DeSantis Holds Lead After Recount (Tallahassee, FL) -- Despite a recount, Ron DeSantis still has a relatively comfortable lead in the governor's race. In a recount yesterday, Democrat Andrew Gillum picked up one vote, and DeSantis now leads by more than 33-thousand votes or point-four-one percent. That's enough to avoid a manual recount, but Gillum claims there are still thousands of ballots that have yet to be counted. While the former Sixth District congressman lost a vote in the recount, fellow Republican Rick Scott added 41 votes to his lead over Democratic Senator Bill Nelson. Bill Nelson's hopes of retaining his senate seat could hinge on what happens in Miami-Dade County. A hand recount started last night in Doral at the Elections Department office. The recount must be done by Sunday.
Teen Indicted For Mom's Death (DeLand, FL) -- A Volusia County teenager will be tried as an adult for killing his mother. Prosecutors announced yesterday that 15-year-old Gregory Ramos was indicted yesterday as an adult for first-degree murder. The University High School student is accused of choking to death 46-year-old Gail Clevenger at their home in DeBary two weeks ago. Two teenaged accomplices will also be charged as adults.
SpaceX Conducts 18th Launch Of 2018 (Cape Canaveral, FL) -- SpaceX can celebrate a historic rocket launch. A Falcon 9 rocket took off, successfully, yesterday from Cape Canaveral carrying a communications satellite for Middle East broadcasters. The satellite is the first to bring amateur radio transponders this high into orbit. The launch was SpaceX's 18th of the year, which is tied for the most it has ever had.
Runcie Testifies Before MSD Commission (Sunrise, FL) -- A change could be coming to protect students in Broward County in the event of another school shooting. Superintendent Robert Runcie testified yesterday before the panel investigating February's deadly shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School. Runcie said he would ask the school board to require a hard corner be built in classrooms to hide students and teachers during a shooting. He said he'll also investigate why bathrooms were locked, which prevented some students from hiding in there during the shooting. Broward County SRO Scott Peterson did not appear yesterday before the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Public Safety Commission. The board investigating the deadly school shooting subpoenaed Peterson to explain why he didn't enter the school during February's shooting.
Buying "12 Days Of Christmas" Gifts Will Cost A Pretty Penny (Undated) -- Shoppers who may be interested in buying all of the items included in the classic holiday carol "12 Days of Christmas" will have to pay a hefty price. The 35th annual PNC Christmas Index lists the current price tag at just over 39-thousand-dollars. That's about 450-dollars more than last year. The increase is less than the governments Consumer Price Index, which increased 2-point-five percent in the same year-over-year period. Some of the items that have gotten more expensive since last year include a Partridge, Geese-a-Laying and Lords-a-Leaping.
State Police In Maine Capture Loose Pig Along Interstate (Palmyra, ME) -- A pig is safe in Maine thanks to the help of state police. Officers say they were called to an area along Interstate 95 the day before yesterday in Palmyra to help corral an unruly suspect. The Department's Facebook page has a picture posted showing officials using a rope to safely take the animal into custody. Two officers worked with animal control to get the big brown swine off the highway and put it on a trailer.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
1982, a 57-day-old NFL strike came to an end.
1966, Dr. Sam Sheppard was acquitted in his second trial of charges he murdered his pregnant wife. His story was the subject of the television show and the film "The Fugitive."
1963, the touch-tone telephone was introduced.
1959, the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical "The Sound of Music" opened on Broadway.
1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state of the union.