The Faces of Health Care

Article by David Hudson
Washington D.C.--Susan T. from Quincy, Illinois recently wrote the President to say thanks for his “courage and conviction to make sure every American has access to health insurance.”
Having worked since she was 15, Susan calls herself “lucky” for having had a successful career and healthy life for many years. As a result of her health, she didn’t put much thought into our country’s health care system.
That all changed about six years ago, however, when Susan was diagnosed with Lupus.
When she decided to start her own company in February 2011 with her business partner, she gave up a substantial salary from her previous job. She didn’t realize, however, that she was also giving up the opportunity to have health insurance, as she would later be denied almost any chance at health coverage because of her Lupus diagnosis.
“I cannot tell you the sinking feeling I had that at any moment, everything I worked for my entire life could be gone due to a serious illness or injury,” she writes.
But thanks to the Affordable Care Act, she could no longer be denied coverage just because of a pre-existing condition.
“I finally had good coverage, better than I had expected…I’m not sure I have ever had a more peaceful night’s sleep,” she writes. “This is the definition of a hand up, not a hand out.”

NOAA and partners document surge in Great Lakes water levels

 

Article posted by Mississippi Gazette Photo by Steven J. Myers

Ann Arbor, MI--Scientists at the Army Corps of Engineers, Environment Canada, and NOAA recently documented a record-setting surge in water levels on Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron that began in January 2013, and has continued through November 2014. The United States and Canadian federal agencies expect water levels to stay near or above average on all of the Great Lakes over the next six months.
At no other point in recorded history have water levels risen as much on Lake Superior and Michigan-Huron over the same two-year period. Since September 2014, all of the Great Lakes have been above their seasonal averages for the first time since the late 1990s.
“The recent surge in water levels brings to an end a 15-year period of persistent below-average water levels on Lakes Superior and Michigan-Huron,” said Drew Gronewold, a research hydrologist with NOAA’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory. “However, it is uncertain if, years from now, water levels will continue to rise, or if they will fall again to below-average levels.” 

Docks were high and dry

Low water levels were the story on Lake Michigan and across the Great Lakes in early 2013, as pictured here in Grand Traverse Bay, Michigan. (Michigan Sea Grant)

Part of the uncertainty in long-term future water levels projections comes from the challenge of predicting not only the major drivers of the Great Lakes water budget (which are over-lake precipitation, runoff and over-lake evaporation) but also large-scale climate forces, such as last winter's Arctic polar vortex anomaly, which influence those drivers. The surprisingly swift rebound in water levels broke records across the region. The net rise in water levels on Lake Superior from January 2013 through November 2014 was roughly 2.3 feet (about 0.7 meters), the highest net increase ever recorded for that 23-month period. Similarly, on Lake Michigan-Huron, the net rise in water levels from the record-low in January 2013 through November 2014 was 3.2 feet (about 1 meter), an increase that tied the previous record set in 1950-1951 for the same 23-month period.
The current surge in water levels has largely provided relief to communities, businesses and industries that depend on the Great Lakes, including commercial shipping, hydropower, recreational boating and tourism. However, high water levels can have negative effects as well, including coastal erosion, flooding, and property damage along the shoreline. The severe storm in October 2014 that lashed the shores of southern Lake Michigan is just one example.
Research from NOAA, the Army Corps, Environment Canada, and regional academic institutions indicates that increases in seasonal precipitation are the major cause of the recent water level surge. Measurements from a growing network of off-shore evaporation monitoring stations indicate that evaporation rates in the recent two-year period have not been particularly low despite recent cold winter temperatures and record high ice cover. So while high evaporation rates were a major factor in keeping water levels low between 1998 and 2013, an increase in precipitation appears to be the major driver of the recent water level surge. 
Data suggests that precipitation in the Lake Superior and Lake Michigan-Huron basins was about 10 percent above long-term averages in both 2013 and 2014, while precipitation in 2012 (a year of drought that preceded the record low water levels on Michigan-Huron) was roughly 10 percent below the long-term average. 
NOAA and Army Corps scientists are also studying how a changing climate may contribute to water level changes. To improve the understanding of the relationship between climate change and Great Lakes water levels, GLERL researchers and their academic partners analyze relationships between evaporation from the lakes, seasonal ice cover, and long-term heat storage in the lakes.
This research would not be possible without the continuous operational water level and meteorological monitoring networks provided by U.S. and Canadian federal agencies, as well as the research-oriented monitoring stations of partner academic institutions. The water level stations maintained by the NOAA/National Ocean Service Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS), for example, provide one of the longest high quality hydrometeorological data sets in North America, with data beginning in 1860. Research and monitoring of Great Lakes water levels and regional meteorological conditions is an important part of NOAA’s mission to understand and predict changes in climate, weather, oceans, and coasts.

Christmas Eve Bomb Gives Dairy Employees Scare

Article by Affiliate Arkansas Journal
Little Rock-- Little Rock Fire Department's Bomb Squad responded to Hiland Dairy at 6901 Interstate 30 in Little Rock today after an employee brought an improvised explosive device to his work to show to another employee. The employee told police he found the package on his driveway and took it inside to plug it in, but it blew a fuse in his house. Police believe the man was targeted but that the bomb builder didn't know how to make it work. 

Mississippi Tornado Takes The Life Of Four

Article by Affiliate Mississippi Gazette

Jackson, MS-- Tornados leave a trail of wide spread damage with four dead and  at least 20 injured Tuesday. The tornados were reported in Louisiana and Mississippi with the heaviest damage reported in Mississippi. Several Southeastern states were issued watches and warnings. The National Weather Service office at Jackson, Mississippi, said, "During the afternoon of Dec 23, just enough ingredients came together to support numerous severe storms ahead of a cold front. Across the Lower Mississippi River Valley, peak heating contributed to decent instability in the developing warm sector in advance of the front. Sufficient low level wind shear and strong winds aloft were also in place as a decent upper low was located to our north. This helped to support organized thunderstorm activity along with quite a few supercell storms. A long lived, persistent, storm tracked across the southeastern counties (near Columbia, Mississippi to Sumrall and Laurel to Heidelberg, Mississippi line) and produced multiple tornadoes. Widespread damage occurred in southern Columbia, near Sumrall and near Laurel and areas in Marion, Jones and Clarke counties. Sadly, four confirmed fatalities occurred, with two near Columbia in Marion County and two near Laurel in Jones County. Severe storms moved out of the region by late afternoon to early Tuesday evening. The front continued to track through the area through the evening of December 23."

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge Helps Rescued Exotic Animals Have A Better Life

Article posted by Florida Gazette
Eureka Springs, AR-- For over 20 years, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge has operated its wildlife sanctuary, where it cares for wild animals who have been rescued and relocated from zoos, circuses, roadside "attractions," and the cruel and foolish exotic pet industry.
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge cares for more than 100 tigers, lions, bears, and other wildlife.

Some of the Animals include Sugar, a black bear who came to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in 2009 from
Greenbriar, Ark. Sugar was housed in the middle of a private
junkyard, in a cage too short for her to stand up in. It was full
of mud and filth that had built up for nearly twelve years. It
took her a little while to adjust to her new and improved living
conditions, but now she’s doing great.

Or Sierra, a three-year-old de-clawed Bengal tiger, was rescued
from Grapevine, Tex. She had been confiscated by the SPCA from
Texas about two months before and placed in Grapevine Humane
Society until Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge found her. Sierra had lived on a poor diet of dog food and was in very bad condition. During her two month stay at the Humane Society, she had gained 70 pounds just by getting a proper diet. Since Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge rescues cats for no fee,
Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge was contacted and asked to take Sierra. Because of her unhealthy diet as a cub, Sierra is about one third of the size that an adult female tiger should be. She has pigeon toes and severe scoliosis. Because of the deformities in her hips, Sierra is on a strict diet of boneless meat.

Threat To Blow Up I-55 Bridge Received By FBI

Article by Affiliate Tennessee Gazette 
Memphis, TN--Local officials acted on an anonymous tip today that someone was planning to blow up the I-55 bridge which goes from West Memphis, Arkansas to Memphis, Tennessee. The bridge crosses the Mississippi River. It opened on December 17, 1949. The FBI was quick to say that the threats have no credible source.

Home Fires Are A Real Disaster

Article Posted by Florida Gazette Photo by Staff Photographer David Lear

Miami--During 2014, the American Red Cross helped more people affected by home fires than all other disasters combined. Day after day and in neighborhoods from coast to coast, their biggest disaster threat isn’t from tornadoes, hurricanes and floods, but home fires. Nearly every 8 minutes, the Red Cross responds to a disaster in the community and approximately 93 percent of these are home fires.

Local American Red Cross volunteers in 12,500 communities across the nation responded at all hours of the day with food, blankets and comfort to help more than 211,000 people with nowhere else to turn after home fires in 2014. The Red Cross also provided financial support to tens of thousands of households after home fires to help replace lost belongings and begin the long road to recovery.

The work doesn’t end after the smoke clears. Red Cross volunteers across the country are helping to save lives through a nationwide campaign to reduce the number of home fire deaths and injuries by 25 percent over the next five years. Since the campaign launched in October, "we’ve already reached more than 29,000 people by installing more than 17,000 smoke alarms.These efforts have already saved five lives and we hope this is only the beginning." said the American Red Cross.

To learn more about the American Red Cross CLICK HERE

President Obama reflected on the significant progress made by this country in 2014

Article by David Hudson
The President reflected on the significant progress made by this country in 2014, and in the nearly six years since he took office.

This past year has been the strongest for job growth since the 1990s, contributing to the nearly 11 million jobs added by our businesses over a 57-month streak. America is leading the rest of the world, in containing the spread of Ebola, degrading and ultimately destroying ISIL, and addressing the threat posed by climate change. And earlier this week, the President announced the most significant changes to our policy towards Cuba in over 50 years.

America’s resurgence is real, and the President expressed his commitment to working with Congress in the coming year to make sure Americans feel the benefits.

Shopping on Super Saturday

Article posted by Florida Gazette
BENTONVILLE, Ark.--Still haven’t checked everything off your Christmas gift list? Well, you’re not alone. The world’s largest retailer conducted in-person interviews with more than 2,200 customers in Walmart stores across the U.S. on Saturday, Dec. 13 and found more than one-third plan to shop for last-minute gifts on Super Saturday, the last Saturday before Christmas.

To ensure last-minute shoppers get the gifts they want at a great price, Walmart stores will continue to receive many of the season’s hottest toys, electronics and home goods until Dec. 24. The retailer is also helping its customers get in and out quickly by creating designated areas near the front of its stores with popular last-minute gifts such as stocking stuffers, gift sets and gift cards. Customers can also choose to order from tens of thousands of items on Walmart.com by Dec. 23 and receive free same-day pickup in stores on Dec. 24.

“Over the past few years, we’ve noticed a trend in customers waiting until the last minute to finish their shopping,” said Scott McCall, senior vice president of merchandising for Walmart U.S. “While many customers start their Christmas shopping in November, the majority don’t put their lists away until Dec. 24. Our stores are ready to help customers get everything they need from top toys and electronics to stocking stuffers, cookies for Santa and the easiest present to give: the gift card.”

Honoring Our Service Members Veterans and Their Families During the Holidays

Holiday decorations at the Naval Observatory Residence, in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2014. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Article by James Gleeson
Washington D.C. --This holiday season, in honor of our service members, veterans, and their families, the Vice President and Dr. Jill Biden dedicated five trees at the Naval Observatory Residence representing each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. Capturing their personal experiences, military families from all across the country handcrafted the ornaments that adorn the trees. Atop each tree is a gold star, embodying the spirit, bravery, and patriotism of those who serve.
Earlier this month, Dr. Biden hosted a holiday celebration in honor of our military, veterans, and their families at the Vice President’s Residence. "We owe thanks today, and everyday, to those who wear the uniform. And we owe a debt of gratitude to their families because, as all of you know, when you have a family who serves in the military, the whole family serves too," Dr. Biden said.

Santa Claus hands out stuffed champ dogs during a holiday celebration in honor of our military, veterans and their families, at the Naval Observatory Residence, in Washington, D.C., December 3, 2014. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Keeping with tradition, Dr. Biden -- a proud National Guard mom herself -- invited senior National Guard spouses, National Guard Family Program members, and their children to her office at the White House for a special holiday tree dedication. This marks the second consecutive year that Dr. Biden has welcomed members of our National Guard to her office for this event.

Dr. Biden places an ornament of the National Guard Memorial on a holiday tree in her office at the White House, in Washington, D.C., December 12, 2014. (Photo by SSG Michelle Gonzalez, National Guard Bureau)

The tree was decorated with 54 unique ornaments -- one from each state, territory, and the District of Columbia -- designed by the State Family Program Office in accordance with this year's theme, "Communities of Resilience." In keeping with this theme, each ornament represents its home state and Guard Families.
During this holiday season, we hope all Americans can find ways to recognize and support our service members, veterans, and their families in their communities

Gator Quartet Tabbed AVCA All-Americans

Article posted by Florida Gazette. Photo by Tim Casey

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- AVCA First Team All-American Alex Holston led the way for Florida volleyball’s four 2014 All-America honorees, announced by the American Volleyball Coaches Association Wednesday in advance of the AVCA Convention and 2014 Final Four in Oklahoma City this week.

Florida freshman middle blocker and AVCA Southeast Region Freshman of the Year Rhamat Alhassan was named a Second Team All-America selection, while junior setter Mackenzie Dagostino picked up Third Team All-America honors. Junior middle Simone Antwi was named an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention selection following her third season as a Gator.

UF’s quartet of 2014 All-Americans brings the program’s total to a staggering 34 All-American players who have racked up 82 All-America honors. While Holston was an AVCA All-America Honorable Mention selection as a freshman in 2013, Alhassan, the nation’s leader in hitting efficiency, Dagostino and Antwi all picked up the first All-America honors of their collegiate careers.

It was a record year for Florida, which finished 28-4 overall, notched its 24th consecutive 25-win season and went an undefeated 18-0 in SEC play to claim the program’s 21st SEC Championship the last 24 years. The Gators ran the table in the SEC for the 13th time in program history and led the league in all but one statistical category through conference play.

The Orange and Blue advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time since 2011 and strung together a 23-match win streak from September 21-December 13, the longest win streak in the country in 2014 and longest for a Florida team since 2010. Five Gators were named All-SEC selections, as UF boasted the SEC Player of the Year (Holston), Freshman of the Year (Alhassan), Scholar Athlete of the Year (Holly Pole) and Coach of the Year (Wise). Alhassan, Antwi, Dagostino, Holston and Pole all picked up All-Southeast Region honors, while Wise and Alhassan were the Southeast Region Coach and Freshman of the Year.

Holston, Alhassan and Dagostino will be honored Friday at the 2014 All-America Banquet in Oklahoma City in conjunction with the 2014 AVCA Convention and Final Four.

U.S. Chamber Welcomes Progress in U.S.-Cuba Relations

President Barack Obama delivers a statement on Cuba and the release of American Alan Gross, in the Cabinet Room of the White House, Dec. 17, 2014. (Official White House Photo by Chuck Kennedy)

Article posted by Florida Gazette   Photo by Chuck Kennedy
WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue today issued the following statement regarding President Obama’s announcement that the U.S. government will take steps to normalize relations with Cuba:

“The U.S. business community welcomes today’s announcement, and has long supported many of the economic provisions the president touched on in his remarks. We deeply believe that an open dialogue and commercial exchange between the U.S. and Cuban private sectors will bring shared benefits, and the steps announced today will go a long way in allowing opportunities for free enterprise to flourish. In countries around the world, where leaders from across the political spectrum have made a concerted effort to liberalize their economy, we have seen a sharp rise in the quality of life of their citizens.

“As we witnessed on our exploratory trip to Havana earlier this year, Cuba has changed some of its economic policies to lessen government control or ownership of Cuban businesses, and subsequently, their private sector is growing. There is still work to do, on both sides of this relationship, but the changes outlined today are a substantive and positive step forward. It is imperative that the Cuban government build on today’s positive steps with a more ambitious economic reform agenda at home, while we continue to push for the end of the embargo here in Washington.

“The Chamber and its members stand ready to assist as the Cuban people work to unleash the power of free enterprise to improve their lives.”

International trade and investment are key components of the Chamber’s 2014 American Jobs, Growth, and Opportunity Agenda, an ambitious plan to generate stronger economic growth, create jobs, and expand opportunity for all Americans.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is the world’s largest business federation representing the interests of more than 3 million businesses of all sizes, sectors, and regions, as well as state and local chambers and industry associations. Its International Affairs division includes more than 70 regional and policy experts and 25 country- and region-specific business councils and initiatives. The U.S. Chamber also works closely with 117 American Chambers of Commerce abroad.

McElwain Announces Collins as Defensive Coordinator

 Former Mississippi State defensive coordinator Geoff Collins is headed to Florida.

Article by SCOTT CARTER
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Gators head coach Jim McElwain is starting to place his stamp on the program.
McElwain announced Tuesday that Mississippi State assistant Geoff Collins will join his inaugural UF coaching staff as defensive coordinator. Collins has been Mississippi State’s defensive coordinator/linebackers coach the past four seasons.
He was a nominee this season for the Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach this season.

Mississippi State leads the country in red-zone defense, allowing opponents to score just 60 percent of the time inside the 20. The seventh-ranked Bulldogs (10-2) held opponents to 19.4 points per game this season and finished with 36 sacks, the most since former UF offensive coordinator Dan Mullen took over the program in 2009.
Mississippi State was one of the season’s biggest stories as it reached No. 1 in the national polls for the first time in school history with Collins’ defense – he is nicknamed the ‘Minister of Mayhem’ for his aggressive approach – playing a pivotal role.
“I got to know Geoff personally during my time at Alabama and have stayed in touch with him since and his defenses have been successful everywhere he has been,” McElwain said. "It was important to maintain some of the same philosophies and concepts that have made the defenses around here successful with this hire and our players will continue to progress under his direction.
"Coach Durkin will continue to coach the team through the bowl game,'' McElwain added. "I have the utmost respect for his professionalism and have full confidence in his abilities to lead and coach the team.”
The 43-year-old Collins began his coaching career as a graduate assistant in 1993 at Western Carolina, his alma mater. He worked his way up the ranks and was Nick Saban’s first director of player personnel at Alabama in 2007.
He crossed paths at Alabama with McElwain, who joined Saban’s staff as offensive coordinator from 2008-11.
Collins has strong ties to Florida. He left Alabama to become linebackers coach/recruiting coordinator at UCF from 2008-09, and spent a season at Florida International as defensive coordinator/linebackers coach in 2010.
Collins joined Mullen’s Mississippi State staff in 2011 as co-defensive coordinator and was in full charge of the defense the past two seasons. In his first season, the Bulldogs ranked in the top five in the SEC in total defense, rushing defense and passing defense in 2013.
In 2014 Mississippi State’s 36 sacks rank second in the league behind Missouri’s 40, led by defensive lineman Preston Smith’s nine.
Collins will replace current interim head coach/defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin, who is preparing the Gators for their Birmingham Bowl matchup Jan. 3 against East Carolina.

5 Things You Need to Know About Alaska's Bristol Bay

Article by Tanya Somanader
Washington D.C. --President Obama just took action to protect one of Alaska's most powerful economic engines and one of America’s greatest national treasures: Bristol Bay.
Today, he signed a Presidential Memorandum that withdraws these beautiful and pristine waters from all future oil and gas drilling. "These waters are too special and too valuable to auction off to the highest bidder," the President said.
Here are five things you need to know about Bristol Bay:

1. Bristol Bay provides 40 percent of America's wild-caught seafood.

Bristol Bay is one of the world's most valuable fisheries, providing 40 percent of America's seafood and supporting up to $2 billion in commercial fishing every year.

2. Bristol Bay hosts one of the world's largest wild salmon runs.

While remote, this area is also an economic engine for tourism in Alaska. Bristol Bay drives $100 million in recreational fishing and tourism activity every year.

3. Bristol Bay is home to multiple threatened species.

Bristol Bay provides important habitat for many species, including the threatened Stellar's eider, sea otters, seals, walruses, Beluga and Killer whales, and the endangered North Pacific Right Whale.

4. The President's action protects millions of acres from drilling.

The North Aleutian Basin Planning Area that includes Bristol Bay consists of about 32.5 million acres. The previous Administration set in motion a new lease sale for 2011 that would have opened approximately 5.6 million acres -- about one-fifth of the planning area -- for drilling. In 2010, President Obama temporarily withdrew the Bristol Bay area from oil and gas development, and today's action extends that protection indefinitely.

5. President Obama is not the only president to use his executive authority to protect lands.

The President issues his temporary withdrawal in 2010 using his authority under section 12 of the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which gives the president authority to withdraw offshore areas from potential oil and gas leasing. President Eisenhower was the first to exercise the authority in 1960, withdrawing an area now included in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Since then, presidents on both sides of the aisle have acted to withdraw areas of the Outer Continental Shelf from oil and gas leasing.

Dr. Vivek Murthy Is Confirmed as Surgeon General

Article by Tanya Somanader
Washington D.C--The Surgeon General is America's doctor, responsible for providing Americans with the best scientific information on how to improve our collective well-being. Now, Dr. Vivek Murthy will be the next physician to don the lab coat of the Surgeon General after the Senate confirmed his nomination today.

"I applaud the Senate for confirming Vivek Murthy to be our country’s next Surgeon General," the President said following the confirmation. "As ‘America’s Doctor,’ Vivek will hit the ground running to make sure every American has the information they need to keep themselves and their families safe. He’ll bring his lifetime of experience promoting public health to bear on priorities ranging from stopping new diseases to helping our kids grow up healthy and strong."

Here's a quick rundown of what you need to know about our next Surgeon General:

What does the Surgeon General do? 

The Surgeon General's chief responsibility is to protect, promote, and advance our nation's public health. He or she provides Americans with the best scientific information available on how to improve our health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.
On top of overseeing 6,700 members of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps, the Surgeon General is also the Chair of the National Prevention Council, a group of 20 federal departments and agencies that is committed to prevention and wellness for individuals, families, and communities.

As Gators Get Healthier, So Does Their Record

Dorian Finney-Smith scored a career-high 25 points in Sunday's rout of Jacksonville. (Photo: Jim Burgess)

Article By SCOTT CARTER GatorZone.com Senior Writer

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Little by little, some of the pieces are starting to slide into place.
As they do, the wins are starting to add up.
The Gators made it three in a row on Sunday afternoon with a 79-34 walloping of Jacksonville in front of an announced crowd of 10,123 at the O'Connell Center.
It wasn't perfect.
“We didn’t come in with the right approach,'' Gators coach Billy Donovan said. "It was a little bit of fool’s gold to start the game."
The Gators never trailed and jumped to a fast 12-4 lead thanks to a 4-for-4 performance from 3-point land as Michael Frazier made a pair and Dorian Finney-Smith and Devin Robinson connected from long range.
You got the idea that this one could be over quickly.
However, instead of running away and hiding from Jacksonville before halftime, the Gators led only 18-17 with 9:21 left in the first half following a bucket by Jacksonville's Kori Babineaux.
No one knew it at the time, but with more than 29 minutes left to play, the Dolphins had already scored half their points in the game.
The Gators closed on a 16-7 run to end the first half and grab a 34-24 halftime lead.
And then as he is known to do -- especially this season and with this team -- Donovan challenged the Gators at halftime.
During their 3-4 start -- marking the first time in 16 years Florida dipped below .500 -- the Gators had trouble finishing strong, most notably watching their 18-point lead at Kansas on Dec. 5 disappear and turn into the young season's most disappointing loss.
There was no such problem Sunday.
"Coach challenged us to come out with more passion and more fire after halftime,'' said Frazier, who finished with a season-high 22 points and six 3-pointers.
How did the Gators respond? Well, how does 45-10 sound? That was the second-half score.
The Gators came out early for the second half to loosen up as they have of late. Someone should have told the Dolphins not to bother coming back out.
In a span of 5 minutes, 7 seconds, Florida's 10-point halftime lead was 20 (46-26) following Frazier's 3. The lead was 25 (51-26) after a 3-pointer from Eli Carter less than two minutes later.
The lead grew and grew and grew from there.
The Gators never let up and doubled the Dolphins at 62-31 when Finney-Smith connected for a 3-pointer with 10:44 left in the game. The 28-7 run to open the second half erased any doubt whether Donovan's halftime message got through.
"It feels good. It's a step in the right direction,'' center Jon Horford said. "Guys are really buying into the process."
The 45-point win is Florida's largest margin of victory this season and the dominant second-half performance was a good way to launch into a five-day break from games. The Gators don't play again until Saturday against Wake Forest in the Orange Bowl Classic in Sunrise, Fla.
They will use this week to finish finals and try to build on their modest three-game win streak by improving at practice.
"We certainly did a better job with our intensity level [after halftime],'' Donovan said. "I was really disappointed in the first half."

Much like he has been forced to all season due to various injuries, Donovan had to adjust the starting lineup due to point guard Kasey Hill's stomach bug. Hill (photo, left) did not participate in the pre-game shootaround and his status remained uncertain until less than two hours before tip-off.
Freshman Chris Chiozza started in Hill's place and according to Donovan, looked a little nervous at the start of the game. Chiozza did not score in 29 minutes but added four assists and four rebounds. Meanwhile, Hill played 21 minutes and chipped in two points and three assists.
Finney-Smith was the leader of Florida's pack on Sunday, scoring a career-high 25 points. He made 10 of 15 shots, including 5 of 7 from beyond the arc. He added six rebounds and played with the same aggressiveness he did a year ago when he was the SEC Sixth Man of the Year.
Finney-Smith missed two games and has been slowed since suffering a pair of hairline fractures in his left non-shooting hand.
He looked like his old self against the Dolphins, exactly one month after suffering the injury on Nov. 14 in the season opener against William & Mary.
"I can say it's getting better,'' said Finney-Smith, whose previous career high was 22 points. "I couldn't do things I usually could do [after the injury]."
Now, Finney-Smith said he is playing with a "free mind" and can "let it go."
"For him, every day that goes by it gets a little bit better,'' Donovan said. "He is at least moving to a point of being healthier each day.”
The same might be said of the Gators.
They are expected to have Duke transfer Alex Murphy available soon -- perhaps as early as Saturday's game against Wake Forest -- which provides Donovan with another weapon.
Little by little, the pieces are adding up. The wins should too with more performances like Sunday's.

44 Year Old Northern White Rhino Dies At San Diego Zoo.

Article by affiliate California Gazette Photo by San Diego Zoo

San Diego,CA--A 44 year old Northern White Rhino named Angalifu has died at the San Diego Zoo on Sunday. Angalifu was one of six Critically Endangered Northern White Rhinos left in the world. Northern White Rhinos have been killed by heavily-armed poaching gangs which has pushed the Northern White Rhinos to the edge of extinction. To learn more about the San Diego Zoo click here

Supporting West African Ebola Survivors

Ebola survivors, three orphans and their uncle, receiving Certificate of Medical Clearance as part of the Firestone Ebola Survivor Reintegration Program - Firestone District, Liberia, 2014


Posted by Florida Gazette
West Africa--The case fatality rate in West Africa’s ongoing Ebola epidemic – estimates range from 60 percent to 70 percent of those hospitalized – hides a hopeful statistic:  the fact that many Ebola patients survive. There now are thousands of Ebola survivors.
In this epidemic as in past Ebola outbreaks, survivors often face stigma, income loss, and both grief and survivor guilt over the loss of family and friends. Many if not all of their possessions have been destroyed to prevent disease transmission. In some cases, families have been reluctant to accept orphaned children.
Two reports in the December 12 early release issue of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) detail programs in Liberia and Sierra Leone to help Ebola survivors reintegrate with their communities and resume their lives. As survivors are thought to have some protective immunity to the strain of Ebola that sickened them, many survivors now work as caregivers for other Ebola patients.
“Nothing says more about the resilience of the human spirit than Ebola survivors who become role models for their communities,” said CDC Director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. “They show others that Ebola can be defeated and provide care, support, and inspiration for others stricken by this terrible disease.”
Support Services for Survivors of Ebola Virus Disease — Sierra Leone,
According to an August 2014 survey by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation, CDC, and other partners, 96 percent of the general population reported at least some discriminatory attitude toward people with Ebola. This stigma discourages people from seeking Ebola testing and treatment and increases the already difficult task of contact tracing. It extends to Ebola survivors, who may be shunned by their communities.
CDC staff joined a consortium of members of the Sierra Leonean government, nongovernment organizations, and donor agencies to assess the needs of Ebola survivors. The group performed a study of three districts heavily affected by Ebola, convened a National Survivor Conference, conducted focus groups with survivors, and observed counseling sessions at a survivor wellness center.
The study found that survivors faced immediate and long-term concerns about physical and mental health, stigma, psychosocial issues including shame and survival guilt, reintegration needs, and financial needs. Despite these needs, survivors reported inadequate counseling, community reintegration, and material support.
Survivors showed great interest in contributing to the Ebola response through activities such as sharing their stories directly through radio and other broadcast media. They also expressed interest in participating in direct Ebola care and treatment support in and providing spiritual support to other Ebola patients to give them hope. Survivors said that supporting themselves with this work would help restore their own dignity.
The consortium now is coordinating financial and psychosocial support for survivors. This support includes a “survivor packet” that includes cash, bedding, clothing, and other essentials of daily living. Counselors will accompany survivors when returning to their home villages to facilitate reintegration, and trained counselors are speaking with local traditional authorities and other community members about the importance of survivor acceptance. Survivor support centers are being established at the district level, and plans are underway to integrate survivors into Ebola response activities.
Reintegration of Ebola Virus Disease Survivors into Their Communities — Firestone District, Liberia,
In August 2014, the Firestone District of Liberia, where Firestone Liberia Inc. provides health care to 80,000 residents, enrolled their first patient in a model Ebola survivor reintegration program. The program was designed to offer survivors psychosocial support as well as to lessen stigma, provide hope, and motivate community members to report suspect Ebola cases and to seek care early in the course of disease.
“Well-coordinated survivor reintegration programs help stop the spread of Ebola and heal communities,” Dr. Frieden said. “Businesses can follow Firestone’s excellent example and contribute to the effort to get to zero in this Ebola epidemic.”
From August through October, 2014, 22 patients with laboratory-confirmed Ebola recovered from their illness at the Firestone Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU). During the three days between their first negative Ebola test and a second test confirming that they were Ebola free, survivors were transferred to a recovery room in the ETU and given education and counseling.
Meanwhile, a reintegration team began preparing the survivors’ communities. The team met with the survivors’ neighbors and community leaders, emphasizing that survivors are no longer sick and are Ebola free. On the day of return, Firestone’s medical director, the ETU coordinator, and other medical staff traveled with the survivor to the community accompanied by the reintegration team, radio station personnel, and clergy. Community volunteers decorated the survivor’s home with traditional palm leaves to signify the festive occasion.
Each survivor received a “solidarity kit” including a new mattress, bedding, towels, an insecticide-treated mosquito net, soaps and toiletries, a 110-pound bag of rice, three gallons of cooking oil, toys (for children), clothing, and cash for food and personal necessities. After the reintegration ceremony, the physician-led Firestone medical team visited all survivors at home every week for three months, both for a clinical checkup and to provide social and psychological support.
No major reintegration problems have occurred to date. Reintegration ceremonies continue to be well-attended by dozens of community members, and the events have been celebratory rather than confrontational events.

Hostages Taken In Downtown Sydney Shop.

Article by David Lear with Florida Gazette. 

Sydney, Australia--Police have responded to a downtown Opera House after a call of a reported hostage situation. Police could be seen with weapons drawn at the Lindt Chocolat Café in Sydney, according to one witness. The scene unfolded in the city's financial district where some of the hostages could be seen holding a Shahada flag. Update: Lone Hostage taker among three killed in Sydney cafe siege. New South Wales police commissioner says there were 17 hostages total involved in the Sydney.

Auburn Tight End Jakell Mitchell Dies After Shooting

Article by David Lear with Florida Gazette. Photo by Auburntigers.com
Auburn, AL--Auburn Police were called to an early morning shooting at 12:25 a.m. Sunday. When officers arrived they found 18-year-old freshman Auburn tight end Jakell Mitchell with multiple gunshot wounds to the chest. Mitchell was rushed to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. The shooting took place at the Tiger Lodge apartment complex, a few miles from the Auburn campus.

Auburn Tigers Head Coach Gus Malzahn released the following statement: "I'm devastated and saddened by the passing of Jakell Mitchell. My thoughts and prayers are with Jakell's family and friends, who are suffering through this senseless tragedy. I know the Auburn Family is hurting, especially our players and coaches, and we are going to love and support them through this difficult time. We have lost a member of our family too young, too soon."

Police have arrested Markale Deandra Hear of Camp Hill, Alabama.