority. The Texas Legislature approved the redistricting plan, which adds five Republican-leaning seats, amid fierce Democratic opposition and accusations of unlawfully diluting minority votes. Democrats vowed legal challenges, citing Voting Rights Act violations. This move aligns with broader national GOP efforts, encouraged by Trump, to redraw maps in states like Indiana and Missouri ahead of the 2026 midterms. Meanwhile, Democratic-controlled states like California employ independent commissions to create maps favoring their party, intensifying the partisan redistricting battle.

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

Chinese bridge collapse kills at least 12 construction workers

Published

21 hours ago

August 23, 2025

Staff Editor

www.clickorlando.com – Associated Press – 2025-08-23 03:41:00

SUMMARY: An under-construction railway bridge in Qinghai Province, northwest China, collapsed early Friday, killing at least 12 workers and leaving four missing. The accident occurred during a tensioning operation when a steel cable snapped around 3 a.m. The 1.6-kilometer-long bridge, spanning the Yellow River with a deck 55 meters above the water, suffered a large section collapse, with a bent portion hanging downward. Rescue efforts involve boats, a helicopter, and robots searching for the missing workers. The incident was reported by state media and documented by aerial photos from Xinhua News Agency.

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News from the South - Florida News Feed

DeSantis says deportation effort will continue despite court order

Published

1 day ago

August 22, 2025

Staff Editor

www.tampabay28.com – Forrest Saunders – 2025-08-22 16:01:00

SUMMARY: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis vowed to continue the state’s immigration detention program despite a federal judge’s injunction halting operations at the Everglades-based “Alligator Alcatraz” facility. U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams ruled the state violated federal environmental laws by locating the camp in Big Cypress National Preserve and ordered its closure within 60 days. DeSantis called the ruling judicial activism and announced plans to appeal while expanding detention capacity with a new Baker County facility. Environmental groups and the Miccosukee Tribe praised the ruling as a victory for the Everglades and tribal sovereignty. The legal battle now moves to the appellate court.

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