Circuit Judge Ari Porth recently traveled to Washington, D.C. to serve on a panel regarding the nation’s opioid crisis. As one of two Seventeenth Circuit’s Circuit Drug Court judges, Judge Porth was one of four panelists presenting to members of Congress and the public about how innovative partnerships between the court system, academia, and others are leading to effective prevention and treatment strategies to combat the crisis. Combating the Opioid Crisis, Treatment to Enforcement: Best Practices & Collaboration also offered advice on successful solutions and addressed gaps in the current system and ways to improve them.

Miami Dolphins center Mike Pouncey visited the central courthouse yesterday to talk to juveniles about his life’s ups and downs, as a way to inspire them to choose the right path. “Dolphin Day” began more than a decade ago with former Judge Howard Zeidwig planning visits by Dolphins players to the juvenile delinquency division every few months to give pep talks and real-world advice to the youth. The program stopped when Judge Zeidwig passed away, but Judge Stacy Ross revived the program within the past few years, with the help of Judge Zeidwig’s son, attorney Gary Zeidwig.

The visit by Mike Pouncey was an informal question and answer conversation in which the football star stressed the importance of hard work, staying out of trouble, learning from mistakes and staying focused on future goals. To the children who asked the “really good” questions – signed footballs, of course.