Gov. DeSantis Signs New Congressional Map
(Tallahassee, FL) --Governor DeSantis has signed the new congressional map. It could shift the delegation balance from 20-to-eight to 24-to-four in favor of Republicans. Democrats and voting rights groups have already announced plans to bring the maps to court.
Driskell Criticizes Republicans For Special Session
(Tallahassee, FL) --A state lawmaker from Tampa doesn't think the special session in Tallahassee did much good. Governor Ron DeSantis called the session to draw a new congressional map, pass the Artificial Intelligence Bill of Rights and a bill allowing for more vaccine exemptions. He got a new map, but none of the others. Tampa Democratic State Representative and House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell says Republican infighting cost taxpayers a lot of money and a lot of time. She also tells News Channel 8 the special session failed to address quality of life issues that would lower costs and make life more affordable.
Polk County Man Accused Of Beating Child
(Bartow, FL) --A Polk County man is facing child abuse charges. The sheriff's office announced yesterday Davenport's Andre Brown, Jr. was arrested Sunday. Deputies say he was watching three children when he started beating a five-year-old boy.The children in the home reportedly told investigators Brown was mad at the boy for being gay, and he slammed the boy to the ground multiple times. Investigators say the boy had marks on his body indicating he was hit with a belt, and he also had a fractured right wrist. Brown allegedly told deputies he wanted to beat the gay out of the boy, and that led to a hate crime charge.
Teacher Arrested For Battery In Miami-Dade County
(Homestead, FL) --A teacher is facing charges for an incident with a student in Miami-Dade County. Homestead Police announced yesterday Michael Alvarez was arrested for taping a child's mouth shut at First United Methodist Christian School on North Krome Ave. Alvarez is charged with simple battery.
Spirit Airlines Employees Discuss Shutdown
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) -- Spirit Airlines employees aren't just dealing with the loss of their jobs, but also a sense of family. That's what former employees said yesterday outside the company's headquarters in Broward County. A flight attendant says everyone showed up because they're all family, and another employee says she's going to miss that feeling so much. Another flight attendant says it's unfortunate things ended the way they did, and they didn't deserve what Spirit did to them by laying them off with just an email. She tells CBS News Miami they haven't been told anything about severance, health insurance or unemployment assistance.
Scalpers Resell Pokemon Pop-Tarts At Massive Markups
(Undated) --Scalpers are making it hard for fans to catch them all during a new Pokemon promotion at Target.Pokemon-themed Pop-Tarts, which retail for about three-dollars, are being sold for as much as 25-dollars per box amid high demand and limited supply. Other merchandise, including jackets and bags, is also being flipped for hundreds of dollars above retail. Some attempts have also been made to sell stolen in-store displays, though sales have not done well. The promotion has led to shortages in stores nationwide, with many items selling out shortly after release. A second wave of Pokemon merchandise is expected to hit stores in early June.
Today in History
1999, the Swiss-British team of Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones set an official record by becoming the first team to circle the Earth non-stop in a hot-air balloon. The international aeronautics body FAI said the duo neither refueled or stopped during their journey, adding that Jones and Piccard had traveled farther, faster, and longer by balloon than anyone.
1994, American teenager Michael Fay was caned in Singapore for vandalism. Fay's controversial sentence was reduced from six lashes to four after U.S pleas.
1961, astronaut Alan B. Shepard became America's first space traveler as he made a 15-minute suborbital flight aboard the Freedom Seven capsule.