Gov. DeSantis Taps AG Moody To Finish Rubio's Senate Term
(Orlando, FL) --Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is heading to Washington. Governor Ron DeSantis appointed Moody to replace Marco Rubio in the U.S. Senate. The Plant City native and former Hillsborough County judge was first elected as Florida's top law enforcement officer in 2018. She was reelected in 2022. Moody will serve out the remaining two years of Rubio's term. Rubio is President-elect Trump's pick for secretary of state.
Florida Age Verification Law To Remain In Effect
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A Florida law requiring age verification for access to adult websites will remain in place. A federal judge made the decision to place a hold on a lawsuit challenging the legislation while a similar case plays out in the U.S. Supreme Court. The nation's highest court heard arguments yesterday in connection to a Texas lawsuit filed by an adult-industry organization claiming the measure violated the First Amendment. Back in the Sunshine State, the law will remain in place until July 3rd or until the Supreme Court issues a ruling in the Texas case, whichever happens sooner.
South Florida Judge Accused Of Misconduct
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) -- A South Florida judge is at-risk of facing penalties in connection to misconduct allegations. The state Judicial Qualifications Commission has submitted recommendations to the state Supreme Court regarding Broward County Circuit Judge Stefanie Moon. She is accused of reminding an attorney during court that he had not returned a phone call in connection to her re-election campaign last year. The attorney involved was allegedly worried that his failure to return the judge's call would negatively impact his clients. The commission is asking the state's highest court to reprimand Moon for her inappropriate comment.
NTSB Releases Report Into Lake Eola Drone Incident
(Orlando, FL) -- More details are out on a drone incident that hurt a child in Orlando. The NTSB yesterday released a report on last month's incident at Lake Eola. During a holiday drone show, a drone fell out of the sky and hit a seven-year-old boy. His mom says he had open-heart surgery but is recovering. According to the report, technical problems started happening shortly after the show began. That caused some drones to collide and fall to the ground. The NTSB says five drones landed in the lake and were not recovered.
UF Prof Sues State Over Anti-DEI Law
(Miami, FL) -- A University of Florida professor is suing the state over its attempt to ban DEI on college campuses. The ACLU of Florida announced yesterday it filed a federal lawsuit challenging SB 266 on behalf of six professors. The law passed in 2023 bans colleges and universities from funding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. The ACLU says the law curtails academic freedom and violates the First Amendment. UF Political Science Professor Dr. Sharon Austin is the lead plaintiff. She says the vague and overly broad language of SB 266 forces educators to self-censor and deprives students of a comprehensive education. She adds the lawsuit is about preserving the right to learn and teach without political interference.
Illinois Man Accused Of Throwing Cat Feces At Homes Of Trump Supporters
(DeKalb, IL) -- An Illinois man is accused of throwing bags of cat feces at the homes of Donald Trump supporters. James Walker faces 13 counts of littering and 13 counts of disorderly conduct. The DeKalb County Sheriff's Office says Walker targeted five homes in three separate townships. The crimes began last March. Police say Walker would slow down in front of a home displaying a Donald Trump flag, throw a bag of cat feces in the yard and speed away.
Today in History
2006, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the federal government could not stop Oregon's assisted suicide law. The court voted six-to-three that the government can't prevent doctors from helping terminally ill patients in Oregon end their lives.
1977, convicted murderer Gary Gilmore was executed by firing squad in Utah.