DeSantis Announces Plan To Reopen Schools
(Viera, FL) -- Florida schools now have a roadmap to reopen at full capacity. Governor Ron DeSantis was in Brevard County yesterday where he announced a plan to allow schools to reopen by August. He said at the press conference in Viera that many details will be left to local officials. DeSantis also announced a billion dollars from the CARES Act will be used for reading programs and other efforts to close achievement gaps.
MDPD Director Announces Ban On Sleeper Hold
(Miami Gardens, FL) -- Miami-Dade Police are turning calls for change into action. Police Director Freddy Ramirez announced yesterday that officers will no longer use the choke or sleeper hold on suspects. Ramirez says he made the change to show the community that law enforcement is listening. Broward County still allows such holds but only when deputies are authorized to use deadly force.
Dania Beach Mayor Open To Defunding Police
(Dania Beach, FL) -- A mayor in Broward County appears open to defunding police. Protesters marched through Dania Beach yesterday calling for police reforms. One request is to use some money in the police budget on youth and mental health programs. Mayor Lori Lewellen told protesters she's bringing their request to the right people to make sure it gets put into law.
Black Police Union Wants Miami Chief Fired
(Miami, FL) -- An alleged comment from the past is coming back to haunt Miami's police chief. The union that represents black police officers in the city called yesterday for Police Chief Jorge Colina to be fired. The head of the Miami Community Police Benevolent Association claims Colina used the 'N' word 23 years ago during a training session, but there's no recording, and a written reprimand in Colina's file doesn't specify the word he used. Colina tells the Miami New Times he didn't use the word, and he calls the allegation disgusting.
Virtual St. Pete City Council Meeting Crashed By 'Hateful Cowards'
(St. Petersburg, FL) -- St. Petersburg's mayor blames what he calls hateful cowards for crashing a virtual city council meeting. Mayor Rick Kriseman says during yesterday's online meeting, viewers used the public comment period to make racist comments and death threats. Kriseman says he was mentioned in one of those threats, and police are investigating. He also says those attempting to agitate and be hurtful should feel shame, and they're not welcome in St. Pete.
Florida Man Fights Off Alligator Attacking His Dog
(Wesley Chapel, FL) -- Trent Tweddale says he was walking six-year-old dog Loki at his Wesley Chapel farm when they stopped at a river and an alligator lunged at the dog. When the 13-foot-long gator grabbed his front paws, Tweddale got into a "tug of war match" with the reptile until he jumped in and started punching it in the head. The alligator eventually let go, but Loki's front leg was nearly severed. He is now recovering from surgery. Tweddale says he has set a trap with help from the Florida Fish and Wildlife service.
Study: Human Eggs Choose 'Best' Sperm
(Undated) -- A new study shows that a woman's eggs are especially judgmental when it comes to picking sperm for fertilization. In the study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society, Swedish researchers found in 16 couples that eggs released chemicals to attract certain sperm, even if it wasn't from their partner. They say the selectiveness may be a way to find genetic compatibility, but only about 18-percent of sperm ever even pick up on the chemoattractants. The researchers conclude that this biological imperative could seek out sperm with more diverse genes, which would boost a baby's immune system.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2018, President Trump and North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un met at a historic summit in Singapore. It was the first ever meeting between the leaders of the United States and North Korea.
2016, Orlando experienced the deadliest mass shooting in U.S. history at Pulse nightclub. At final count, the ISIS-inspired attack on the gay nightclub left 49 people dead and over 50 others injured.
1994, Nicole Brown Simpson, the former wife of former football great O.J. Simpson, was found murdered along with her friend Ronald Goldman outside of her Los Angeles home.
1967, the Supreme Court struck down state laws prohibiting interracial marriages.
1939, the Baseball Hall-of-Fame was dedicated in Cooperstown, New York.