Heart & Hustle

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Play Smart: The Push for Heart Screenings

As a parent of two student athletes and a coach, I can tell you—there’s a very thin line between working hard and overworking, especially in the Florida heat. We push our kids to excel, to go the extra mile, to out-hustle the competition. But sometimes, what's happening inside their bodies isn't as obvious as a limp or a sore muscle.

That’s why the bill sitting on Governor DeSantis’s desk might be one of the most important laws you haven’t heard about.

Senate Bill 1070, also known as the Second Chance Act, would require all student athletes to undergo an electrocardiogram (EKG/ECG) before they can participate in school sports—not just games, but tryouts, conditioning, and practices too.

It comes after a string of terrifying incidents where students collapsed on the field, including Ansel Laureano at Leto High School in Hillsborough County. Thanks to fast action from a coach and a deputy, Ansel survived. But not everyone is that lucky.

An EKG is quick (10–15 seconds), painless, and could detect deadly heart conditions before they become headlines. Pediatric cardiologists say it’s a game-changer—catching issues that may not show up through symptoms like dizziness or chest pain.

The law would also push for partnerships with groups to provide these screenings at low or no cost. In fact, AdventHealth already offers them for just $15.

We love our sports here in Southshore. But no parent should have to trade peace of mind for a game. Let’s hope this bill becomes law—because every athlete deserves a second chance.

Things to do

What’s Washing Up on The Shore This Week

Tastes Like Chicken. But You’ll Have to Catch it First.

It’s time to earn the name…Florida Man. Because nothing says state pride like legally wrestling a prehistoric swamp monster with more teeth than restraint.

Yes folks, it’s that magical time again—Alligator Harvest Season is nearly here, and Florida is opening the floodgates (literally) for both the classic Alligator Harvest Program and the newer, high-stakes Alligator Super Hunt. If you’ve ever looked at a 10-foot gator and thought, “Yeah, I could take him,” this is your moment.

Applications are now open through June 2, and it's just $5 to throw your name in the hat. Winners get the chance to harvest up to two gators between August 15 and December 31—for a fee, of course: $272 for Florida residents or a cool $1,022 if you're from out of state. Gator glamour doesn't come cheap.

But as thrilling (and very Florida) as it sounds, not everyone’s on board.

Supporters say the hunts are necessary to control Florida’s booming alligator population. With more gators encroaching on neighborhoods and golf courses (because obviously), it’s both public safety and ecosystem balance. Plus, it's big business—boosting tourism and the local economy.

Critics, on the other hand, argue that the hunts are more about recreation than necessity. Animal rights advocates warn it promotes cruelty and say non-lethal methods of population control should be expanded before sending weekend warriors into the swamps with harpoons.

Still, gator management isn’t new—this has been going on since 1988. And with limited permits (just 15 in Hillsborough and 6 in Pinellas), odds are competitive. But if you're eyeing the Super Hunt, you can enter as many times as you want to boost your chances.

No hunting license required, just a strong stomach and a willingness to explain to your boss why you’re showing up to Monday’s Zoom meeting in camo with a bite mark.

Ready to wrestle the swamp? Apply now at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com — because in Florida, even the wildlife comes with a challenge rating.

AROUND TOWN

Local Sports

The school year’s winding down — but the energy? Still going strong.
Summer programs are around the corner, so get ready to put that momentum to good use.

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