Judge Refuses To Block "Stop Woke Act"
(Tallahassee, FL)-- A measure dubbed the "Stop WOKE Act" by Governor DeSantis is slated to take effect this week. A federal judge rejected arguments by attorneys for teachers and students after they wanted the law blocked calling it unconstitutional. The measure restricts the way race-related concepts can be taught in classrooms and workplace training. In the ruling the judge clarified that the State Board of Education can withhold funding from districts that do not comply with the regulations.
DeSantis Expands Bright Futures Scholarship
(Tampa, FL)-- Governor DeSantis is signing a law that expands requirements for the Bright Futures Scholarship. The measure allows work hours to take the place of 100 hours of community service for students. The governor spoke earlier today in Tampa saying Floridians should have access to affordable education. The bill is designed to provide more opportunities for students with different backgrounds.
Body Found In Brevard County Home
(Cocoa, FL)-- An investigation is underway after a body was found in a home in Brevard County. The sheriff's office says a man's body was found yesterday morning at a home in Cocoa on South Ridgewood Drive. Deputies say someone called 911 to report a man he didn't know knocked on his door, confessed to killing someone and left. The man who allegedly confessed has not been charged but is considered a person of interest. The body has not been identified.
Brightline Ends Plans For Disney Springs Station
(Orlando, FL)-- Disney is no longer part of Brightline's expansion plans. Brightline first announced a couple years ago that it would bring high-speed rail to Disney Springs, but Disney said yesterday those plans have changed. A Disney spokesperson tells the Orlando Business Journal the new route configuration does not support a Disney Springs station, and as a result, we don't anticipate being part of this project.
Underage Girl Molested On Flight To Orlando
(Orlando, FL)-- A California man's alleged behavior on a flight to Orlando has him banned from a major airline. Brian Durning was arrested Friday after his Delta flight from LA landed at Orlando International Airport. US Marshals say the 51-year-old was sitting next to a girl who was between 12 and 16-years-old, and he repeatedly touched her until another woman switched seats with her. Durning told authorities he was drinking before the flight, had another drink on the flight, took some Ambien and doesn't remember anything. A Delta spokesperson tells TheDailyBeast.com that Durning is no longer welcome on their flights.
Man Shot In Domestic Dispute
(Big Pine Key, FL)-- A domestic shooting in Monroe County appears to be a case of self-defense.The sheriff's office said yesterday a 50-year-old man was shot by his stepson Sunday night in Big Pine Key at a home on Coconut Highway. The man was airlifted to the hospital, and he's expected to recover. The 25-year-old shooter claims his stepdad was battering the shooter's mother, and the shooting was self-defense. The shooter also reportedly told deputies his stepdad frequently abuses and threatens to kill them. Deputies say the stepdad told them he was shot without warning, and once he gets out of the hospital he's going to kill his stepson.
Pinellas County Woman Accused Of Stealing From HOAs
(Tarpon Springs, FL)-- A Pinellas County woman who managed the bank accounts of dozens of HOAs is accused of stealing from some of them. The sheriff's office announced yesterday that Tarpon Springs' Jamie Fonville was arrested Friday for allegedly stealing over 200-thousand dollars from three HOAs. As an accounting manager at First Choice Association Management, the 46-year-old had access to almost 60 HOA bank accounts. She's accused of manufacturing fraudulent checks, depositing them into her personal bank account and using the money for personal expenses, like food, daily expenses and Buccaneers tickets. She's facing three felony counts, but detectives believe there could be more victims, and they're still investigating.
Restaurant Oil Converted Into Airplane Fuel
(Orlando, FL) -- Cooking oil from Orlando restaurants is getting another purpose. The used oil is being converted into airplane fuel. Mahoney Environmental is one of the companies collecting the supplies in Orlando and taking it to Miami for processing. Officials say the fuel provided from the cooking oil is sustainable and burns up to 50-percent cleaner than jet fuel made from petroleum. Mahoney is looking for locations to build a new facility in the Orlando area.
Marijuana Users More Likely To Need Emergency Care
(Undated) -- A new study suggests recreational marijuana use is associated with a higher risk of emergency room care and hospitalization for any reason. The study looked at data from national health records on more than 30-thousand Canadian residents between the ages of 12 and 65 over several years. Marijuana users were 22 percent more likely than those who did not use marijuana to visit an emergency room or to be hospitalized. Physical injury was the leading cause of emergency room visits and hospitalizations among marijuana users. Respiratory reasons came in second.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2018, a mass shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Maryland left five people dead and several others injured. The shooter, Jarrod Ramos, had a long history of threatening behavior and mental illness.He apparently became angry about an article written by the newspaper detailing how he was put on probation for harassing a high school acquaintance.
2012, the U.S. House voted to hold Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for refusing to turn over documents related to the failed gun-tracking operation known as Operation Fast and Furious.The vote made Holder the first sitting attorney general to be held in contempt.
2012, the Supreme Court voted 5-4 to uphold the contentious Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010. Chief Justice John Roberts joined the four liberals on the court in ruling that the individual mandate provision of the law can stand as a tax. The mandate required most Americans to purchase health insurance coverage or face monetary penalties.
2000, the Supreme Court ruled the Boy Scouts can bar homosexuals from serving as troop leaders.
1997, Mike Tyson bit off part of Evander Holyfield's ear during the third round of a pay-per-view boxing bout in Las Vegas.
1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in France.It officially ended World War One.