Special Session On Florida Budget Set For Mid-May
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida lawmakers are returning to Tallahassee to pass a state budget.House and Senate leaders say they've reached an agreement on top-line spending levels, clearing the way for formal negotiations. The special session will run from May 12th through May 29th. Leaders say the final budget will be smaller than the current one, with a focus on long-term stability, lower taxes, and paying down debt.During that session lawmakers could temporarily suspend the state's 22-cent gas tax to help alleviate pain at the pump. The current state average for a gallon of regular unleaded gas is four-40, according to Triple-A.
Florida P&L Preps For Hurricane Season
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida largest power company is preparing for the upcoming hurricane season.Officials at Florida Power and Light say they've inspected all poles, hardened nearly three-quarters of their feeders, and buried about two-thousand miles of lines. Last week, crews staged a mock hurricane drill, simulating how they would respond if a major hurricane slammed into Florida and devastated the power grid. The Atlantic hurricane season begins on June 1st.
Tampa Woman Accused Of Dumping Aunt's Body
(Tampa, FL) -- A Tampa woman is accused of concealing her aunt's death to collect the woman's Social Security and pension benefits. The federal Justice Department announced last week Rebecca Stewart Vaughn was charged with wire fraud and theft of government money. She allegedly collected 75-thousand dollars in federal benefits after dumping her aunt's body in the woods off Ramblewood Road in Lutz.Prosecutors believe 78-year-old Jacquelyn Cirone died in July. Her remains were found in August, and Vaughn was arrested last month.
USF Health Expert Discusses Hantavirus Outbreak
(Tampa, FL) -- The hantavirus outbreak should not affect any plans you may have to go on a cruise.That's what University of South Florida College of Public Health Dean Dr. Sten Vermund said recently. Over half-a-dozen cruise ship passengers contracted hantavirus last month after departing Argentina, and three have died.Dr. Vermund says it's an alarming event, but the risk in Florida as a whole is minimal. He also says this hantavirus outbreak is a unique event, and there's no evidence being on a typical cruise increases the risk of hantavirus.Dr. Vermund also tells Tampa Bay 28 hantavirus does not routinely spread from person-to-person, and this is the first outbreak ever reported on a cruise ship.
Cherfilus-McCormick Discusses Running Again
(Sunrise, FL) -- We may not have seen the last of Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. The former congresswoman was in Sunrise last night for a gathering of local Democrats. She says she plans to run for the District 20 seat she resigned from last month. Cherfilus-McCormick is accused of misusing COVID relief funds.
Newsom Diaper Program Facing Criticism
(Sacramento, CA) -- California Governor Gavin Newsom's new program to provide free diapers to parents of newborns is drawing criticism from political opponents. Republican candidate for governor Steve Hilton argues the program's costs do not add up, claiming the state is overpaying for the diapers. Hilton also questioned the state's partnership with Baby2Baby, alleging ties to Newsom's wife. Newsom announced the 20-million-dollar initiative Friday, calling it the first statewide program of its kind in the nation.
Today in History
1982, The U.S. Football League was formed.
1978, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced it would alternate between men's and women's names when naming hurricanes.
1908, Wireless Radio Broadcasting is patented by Nathan B. Stubblefield.
1831, the nation's first indicted bank robber, Edward Smith, was sentenced to five years hard labor at Sing Sing Prison.