Second Child Dies In Osceola County Crash
(Kissimmee, FL) -- A second child is dead after a family vacation turned tragic in Osceola County. Eleven-year-old Jackson Smith died yesterday from injuries he suffered in Tuesday's crash near Kissimmee on SR 429. His five-year-old sister, Scarlett, mother Julie and grandmother Josephine Fay were killed in the crash, and four other family members were hurt when their van was rear-ended by a pickup truck near Sinclair Road. FHP says the Smith family was visiting Disney on vacation from Massachusetts.
Motorcyclist Killed In Crash
(Melbourne, FL) -- A truck driver appears to be at fault for a crash that killed a motorcyclist in Brevard County. The truck and motorcycle collided yesterday morning in Melbourne near US One and Sarno Road. Police say the truck pulled in front of the motorcycle driven by Indian Harbour Beach 22 year old Bronson Austria who died at the scene. Police say the 72-year-old truck driver from Melbourne violated Austria's right of way.A traffic homicide investigation is underway.
USF Researchers Using Science To Judge Democratic Debate
(Tampa, FL) -- USF researchers could tell us who the real winner was of the recent Democratic debate. More than 30 students and professors gathered on campus last night to watch the debate in Las Vegas as part of a study. Researchers attached sensors to the viewers' hands to gauge their reactions to each of the candidates, and the goal was to see which candidate had the most impactful messaging. They haven't announced a winner yet, but researchers tell Fox 13 News studies like this can change the way politicians address voters in the future.
Minister Trying To Get Pardon For Former Congresswoman
(Orlando, FL) -- Some recent presidential pardons could be encouraging news for an inmate in Sumter County. Former Jacksonville-area Congresswoman Corrine Brown is in a federal prison in Coleman for fraud, but Orlando realtor John Crossman, who also does prison ministry, believes Brown is due for a pardon. President Trump recently pardoned some high-profile nonviolent offenders, like former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.Crossman believes other nonviolent offenders, like the 73-year-old Brown, don't belong in prison either. Crossman also recently told Channel 9 a pardon for Brown could be good for Trump's reelection chances.
Appellate Court Upholds Challenge To Ex-Felon Voting Law
(Atlanta, GA) -- A federal appeals court is siding with a lower court ruling in blocking Florida's new law restoring voting rights to ex-felons. The law requires former felons to pay court fees and fines before they can register to vote. A three-judge panel from the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta found Florida can't deny ex-offenders the right to vote if they are genuinely unable to pay all legal financial obligations. Governor Ron DeSantis plans to ask for a review by the full appellate court.
Man Looking Into Homestead Detention Center Has Visa Revoked
(Washington, DC) -- A group trying to investigate how migrants were treated in Miami-Dade County are dealing with what it calls a roadblock. Forensic Architecture founder Eyal Weizman revealed yesterday that the State Department revoked his visa and stopped him from flying from London to Miami. He was planning with Miami Dade College's Museum of Art to investigate the Homestead detention center, where unaccompanied minors were held last year. A college official tells the Miami Herald despite the setback, they're still committed to investigating the center.
Miami-Dade Commission Approves Renaming Dixie Highway
(Miami, FL) -- A controversial street name change is moving forward in Miami-Dade County. The county commission voted unanimously yesterday to rename parts of Dixie Highway as Harriet Tubman Highway. Commissioner Dennis Moss says Tubman represents the opposite of what the name Dixie stood for, but some residents spoke out against the change. The state legislature needs to approve the change before it becomes official.
NASCAR Driver Newman Released From Hospital After Daytona 500 Crash
(Daytona Beach, FL) -- NASCAR driver Ryan Newman is out of a Volusia County hospital after a terrifying crash at the Daytona 500. He walked out of Halifax Health Medical Center yesterday just two days after Monday's fiery wreck on the last lap of the race. There's no word on when Newman will return to racing.
Peeps Rolls Out Five New Flavors For Easter
(Bethlehem, PA) -- Peeps is releasing five new marshmallow flavors. They include chocolate pudding bunnies and root beer float chicks. The Froot Loops cereal flavor is headed to Target along with a marshmallow that tastes like the Delights raspberry coffee creamer.
Michigan Border Agents Find Jarred Brain Inside Mail Truck
(Port Huron, MI) -- Border agents in Michigan have seized a rather unique shipment before it made its way into the U.S. Agents at the border crossing in Port Huron discovered that a mail truck was carrying a brain inside of a mason jar. The jar, labeled "Antique Teaching Specimen," was being shipped from Toronto to Kenosha, Wisconsin. The mail truck was stopped as part of a routine inspection. Agents seized the brain as it did not have proper import documentation.
New Hampshire Police Chief Disrobes When Stripped Of Duties
(Croydon, NH) -- A New Hampshire police chief adhered to his firing by stripping off his clothes. The Union Leader reports that the Board of Selectmen in Croydon voted to dissolve Chief Richard Lee's position, ordering him to surrender his cruiser and uniform. In protest, Lee resigned to the order immediately, handing in his keys and stripping down to his boots and underwear. The former police chief then left walking out into a snowstorm before his wife picked him up nearly a mile later. Lee was head of the small town's one-man police department. He plans to discuss the firing and options with his attorney.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2013, former Illinois Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. pled guilty to campaign finance fraud. He was accused of improperly using 750-thousand dollars in campaign funds to live a lavish lifestyle.
1962, astronaut John Glenn became the first American to orbit Earth.
1944, the "Batman and Robin" comic strip appeared in newspapers for the first time.
1895, abolitionist and educator Frederick Douglass died in Washington, D.C.
1792, President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act.