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Rise in Florida's HIV infections more noteworthy than a celebrity's confession

 
Published Nov. 30, 2015

A celebrity grabs headlines when he says he's HIV positive, but it's the rise in Florida's HIV infections that needs attention.

The state Department of Health says Florida had 5,821 new HIV infections in 2014, a 27 percent increase from 2012.

The AIDS Service Association of Pinellas, a member of Empath Health, hosts a prayer luncheon in St. Petersburg at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, World AIDS Day, at the Empath Health Community Service Center: 3050 First Ave. S.

We call it World AIDS Day, but need to remind people, especially young adults and teens, it's not a disease limited to foreign lands and promiscuous stars. …

When law enforcement came under scrutiny and officers died in the line of duty, the bluelives hashtag grew in popularity.

But if blue lives matter to the populist, there should be an outcry against the two proposed bills: open carry and guns on state university campuses. Both are widely opposed by the heads of law enforcement agencies.

Back the admonition with action. Write your legislators. …

Seen on a poster at Village Inn: Stressed? Spell It Backwards For The Cure. …

If God randomly scooped up 32,000 Americans between the ages of 18-24, I'm certain one good placekicker would be in the lot. But somehow the University of Florida couldn't find one decent kicker among its undergraduate enrollment. Sigh. …

I'm a big fan of the Eagles. I enjoy Journey, and Bon Jovi's Livin' On A Prayer always rocks. But do we need five local stations playing 80s rock and none playing today's adult R&B and some classic soul on FM? It's an annual lament, but I'm waiting for someone to fill the void. I know it'll work.

That's all I'm saying.