Feds: No Evidence Of Russian Hacking Of Florida Elections Systems (Washington, DC) -- Federal officials say there is no evidence of Russian hacking of Florida's election system. In a letter to Florida's secretary of state, the heads of Homeland Security and the FBI say they have not seen new or ongoing compromises of state or local election infrastructure in Florida.
However, they warn "Russian government actors" have previously demonstrated both the intent and capability to conduct malicious cyber operations. Earlier this month, Florida Senator Bill Nelson said Russians hackers had accessed some voter databases in Florida.
Former Orange County Deputy Sentenced (Orange County, FL) -- A former Orange County Sheriff's deputy is on his way to federal prison. Kevin Hutchinson of Orlando was sentenced yesterday to ten years behind bars for distributing child porn on the internet.
Prosecutors say they caught Hutchinson with thousands of disturbing images and videos including many showing toddlers being abused.
Tampa Woman Wanted In Baby Formula Thefts (Tampa, FL) -- A Tampa woman is wanted for a string of baby formula thefts. Polk County deputies released video yesterday that appears to show 21-year-old Alexcia Calhoun and another woman stealing dozens of cans from a Lakeland store.
Alpha House is a charity focused on mothers, and its executive director tells ABC Action News women who can't afford the high price of formula turn to the black market.
New Study: Florida Drivers Among Worst In Nation (Undated) -- A new study confirms previous research which claims Sunshine State drivers are among the worst in the nation. Technology website SmartAsset.com compiled data on the percentage of drivers with insurance, the number of DUIs per driver, average number of deaths per miles driven, and how often residents Googled terms like "traffic ticket" and "speeding ticket."
Based on that information, Florida is ranked eighth worst in the country with Mississippi taking the top spot.
Carnival To Base Largest Cruise Ship At Port Canaveral (Port Canaveral, FL) -- A big addition, literally, is coming to Port Canaveral. Carnival Cruise Lines announced yesterday its largest ship will be based at the port's Cruise Terminal Three starting in 2020.
The ship will have a maximum capacity of 65-hundred passengers. The unnamed ship will also be the first cruise ship based in North America to be powered by liquefied natural gas.
NASA Finds Ice On Moon's Surface (Undated) -- NASA says there is definitely ice on the moon. In a paper published yesterday, scientists say new research confirms the presence of ice in the constantly dark recesses of the moon's north and south polar regions. NASA says this might make it possible for future moon expeditions to use lunar ice as a resource.
Scientists from the University of Hawaii and Brown University conducted the research in conjunction with NASA's Ames Research Center. Their findings are published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
1992, Hurricane Andrew rolled through south Florida, Louisiana, and the Bahamas causing more than 20-billion dollars damage.
1979, Led Zeppelin released their final original album, "In Through The Out Door."
1902, President Theodore Roosevelt became the first President to ride in an automobile.
1902, the Cadillac automobile company was founded.
1776, British forces landed on Long Island, New York. The troops were under the command of General William Howe.