| The Mayfield Minute - July 12, 2026 |
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U.S. Men’s National Team's Historic Performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup
The U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) just wrapped up one of their strongest World Cup performances in recent memory, reaching the Round of 16 in the knockout stage before being eliminated. This is the furthest the USMNT has progressed in the World Cup since 2002, when the team advanced to the quarterfinals after defeating Mexico 2-0 in the Round of 16.
Led by head coach Mauricio Pochettino, the United States opened this year’s tournament with victories over Paraguay and Australia, marking the first time the USMNT had won multiple group stage matches since 1930. In the first match of the knockout stage, the USMNT defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 2-0 despite having one less player than the opposing team for the final 30 minutes, following a controversial red card issued to Folarin Balogun.
Led by star-players like Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie, this team's performance inspired national pride, and captured the attention of millions of Americans. The USMNT's success comes at a meaningful moment for our nation as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As Americans reflected on the country’s history and looked toward its future, the USMNT gave the nation another reason to celebrate.
While it is disappointing to have been eliminated from this year's tournament, the team's historic performance has proven to the world that we have what it takes to be serious competitors in the international competition. I look forward to seeing the team's continued growth and success in future tournaments.
Additionally, as a host nation for this year's tournament, the United States hosted millions of fans who traveled across the world to watch their countries compete for the FIFA World Cup Title. Florida hosted seven matches at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.
I consider it a great honor to represent District 19. Please share this link with your friends and family so they too, can sign up for the Mayfield Minute. |
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FWC Urges Residents and Visitors to Remain "CrocWise and GatorWise"
As we enjoy the great outdoors during the summer months, it is important to remind ourselves of how we can prevent dangerous interactions with wildlife. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) published a guide to remaining “CrocWise and GatorWise” during peak activity season, which runs from May through October. Florida is the only place in the world where American alligators and American crocodiles coexist in the wild.
According to FWC, the major distinguishing characteristics are that alligators have a rounded U-shaped snout and show only upper teeth when their jaws are closed, while crocodiles have a narrow V-shaped snout and show both upper and lower teeth. Alligators live in freshwater lakes, rivers, and wetlands statewide, whereas crocodiles inhabit coastal brackish waters and saltwater areas in South Florida.
To stay safe, FWC advises keeping a safe distance, swimming only in designated areas during daylight, and keeping pets leashed and away from the water’s edge. Additionally, FWC advises never feeding alligators or crocodiles, which can causes the animals to lose their natural fear of people and associate humans with food. Anyone who is concerned about a potentially dangerous alligator can contact the Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 866-FWC-4286.
This reminder comes as Florida continues to see serious alligator incidents. Last month, a 31-year-old woman was killed by an alligator while swimming in the Econlockhatchee River in Seminole County, underscoring the importance of GatorWise and CrocWise safety practices.
For more information, click here.
Attorney General Files Lawsuit Against TikTok for Failure to Comply with State Law
As you may be aware, the Florida Legislature has passed several laws over the past few years to protect our children online. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier recently filed a lawsuit against TikTok, alleging the popular social media platform violated state law by allowing minors to create accounts, misleading parents about the app’s risks, and deliberately targeting children and teenagers.
The complaint accuses TikTok of violating HB 3 - Online Protections for Minors (2024), which went into effect on January 1, 2025. This law banned children under the age of 14 from creating social media accounts and requires children ages 15 and 16 to acquire parental consent to create an account.
The lawsuit also alleges that TikTok is violating the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act by deceiving parents about the safety and appropriateness of the content their children will have access to.
TikTok advertises itself on the app store as being appropriate for children over the age of 13 and characterizes mature themes as “mild” and “infrequent”. The lawsuit alleges that mature themes are present frequently on the app in graphic detail.
Finally, the lawsuit claims that TikTok deliberately preys upon addictive behaviors, which children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to experiencing.
To read the full text of the lawsuit, click here.
Commissioner Simpson Applauds Historic Funding for Agricultural Land Protection
This year, I was proud to support a historic $425 million in the 2026-2027 state budget to protect agricultural lands from development through the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. This is the largest single-year investment in the program’s history.
The investment includes an allocation of $200 million to preserve agricultural operations and an additional $225 million for large projects over 6,000 acres that have not previously received funding. This dual-track approach allows the state to support both small family farms and major conservation tracts.
Highlighting the record funding, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson stated “Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature understand that supporting agriculture means supporting our food supply, our economy, our environment, and our way of life. I’m grateful for the continued partnership and unwavering support of FDACS’ mission to serve Florida families, farmers, ranchers, and consumers.”
Many of Florida’s working farms and ranches are located within the Florida Wildlife Corridor, where they support food production, aquifer recharge, and wildlife habitat. Commissioner Simpson credited the Florida Legislature and Governor DeSantis for prioritizing land conservation and strengthening Florida’s domestic food supply.
Since 2022, Commissioner Simpson has helped secure more than $1.1 billion for the Rural and Family Lands Protection program. I strongly support the preservation of our land and wildlife in Florida.
To view more agriculture funding highlights from the 2026-2027 state budget, click here. |
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| America's 250th Anniversary |
America 250 on Florida’s Space Coast Trail
The Space Coast Office of Tourism has launched a new interactive “America 250” Trail to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States, highlighting Brevard County’s unique contributions to American history and culture.
The interactive “America 250” Trail is a limited‑time, app‑driven experience guiding residents and visitors to 13 historic sites across Brevard County.
The trail encourages participants to explore locations that showcase the region’s role in the space industry, civil rights history, and natural conservation. Visitors who check in at five or more sites earn an exclusive America 250 Mission Patch.
Featured stops include the Harry T. & Harriette V. Moore Memorial Park and Museum, Valiant Air Command Warbird Museum, Cape Canaveral Lighthouse, American Space Museum and Walk of Fame, Juan Ponce De Leon Landing, and many others.
Participants can enroll in the digital passport on the Space Coast Passports Portal to track your visits and unlocks rewards.
To get started on the “America 250” Trail through Brevard County, click here. Follow the prompt to “Learn More and Earn Your Patch.” Select “America 250 on Florida’s Space Coast” to view the 13 participating locations.
America250 Celebrations Continue at Brevard County Libraries
The Brevard County Library System and the League of Women Voters of the Space Coast have joined together for a series entitled, "Celebrate America 250 -- The Basics." Each event will cover a topic reflecting American values including democracy, separation of powers, equality, and civil rights.
The goal of the project is to improve civics knowledge through civil discourse as the United States celebrates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The program features guest speakers providing historic background drawn directly from our nation's foundational documents.
The event schedule is as follows:
· Saturday, July 18th from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Eau Gallie Public Library (1521 Pineapple Avenue) in Melbourne. Guest Speaker: Dr. Annabelle Conroy will lead a discussion on Democracy.
· Saturday, August 29th from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Satellite Beach Public Library (751 Jamaica Blvd.) in Satellite Beach. Guest Speaker: Dr. Christopher Spinale will lead a discussion on the Separation of Powers.
· Saturday, October 24th from 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Franklin T. DE Groodt Memorial Library (6475 Minton Road) in Palm Bay. Guest Speaker: Dr. Robert Cassanello will lead a discussion on Equality and Civil Rights.
All events are open to the public. Registration is requested, but not required and can be completed here. |
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Captain John Murray, CEO of the Canaveral Port Authority and Member of the International Maritime Hall of Fame
Our Constituent of the Week is Captain John Murray, CEO of the Canaveral Port Authority and recent inductee to the International Maritime Hall of Fame.
After earning his B.S. in Nautical Science from the Maine Maritime Academy in 1979, Captain Murray began his career as a third mate at Lykes Bros. Steamship Company, a general cargo operator. Captain Murray rose through the company's seafaring ranks before moving ashore to hold executive positions.
In 1997, Captain Murray served as Vice President of Operations for Lykes Lines Limited following an acquisition by CP Ships. Captain Murray was part of the CP Ships leadership team that oversaw one of the most transformative consolidations in the container shipping industry. CP Ships merged nine container shipping companies into a single entity, which was subsequently merged into Hapag-Lloyd AG, one of the top five global container shipping companies.
From 2006 to 2016, Captain Murray served as President and CEO of Hapag-Lloyd USA, the U.S. subsidiary of Hapag-Lloyd AG. In this role, he managed the company’s U.S. Flag fleet and commercial operations, including end-to-end transportation services supporting U.S. government agencies.
In 2016, Captain Murray was selected to serve as the CEO of the Canaveral Port Authority. During his ten-year tenure with Port Canaveral, Captain Murray has provided the vision and strategic direction that has transformed Port Canaveral into one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse deepwater seaports. He has shaped the long-term strategic mission of the Port, overseeing nearly $1 billion in capital improvements and directing operational enhancements that have elevated the Port’s performance to historic heights, tripling revenues from $77.7 million in 2015 to a record $218 million in 2025.
Captain Murray is a member of the National Cargo Bureau and the American Bureau of Shipping. Additionally, he has served on the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, as well as the U.S. Transportation Command Executive Working Group.
He has testified before the U.S. Congress about cargo preference and the importance of the Maritime Security Program to the United States. He is a lifelong advocate for the Jones Act, a federal law that regulates domestic maritime trade, and for the U.S. Flag fleet of deep-sea ships.
Additionally, Captain Murray is a U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain, a member of the National Defense Transportation Association, the Navy League of the United States, the Council of American Master Mariners, and the International Propeller Club.
He has been honored with numerous awards including Florida Trend Magazine’s “500 Most Influential Business Leaders,” Orlando Sentinel’s “50 Most Powerful People,” and most recently, inducted into the International Maritime Hall of Fame. Captain Murray’s induction recognizes his distinguished maritime career spanning five decades and his leadership, vision, and unwavering dedication to advancing the maritime industry.
SD 19 is grateful for Captain John Murray’s steadfast leadership, deep maritime expertise, and unwavering commitment to Port Canaveral which strengthens the port, elevates the industry, and exemplifies a lifetime of service to our nation’s maritime community. |
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Space Coast Pro Soccer Announces Proposal for Stadium Near Melbourne Orlando International Airport
Space Coast Pro Soccer plans to bring professional soccer to the Space Coast with a proposed 8,000‑seat stadium on a 53.8‑acre site near Melbourne Orlando International Airport, at the intersection of NASA Boulevard and Broadband Drive. The site plan depicts a 48-foot-tall stadium, 2,667 parking spaces, and 10 commercial buildings.
The team (currently unnamed) will compete in the United Soccer League (USL), marking a significant expansion of professional sports in Brevard County.
Thomas Bonner, of Space Coast Pro Soccer, says the goal is to create a destination venue not only for soccer matches but also for concerts and large events. The complex will also be equipped with meeting spaces and event venues for the local community.
Mr. Bonner recently announced that Orlando City coach Adrian Heath will serve as the club’s first manager. Coach Heath's experience includes two USL championships and overseeing Orlando City’s transition to Major League Soccer.
The stadium is projected to open in time for the 2028 USL season, though the proposal must still pass multiple public hearings and receive approval from Melbourne’s Planning & Zoning Board.
Port Canaveral Achieves Green Marine Certification for 10th Consecutive Year
Last month, Port Canaveral announced the achievement of the port's 10th consecutive Green Marine certification marking a decade of recognized environmental leadership and sustainability across its operations. The certification highlights Port Canaveral's continued commitment to responsible environmental practices and its efforts to improve performance beyond regulatory requirements.
“Achieving this international certification year after year reflects our continuous commitment to operate responsibly and with respect for the natural resources that make our region such a special place,” said Captain John Murray, Port Canaveral CEO.
Green Marine is a voluntary international environmental certification program for ports, seaways, terminal operators, shipyards, and vessel owners. Participants are evaluated on indicators such as air emissions, greenhouse gases, aquatic ecosystems, community impacts, spill prevention, stormwater management, underwater noise, and waste management. Certification requires annual self‑assessments and third‑party verification every two years.
On June 1, 1953, Congress officially authorized the creation of Port Canaveral as a deepwater port on Florida’s east coast. Fifty years ago, in 1976, Port Canaveral welcomed the Norwegian SS Royal Viking Sky, marking the first cruise ship arrival in the port’s history.
Today, Port Canaveral is the world’s busiest cruise port, handling 8.6 million cruise passenger movements and over 6.1 million tons of cargo annually. |
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2026 Moon Festival at Kennedy Space Center
The 2026 Moon Festival, celebrating the 57th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 historic moon landing, will be held on Friday, July 17th through Sunday, July 19th at the Kennedy Space Center (Space Commerce Way) in Merritt Island.
The event features vintage photo ops, live performances by The Vocalitas, interactive activities in the Space Shuttle Atlantis, lunar rover photo ops at the Apollo/SaturnV Center, "Apollo to Artemis" presentations, and a Salute to America pyrotechnics show (Friday and Saturday) only.
The 2026 Moon Festival activities are included with daily admission tickets: $77 for individuals ages 12 and older, and $67 for children ages 3 to 11.
For more information, click here.
Meg O’Malley’s World Cup Street Party
Meg O’Malley’s will host a World Cup Street Party on Saturday, July 18th from 2:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. and Sunday, July 19th from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. in Downtown Melbourne (812 East New Haven).
The event features the final World Cup matches on a 20-foot mega screen, live DJ’s, live music by the LIGHTS OUT PROJECT, outdoor bars, drink specials, games, giveaways, and family-friendly activities.
For more information, click here.
6th Annual First Responders Appreciation Spaghetti Dinner
The Azan Shriners Center will hold their 6th Annual First Responders Appreciation Spaghetti Dinner to honor Brevard County first responders on Saturday, July 18th from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at two locations:
· Azan Shriners Center (1541 Eau Gallie Blvd.) in Melbourne
· North Brevard Shrine Club (545 North Washington Avenue) in Titusville
First responders from the southernmost communities to the northernmost point of Brevard County can stop by either location for a complimentary dinner in person, pick up a meal to-go, or register for a delivery.
Non-first responders are invited to attend for a $10 donation.
For more information, call (321) 259-5302.
Green Gables "Murder on Route 66" Mystery Dinner
The Green Gables "Murder on Route 66" Mystery Dinner will be held on Saturday, July 25th at 6:00 p.m. at the Italian American Club (1471 Cypress Avenue) in Melbourne.
Dinner tickets are $40 and a cash bar will be available. Attendees are encouraged to wear their favorite 1960's themed attire and to reserve a spot in advance as space is limited.
To purchase tickets online, click here. |
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Contact Information
Melbourne Office
900 East Strawbridge Avenue,
Suite 408,
Melbourne, FL 32901
321-409-2025
Tallahassee Office
400 South Monroe Street,
302 Senate Building,
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1100
850-487-5019
Staff
Yvette Campbell
Christian Chesnut
William Gooden
Kelli Lane |
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