Cherfilus-McCormick Resigns Ahead Of House Ethics Hearing
(Washington, DC)-- Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick is resigning. The South Florida Democrat made the announcement today, ahead of a House Ethics hearing. She faced over two-dozen violations tied to her alleged use of COVID relief funds. The lawmaker was supposed to go before the House Ethics Committee this afternoon, but she released a statement on "X" minutes beforehand.Cherfilus-McCormick called the accusations against her "political games" and said she's choosing to step aside. Her criminal trial is delayed until next year.
Brevard County Murder Suspect Dies By Lethal Injection
(Raiford, FL) -- A man who killed a woman in Brevard County is dead. The state executed 58-year-old Chadwick Willacy by lethal injection last night at Florida State Prison. He was sentenced to death for killing his neighbor in Palm Bay in 1990 during a burglary.This was the fifth execution in Florida this year.
Orange County Commission Votes To Restrict ICE's Access To Jail
(Orlando, FL) -- Orange County officials may find themselves at odds with the Trump administration.The county commission voted yesterday to restrict ICE's access to the county jail on 33rd Street. ICE will still be able to use the jail, but detainees will only stay for up to 48 hours unless ICE files for an extension. Local critics of President Trump have pushed the commission to take this step for about a year. Commissioner Kelly Martinez Semrad says this move appeases those critics as best as they can.
Kissimmee Officials To Be Investigated For Possible Ethics Violations
(Kissimmee, FL)-- Two Kissimmee officials will be investigated for ethics violations.The City Commission voted yesterday to ask a judge to assign a special prosecutor to investigate Mayor Jackie Espinosa and Commissioner Janette Martinez. The two are accused of providing special treatment and misusing their positions. Espinosa's family got 50-thousand dollars from a city program set up to help those affected by COVID. Martinez is accused of having a conflict of interest because she owns a food truck and supported food truck permits.
HillsCo Woman Could Get Death Penalty For Killing Two Men
(Tampa, FL) -- A woman accused of killing two men could get the death penalty. Hillsborough County State Attorney Suzy Lopez announced yesterday she'll seek the death penalty against Susan Avalon. She allegedly shot her ex-boyfriend to death in Tampa and her ex-husband in Manatee County on the same day in December. Lopez says the Tampa killing on Frierson Ave qualifies for the death penalty in part because it was cold, calculated, premeditated, and was committed during a burglary. The 51-year-old Avalon is due in court in July.
Virginia Eliminates Tax Exemptions for Confederate Groups
(Norfolk, VA) -- Virginia is eliminating tax exemptions for groups tied to the Confederacy. Governor Spanberger recently signed the bill into law that would get rid of the tax-exempt status for groups like the Daughters of the Confederacy. Spanberger also signed a bill that would discontinue a specialty license plate with Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Confederate groups in the state are largely opposed to the new law calling it discriminatory.
Red Sox Fans Threatened NY Yankees Pitcher
(Undated) -- New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler said he and his family have received death threats from Red Sox fans. He's a Walpole native who grew up rooting for Boston. He pitched New York to a playoff win over the Sox last season and said he's looking forward to his Fenway Park debut this Thursday night. Schlittler told the New York Post he compared the threats to normal trolling from fans and he has not felt the need to get the police involved.
Today in History
2021, President Joe Biden pledges to cut U.S. carbon emissions by 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 at a virtual climate summit.
2000, in a dramatic pre-dawn raid, armed immigration agents seized Elian Gonzalez from his relatives' home in Miami. The six-year-old Cuban boy at the center of an international custody battle was reunited with his father at Andrews Air Force Base near Washington.
1898, the Spanish-American War began when the U.S.S. Nashville captured a Spanish merchant ship off Key West, Florida.