Sociology Course Removed
The Florida Board of Education has removed the Introduction to Sociology course from the core curriculum of public high schools, following a decision already implemented in universities. For several years, the state has been waging a campaign against the discipline, notably by mandating a new textbook written in part by government officials and lacking chapters on race, gender, and sexuality.
Authorities accuse sociology of promoting ideology rather than critical thinking. Recent laws have already restricted the teaching of concepts deemed “speculative.” Professors denounce this as an attack on academic freedom and forced self-censorship.
Cruises: Legend of the Seas in Trial Phase
The Legend of the Seas, the third ship in Royal Caribbean’s Icon class, has left the Meyer Turku shipyard in Finland for its first sea trials. Over ten days and 2,400 nautical miles, more than 2,000 engineers and crew members will test navigation, propulsion, speed, and safety.
This major milestone comes after a year and a half of construction. The 248,663-ton mega-cruiser can accommodate 5,602 passengers and 2,500 crew members.
After returning to the shipyard for final touches, it will be delivered to Royal Caribbean, begin its summer season in the Mediterranean, and then head to Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale in November.
The ship will feature 28 restaurants, shows such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, iconic bars, and flagship attractions of the Icon class: Category 6 water park, AquaTheater, FlowRider, zip line, ice rink, and themed pools.
It will then operate six- to eight-night cruises in the Caribbean, including stops at CocoCay.
Miami: Residents Demand a Moratorium on Tree Cutting
A growing number of Miami residents are calling on the city to immediately suspend tree-cutting permits, fearing that the accelerated loss of the urban canopy will exacerbate heat and flood risks.
In a letter addressed to Mayor Eileen Higgins and city officials, residents—including members of the Sierra Club—criticize a system that they say makes it too easy to cut down mature trees, which are often replaced by concrete or inadequate saplings.
Experts from Florida International University confirm that the remaining large trees play an essential role in stormwater management and reducing heat islands.
The city, however, insists that the rules have not changed and that permits remain subject to municipal code requirements, including inspections and reviews by certified arborists.
A must-see exhibition for sports fans in Florida
To mark the World Cup, the Cultural Council for Palm Beach County is presenting a unique exhibition blending art and sports passion: Kinetic Energy, which highlights the work of Florida-based artist Kyle Lucks. Known for his hyperrealistic portraits of sports legends, Lucks features a triptych bringing together Dan Marino, Lionel Messi, and Dwyane Wade.
His centerpiece, Messi in Miami, was selected to embody the spirit of the exhibition.
Based in his West Palm Beach studio, Lucks explains that his approach focuses on capturing the movement, intensity, and emotion unique to sports icons.
The exhibition thus offers a visual immersion in the energy of sports, through vibrant works that celebrate the most iconic figures of the Florida and international sports scenes.
For sports fans and art enthusiasts alike, Kinetic Energy stands out as an unmissable experience, combining culture, performance, and local pride at a time when the whole world has its eyes on soccer.
Exhibition at the Main Gallery of the Palm Beach County Cultural Council, 601 Lake Ave., Lake Worth Beach, through June 12. Free admission. www.palmbeachculture.com.
Florida Funds Future Vertiports
We mentioned this recently: future flying taxis are the center of attention, and Florida intends to be at the forefront of this technological innovation.
Thus, Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a new law allowing Florida to invest directly in the creation of vertiports, infrastructure designed for future electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft. The measure authorizes the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) to fund up to 100% of the cost of a public vertiport if no federal funding is available, or up to 80% of the remaining cost when federal funds are available.
These platforms are intended to support the development of a network of “air taxis” capable of offering short trips to bypass traffic jams. Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue compares this technology to that envisioned in The Jetsons.
The project remains experimental, but Florida aims to accelerate innovation, particularly through the SunTrax test center. The law, passed unanimously, is part of a broader strategy to make the state a leader in advanced air mobility.
Waymo on the highway!
Waymo is now opening its fully autonomous, driverless robotaxi service to all Miami users via its app. Following a limited pilot launched in January, the company is now allowing its vehicles to operate not only in the city but also on major highways such as I-95, the Dolphin Expressway, and the Palmetto, offering faster trips between key neighborhoods like Brickell, Wynwood, Coral Gables, and Miami Beach.
Since its arrival, Waymo has already completed approximately 100,000 trips in Miami. The company claims that its vehicles are involved in 92% fewer serious accidents than human drivers and that they are designed to handle local tropical rains.
Competition is heating up: Zoox, Uber-Rivian, and Tesla are also planning deployments in Florida. Waymo is simultaneously expanding its service to Orlando.
Miami Opens a New Museum to Mark the 65th Anniversary of the Bay of Pigs
In Miami, veterans of Brigade 2506 are commemorating the 65th anniversary of the Bay of Pigs invasion with the reopening of a fully renovated museum in Little Havana. The new 11,000-square-foot building replaces the old museum, which opened in 1988, and aims to preserve the memory of the 1,500 Cuban exiles trained by the CIA who attempted, in April 1961, to overthrow Fidel Castro.
More than 100 fighters were killed and 1,200 captured before being released after 20 months of negotiations.
Today, only 200 veterans remain, and many emphasize the importance of conveying to new generations the price of freedom and the lasting consequences of communism in Cuba. The museum also aims to highlight the historical impact of the failed invasion on Cuba, the United States, and Latin America.
Politically active, several members of the Brigade still hope to see the Cuban regime fall one day, even though some veterans fear direct military intervention. Info: www.bayofpigsbrigade2506.com
