Sen. Scott pushes FCC to keep Chinese drone makers on security blacklist

U.S. Senator Rick Scott is urging the Federal Communications Commission to maintain Chinese drone manufacturers DJI and Autel on its "Covered List" of communications equipment deemed a national security risk, according to a letter the Florida Republican sent to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr on Monday.

Scott, who secured passage of the Countering CCP Drones and Supporting Drones for Law Enforcement Act as part of last year's National Defense Authorization Act, argues both companies pose unacceptable security threats through data exfiltration to the Chinese Communist Party and unfair trade practices. "Not only do DJI and Autel present unacceptable national security risks through data exfiltration risks and their support to America's adversaries, but they have also been subsidized by the CCP, enabling them to destroy American manufacturing businesses," Scott wrote.

The senator contends that since 2015, China has flooded global markets with artificially low-priced drones from these manufacturers, driving American competitors out of business and undermining the U.S. drone supply chain. Scott's letter objects to the companies' legal challenges to their placement on the FCC's list, which effectively bans their products from U.S. markets. He has spent years pushing federal agencies to restrict Chinese drone technology from government and military use.

Early Voting Begins in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties

Early voting is underway in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties ahead of the Nov. 3 General Election.

Voting began Monday morning and continues through Saturday, Oct. 31.

Early-voting locations in both counties are open daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Escambia County has 10 early-voting sites, including the Supervisor of Elections Office in downtown Pensacola, Main Library, Brownsville Community Center, Bellview Library, Southwest Library and the University of West Florida.

Additional Escambia locations are available at Asbury Place, the county Extension Services office in Cantonment, Molino Community Center and the Billy G. Ward Courthouse in Century.

Santa Rosa County has six locations available in Milton, Pace, Gulf Breeze and Navarre.

Unlike Election Day, voters do not have to use their assigned neighborhood precinct during early voting. Registered voters can cast a ballot at any early-voting site within the county where they are registered.

Voters should bring an accepted photo and signature identification.

The deadline to request that a vote-by-mail ballot be mailed to a Florida voter is 5 p.m. Thursday.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Plant City Sergeant Honored for Life-Saving CPR Response

A Plant City police sergeant has been recognized by Senator Ashley Moody for his quick thinking and lifesaving actions in September.

Sgt. Billy Harvester responded to a call on September 19 for an unresponsive man at a residence. Upon arrival, Harvester found the man in cardiac arrest and immediately retrieved an AED (automated external defibrillator) from his patrol car. He applied the device, which delivered a shock to restore the man's heart rhythm, then performed CPR until the patient began breathing on his own.

Moody presented Harvester with a Florida's Finest Award, which recognizes law enforcement officers and citizens for extraordinary lifesaving efforts. "Law enforcement officers have to be ready to face anything when the call comes in—and Sgt. Harvester showed he was ready and capable," Moody said in a statement.

Harvester's decisive action—including his foresight to bring the AED into the residence before assessing the patient—proved critical to the man's survival. The patient's condition improved significantly before paramedics transported him from the scene.