Flights Canceled Across Florida
(Orlando, FL)-- Christmas is over, but holiday travel headaches persist across Florida. Airports in Orlando, Tampa, Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Jacksonville each reported dozens of flight cancelations yesterday. Most were Southwest flights. One woman traveling through Tampa International Airport calls the situation nuts. Some have been stuck at the airport for days. Some travelers tell Orlando's Channel 9 they probably won't get out until Friday.
Special Election Date Set For Florida House Seat
(Tallahassee, FL)-- The date is set for a special election to fill an open seat in the Florida Legislature. Governor Ron DeSantis announced last week that the primary for House District 24 will take place March 7th to replace Ocala Republican State Rep. Joe Harding. The winners will advance to the special election May 16th. The 35-year-old Harding resigned after he was indicted three weeks ago for wire fraud.
DeSantis Names New Broward County School Board Member
(Tallahassee, FL)-- A man trying to take a seat on the Broward County School Board is dealing with an apparent setback. Rod Velez was elected to the board last month in District One, but the convicted felon could not be sworn in because of questions about his eligibility. Governor Ron DeSantis declared the seat vacant and appointed Coral Springs' Daniel Foganholi [[foe-gun-oh-lee]].DeSantis says state law calls for the seat to be declared vacant if no one fills it 30 days after the term starts. Velez tells Local 10 News he's exploring his legal options.
Florida Supreme Court OKs Grand Jury On COVID Vaccines
(Tallahassee, FL)-- Governor Ron DeSantis will be able to get more info on COVID vaccines. Thursday the Florida Supreme Court approved DeSantis' request to have a grand jury investigate criminal or wrongful activity relating to how vaccines were developed, promoted and distributed. DeSantis has questioned how effective the vaccines are, and he says an investigation will determine if the pharmaceutical industry engaged in fraudulent practices. The grand jury could also look into medical associations or organizations involved in promoting, developing or distributing the vaccines.
Florida Now Fastest-Growing State In U.S.
(Tallahassee, FL)-- Florida is now the fastest-growing state in America. The U.S. Census Bureau's latest estimate shows Florida's population increased by one-point-nine percent to just under 22-million-245-thousand between 2021 and this year. The last time the Sunshine State held fastest-growing honors was in 1957.Florida is the nation's third-most populous state, trailing only second-place Texas and first-by-a-mile California, home to more than 39-million people.
Port Canaveral Sets Single-Day Record
(Port Canaveral, FL)-- Port Canaveral can celebrate a new record, but the celebration probably won't last long. Port officials announced yesterday that it had 52-thousand people board or disembark from a cruise ship Saturday. That's a new single-day record at the port, but the record's days may be numbered. Port officials tell News 6 they expect to break the record this coming Saturday when 57-thousand people may pass through.
Beware Of Falling Iguanas
(Miami, FL)-- Cold weather means we have to bundle up and look up. That's because of the possibility we could get hit by falling iguanas. The cold causes the reptiles bodies' to shut down and fall from trees. Once they warm up, though, they're fine. Zoo Miami official Ron Magill tells NBC 6 he was almost hit by a falling iguana yesterday, but he didn't touch it and just let nature take its course.
Florida's Gas Prices Fall Again
(Heathrow, FL)-- Along with falling temperatures, Florida's also seeing falling gas prices and no one's complaining about that. According to Triple-A, the statewide average is down to two-98 a gallon today. The lowest prices are in the Panhandle where Okaloosa County has the lowest average at two-77 a gallon and Escambia County's right behind at two-78 a gallon. The national average is three-09 a gallon.
Central Florida Police Give Money Instead Of Tickets
(Ocala, FL)-- Law enforcement in Central Florida are pulling over drivers, but it's not to give them tickets. Ocala police were out on the roads this week handing out 100-dollars to residents during Secret Santa traffic stops. The money was donated anonymously to the police department. Officials say they were thrilled to spread some Christmas cheer.
Court Rules Sikh Men Can Wear Beards During Training
(Arlington County, VA)-- Two Sikh men will be allowed to begin basic training with the U.S. Marine Corps [[ core ]] without shaving their beards. A federal appeals court granted the preliminary injunction months after the men sued. The men argued the Marine Corps' standard grooming policy for new recruits is discriminatory. Their Sikh religion requires them to keep unshorn hair and beards. The court also ruled a third man's related case should be reconsidered by the U.S. District Court.
MO Man Waits To Tell Wife He Won The Lottery
(Platte City, MO)-- A Missouri man recently won a multimillion dollar lottery jackpot, but waited to tell his wife until Christmas. When Robert Bowlin from just outside of Kansas City won the lottery prize, he decided to tell his financial advisor and his CPA, but no one else. He's due to collect his winnings this week, so he waited until Christmas to let his wife know. He says when he did, she didn't believe him at first. Bowlin says despite winning, he plans to continue playing the lottery to see if he can repeat his good fortune.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2015, Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning was named in an Al Jazeera report as one of several athletes linked to illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
1932, New York's Radio City Music Hall opened.