DeSantis Addresses Parents' Rights
(Titusville, FL) -- The governor is vowing to defy the federal government's plans to investigate parents. Governor Ron DeSantis was in Brevard County yesterday to discuss the Justice Department's plans to investigate threats against school board members. Speaking in Titusville, DeSantis said we're not going to be cooperating with any federal investigation into parents, and we're going to preserve the rights of parents. He adds if any threats are made against school officials, local law enforcement agencies can handle it.
Likely Human Remains Found In Sarasota County
(North Port, FL) -- A discovery in Sarasota County could be crucial in the search for Brian Laundrie. The FBI announced yesterday that what appear to be human remains were found in the Myakkahatchee [[my-ack-uh-hatch-ee]] Creek Environmental Park near what is believed to be Laundrie's backpack and other belongings. The remains have not been identified, and the medical examiner's office says it could take up to three days to ID the remains. The 23-year-old Laundrie has been missing for over a month, and he's considered a person of interest in the death of his fiance, Gabby Petito.
Two Florida Teachers Accused Of Shooting Man In Home
(Vero Beach, FL) -- Two teachers at a Florida elementary school were arrested after the shooting a man in Vero Beach. Police say the suspects entered into the wrong apartment after a night of drinking, thinking it belonged to someone else. Eventually the male occupant of the house escorted Darius Cohen and Akkua Hallback outside. A report says Cohen chased the occupant and shot him in the back. Cohen is facing attempted felony murder. Hallback faces charges of possession of a controlled substance.
Nikolas Cruz Pleads Guilty
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) -- Nikolas Cruz is remorseful and asking for a second chance after pleading guilty to killing 17 people in the Parkland school massacre. The 23-year-old told a judge yesterday he can't live with himself sometimes after taking the lives of over a dozen people three years ago at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. He said he's really sorry, and if he were to get a second chance, he'd do everything in his power to help others. He adds the thought of what he did gives him nightmares.
Teen Shot By Police Officer
(St. Petersburg, FL) -- A teenager is hurt after he was shot by a police officer in St. Petersburg. It happened yesterday afternoon in Wildwood Park on 28th Street South where 17-year-old Christopher Tonsel was arguing with a 16-year-old girl. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says when police arrived, Tonsel fled, and during a chase on 13th Ave South Tonsel pointed a gun at an officer, who shot him. Tonsel is in critical condition, and the officer who shot him will be placed on leave pending an investigation.
Florida Judge Rejects State Bid To Toss School Challenge To Masks
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A judge is rejecting a request by the Florida Department of Health to dismiss a challenge by six school boards. This after the districts ignored a rule that prevented student mask mandates during the COVID-19 pandemic. The decision comes a day before a hearing is scheduled to begin in the challenge filed by the boards. Attorneys for the Department of Health believed the case would be tossed out because the school boards do not have legal standing to challenge the rule.
Report: Teacher Vacancies Are Increasing In Florida
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A new report says that teacher vacancies in Florida are increasing. The Florida Education Association says there have been about five-thousand vacancies this October. That's a 38-percent increase from vacancies reported before the pandemic. Officials believe that low pay and the stress of COVID-19 are pushing some teachers to retire or resign.
Jags' Player Helps Deliver Baby
(Jacksonville, FL) -- A Jaguars player can take credit for an off-the-field highlight. Defensive tackle Dawuane Smoot helped his wife give birth at their home Tuesday when they didn't have time to go to the hospital. Smoot says his wife collapsed in their living room at 4:00 a.m., but with the help of paramedics on the phone, he helped deliver their second child and first daughter. He also tied the umbilical cord, but he Tweets the real hero is his wife, who he calls mom of the year for giving birth in just one hour.
Research Shows Date Of Vikings Settlement
(Undated) -- Vikings beat Christopher Columbus to the Americas by nearly 500 years. That's according to new research published in the journal Nature on Wednesday, which found the Norse lived in a village in Canada's Newfoundland in 1021. Researchers have known Vikings settled in North America well before other European explorers, but they had never been able to pinpoint exactly when. The scientists used tree rings from wood cut down by the Vikings using metal tools to reach that date. However, the research noted Vikings only stuck around in the village for between three and 13 years before returning to Greenland.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1997, Elton John's Princess Diana tribute song, "Candle in the Wind '97" surpassed Bing Crosby's "White Christmas" to become the biggest selling song of all-time.
1976, the Cincinnati Reds "Big Red Machine" won their second straight World Series with a sweep of the New York Yankees.
1879, Thomas Edison invented a workable electric light.
1797, the warship "Constitution" was launched in Boston Harbor. Following a battle with the British warship "Guerriere," the "Constitution" was given the nickname "Old Ironsides."