Florida Church Leader Arrested In Forced Labor Scheme
(Tampa, FL) -- A woman from Hillsborough County is one of two church leaders who are facing charges in a nationwide forced labor and money-laundering scheme. Michelle Brannon was arrested near Tampa, while David Taylor was taken into custody in North Carolina. They're accused of using forced labor to solicit tens-of-millions of dollars in donations for the Kingdom of God Global Church. The funds were allegedly used to buy expensive cars and properties.
FL Joins National Coalition Against Predatory AI Interactions
(Tallahassee, FL)-- Florida is joining 45 other states demanding that AI companies stop predatory interactions with children. The state attorneys general say their letter addresses reports of AI chatbots engaging in sexually inappropriate conversations with kids. They're demanding that company policies for AI products include guardrails against sexualizing children. The letter was sent to multiple companies, including Apple, Google, and Microsoft.
Volusia County Church Under Investigation For Abuse
(Ormond Beach, FL)-- A Volusia County church is the subject of an investigation. Ormond Beach Police announced Tuesday it's investigating abuse allegations at Riverbend Community Church. The investigation that started last week also involves Riverbend Academy. No details have been released. Police are asking any possible victims to come forward.
Florida CFO To Subpoena Orange County Officials
(Orlando, FL) -- The state isn't happy with the answers it's getting about how Orange County is spending tax dollars. Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia said yesterday the county withheld documents from DOGE inspectors this month, and he issued subpoenas to county employees. Specifically, Ingoglia says county employees hid funding for DEI programs. Governor Ron DeSantis says the county tried to manufacture evidence of discrimination toward those getting government contracts so they could push for DEI-based equal outcomes. When concerns were raised, Ingoglia says employees gave shady, incomplete and scripted answers. Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings denies the allegations. He tells the Orlando Sentinel the county fully cooperated with DOGE, and no one was instructed to alter, change, or delete any documents.
Alligator Alcatraz To Be Emptied
(Tallahassee, FL)-- Alligator Alcatraz will soon be empty. That's what Florida Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie recently wrote in an email to the South Florida Interfaith Community. According to ABC News, he writes "we are probably going to be down to zero individuals within a few days. "A federal judge yesterday denied a request to keep the immigrant detention facility in the Everglades open. Federal and state officials issued that request after the same judge ruled last week the facility should close. The judge says the government couldn't prove the facility was necessary to ease overcrowding, and its claims that closing it would be costly were speculative.
FDOT Orders Removal Of HillsCo School Crosswalks
(Tampa, FL) -- Some colorful crosswalks outside Hillsborough County schools are due to be removed. FDOT recently identified more than a dozen crosswalks that are no longer compliant with state law and must be painted over. The Tampa Bay Times reports most of the crosswalks were painted as part of Tampa Mayor Jane Castor's Crosswalks for Classrooms project. FDOT praised the program five years ago and gave the city an award for it. This week, though, Governor Ron DeSantis said street art had gotten way out of control and safety was being compromised.
Fort Lauderdale City Commission Votes To Keep Pavement Art
(Fort Lauderdale, FL)-- Fort Lauderdale and the state could be headed for a showdown over street paintings. FDOT has ordered the city to remove its pavement art, but the city commission refused yesterday in a unanimous vote. District 2 Commissioner Steven Glassman says the state's demand is totally ludicrous. Local 10 News reports the commission also voted to hire an attorney in case this turns into a legal battle.
Today in History
2005, residents in New Orleans were forced to evacuate their homes and seek refuge in the city's Louisiana Superdome as Hurricane Katrina bore down on the state of Louisiana.
1963, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., delivered his famous "I Have a Dream" speech at a civil rights rally in Washington, D.C.
1922, the first radio commercial was broadcast on WEAF in New York City. The commercial was for an American estate agent, Queensboro Realty.