Governor Scott, Cabinet Members Hold Emergency Meeting Tonight (Tallahassee, FL) -- Governor Rick Scott and three cabinet members held an emergency meeting last night to create new method of restoring felon voting rights. Last month, a federal judge determined the current method for restoring rights is arbitrary, open to racial or political bias, and unconstitutional. If an appeal of the judge's order isn't granted, Governor Scott has to have the changes ready to go by today.
Rape Suspect Denies Charges (Orlando, FL) -- A UCF student accused of rape is out of jail and vowing he won't return. David Kirk posted bail yesterday and was allowed to leave the Orange County Jail. On his way out, the 20-year-old talked about the charge against him and said he is 100-percent innocent. Kirk is one of two suspects accused of raping a woman at an off-campus party last week while the woman says she was drunk and unable to consent.
DCF Was Warned About Mom Who Stabbed Kids (Quincy, FL) -- DCF is accused of ignoring warnings before a Quincy woman apparently stabbed her two children. Relatives of Quincy's Carolyn Brown say they called DCF twice over concerns about Brown's mental state. The more recent call was two weeks before Gadsden County deputies say she tried to kill her eight-month and one-year-old children this week. The relative recently told the "Tallahassee Democrat" DCF bears responsibility for failing to prevent the attack.
Rockledge Homeowner Told To Remove Rainbow Flag (Rockledge, FL) -- A Brevard County resident is being told to take down her rainbow flag. Jenifer Raymond lives in Ashwood Lakes in Rockledge, and she recently got a letter from a member of the HOA board asking her to take down her rainbow flag that symbolizes gay pride. The letter claims allowing her to fly that flag would lead to people flying other flags considered offensive, like the Confederate flag. Raymond is still flying the flag, and another HOA board member tells Channel 9 that letter writer does not speak for the entire board. IT DOESN’T MATTER WHA BOARD MEMBERS THINK OR SAY…WHAT DO THE HOA DOCUMENTS SAY?
Raccoon Attacks Woman (Tampa, FL) -- A Tampa woman is recovering from an attack that left her with what she calls the most excruciating pain. Gabrielle Luig was attacked by what may have been a rabid raccoon this week on her patio. At first the raccoon seemed nice as it approached and started sniffing her, but then, out of nowhere, she says it started digging into her leg. She was able to run back inside her house to safety, but she needed 15 stitches, and she tells 'ABC Action News' she's worried the raccoon is still out there. IT’S WILDLIFE, PEOPLE, NOT ROCKET J. SQUIRREL!
Santa Cruz Dispensary Offering Cannabis Vending Machines (Santa Cruz, CA) -- A California marijuana dispensary has rolled out a never-before used option for pot smokers to get their product. The KindPeoples cannabis shop in Santa Cruz is offering a weed vending machine for customers wanting to avoid waiting in line. It has touch-screen technology with photos and pricing information. Customers will just need to swipe their ID before choosing their product in an effort to prevent minors from making purchases illegally. Shoppers need to be 21 years or older in order to buy marijuana and the purchases need to be paid for in cash.
Florida Police Try To Unlock Phone With Dead Man's Finger (Clearwater, FL) -- A bizarre case is unfolding in Clearwater where police are accused of trying to use a dead man's finger to unlock a phone. Victoria Armstrong says detectives showed up at a funeral home where they approached her dead husband’s remains to gain access to the phone. They failed in their attempt to use the fingerprint sensor. It's sparked a larger debate about using a corpse to access technology for information. Police say they obtained the device within the proper time period allowed under law. Florida law does not say who has access to a dead person's remains, only who is authorized to get rid of them. It will likely be decided in court.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2016, Apple reported its first loss in 13-years.
1986, Russia's Chernobyl atomic power station exploded, killing 31 people and exposing thousands to radioactivity. The explosion forced a 300-square mile evacuation.
1865, Abraham Lincoln's assassin, John Wilkes Booth, was killed in a shoot out with federal troops near Bowling Green, Virginia.