SCOTUS Blocks FL Immigration Law
(Washington, DC) -- The U.S. Supreme Court is blocking Florida from enforcing its new immigration law. The legislation, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, would criminalize undocumented immigrants who enter the state. The Supreme Court upheld a federal district judge's ruling that the law interferes with federal immigration policy. Similar laws in other states have also been blocked.
Illegal Gambling Investigation Involving Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez Covers Five Casinos
(Lake County, FL) -- Newly released court documents show the illegal gambling investigation involving Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez covers activity at five different casinos .Lopez has pleaded not guilty to racketeering and conspiracy to commit racketeering for allegedly collecting illegal payments while operating a now-shuttered gaming room in Kissimmee. Investigators have also gathered records related to at least four other Lake County gaming rooms, including Dreamer's Arcade in Clermont and Jungle Hut in Leesburg. Authorities raided Dreamer's Arcade last summer and seized roughly 100 illegal gambling machines and 45-thousand dollars in cash. It remains unclear how Lopez and his co-defendants may be connected to the additional locations.
CSX Lays Off Dozens
(Jacksonville, FL)-- A Fortune 500 company in Jacksonville is handing out pink slips. CSX announced on Thursday that 125 managers were being laid off to support a company-wide realignment. The holding company employs about 23-thousand people. The move comes after CSX stock moved up only one percent in the first half of the year.
Punta Gorda Teacher, Coach Federally Indicted For Child Pornography
(Punta Gorda, FL)-- A Punta Gorda teacher is federally indicted on child pornography charges. Thirty-six-year-old Dagoerto Pena was arrested in April on accusations that he committed sexual battery on a student. Pena was arrested again this month before being indicted Thursday on federal charges of production, receipt, and possession of child pornography. Pena is a former basketball player who also served as the Charlotte County High School basketball coach.
Registration Open for 2025 Florida Python Challenge
(Miami, FL) -- The 2025 Florida Python Challenge gets underway this weekend. It's July 11th through July 20th in the Everglades. The event is held each year to help the state battle the growing number of invasive Burmese pythons in South Florida. Last year, nearly 200 snakes were removed from the Everglades.
Rainbow Crosswalks In Jacksonville Could Be Removed
(Jacksonville, FL)-- The rainbow crosswalks throughout Jacksonville could soon be a thing of the past. A new memo from the Florida Department of Transportation has ordered that the crosswalks be removed. The agency has put out a directive saying such unique crosswalks could lead to distractions or misunderstandings, which could put both pedestrians and drivers in danger. LGBTQ+ advocates say the effort to remove the crosswalks is just another attempt by the Trump administration to eliminate the idea of inclusion.
Today in History
2019, the last Volkswagen Beetles were produced. That ended the car's 80 year run.
1985, Doctor Harlan Stone announced the practice of using zippers instead of stitches on some patients.
1944, Franklin Roosevelt announced he will run for a fourth term as President of the United States.
1804, Aaron Burr, the third Vice President of the United States, shot former Treasury Secretary Alexander Hamilton to death in their infamous duel at Weehawken, New Jersey.