Florida man bloodied after hospital attack on officer
#CrimeNews #FloridaFlorida man Ronald Jeffery Johnson, 51, faces charges after attacking a police officer in a hospital, leaving both injured. His mugshot shows severe bruising and blood. He also had an active Georgia warrant for terroristic threats. read more
Florida Executes 74-Year-Old for 1976 Teen Murder
#DeathPenalty #FloridaFlorida executes 74-year-old Harold Gene Lucas for the 1976 murder of teen Jill Piper, who rejected him. He waived appeals, saying he was tired after 50 years on death row. Two more executions are scheduled this month. read more
Wildwood Florida Tops Nation in Retiree Population Growth
#Retirement #FloridaWildwood, Florida, tops retirement growth with a 256% rise in residents 65+, now 47% of its population. Affordable homes, amenities, and proximity to The Villages attract seniors. Florida hosts 11 of the 30 fastest-growing retirement towns. read more
Florida executes 13th inmate, leads nation in executions
#DeathPenalty #FloridaFlorida executes William Frances Silvia for the 2006 murder of his estranged wife, marking its 13th execution this year. The state leads U.S. executions under Governor DeSantis, with two more scheduled in September. read more
Florida house of horrors: Four kids rescued, four arrested
#Florida #ChildNeglectFlorida authorities rescued four children from a flea-ridden "house of horrors" with urine, feces, and black mold. Four adults were arrested for child neglect; the baby is now thriving. read more
Florida woman keeps racy license plate after family vote
#Florida #LicensePlateA Florida woman, 76, was stunned to receive a license plate reading "SQZ A55," initially going ballistic. After a 16-1 vote by loved ones, she kept it, joking she might enjoy the honks. read more
Flo Rida Backlash After Trump Show, Dem Endorsement
#FloRida #PoliticsFlo Rida endorsed Democrat Bernard Taylor for Congress after facing backlash for performing at Trump's state fair. The rapper drew a large crowd despite controversy, as other artists withdrew from the Freedom 250 event over political concerns. read more
Florida woman killed by 12-foot alligator in shallow water
#AlligatorAttack #FloridaBrittany Clark, 31, was killed by a 12-13ft alligator while swimming in three feet of water in Florida. Her boyfriend fought the gator, but she died. Friends called her “selfless and loving.” Two alligators were captured and killed. read more
Florida woman killed by alligator in shallow water
#AlligatorAttack #FloridaBrittany Clark, 31, was killed by a 12-13ft alligator while swimming in three feet of water in Florida. Her boyfriend fought the gator but she died. Friends called her "loving and selfless." Two alligators were captured and killed. read more
Florida taxpayers fund $2.75M Trump airport renaming
#Florida #TrumpAirportFlorida taxpayers will provide $2.75 million to rename Palm Beach airport after President Trump, covering uniforms and signage. The $5.5 million project faces lawsuits over safety concerns and political opposition. read more
Clearwater approves Scientology hall, residents sue
#Scientology #FloridaClearwater residents threaten lawsuits after city council approved vacating a downtown street for a Church of Scientology auditorium, citing property and community concerns over public space loss. read more
Florida woman killed by dogs despite 14 complaints
#DogAttack #FloridaA Florida woman was mauled to death by two pit bulls after neighbors reported the owner 14 times. The owner faces manslaughter charges, highlighting failures in animal control laws and prior warnings. read more
Human skull found at Florida thrift store, second such case
#Florida #ThriftStoreA real human skull was donated to a Florida thrift store, mistaken as a novelty item. Authorities seek the donor. This marks the second such discovery in the state, following a 2023 case. read more
"Republican Randy Fine Wins Florida House Seat Special Election"
#Florida #HouseofRepresentativesRepublican Randy Fine won a special election in Florida, replacing a Trump advisor, despite a strong challenge from Democrat Josh Weil in Trump-dominated territory, securing the GOP's House majority. Fine's success indicates ongoing Democratic competitiveness in off-year elections. read more
Tragic Florida Incident: Child Dies After Drinking Apple Juice
#Florida #MethamphetamineA five-year-old boy tragically dies after drinking apple juice laced with meth, leading to the arrest of his mother, Heather Fawn Opsincs, who now faces charges of aggravated manslaughter. The incident took place in a Florida hotel room where the child was left unattended. read more
Duke Advances to Final Four with Dominant Win Against Alabama
#Duke #FloridaKhaman Maluach of Duke lifts the trophy after defeating Alabama in the NCAA Tournament's East Regional final. Duke's win secured their 18th Final Four appearance. In another matchup, the top-seeded Florida Gators overcame a nine-point deficit to emerge victorious against Texas Tech. read more
Sargassum bloom linked to atmospheric tipping point, study reveals
#Florida #SargassumBloomsFlorida scientists have identified a key atmospheric change in the Atlantic Ocean around 2009 as the trigger for massive toxic sargassum blooms causing environmental and health crises in the Caribbean. The blooms, fueled by deep-sea nutrients, have harmed marine life and tourism. read more
Tragic Dive Fatality in Florida's Twin Caves Spurs Rescue Mission
#Florida #CaveDivingA scuba diver died in a Florida cave dive at Twin Caves, with two others rescued and a search launched. Rescue diver faced zero visibility but located the victim. Diver's cause of death is being determined. read more
Florida Minister Faces Charges for Fatal DUI Crash After Release
#Florida #DUIcrashFlorida minister Nicholas Betancourt faces charges for causing a fatal car crash that killed a mother and injured her three children, just hours after being released for a DUI arrest. The minister tested positive for multiple drugs and faces various charges. read more
Florida House proposes bill changing restaurant tipping rules and removal.
#Florida #RestaurantTippingA new Florida bill, HB 535, may change tipping at restaurants by requiring transparency on who receives gratuity or service charges and disclosing percentages. The proposed law aims to prevent mandatory tipping for poor service and to limit automatic charges for groups. read more
Florida House Bill Would Change Restaurant Tipping Rules and Disclosure
#Florida #TippingCultureA new proposed Florida bill, HB 535, could change tipping practices in restaurants by requiring transparency on who receives gratuity, allowing customers to refuse payment if service is unsatisfactory, and limiting automatic charges to groups of six or more. read more
Florida GOP Pushes to Lower Gun Ownership Age to 18
#Florida #GunLawsFlorida Republicans are moving to lower the legal age of gun ownership from 21 back to 18, an effort triggered by the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Support and opposition for the bill were voiced during a recent committee meeting. read more
Woman Dies in DUI Golf Cart Accident at Florida Retirement Community
#Florida #DUIincidentA woman visiting Florida's Villages retirement community died after falling out of a golf cart driven by a man charged with DUI manslaughter. The driver swerved to avoid a parked car, causing the fatal incident. The Villages is known for its use of golf carts. read more
False alarm at Corry Station Naval Air Station in Pensacola
#Florida #CorryStationPolice responded to a reported "active shooter" situation at Florida's Corry Station, but no injuries were found, leading authorities to deem the claim unfounded. The Naval Air Station Pensacola gates remained closed as the investigation continued. read more
Florida Officers on Leave in Triple Homicide Domestic Violence Case
#Florida #DomesticViolenceBroward County sheriff places seven officers on leave after mishandling a domestic violence case leading to a triple homicide. The victims included Mary Gingles, her father, and a neighbor, while Mary's daughter was kidnapped but later found unharmed. read more
Florida Residents Embrace Backyard Chicken Farming Amid Rising Egg Prices
#Florida #BackyardChickensIn Florida, homesteaders are turning to backyard chicken farming to combat high egg prices amid the bird flu outbreak. Despite conflicting laws, some areas are embracing the trend, with the American Poultry Association highlighting both challenges and benefits. read more
Florida Bill Aims to Ban Harmful Chemical Additives in Treats
#Florida #FoodSafetyFlorida considers bill SB 560 to ban additives like Yellow 5 and Blue 1 found in Skittles and other treats, citing health concerns. The legislation would require food producers to remove the additives by January 1, 2028. read more
"Wildlife Thrives in Florida Sewer System, Study Reveals Abundance"
#Florida #UrbanWildlifeA study finds numerous alligators and other animals using Florida's sewer system, raising ecological urban planning possibilities. Scientists utilize camera traps to study 35 vertebrate species navigating the pipes, highlighting the need for further research to protect trapped wildlife. read more
Herpes B Virus Found in Wild Florida Monkeys: Take Precautions
#Florida #HerpesBVirusWild rhesus macaque monkeys in Florida are carriers of the Herpes B virus, which can be deadly if transmitted to humans through scratches or bites. Experts warn against approaching or feeding these monkeys and advise seeking medical attention if exposed. read more
"Florida's Wild Macaque Monkeys Test Positive for Deadly Herpes B"
#Florida #HerpesBWild rhesus macaque monkeys in Florida carry the deadly Herpes B virus, transmitted through bites or scratches. With increased sightings, experts advise not to feed them and to stay away. Residents should report sightings to the wildlife alert hotline. read more
Florida Republicans Reject Governor DeSantis's Immigration Plan, Back Trump Policies
#Florida #ImmigrationDebateFlorida Republicans rebuke Governor DeSantis's immigration plan by halting his proposed crackdown and pursuing their own legislation aligned with Trump's policies. The legislature appoints a state immigration officer who reports to them, not DeSantis, in defiance. read more
"Florida Basketball Coach Cleared of Allegations After Title IX Investigation"
#Florida #TitleIXFlorida basketball coach Todd Golden was cleared of stalking and harassment allegations after a Title IX investigation found no evidence to support the claims. The school supported him, mentioning a commitment to privacy and integrity, amidst ongoing cases against assistant coach Taurean Green. read more
Florida Principal Arrested After Hosting Alcohol-Fueled Party for Kids
#Florida #SchoolPartyArrestFlorida elementary school principal arrested after hosting alcohol-fueled party with over 100 kids at her home, leading to child neglect charges. An intoxicated teacher at the party was also arrested. read more
Florida Issues "Gulf of America" Weather Advisory Amid Naming Controversy
#Florida #GulfofAmericaFlorida is the first state to use the term 'Gulf of America' in an official weather advisory, aligning with former President Trump's sentiment. Trump plans to rename the Gulf of Mexico formally, which has historical roots dating back to the Aztec civilization. read more
Florida Man Arrested for Vandalizing Neighbor's Pro-Trump Display
#Florida #USPoliticsLee Jonathan Farber, 55, was arrested in Florida for tearing down a pro-Trump flag and sign from his neighbor's fence, claiming he felt intimidated. The signs belonged to a registered Republican neighbor and expressed pro-Trump sentiments. read more
Police chase dogs responsible for fatal attack on Florida boy
#Florida #PoliceChaseBodycam footage from Volusia Sheriff's Office in Florida captures police chasing two dogs responsible for attacking and killing an eight-year-old boy. The young boy was fatally injured while trying to pet the dogs, leading to a tragic incident. read more
Eight-year-old Florida Boy Killed by Dogs: Owner Facing Charges
#Florida #DogAttackAn eight-year-old boy in Florida was fatally attacked by dogs while biking in his neighborhood. The sheriff aims to charge the dog owner and have the dogs destroyed. Residents had reported the dogs' history of roaming and aggressive behavior. read more
Florida Teacher Arrested for Showing Explicit Photos to Elementary Students
#Florida #teachercrimeA 60-year-old former substitute teacher in Florida, Gayle Wessell, was arrested for showing elementary students sexually explicit photos. Police found hundreds of explicit images on her phone, leading to her arrest on six counts of showing obscene material to minors. read more
Concerns Over Robert F Kennedy Jr as Health Secretary Rise
#Florida #TrumpAdministrationDr Joseph Ladapo’s controversial tenure as Florida’s surgeon general, marked by unorthodox views on vaccines and public health, serves as a cautionary tale for what might happen if Robert F Kennedy Jr is confirmed as health secretary. read more
Two bodies found in JetBlue plane's wheel well in Florida
#JetBlue #FloridaTwo bodies were discovered in the wheel well of a JetBlue plane that had landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood airport in Florida after a routine inspection. This marks the second recent incident of bodies found in a plane's landing gear compartment. read more