Why Are There CRAs? Part III By Hallandale Beach Mayor, Joy Cooper May 8, 2025 What Is The Fate Of Our CRA? I Asked For A Meeting To Discuss The Future Of Our CRA Last Month. My Goal Was To Have An Open Discussion Between Not Just Our Commission And Staff But Provide For Input from Our Community At Large. As I Shared With Our Readers, Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub Shared Her Frustration That It Was Premature To Have The Discussion Since The State Was Once Again Looking To Abolish All CRAs. Since The State Was Looking At An October Deadline For CRAs And Our City Is Currently Planning Our Budgets, The Discussion Was Even More Timely. As I previously wrote the CRA trust funds are placed in a “lock box” and established to address a specific area. They have broad authority to fulfill the mission. The pro is; the money is set aside to target neglected areas and can only be used according to the CRA Plan. The con is once established, the CRA Fund can only be used within the area. My major concern with not keeping the CRA was how the City would provide economic development services and housing programs without an organization change? How would two new departments be funded? Without a CRA extension, what legislative actions could the Commission take to set up and fund programs? I also asked what projects have not been completed and what they will cost? Since cities have the ability to do everything the CRA can, the majority of the Commission’s agreement was based on the fact that we can provide programs citywide. While I shared my concern that now the Commission would need to stand on the premise we would commit to performing the programs and most importantly funding them. Whether all CRAs will be forced to end in October or if we sunset in two years our work is cut out for us. Our CRA in two years will lose the contributions from the County, Hospital District and Children’s Services Council leaving the City’s CRA TIF at $14.5 Million. While that seems like a tremendous amount of dollars, remember simple projects can be millions of dollars. If we must close everything out in October, we must have every project and dollar accounted for. If we do not, the other taxing agencies will have the right to take their contributions back. Currently, that amount is a bit over $10 Million per year. The one issue was clear, we wanted a path forward for our CRA Team. The goal will be to have an office of Economic Development and Affordable Housing. Before the COVID-19 Pandemic, we discussed an Affordable Housing Trust and now we must look at the housing assets of the CRA into a trust. Staff was directed to begin looking at the cost to sunset and to establish a new path forward considering both the October date and the 2027 date. Our 2024 Annual Report was issued recently. The financial plan included the focusing from 25-27 shows a projected value of $85 Million in leveraged investments. In a snapshot, in 2025 we will be adding 30 plus affordable units that will remain affordable. This means that they will not be built and flipped by outside investors, which has been adding to the affordable housing crisis. The CRA in 2024 alone provided $3 Million through our Neighborhood Improvement Programs. These include senior grants, window and door grants, housing assistance, emergency rental and other programs. These programs are very popular. Commissioner Anabelle Lima-Taub shared and agreed that these programs are needed. Her goal is to provide them citywide. We do provide window and door grants citywide currently. Broadening the CRA programs is a great idea but I shared my concern, the devil is in the details. How much funding will be set aside by the commission? What will staffing levels be to expand services citywide? What parameters will be set for applicants? As we continue to work on the future budgets for both CRA and City my focus will be on ensuring that we are providing grants to those that are truly in need and leveraging any incentive programs to preserve affordable housing. Like every other level of government, we are facing the financial uncertainties created by the State and Federal Government. We laid the groundwork for fiscal stability and have robust reserves while replacing and improving Infrastructure. Losing $10 Million in TIF will impact all our Infrastructure projects. Like every household, our costs to provide services and to vital Infrastructure improvements will be impacted by an increase in Tariffs, supply chain issues and personnel issues created by the high cost of living in South Florida. We are in the Budget process now and I encourage every resident to attend our meetings! If you cannot attend in person they are televised live on Government Channel 78 and recorded. To sign up to be notified when our meetings will be held, please visit: www.cohb.org For more information on our CRA, you can visit: www.cohbcra.org . As always, I am available anytime for your questions, concerns, and ideas to make our City a better place on my Phone/Text at: (954) 632-5700. Or you can email me at: jcooper@cohb.org . Please visit me on my Facebook page at: Mayor Joy Cooper. Like! Follow! And share! Previous Next

Open Call To Artists Announced For Business For The Arts Broward’s 8th Annual ART + STROLL Aventura Digest Aug 27, 2026 Business For The Arts Broward (BFA Broward) Is Seeking Entries From Established And Emerging Artists For Its 8th Annual ART + STROLL, Presented By BBI. Artists Must Be 18 Years Or Older. ART + STROLL culminates on Thursday, November 12th, 2026, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., transforming downtown Fort Lauderdale into a vibrant celebration of visual and performing arts. Selected artwork will be exhibited from Thursday, November 5th, 2026 – Thursday, November 12th, 2026 in the lobbies of 200 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 and 201 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301 and, for the first time, Huizenga Park. Accepted artists will be notified by Monday, October 5th, 2026 and will receive one complimentary Sip + Stroll VIP ticket, providing access to the food and beverage areas during the event. BFA will accept original 2D and 3D fine art in all mediums and styles. Artwork may not exceed 36 inches on its longest side or 30 pounds, although a limited number of larger works may be considered based on available exhibition space. Accepted artwork must be professionally presented, exhibition-ready and wired with D-rings and hanging wire. Sawtooth hangers will not be accepted. The exhibition is open to original functional and non-functional fine art and fine craft in all media, including but not limited to painting, photography, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, glass, wood, fiber, metal, mixed media and fashion. All artwork must be the artist's original creation and submitted through the Call for Entry (CaFE) system. The entry fee is $30, and artists may submit up to three original works they have personally created. Works will be selected by an independent jury based on originality, creativity, craftsmanship and artistic distinction. Submission does not guarantee acceptance. Accepted artwork may be photographed and reproduced for marketing materials, printed publications, press releases, Social Media and the BFA Broward website. Artists who do not wish their accepted work to be used for promotional purposes should notify BFA Broward upon acceptance. Artists are responsible for all shipping costs to and from the exhibition. Shipped artwork must include prepaid UPS or FedEx return shipping labels, reusable shipping containers and any necessary repacking instructions. No freight shipments will be accepted. Cash awards totaling more than $5,000 will be presented, including Best in Show ($3,000), Second Place ($1,500), Third Place ($500) and a Judge's Recognition Award ($300). All artwork may be offered for sale. Business for the Arts Broward retains a 25% commission on artwork sales, with artists receiving 75% of the selling price. Accepted artists must submit a completed W-9 prior to the exhibition. Guests will enjoy a juried exhibition of fine art available for purchase along with live music, dance, interactive art experiences, demonstrations and cultural performances throughout the evening. Admission is free and open to the public. Guests may also purchase a Sip + Stroll ticket, which includes food and beverage tastings at participating venues. Selected artwork will also be featured in an online exhibition on the Business for the Arts Broward website, extending artists' visibility beyond the event. Additional information is available at: www.bfabroward.org/programs/art-and-stroll/ by clicking "Call to Artists." All entries and payments must be submitted through the Call for Entry (CaFE) platform at: https://opportunities.wearecreativewest.org/opportunity/18010/CAFE . For exhibition questions, contact: lpratico@bfabroward.org . Questions regarding the CaFE platform should be directed to CaFE support. The deadline to submit artwork is Monday, September 14th, 2026, by 11:59 p.m. This year's ART + STROLL is presented by BBI and sponsored by the Cathy and James Donnelly Fund at Community Foundation of Broward, UBS, Moss, BBX Capital, Downtown Development Authority, Stiles, FPL, Broward Health, Berger Singerman, Templeton, Yes We Are Mad, Pierson Grant Public Relations, PNC Bank, Hoffman's Chocolates and IT'SUGAR. About Business for the Arts Broward Business for the Arts Broward is a Not-For-Profit 501(c)(3) engaging businesses and business leaders to advocate and educate about the importance of the County’s art and cultural community as well as to recognize the connection between cultural vitality, creative success, and economic development. To learn more, visit: www.Facebook.com/BFABroward . Or visit: www.bfabroward.org . Previous Next

Dania Beach Self-Care Week Launches August 1st – August 8th With Downtown Wellness Deals South Florida Sun Times Jul 16, 2026 Treat Yourself To A Massage, A Fresh Haircut, A Health Checkup, A New Fitness Routine, Or Other Wellness-Focused Products And Services At A Discount. During Dania Beach Self-Care Week, From Saturday, August 1st, 2026 – Saturday, August 8th, 2026, Participating Downtown Dania Beach Businesses Will Offer Special Pricing. Designed to help the community recharge before the new school year, refresh for the remainder of summer, or simply try something new, Dania Beach Self-Care Week features exclusive offers for both new and returning patrons across a wide range of businesses, including medical practices, gyms, salons, barbershops, and restaurants and cafes with wellness menus and drinks. “Self-Care Week is about supporting our local businesses while encouraging people to invest in their own well-being,” said Dania Beach City Manager Candido Sosa-Cruz, Executive Director of the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency. “By showcasing the depth and diversity of our wellness community, we’re reinforcing downtown Dania Beach as a vibrant destination for health, lifestyle and entertainment.” Participating businesses are offering a variety of promotions throughout the week. Flow House Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is providing a free trial week of classes for children and adults, including self-defense training, fitness and private lessons. Be Well Health is offering a two-hour massage and facial combination for $110 and providing reflexology, therapeutic massage and facial services. Atlantic Florida Dental is offering a free dental exam, X-rays and treatment plan; the long-standing practice has served the community for 45 years and is led by Dr. Thomas Schlopler, who has performed more than 25,000 dental implants. Additional offers include special staycation discounts at Tru by Hilton Dania Beach, along with a coupon for a future stay. MAC Hair will provide new clients with a complimentary scalp spa and brush massage with any service. Karen Nails is offering 15% off services of $60 or more. Jade Maciel, Pwner of Asteria Beauty at Icon Hair Salon, said, “I look forward to taking part in this awesome Self-Care Week for Dania Beach. We have been a business of Dania for over nine years, and we look forward to always networking and meeting new locals to share our services with.” They are offering 20% off of all services. In July, participating businesses will display signage identifying them as Dania Beach Self-Care Week partners, allowing patrons time to book appointments in advance. Dania Beach is home to more than 150 active storefronts in its downtown core along Federal Highway and Dania Beach Boulevard. According to the CRA, Self-Care Week is part of a broader strategy to promote local businesses and strengthen the Federal Highway CRA district as an active business and entertainment corridor. Additional themed business weeks highlighting restaurants and retail are planned throughout the year. For a full list of participating businesses, special offers and booking information, visit the Dania Beach Community Redevelopment Agency website at: www.daniabeachcra.org . For more information, email: cra@daniabeachfl.gov . Or call: (954) 924-6801. Previous Next

Building Brighter Futures: Helping Young People Succeed In A Changing Economy By Feature Impact Jul 24, 2026 During A Time When The Economy Is Changing Rapidly And Shifting The Landscape Of Work Into Uncertain Territory, Academic Success Is No Longer Enough To Put Young People On A Stable Path To The Future. Once, A High School Diploma Was Enough To Land A Well-Paying Job. Then A College Degree Became The Gold Standard. Now The Roadmap Has Changed Again, Which Means That Smart Students Need To Start Taking Steps In New Directions. According to Junior Achievement, three key concepts to add to modern teenagers' knowledge arsenal include financial literacy, economic mobility and entrepreneurship. Why Financial Literacy Matters When young people are equipped with the knowledge they need to earn, manage, save and invest money, it supports their journey through every life milestone ahead, from education and homeownership to retirement and more. Financial literacy gives people the confidence to make smart decisions while dodging costly mistakes like getting into high-interest debt. A recent Junior Achievement survey indicated that although 42% of Americans struggle with money management, 23% feel their income could be sufficient if they understood how to manage it more effectively. Giving students a strong foundation in financial literacy can set them up well to not only earn money but use it wisely to meet their future needs and accomplish their goals. The Power of Economic Mobility Economic mobility refers to the idea that each generation can expect to achieve better opportunities and more financial stability than the one before. Today's youth are growing increasingly skeptical of this possibility, and for good reason: they see that even many college graduates are underemployed and struggling to find their feet. There's no denying the game has changed. However, upward economic mobility is still within reach for students who are willing to learn the new rules, especially if they have parents and educators supporting their journeys. With or without a college degree, students who engage with their communities, believe in their own potential and focus on building transferable personal and entrepreneurial skills can find themselves well-positioned to navigate a changing world. How to Grow Entrepreneurial Skills Topics like financial literacy and business acumen can be taught in a variety of ways both in and out of the classroom. Other key entrepreneurial skills - like leadership, confidence, work ethic, creativity and critical thinking - are more like muscles that get stronger when they're trained. While academics are still important, hands-on opportunities and experiences are invaluable parts of the equation to prepare students for economic success. Take programs like Future Bound by Junior Achievement, for example, which is an immersive annual event designed to empower high school students with essential skills and opportunities to innovate. Participants put their intelligence, creativity and ambition to the test during four team competitions where they can showcase and hone real-world business and economic skills. Winners receive national honors, awards, scholarships and prizes from event sponsors, including Pacific Life Foundation and Staples, among others. Plus, all attendees get the chance to network with industry leaders from around the country, participate in workshops and connect with other future-focused teens. Whether you're a student, parent, educator or volunteer, explore more resources to help young people succeed at: JA.org . Photo courtesy of Shutterstock #17992 Source: Junior Achievement Previous Next

Florida Families Score Big With Month Long Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday South Florida Sun Times Aug 13, 2025 As Florida Families Gear Up For Another Academic Year, There’s One More Reason To Celebrate This Month — A Full Month Of Tax-Free Savings. Governor Ron DeSantis Has Officially Announced The Return Of Florida’s Back-To-School Sales Tax Holiday, A State-Wide Initiative That Eliminates Sales Tax On Essential School Supplies, Clothing, And Technology For The Entire Month Of August. Running from Friday, August 1 through Sunday, August 31, the sales tax holiday provides significant financial relief to parents, students, and teachers alike as they prepare for the upcoming school year. “Proud to deliver additional sales tax holidays, including the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday that begins on August 1,” Governor DeSantis said in a public statement. “By cutting taxes, empowering parents, and growing our economy, we're making it easier for people to live, work, and thrive in the Free State of Florida.” This annual event has been a popular feature of Florida’s tax policy for years, but in 2025, it’s been expanded to a month-long window, offering families more flexibility, less stress, and meaningful savings during what can often be a financially challenging time of year. A Statewide Investment in Families The announcement comes on the heels of Governor DeSantis signing the Fiscal Year 2025–26 budget, a sweeping financial plan that includes $2 billion in tax relief, the permanent repeal of the Business Rent Tax, and targeted sales tax holidays aimed at reducing everyday expenses for Florida residents. Specifically, the back-to-school tax relief is part of a $450 million initiative designed to help working families. In addition to traditional school supplies and clothing, the holiday includes a broad array of items crucial for modern learning — from personal computers and accessories to educational tools like flashcards and interactive learning toys. This kind of tax holiday can go a long way in alleviating the strain on household budgets, especially in a time of rising costs nationwide. According to recent surveys, the average American family spends upwards of $890 on back-to-school shopping per child — a figure that has steadily increased year over year. For Floridians, this holiday could mean hundreds of dollars in direct savings, depending on what’s on their back-to-school shopping list. What’s Covered? A Comprehensive Breakdown From tech tools to crayons, the sales tax holiday covers a wide variety of items. Here’s a breakdown of what qualifies — and what doesn’t — under this year’s policy: Tax-Free Items: 1. Personal Computers and Accessories Items must be $1,500 or less and purchased for noncommercial home or personal use. Qualifying items include: • Laptops and desktops • Tablets and tower computers • Electronic book readers • Calculators and handheld computers Computer accessories also qualify (regardless of whether they are bought with a computer), including: • Keyboards and mice • Monitors (without a TV tuner) • Nonrecreational software • Routers, modems, and personal digital assistants (PDAs) 2. School Supplies – \$50 or Less Per Item Perfect for classroom essentials, this category includes: • Notebooks, paper, folders, and binders • Writing instruments: pens, pencils, markers, crayons • Tape, scissors, staplers, glue, and erasers • Lunch boxes, compasses, rulers, and protractors 3. Clothing, Footwear & Accessories – $100 or Less Per Item This includes a broad range of apparel and accessories: • Shirts, pants, skirts, dresses, shorts • Shoes, boots, and sandals • Belts, hats, gloves, and scarves 4. Wallets and Bags – $100 or Less Per Item Approved items: • Backpacks • Diaper bags • Fanny packs • Handbags 5. Learning Aids and Jigsaw Puzzles – $30 or Less Designed to support early childhood education: • Flashcards, matching and memory games • Puzzle and activity books • Electronic learning toys and stacking/nesting sets What’s Not Included? While the tax holiday is generous, it does come with a few exclusions. These include: • Cell phones, game consoles, digital media receivers (These don’t qualify under the “personal computers” umbrella.) • Furniture like desks or computer chairs. • Items used primarily for recreation — including monitors with a TV tuner or gaming software. • Briefcases, suitcases, and garment bags • Sales within entertainment venues, such as theme parks, public lodging establishments, or airports, are not eligible. For a detailed list, the Florida Department of Revenue encourages residents to visit: http://FloridaRevenue.com/BackToSchool Economic Impact & Community Reaction The Florida Retail Federation has applauded the move, calling the month-long holiday a “win-win for consumers and businesses alike.” Not only does it ease the financial burden on families, but it also encourages local shopping and supports small businesses. Retailers across the state are preparing for the influx, rolling out additional discounts and promotions to coincide with the tax-free period. Many stores plan to extend their hours and increase staffing to accommodate demand. For families like the Moraleses of Jacksonville, the holiday is more than a budget boost — it’s a way to stay proactive. “With three kids in school and each needing their own tech, supplies, and clothes, the tax savings really add up,” says Maria Morales. “We usually wait until the last minute, but having all of August makes it less overwhelming.” Teachers are also expressing gratitude. As out-of-pocket classroom expenses have become a growing concern, many educators take advantage of the sales tax holiday to stock up on supplies. “We end up buying a lot of materials ourselves,” says third-grade teacher Kelsey Franklin of Tallahassee. “It’s nice to know the state recognizes that and is doing something to help.” DeSantis’ Broader Tax Vision Governor DeSantis’ economic policies have centered on low taxes, parental empowerment, and small government. Under his leadership, Florida has maintained **a AAA credit rating**, a **low unemployment rate**, and **one of the lowest per-capita tax burdens** in the country. In a time when national debates around inflation and affordability dominate headlines, Florida’s aggressive tax-relief strategy is being closely watched by other states. DeSantis has consistently framed these moves as essential to Florida’s status as a beacon of economic freedom and opportunity. “Families shouldn’t have to choose between quality education and financial security,” the Governor stated. “This tax holiday reflects our commitment to both — providing relief where it matters most.” Tips for Maximizing Your Savings To make the most of the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday, here are a few practical strategies: 1. Plan Ahead: Make a list of everything your family needs — from notebooks to new shoes — and cross-reference it with the state’s qualifying items list. 2. Shop Early (or Late): Avoid the weekend rush by shopping early in the month or on weekday mornings. 3. Take Advantage of Tech Savings: With up to $1,500 in tax-free eligibility, this is a great time to upgrade laptops or tablets. 4. Stack Deals: Combine the sales tax holiday with store promotions, coupons, and loyalty rewards for maximum benefit. 5. Know the Limits: Remember that not every item qualifies. Check prices carefully to ensure each item is under the qualifying threshold. A Win for the Wallet — and the Classroom Back-to-school season can be a stressful time for families, but Florida’s 2025 tax holiday is bringing relief, confidence, and a renewed sense of readiness. By giving Floridians a full month to shop tax-free, the DeSantis administration is making it easier than ever to prepare for the year ahead without breaking the bank. From basic pencils to personal computers, Florida is investing in the tools of education — one receipt at a time. For more details and a complete list of eligible items, visit: http://FloridaRevenue.com/BackToSchool Sign Up for Emergency Alerts Stay informed during storms and emergencies with Alert Hollywood. This free notification system sends updates via phone, email, or text about severe weather, police activity, and other urgent events. Register now at www.hollywoodfl.org/725/Alert-Hollywood . Click the Alert Hollywood logo, then select "Sign Up" to get started. You’ll receive alerts automatically when the National Weather Service issues warnings—just be sure to opt in for weather notifications. Standard text message rates from your carrier may apply. Previous Next

The Algogracy Agenda: How AI And The Deep State Are Digitizing Tyranny By John & Nisha Whitehead Of The Rutherford Institute Jun 5, 2025 “If One Company Or Small Group Of People Manages To Develop Godlike Digital Superintelligence, They Could Take Over The World. At Least When There’s An Evil Dictator, That Human Is Going To Die. But For An AI, There Would Be No Death. It Would Live Forever. And Then You’d Have An Immortal Dictator From Which We Can Never Escape.” — Elon Musk The Deep State is not going away. It’s just being replaced. Replaced not by a charismatic autocrat or even a shadowy bureaucracy, but by artificial intelligence (AI)—unfeeling, unaccountable, and immortal. As we stand on the brink of a new technological order, the machinery of power is quietly shifting into the hands of algorithms. Under Donald Trump’s watch, that shift is being locked in for at least a generation. Trump’s latest legislative initiative - a 10-year ban on AI regulation buried within the “One Big Beautiful Bill” - strips state and local governments of the ability to impose any guardrails on artificial intelligence until 2035. Despite bipartisan warnings from 40 state attorneys general, the bill passed the House and awaits Senate approval. It is nothing less than a federal green light for AI to operate without oversight in every sphere of life, from law enforcement and employment to healthcare, education, and digital surveillance. This is not innovation. This is institutionalized automation of tyranny. This is how, within a state of algorithmic governance, code quickly replaces constitutional law as the mechanism for control. We are rapidly moving from a society ruled by laws and due process to one ruled by software. Algorithmic governance refers to the use of machine learning and automated decision-making systems to carry out functions once reserved for human beings: policing, welfare eligibility, immigration vetting, job recruitment, credit scoring, and judicial risk assessments. In this regime, the law is no longer interpreted. It is executed. Automatically. Mechanically. Without room for appeal, discretion, or human mercy. These AI systems rely on historical data—data riddled with systemic bias and human error—to make predictions and trigger decisions. Predictive policing algorithms tell officers where to patrol and whom to stop. Facial recognition technology flags “suspects” based on photos scraped from Social Media. Risk assessment software assigns threat scores to citizens with no explanation, no oversight, and no redress. These algorithms operate in black boxes, shielded by trade secrets and protected by national security exemptions. The public cannot inspect them. Courts cannot challenge them. Citizens cannot escape them. The result? A population sorted, scored, and surveilled by machinery. This is the practical result of the Trump administration’s deregulation agenda: AI systems given carte blanche to surveil, categorize, and criminalize the public without transparency or recourse. And these aren’t theoretical dangers—they’re already happening. Examples of unchecked AI and predictive policing show that precrime is already here. Once you are scored and flagged by a machine, the outcome can be life-altering—as it was for Michael Williams, a 65-year-old man who spent nearly a year in jail for a crime he didn’t commit. Williams was behind the wheel when a passing car fired at his vehicle, killing his 25-year-old passenger, who had hitched a ride. Despite no motive, no weapon, and no eyewitnesses, police charged Williams based on an AI-powered gunshot detection program called ShotSpotter. The system picked up a loud bang near the area and triangulated it to Williams’ vehicle. The charge was ultimately dropped for lack of evidence. This is precrime in action. A prediction, not proof. An algorithm, not an eyewitness. Programs like ShotSpotter are notorious for misclassifying noises like fireworks and construction as gunfire. Employees have even manually altered data to fit police narratives. And yet these systems are being combined with predictive policing software to generate risk maps, target individuals, and justify surveillance—all without transparency or accountability. It doesn’t stop there. AI is now flagging families for potential child neglect based on predictive models that pull data from Medicaid, mental health, jail, and housing records. These models disproportionately target poor and minority families. The algorithm assigns risk scores from 1 to 20. Families and their attorneys are never told what the scores are, or that they were used. Imagine losing your child to the foster system because a secret algorithm said you might be a risk. This is how AI redefines guilt. The Trump administration’s approach to AI regulation reveals a deeper plan to deregulate democracy itself. Rather than curbing these abuses, the Trump administration is accelerating them. An executive order titled “Removing Barriers to American Leadership in Artificial Intelligence,” signed by President Trump in early 2025, revoked prior AI safeguards, eliminated bias audits, and instructed agencies to prioritize “innovation” over ethics. The order encourages every federal agency to adopt AI quickly, especially in areas like policing and surveillance. Under the guise of “efficiency,” constitutional protections are being erased. Trump’s 10-year moratorium on AI regulation is the logical next step. It dismantles the last line of defense—state-level resistance—and ensures a uniform national policy of algorithmic dominance. The result is a system in which the government no longer governs. It processes. The federal government’s AI expansion is building a surveillance state that no human authority can restrain. Welcome to Surveillance State 2.0, the Immortal Machine. Over 1700 uses of AI have already been reported across federal agencies, with hundreds directly impacting safety and rights. Many agencies, including the Departments of Homeland Security, Veterans Affairs, and Health and Human Services, are deploying AI for decision-making without public input or oversight. This is what the technocrats call an “algocracy”—rule by algorithm. In an algocracy, unelected developers and corporate contractors hold more power over your life than elected officials. Your health, freedom, mobility, and privacy are subject to automated scoring systems you can’t see and can’t appeal to. And unlike even the most entrenched human dictators, these systems do not die. They do not forget. They are not swayed by mercy or reason. They do not stand for re-election. They persist. When AI governs by prediction, due process disappears in a haze of machine logic. The most chilling effect of this digital regime is the death of due process. What court can you appeal to when an algorithm has labeled you a danger? What lawyer can cross-examine a predictive model? What jury can weigh the reasoning of a neural net trained on flawed data? You are guilty because the machine says so. And the machine is never wrong. When due process dissolves into data processing, the burden of proof flips. The presumption of innocence evaporates. Citizens are forced to prove they are not threats, not risks, not enemies. And most of the time, they don’t even know they’ve been flagged. This erosion of due process is not just a legal failure—it is a philosophical one, reducing individuals to data points in systems that no longer recognize their humanity. Writer and visionary Rod Serling warned of this very outcome more than half a century ago: a world where technology, masquerading as progress under the guise of order and logic, becomes the instrument of tyranny. That future is no longer fiction. What Serling imagined is now reality. The time to resist is now, before freedom becomes obsolete. To those who call the shots in the halls of government, “we the people” are merely the means to an end. “We the people”—who think, who reason, who take a stand, who resist, who demand to be treated with dignity and care, who believe in freedom and justice for all—have become obsolete, undervalued citizens of a totalitarian state that, in the words of Serling, “has patterned itself after every dictator who has ever planted the ripping imprint of a boot on the pages of history since the beginning of time. It has refinements, technological advances, and a more sophisticated approach to the destruction of human freedom.” In this sense, we are all Romney Wordsworth, the condemned man in Serling’s Twilight Zone episode “The Obsolete Man.” “The Obsolete Man,” a story arc about the erasure of individual worth by a mechanized state, underscores the danger of rendering humans irrelevant in a system of cold automation and speaks to the dangers of a government that views people as expendable once they have outgrown their usefulness to the State. Yet—and here’s the kicker—this is where the government through its monstrous inhumanity also becomes obsolete. As Serling noted in his original script for “The Obsolete Man,” “Any state, any entity, any ideology which fails to recognize the worth, the dignity, the rights of Man...that state is obsolete.” Like Serling’s totalitarian state, our future will be defined by whether we conform to a dehumanizing machine order—or fight back before the immortal dictator becomes absolute. We now face a fork in the road: resist the rise of the immortal dictator or submit to the reign of the machine. This is not a battle against technology, but a battle against the unchecked, unregulated, and undemocratic use of technology to control people. We must demand algorithmic transparency, data ownership rights, and legal recourse against automated decisions. We need a Digital Bill of Rights that guarantees: • The right to know how algorithms affect us. • The right to challenge and appeal automated decisions. • The right to privacy and data security. • The right to be free from automated surveillance and predictive policing. • The right to be forgotten. Otherwise, AI becomes the ultimate enforcer of a surveillance state from which there is no escape. As Eric Schmidt, former CEO of Google, warned: “We know where you are. We know where you’ve been. We can more or less know what you’re thinking about. Your digital identity will live forever... because there’s no delete button.” An immortal dictator, indeed. Let us be clear: the threat is not just to our privacy, but to democracy itself. As I point out in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, the time to fight back is now—before the code becomes law, and freedom becomes a memory. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an attorney and author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of constitutional law, human rights and popular culture. John Whitehead's commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org Previous Next

We’re Living A Financial Nightmare: The U.S. Government Is Funding Its Existence With A Credit Card By John & Nisha Whitehead April 25, 2024 Share The government wants your money. It will beg, steal or borrow if necessary, but it wants your money any way it can get it. This is what comes of those $1.2 Trillion Spending Bills: someone’s got to foot the bill for the government’s fiscal insanity, and that “someone” is the U.S. Taxpayer. The government’s schemes to swindle, cheat, scam, and generally defraud Taxpayers of their hard-earned dollars have run the gamut from Wasteful Pork Barrel Legislation, cronyism and graft to asset forfeiture, costly stimulus packages, and a national security complex that continues to undermine our freedoms while failing to making us any safer. Americans have also been made to pay through the nose for the government’s endless wars, subsidization of foreign nations, military empire, welfare state, roads to nowhere, bloated workforce, secret agencies, fusion centers, private prisons, biometric databases, invasive technologies, arsenal of weapons, and every other budgetary line item that is contributing to the fast-growing wealth of the corporate elite at the expense of those who are barely making ends meet—that is, we the taxpayers. According to the number crunchers with the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, in order to spend money it doesn’t have on programs it can’t afford, the government is borrowing roughly $6 Billion a day. Basically, the U.S. Government is funding its existence with a credit card. Let’s talk numbers, shall we? The National Debt (the amount the Federal Government has borrowed over the years and must pay back) is more than $34 Trillion and will grow another $19 Trillion by 2033. The bulk of that debt has been amassed over the past two decades, thanks in large part to the fiscal shenanigans of four presidents, 10 sessions of Congress and two wars. It’s estimated that the amount this country owes is now 130% greater than its gross domestic product (all the products and services produced in one year by labor and property supplied by the citizens). In other words, the government is spending more than it brings in. The U.S. ranks as the 12th most indebted nation in the world, with much of that debt owed to the Federal Reserve, large Investment Funds and Foreign Governments, namely, Japan and China. Interest payments on the National Debt are more than $395 Billion, which is significantly more than the government spends on Veterans’ Benefits and Services, and according to Pew Research Center, more than it will spend on Elementary and Secondary Education, Disaster Relief, Agriculture, Science and Space Programs, Foreign Aid, and Natural Resources and Environmental Protection combined. According to the Committee for a Reasonable Federal Budget, the interest we’ve paid on this borrowed money is “nearly twice what the Federal Government will spend on Transportation Infrastructure, over four times as much as it will spend on K-12 Education, almost four times what it will spend on housing, and over eight times what it will spend on Science, Space, and Technology.” In ten years, those interest payments will exceed our entire Military Budget. This is financial tyranny. We’ve been sold a bill of goods by politicians promising to pay down the National Debt, jumpstart the Economy, rebuild our Infrastructure, secure our borders, ensure our security, and make us all healthy, wealthy and happy. None of that has come to pass, and yet we’re still being loaded down with debt not of our own making while the government remains unrepentant, unfazed and undeterred in its wanton spending. Indeed, the National Deficit (the difference between what the government spends and the revenue it takes in) remains at more than $1.5 Trillion. If Americans managed their personal finances the way the government mismanages the nation’s finances, we’d all be in debtors’ prison by now. Despite the government propaganda being peddled by the Politicians and News Media, however, the government isn’t spending our Tax Dollars to make our lives better. We’re being robbed blind so the governmental elite can get richer. In the eyes of the government, “We The People, the voters, the consumers, and the taxpayers” are little more than pocketbooks waiting to be picked. “We The People” have become the new, permanent underclass in America. Consider: The government can seize your home and your car (which you’ve bought and paid for) over nonpayment of taxes. Government agents can freeze and seize your bank accounts and other valuables if they merely “suspect” wrongdoing. And the IRS insists on getting the first cut of your salary to pay for government programs over which you have no say. We have no real say in how the government runs, or how our taxpayer funds are used, but we’re being forced to pay through the nose, anyhow. We have no real say, but that doesn’t prevent the government from fleecing us at every turn and forcing us to pay for endless wars that do more to fund the Military Industrial Complex than protect us, Pork Barrel Projects that produce little to nothing, and a Police State that serves only to imprison us within its walls. If you have no choice, no voice, and no real options when it comes to the government’s claims on your property and your money, you’re not free. It wasn’t always this way, of course. Early Americans went to war over the inalienable rights described by philosopher John Locke as the natural rights of life, liberty and property. It didn’t take long, however—a hundred years, in fact—before the American government was laying claim to the citizenry’s property by levying taxes to pay for the Civil War. As the New York Times reports, “Widespread resistance led to its repeal in 1872.” Determined to claim some of the citizenry’s wealth for its own uses, the government reinstituted the Income Tax in 1894. Charles Pollock challenged the tax as unconstitutional, and the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor. Pollock’s victory was relatively short-lived. Members of Congress—united in their determination to tax the American people’s income—worked together to adopt a constitutional amendment to overrule the Pollock decision. On the eve of World War I, in 1913, Congress instituted a Permanent Income Tax by way of the 16th Amendment to the Constitution and the Revenue Act of 1913. Under the Revenue Act, individuals with income exceeding $3,000 could be taxed starting at 1% up to 7% for incomes exceeding $500,000. It’s all gone downhill from there. Unsurprisingly, the government has used its Tax Powers to advance its own imperialistic agendas and the courts have repeatedly upheld the government’s power to penalize or jail those who refused to pay their taxes. While we’re struggling to get by, and making tough decisions about how to spend what little money actually makes it into our pockets after the Federal, State and Local Governments take their share (this doesn’t include the Stealth Taxes imposed through: Tolls, Fines and other Fiscal Penalties), the government continues to do whatever it likes—levy taxes, rack up debt, spend outrageously and irresponsibly—with little thought for the plight of its citizens. To top it all off, all of those wars the U.S. is so eager to fight abroad are being waged with borrowed funds. As The Atlantic reports, “U.S. leaders are essentially bankrolling the wars with debt, in the form of purchases of U.S. Treasury Bonds by U.S.-Based Entities like Pension Funds and State and Local Governments, and by countries like China and Japan.” Of course, we’re the ones who have to repay that borrowed debt. For instance, American Taxpayers have been forced to shell out more than $5.6 Trillion since 9/11 for the Military Industrial Complex’s costly, endless so-called “War On Terrorism.” That translates to roughly $23,000 per taxpayer to wage wars abroad, occupy foreign countries, provide financial aid to foreign allies, and fill the pockets of defense contractors and grease the hands of corrupt foreign dignitaries. Mind you, that’s only a portion of what the Pentagon spends on America’s Military Empire. The United States also spends more on Foreign Aid than any other nation, with nearly $300 Billion disbursed over a five-year period. More than 150 countries around the world receive U.S. Taxpayer-Funded Assistance, with most of the funds going to the Middle East, Africa and Asia. That price tag keeps growing, too. As Forbes reports, “U.S. Foreign Aid dwarfs the Federal Funds spent by 48 out of 50 state governments annually. Only the State Governments of California and New York spent more Federal Funds than what the U.S. sent abroad each year to foreign countries.” Most recently, the U.S. has allocated nearly $115 Billion in Emergency Military and Humanitarian Aid for Ukraine since the start of the Russia Invasion. As Dwight D. Eisenhower warned in a 1953 speech, this is how the Military Industrial Complex continues to get richer, while the American Taxpayer is forced to pay for programs that do little to enhance our lives, ensure our happiness and Well-Being, or secure our freedoms. This is no way of life. Yet it’s not just the government’s endless wars that are bleeding us dry. We’re also being forced to shell out money for surveillance systems to track our movements, money to further militarize our already militarized police, money to allow the government to raid our homes and bank accounts, money to fund schools where our kids learn nothing about freedom and everything about how to comply, and on and on. There was a time in our history when our forebears said “enough is enough” and stopped paying their taxes to what they considered an illegitimate government. They stood their ground and refused to support a system that was slowly choking out any attempts at self-governance, and which refused to be held accountable for its crimes against the people. Their resistance sowed the seeds for the revolution that would follow. Unfortunately, in the 200-plus years since we established our own government, we’ve let bankers, corporate turncoats and number-crunching bureaucrats muddy the waters and pilfer the accounts to such an extent that we’re back where we started. Once again, we’ve got a despotic regime with an imperial ruler doing as they please. Once again, we’ve got a judicial system insisting we have no rights under a government which demands that the people march in lockstep with its dictates. And once again, we’ve got to decide whether we’ll keep marching or break stride and make a turn toward freedom. But what if we didn’t just pull out our pocketbooks and pony up to the Federal Government’s outrageous demands for more money? What if we didn’t just dutifully line up to drop our hard-earned dollars into the collection bucket, no questions asked about how it will be spent? What if, instead of quietly sending in our tax checks, hoping vainly for some meager return, we did a little calculation of our own and started deducting from our taxes those programs that we refuse to support? As I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, we’re no longer living the American dream. We’re living a financial nightmare. Editor’s Note: John Whitehead is an Attorney and Author who has written, debated and practiced widely in the area of Constitutional Law, Human Rights and Popular Culture. John Whitehead's Commentary are his views and he is open for discussion, he can be contacted at: johnw@rutherford.org . Information about The Rutherford Institute is available at: www.rutherford.org < Previous News Next News >

Unveiling The Magic Of Matilda: A Spectacular Journey Through Roald Dahl's Musical Wonderland November 10, 2023 Share Lights, music, and the enchanting world of Roald Dahl come together in a breathtaking spectacle at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. LCA Performing Arts Company presents "Matilda The Musical JR.," a spellbinding performance set to grace the stage on Saturday, December 2nd, at 7:00 p.m., and Sunday, December 3rd, at 5:00 p.m. Prepare to be swept away into a world that celebrates bravery, creativity, and the strength found in taking a stand. "Matilda The Musical JR." follows the extraordinary journey of Matilda, a young girl whose vibrant imagination and unwavering courage serve as the cornerstone of her story. Filled with an array of unforgettable characters, catchy melodies, and stunning visuals, this production promises an experience that transcends the ordinary and embraces the extraordinary. Matilda Jr. revels in the anarchy of childhood, the power of imagination and the inspiring story of a girl who dreams of a better life. Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers who must contend with a mean headmistress who hates children and loves thinking up punishments for those who don’t abide by her harsh rules. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, Matilda Jr. is a joyous girl power romp. The Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, nestled at 3385 Northeast 188th Street, Aventura, Florida 33180 is the stage for this wondrous musical journey. To be part of this magical experience, securing tickets is an essential step. Ticketmaster stands as the sole official ticketing service for the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, offering convenient booking options. Tickets can be purchased online at: www.aventuracenter.org - Via phone at: (877) 311-7469. Or: (954) 462-0222. Or in person at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center box office. For those planning group attendance, Group Sales can be reached at: (954) 660-6307. Parking arrangements have been meticulously tailored to ensure a hassle-free visit. FREE parking spaces await attendees in the lots adjacent to the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center, situated in front of the Aventura Community Recreation Center and the Aventura City of Excellence School. Additionally, valet services are available for most performances, providing convenience at the cost of $20 per vehicle. The valet station can be found at the main entrance in the circular drive, offering a seamless drop-off experience right in front of the building. As the anticipation builds for this grand event, the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center invites all attendees to join the conversation on social media platforms. Engage and share your excitement on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram with the handle @aventuracenter or by using the hashtag #aventuracenter. The stage is set, the cast is ready, and the magic of Matilda awaits. Don't miss the opportunity to immerse yourself in a world where imagination knows no bounds and where the courage to stand up takes center stage. Join friends and family for a spectacular night filled with the charm and wonder of Roald Dahl's beloved characters. Experience the thrill, the beauty, and the sheer magic of "Matilda The Musical JR." at the Aventura Arts & Cultural Center. < Previous News Next News >

Holiday Shopping Safety Tips From The Hollywood Police Department By City Of Hollywood Dec 10, 2025 The Holiday Season Brings Plenty Of Cheer As Families Shop For Gifts, Support Local Businesses, And Donate To Causes They Care About. It Also Brings Crowded Stores, Busy Parking Lots, And A Surge In Online Shopping, Which Creates Opportunities For Thieves And Scammers. To Help You Keep Your Purchases And Donations Safe, The Hollywood Police Department Offers These Updated Reminders For A Secure And Stress-Free Season. Shopping In Stores: • Plan ahead and avoid carrying more than you can manage. Bring a friend or ask a store employee for help with large purchases. • Consider safer ways to pay, like one-time or multi-use disposable credit cards. • Keep your payment methods out of sight until you are ready to use them. Thieves often “shoulder surf” to steal account information. • Alert store staff or security if you see an unattended bag or suspicious item • Hold purses close to your body and keep wallets in a front pocket or inside a coat. • Only carry the credit cards you need and limit the amount of cash you bring. • Keep young children close and choose a central meeting spot in case you get separated. • Encourage children to stay inside the store until you reunite with them. • Make a note of where you parked. • Park in well-lit, high-traffic areas and avoid secluded spots. • Have your keys ready when approaching your vehicle. • Before getting inside, check your backseat and surroundings. If anything feels off, return to the store and ask for security. • Keep packages and shopping bags out of sight. A locked trunk is best. • Never leave purses, phones, or wallets visible inside your car. • Always lock your doors and close your windows, even while driving. • If using an ATM, choose one in a well-lit location and stay aware of your surroundings. • Expect heavier traffic and impatient drivers. Stay alert and avoid distractions. Shopping Online: • Use a credit card instead of a debit card when possible. It offers stronger protection if something goes wrong with a purchase. • Look for a secure connection when entering personal information. A padlock in the address bar is a good sign your session is encrypted. • Some credit card companies provide single-use card numbers for online purchases. Ask your bank if this service is available. • Protect your personal information. No reputable company will call you and ask for your credit card number, bank details, or social security number. • Save order confirmations and receipts so you can track purchases and verify statements later. • Be cautious of deals that seem too good to be true. Many scams rely on urgency or extremely low prices to lure shoppers. • Only shop through official websites. Avoid clicking on links from unsolicited emails or texts since many phishing scams mimic well-known retailers. Preventing Package Theft • Track deliveries and bring packages inside as soon as possible. • Consider having items shipped to your workplace, a trusted neighbor, or an Amazon Locker or similar pickup location. • Install a doorbell camera or use a security system if possible. • Request signature confirmation for high-value deliveries. Holiday Charity Scams: • Verify the charity before donating. Check if it is registered with the State Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services at: www.fdacs.gov/Consumer-Resources/Charities . Or by calling: 1 (800) HELP-FLA. Call: 1 (800) 435-7352. Review how much of each dollar supports the mission rather than administrative costs. • The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance at: www.give.org . Or calling: (703) 247-9321 can also provide helpful background and complaint histories. • Watch for names that sound similar to legitimate nonprofits. Scammers often choose misleading names. • Never give financial information to a caller or through an unsolicited email or text. If you want to donate, ask for mailed information or go directly to the organization’s official website. • Check the IRS website at: www.irs.gov for a charity’s tax-exempt status. The Auto Revocation list shows organizations that have lost their exemption due to missing annual filings. By staying aware and taking a few simple precautions, you can protect your purchases, avoid scams, and enjoy a safer holiday season. For more safety tips and resources, visit: www.hollywoodpolice.org . 41st Annual Hollywood Chamber Golf Classic: Join in the fun this Friday, December 12th from 11:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. for the 41st Annual Hollywood Chamber Golf Classic. Registration will begin at 11:00 a.m. with a shotgun start at: 11:30 a.m. The Golf Classic Event will take place at Orangebrook Golf & Country Club at 400 Entrada Drive, Hollywood, Florida 33021. Grow your business while having fun! Tournament players are encouraged to network, socialize and participate in the Chamber's signature Golf Tournament. • Network on the Green • Contests, Games & Giveaways • Centennial Celebration Visit: www.hollywoodchamber.org for more information about fees, sponsorship opportunities or to register as a single player or foursome. Previous Next

Make Dad Smile On His Day June 13, 2022 Share Father's Day brings a special opportunity each year to celebrate the dad in your life, whether it's spent lighting a grill in the backyard, heading to the golf course or simply relaxing at home. Make his day one to remember by enjoying his favorite activities and giving a gift that'll put a grin on his face. From home chefs and snazzy dressers to outdoorsmen and sports fans, these gifts offer an array of ideas for dads of all kinds, so you can bring a little extra joy to this year's celebration. Here are a few Father's Day gift inspirations you could possibly get for the dad in your life. Is Your Dad A Meat Lover? Even for the man who has it all, sometimes Father's Day gifting can be pretty simple. Show Dad some love with the Omaha Steaks Best Father's Day Gift package that includes mouthwatering favorites like Bacon-Wrapped Filet Mignons, Boneless Pork Chops, Boneless Chicken Breasts, Gourmet Jumbo Franks, PureGround Filet Mignon Burgers, Individual Scalloped Potatoes, decadent Caramel Apple Tartlets and a jar of Omaha Steaks Seasoning. Find more gifting wisdom at: https://www.omahasteaks.com/buy/Gifts/Fathers-Day?setseed=73 Golf Bag Goodies If he's like most golfers, chances are your dad spends a few minutes each round searching for his ball after a wayward tee shot. Save him some precious time on the course with the extra golf balls he needs so he doesn't have to worry about leaving one (or two or three) in the woods. Even amateur players sometimes prefer a certain ball, so don't be afraid to sneak to the garage and check his current supply so you can put his favorite brand in your cart. Food from the Fire Quick seared, slow smoked or anything in-between, a true chef-worthy grill can take your dad's barbecue reputation from backyard novice to neighborhood celebrity. He may already view himself as master of the meats, but a new charcoal or propane grill can give him the motivation he needs to try new recipes and cook up classics. It's a gift he can enjoy while bringing the entire family together to celebrate savory success. Perfect for His Pocket Just before heading out the door, there's one last "checklist" for many dads: phone, wallet, keys, pocketknife. The next time he goes through the classic pocket check, give your dad an upgrade he can smile about with a knife he can use for a variety of situations on a daily basis. For a reminder of home every time he opens the blade, consider a customized option engraved with a loving message so he'll never forget your thoughtful gift. A Wardrobe Upgrade Whether your dad has style or just thinks he does, you can give his wardrobe the finishing touch it needs with a watch to match the look that's all his own. From casual styles that complement most of his clothes to traditional timepieces suited for special occasions, there are options in virtually every price range to help the final piece of his outfit make a statement. In the office, on the road or right at home, he'll be reminded of you every time he checks his wrist. < Previous News Next News >

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth: HOLYSHAKES: Miami's Ultimate Milkshake Bar Tue Jul 18 2023 16:14:00 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

What's All The Hoopla? Broward & Miami-Dade County Libraries At Your Fingertips, Digitally August 18, 2022 Share Libraries are an important part of every community, they are a great resource for a growing young mind and those looking to expand their horizons with more knowledge, plus much of the content is FREE. Over time technology has changed and so has the way we utilize the services the library has to offer. During the past few years due to the Pandemic much of this change has sped up from need, due to lockdowns. We have all looked for new ways to use services from a distance, such as online shopping or working from home, the library is no different. With your library card comes a whole host of services that are FREE and just a click away. One of those services is Hoopla a digital service to use on all your devices. So what is all the Hoopla about? Hoopla is a service that allows you to borrow and enjoy audiobooks, eBooks, comics, movies, TV, magazines, or music everywhere you have a screen - your computer, your phone, your car, even your TV. All you need is a library card. Hoopla syncs across all your devices, so you can stream titles immediately or whenever you're in the mood. Most titles can also be downloaded to your phone or tablet. Hoopla offers more content, in more places, than any other digital library platform and it's all FREE thanks to your public library! Hoopla digital partners with libraries across the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to provide online and mobile access to items that you would normally check out at the library: eBooks, audiobooks, comics, music, movies, and TV. With hoopla and a valid library card, you will be able to borrow, instantly stream, and download dynamic content via hoopla’s mobile app or www.hoopladigital.com . It's simple to access and use, with no waiting and no hassles, Hoopla digital is a service of Midwest Tape – a trusted partner of public libraries for over 25 years. All you need to get started is your library card and a web browser, smart phone, or tablet. To sign up for hoopla, you will need a valid library card from a library that offers hoopla. The Broward County Library, The Plantation Library, North Miami Public Library, Miami-Dade Public Library and others are already participating with the service. Some libraries do assign a PIN for your account as well. This is needed for registration if your library requires one. During registration, Hoopla will ask you to enter an email address. This will be your username to log into our service. At this time, you are able to set a password for your account as well. Before you are able to borrow, you will need to create a Hoopla account. When you register for Hoopla, they will use your current location to find Hoopla partners in your area. Once you are signed in, you can borrow titles though the Hoopla digital mobile app or the website. Once you select a title you can click on the Borrow button on the title details page. Once a title is borrowed, it is accessible by clicking on "My hoopla" on the website or in the app and you must remain logged in to view the downloaded content. Where Can I Find The Hoopla Mobile App? The Hoopla Digital mobile app can be found in the Play Store on your Android device, the Amazon app store on your Kindle Fire tablet, and in the App Store on your iOS device. Search for "Hoopla Digital" to find and download the app. If the app is unavailable for your device, it will not show up in the store. For a list of supported browsers and mobile operating systems, please click on the "supported devices" tab in the help section: https://www.hoopladigital.com/help To sign up for Hoopla go to www.hoopladigital.com/register and follow the instructions, you might just find out what all the Hoopla is about. < Previous News Next News >