Alligator Alcatraz Can Remain Open
(Undated) --Alligator Alcatraz in the Florida Everglades can remain open. The U.S. Court of Appeals has ruled the immigration detention center is not required to undergo an environmental review. It ruled the facility was constructed by state officials using state funds and is not subject to federal oversight. The decision overturns a previous order to close the facility within 60 days. Despite the ruling, environmental groups say they'll continue their fight to shut down the facility.
Immigration Law Firm Charged With Racketeering In Orange County
(Orlando, FL) --A law firm in Orange County that specializes in immigrants is accused of being a criminal enterprise. The sheriff's office announced yesterday the couple behind Legacy Imigra in Orlando are charged with racketeering, organized fraud, extortion and unauthorized practice of law. Sheriff John Mina says Vagner Soares De Almeida, his wife, Juliana Colucci, and two associates stole 20 million dollars from their clients who were trying to become citizens. Mina accuses the couple of getting rich through a business model built on manipulation, fraud, lies and extortion of those least able to defend themselves.Most of the firm's clients were from Brazil, and Mina says they got no closer to realizing their dreams of becoming Americans. So far, investigators have identified seven alleged victims, who have lost up to 26-thousand dollars, but Mina believes there could be hundreds more.
Woman Accused Of Attacking Officer Over Parking Ticket
(Sanford, FL) --A woman is facing charges after a dispute over a parking ticket turned violent in Seminole County. Sanford Police arrested Cecilia Viloria for Tuesday's incident outside city hall. She was upset that she got a parking ticket, threw the ticket onto a police car, got into her car and allegedly drove toward code enforcement officer Julio Medina and two co-workers. Medina told WESH 2 yesterday they had to literally jump out of the way, and thankfully, no one was hurt. Viloria is charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
Questions Surround IVF Mix-Up
(Melbourne, FL) --A Brevard County couple could be involved in an unprecedented custody dispute. Tiffany Score and Steven Mills used in-vitro fertilization to have a baby, but when the girl was born, she wasn't their biological child. The Melbourne couple announced this week baby Shea's biological parents have been identified, but Score and Mills still want to raise the child as their own. It could lead to a custody dispute with the biological parents, and at least one lawyer thinks the case would be the first of its kind in Florida. Fort Lauderdale attorney Ashley-Ann Clement says the central question is whose embryo was this. Another question is who intended to raise the child, but above all, Clement tells Channel 9 the case's outcome could be based on what's in the best interest of the child.
Betting Site Busts Politician
(New York City, NY) -- A congressional candidate in Texas has been busted for trying to bet on himself to win an election. This happened on the website Kalshi, which allows for wagering on politics. They said in a statement that they contacted the candidate, who admitted he broke the rules and paid a fine. Kalshi did not say who the candidate was, but said it was in the race for a district that stretches from San Antonio into the Hill Country.
Today in History
1985, the Coca Cola Company announced it was changing the 99-year-old secret formula for the world's best-selling soft drink. The move turned out to be an unpopular with classic Coke fans and the company soon changed its mind and brought back the original version.
1956, the United States Supreme Court put an end to racial segregation on buses.