August 2, 2026 - Back to School 2026

The Mayfield Minute - August 2, 2026

Good Morning!

Back to School

Next Monday, August 10th, is the first day of the 2026-2027 school year. As the new school year begins, I want to extend my thanks to our wonderful school staff, teachers, and parents. Your dedication and support are invaluable, and we appreciate all that you do to help our children reach their full potential. Whether this is your first year or your final year, we hope it is filled with extraordinary accomplishments and cherished memories.

As school resumes, I encourage everyone to allow extra time in your travels. Safety is the most important priority as we re-acclimate to the increased traffic, school zones, new bus routes, and bus stops.

Below are some back-to-school resources for parents:

For additional information and assistance with bus transportation, click here or contact your child’s school directly.
For the latest updates to the Brevard Public Schools' Dress Code, click here and for the Student Code of Conduct, click here.
For additional information on before or after school programs, whether daily or as a drop-in, click here.
For important dates that may impact your family's schedules, click here to view the 2026-2027 Academic Calendar.

Finally, as a reminder, Florida’s Back-to-School sales tax holiday continues through Monday, August 20th. For a list of eligible items, click here.

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.

If you or someone you know needs my assistance, please do not hesitate to contact my office at (321) 409-2025. My staff and I are here to serve you!

Floridians Making an Impact

Congressman Brian Mast

This week, I am proud to highlight the impact of Congressman Brian Mast who has represented Florida’s 21st Congressional District since 2017.

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in 1980, Congressman Mast graduated high school in 1999 and enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2000. During his 12 years of military service, he rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Congressman Mast served as a combat engineer before becoming an explosive ordnance disposal technician, deploying to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In September 2010, he was tasked with ensuring that a path through the Kandahar Valley was clear of any improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and safe for a team of Army Rangers. While searching, one of the IEDs detonated, costing him both his legs.

For his service and sacrifice, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, and the Defense Meritorious Service Medal. After retiring from the Army in 2012, Congressman Mast worked as an explosives specialist for the Department of Homeland Security and later volunteered with the Israeli Defense Forces.

In 2016, Congressman Mast earned his bachelor’s degree in liberal arts from Harvard University Extension School, with a concentration in economics and minors in government and environmental studies.

In Congress, he serves as Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Additionally, he serves as a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.

Last week, Congressman Mast led a bipartisan House congressional delegation to Venezuela, the first since the capture of Nicolás Maduro, and the first congressional visit to Venezuela in nearly a decade. The delegation met with acting President Delcy Rodríguez to discuss bilateral relations, strategic cooperation areas, transnational organized crime, border security, and drug interdiction efforts.

The congressional delegation’s visit set the stage for a series of critical negotiations between Venezuela’s opposition party and the interim government.

Congressman Mast stated “Thanks to President Trump and the support of the United States, Venezuela now stands at the cusp of a free, democratic future that would have been unthinkable less than a year ago. These negotiations are an important step in making the democratic future Venezuelans demand a reality. But they will only bear fruit if all parties come to the table in good faith and put forward a clear path toward free and fair elections.”

I commend Congressman Mast’s for his courageous military service and sacrifice, and his long-term commitments to Florida’s infrastructure and environment, and our nation’s foreign policy.

Statewide Update

New State Grant Opportunity for Local Government Cybersecurity Protection Programs

The Florida Department of Management Services recently announced a new $15 million grant opportunity for Local Government Cybersecurity Protection Programs.

The program is designed to assist eligible local governments in mitigating and defending against cybersecurity threats, including ransomware incidents. Additionally, the program focuses on development and enhancement of cybersecurity risk management by supporting the delivery of new or expanded technology capabilities.

We encourage all counties and municipalities to consider applying for this important grant to ensure your networks are properly equipped to safeguard the data of your employees and residents.

The deadline to apply is August 31st. The grant application, contact information, and additional details can be found here.

Florida Department of Health Releases New Guidance on Psychotropic Medications for Children Ages 5 to 17

Last week, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo convened a youth mental health roundtable to spotlight the Department of Health’s guidance on psychotropic medications for children ages 5 to 17.

The discussion brought together leaders from education, health care, and behavioral health to emphasize comprehensive evaluations before medication is considered. This included assessing environmental and lifestyle factors and prioritizing psychotherapy and other evidence‑based treatments when appropriate.

“Mental health challenges among youth can affect physical health, academic performance, social development, and overall quality of life,” said Surgeon General Ladapo. “As more families seek support for conditions such as anxiety, depression, and attention-deficit disorders, treatment should be guided by a thorough understanding of each child’s unique circumstances and needs. Parents deserve access to clear information about the benefits, risks, and available alternatives so they can make informed decisions regarding their children’s health.”

During the roundtable, Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun L. Harris noted that Florida Medicaid covers a wide range of services and emphasized that while psychotropic medications can be important when clinically appropriate, they should never replace individual therapy or psychosocial care options.

To read the Florida Department of Health’s Avoidance of Psychotropic Pharmacotherapy in Children age 5-17 Guidance Statement, click here.

Spiny Lobster Regular Season Opens

The 2026 Spiny Lobster regular season opens on Thursday, August 6th and ends on March 31, 2027.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds that those fishing for lobsters are required to have a valid Florida saltwater fishing license, spiny lobster permit, and to be familiar with current lobster harvest regulations.

Harvesters must follow these requirements:

Lobsters must have a carapace length larger than three inches, measured in the water, and a measuring device must be carried at all times.
Egg-bearing female lobsters may not be harvested.
Lobsters must remain whole; separating tails from the body is prohibited.
It is unlawful to use devices that puncture, penetrate, or crush the lobster shell.
Daily bag limit is six per properly licensed individual.

If you are bully netting this season, please direct lights away from homes or people and minimize noise whenever possible.

Divers must stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed flag in open water and within 100 feet when diving near an inlet or navigation channel. Boaters approaching a divers-down flag must slow to idle speed within those distances.

For more information on spiny lobster regulations, click here.

America's 250th Anniversary

Declaration of Independence

Formally Signed 250 Years Ago Today

Two hundred fifty years ago, on August 2, 1776, 49 of the 56 delegates to the Second Continental Congress formally signed the engrossed handwritten parchment copy of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia’s Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall). Although Congress had adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the official signed version was not ready until weeks later.

On July 19, 1776, Congress ordered that the text be “fairly engrossed on parchment” under the title “The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America” and signed by every delegate. The finished calligraphic parchment document still bears the date of July 4, 1776, although the signatures came later on August 2, 1776.

John Hancock, President of the Second Continental Congress, signed first with his famously large signature in the center. The remaining delegates present then signed by state delegation, arranged geographically from north to south (New Hampshire to Georgia).

This formal act transformed the Declaration of Independence into the iconic, signed parchment now housed at the National Archives, symbolizing the colonies’ collective commitment to independence.

Constituent of the Week

Marci Murphy, Executive Director of CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia

Our Constituent of the Week is Marci Murphy, Executive Director of CareerSource Brevard Flagler Volusia (CSBFV), a nonprofit, regional public/private partnership that is part of a statewide network of 21 regions, known as CareerSource Florida.

Ms. Murphy was born and raised in Illinois. She graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a bachelor’s degree in computer management in 1984. In 1985, she moved to Brevard County and began working at Pan Am World Services located at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (formerly Cape Canaveral Air Force Station).

Ms. Murphy joined CareerSource Brevard (now CSBFV) in 2002 as the Youth Program Coordinator. In 2005, she was promoted to Vice President of Operations where she led the planning and information technology departments, managed state and federal contracts, and oversaw programmatic audits and organizational advancement.

In 2016, Ms. Murphy was named President of CareerSource Brevard in recognition of her leadership, technical direction, performance oversight, and long-range planning skills. In July 1, 2024, CareerSource Brevard and CareerSource Flagler Volusia officially merged into a single workforce development board covering the three counties with Ms. Murphy as Executive Director.

As Executive Director, Ms. Murphy leads all federally mandated workforce programs in Brevard, Volusia, and Flagler counties and oversees for CSBFV’s four career centers and four talent centers. Last year, CSBFV served more than 18,702 job seekers, 1,802 Veterans, 1,606 businesses, and placed 1,949 individuals into jobs.

Ms. Murphy is a well-known leading expert in career and workforce development throughout Florida. In May 2026, she was selected as the Toni Jennings Workforce Development Professional of the Year by the Florida Economic Development Council, noting her pivotal role in advancing workforce development across the East Central Florida region. The prestigious award was named after Toni Jennings, Florida’s first female Lieutenant Governor and only Florida Senate President to serve two consecutive terms (1996-2000).

Beyond her responsibilities at CSBFV, Ms. Murphy gives her time and talents to many community and industry organizations, including the Economic Development Commission of Florida’s Space Coast Board of Directors, TeamVolusia Greater Daytona Regional Economic Development Board of Directors, and the Civilian Military Community Relations Council. She is also a member of the Workforce Development Council of the U.S. Conference of Mayors.

Ms. Murphy resides in Melbourne with her husband Philip. She has a daughter and three granddaughters.

SD 19 is grateful to Marci Murphy for her decades of visionary leadership in expanding workforce opportunities, guiding the successful merger of regional boards, and connecting thousands of job seekers and employers across Brevard, Flagler, and Volusia counties.

District Highlights

Public Service Commission Hearing on Florida City Gas

Last week, I was pleased to welcome the Public Service Commission to Brevard County to hear directly from residents impacted by the Florida City Gas requested rate increase.

If you are affected by the proposed rate increase, and were unable to attend the in-person public hearing, I encourage you to join one of the two upcoming virtual hearings on Monday, August 17th at 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

To register, complete the online form here or contact the PSC at (850) 413-7080 or by email at speakersignup@psc.state.fl.us.

Upon registration, you will receive additional information about the virtual hearing and the public comment process. To view the Public Service Commission's hearing notice, click here.

2026 Primary Election Early Voting

As a reminder, early voting for the 2026 Primary Election in Brevard County will take place from Saturday, August 8th, through Saturday, August 15th.

Early voting sites will be open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Secure Ballot Intake Stations (drop boxes) will also be available during early voting hours for voters who wish to drop off their completed mail ballots.

Voters may cast their ballot at any Brevard County early voting site, regardless of their residential address. On Election Day, Tuesday, August 18th, however, voters must vote at their assigned precinct polling location.

For more information on early voting locations, click here.

FDOT Announces Brevard County Transportation Improvement Projects

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) recently announced continued investment in transportation improvements along the I-95 corridor in Brevard County. Working with regional partners, FDOT will begin widening Ellis Road from two to four lanes between John Rodes Boulevard and Wickham Road this Fall.

Additionally, FDOT has also identified two new projects: auxiliary lanes along I-95 from Viera Boulevard to Fiske Boulevard, scheduled to begin in late 2026, and improvements at the I-95 and Malabar Road interchange, scheduled to start in Summer 2027.

For several years, the Viera East Golf Course Community has faced excessive road noise from I-95. I am excited to announce that, as part of the auxiliary lane project, FDOT will construct a new noise wall adjacent to the community from Viera Boulevard to Fiske Boulevard. I greatly appreciate FDOT District 5 for listening to the needs of the community.

For more information about the FDOT I-95 corridor projects in Brevard County, click here.

St. Johns River Water Management District Launches Seagrass StoryMap for Indian River Lagoon

The St. Johns Water Management District (SJWMD) has launched the Seagrass StoryMap, an interactive way to explain the progress of seagrass growth.

New data shows seagrass meadows are coming back to the struggling Indian River Lagoon, which is vital to the recovery of the waterway and the wildlife that rely on it. The Seagrass StoryMap makes that information easier to understand.

“Seagrass is essential to the health of the Indian River Lagoon, and understanding where it is growing, declining or recovering helps guide restoration and management decisions,” said SJRWMD Environmental Scientist Dr. Lorae Simpson. “This StoryMap gives the public an opportunity to explore the science behind our work and see how monitoring, research, restoration projects and partnerships are helping support the lagoon’s recovery.”

In May 2026, the SJRWMD announced that the seagrass is not only expanding but also increasing in density. From 2023 to 2025, the seagrass had an increase of 7,000 hectares or roughly 13,000 football fields.

To learn more about the interactive Seagrass StoryMap, click here.

Upcoming Events

India Day 2026

The Indian Association of the Space Coast will hold their India Day 2026 event on Saturday, August 8th beginning at 4:30 p.m. at the Melbourne Auditorium (625 East Hibiscus Blvd.) in Melbourne.

Tickets for the event are $25 for individuals ages 10 and above. Event activities include a parade and flag hoisting, the Diya Lighting, guest remarks, dinner, and entertainment.

For more information, contact Dhaval Patel at (321) 408-1858.

10th Annual Purple Heart Ceremony

The 10th Annual Purple Heart Ceremony will be held on Sunday, August 9th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Brevard Veterans Memorial Center (400 South Sykes Creek Parkway) in Merritt Island.

The 2026 honorees are:

US Marine Corps Lance Corporal Joseph Holly, Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation Enduring Freedom (1 Purple Heart)
US Army Sergeant Earl Fugleberg, World War II / Korean War (2 Purple Hearts)
US Army Private Ervin Hayward, Vietnam War (4 Purple Hearts)
US Army Sergeant John Juliano, Vietnam (3 Purple Hearts)
US Army Specialist Willie Stephenson, Somalia (1 Purple Heart)
US Army Sergeant Cody Queen, Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation Enduring Freedom (1 Purple Heart)
US Army Sergent M. Mark Duwel, Operation Iraqi Freedom / Operation Enduring Freedom (2 Purple Hearts)
US Army Specialist 5 Tom Feigel, Vietnam (1 Purple Heart)
US Army Sergeant Jim Huckabee, World War II / Korea (2 Purple Hearts)
USMC Corporal Tony Hodge, Vietnam (3 Purple Hearts)

I look forward to presenting these heroes with a framed certificate for their courageous service, sacrifice, and patriotism.

15th Annual Tuxes and Tails Gala: Wicked Fur Good

The Brevard Humane Society's 15th Annual Tuxes and Tails Gala: Wicked Fur Good will be held on Saturday, August 22nd from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Radisson Resort at the Port (8701 Astronaut Blvd.) in Cape Canaveral.

Event highlights include Mindy from Lite Rock 99.3 serving as emcee, fine dining, live entertainment featuring Cirque-style acrobatic performers from the Historic Cocoa Village Playhouse, and a live auction.

General admission tickets are $175 and sponsorships are available. All proceeds benefit the Brevard Humane Society and their lifesaving work in providing shelter, medical care, and housing for vulnerable animals in need.

For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

Florida Toys and Expos' Melbourne Collectorfest 2026

Florida Toys and Expos will hold a Melbourne Collectorfest 2026 on Sunday, August 23rd from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Hilton Melbourne (200 Rialto Place) in Melbourne.

The Melbourne Collectorfest 2026 will be Florida Toys and Expos' first show in Melbourne and will feature 7,000 square feet of vintage and modern toys, video games, comics, artwork, classic board games, diecasts, and more. Well-known brands such as Barbie, Pokemon, Nintendo, Sony Playstation, Hot Wheels, Star Wars, Marvel, American Girl Dolls, and Transformers will be available.

Ticket prices range from $10 to $15 for ages 13 and over; children 12 and under are free of charge.

For more information, click here.