Florida Federal Appeals Court To Hear Transportation Mask Mandate
(Miami, FL)-- A federal appeals court in South Florida will hear arguments from the Department of Justice over a transportation mask mandate next week. A state federal judge blocked an order this past April that required airplane passengers and other travelers to wear face masks. The Biden administration is challenging that decision, arguing that the CDC had the authority to enforce the mandate on public transportation to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The Miami hearing is set to begin next Tuesday.
Hurricane Ian Tops List Of Most Expensive U.S. Disasters
(Undated) -- Hurricane Ian is making the list of most expensive U.S. disasters on record. NOAA released its annual report saying Ian was the most costly in 2022 and third overall in history. Damages from the storm totaled more than 100-billion dollars, which placed it behind hurricanes Katrina and Harvey. More than 400 lives were lost during natural disasters across the nation this year.
NASA Sets Next Launch Date Off Florida's Space Coast
(Cape Canaveral, FL)-- NASA is preparing for a launch of one of the world's most powerful rockets. The space agency says it is hoping to send the Falcon Heavy into space no earlier than this Saturday at the Kennedy Space Center. The rocket will deliver a second payload of communications satellites for the U.S. Space Force. People near the launch should be able to hear a sonic boom as the rocket's boosters return to Earth. SpacelaunchSchedule.com shows launch time Saturday at 5:51pm.
Affidavit Released In Lake County Double-Murder
(Mount Dora, FL)-- A dead woman's cellphone is credited with helping detectives track down a suspected killer in Lake County. Mount Dora Police yesterday released the affidavit from the arrest of Vickie Lynn Williams. The 50-year-old is charged with first-degree murder in the deaths of Daryl and Sharon Getman on New Year's Eve. The bodies of the elderly couple were found in their home at the Waterman Village Retirement Community, but Sharon's cellphone was in her car that Williams allegedly stole. Getman's son told investigators his mom often left her cellphone in her car, and through the pings on that phone and license plate readers, they were able to follow the car into Georgia where Williams was found and arrested.
More Migrants Come Ashore In The Keys
(Key West, FL)-- The Monroe County Sheriff's Office is dealing with more migrant arrivals. At least three separate groups of migrants came ashore yesterday in Key Largo, Key Colony Beach and Key West.It's not known how many migrants were in each group, but deputies say at least 15 migrants were in one of the groups. Another group of 25 to 50 migrants arrived last night in Fort Lauderdale, but police were only able to take some into custody. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard announced yesterday it was returning almost 200 migrants who tried to come ashore last week from Cuba.
Indian Harbour Beach To Consider Changing Fishing Rules
(Indian Harbour Beach, FL) -- A change designed to protect marine life in Brevard County will have to wait. The Indian Harbour Beach City Council met yesterday to discuss expanding a ban on fishing at Bicentennial Park and Millennium Park. A video recorded last month shows a man killing a shark with a hammer, but he couldn't be prosecuted under current law. The council was unable to discuss the change yesterday, though, because of a mistake with the agenda, but they plan to discuss it in two weeks. If approved, it could take effect after a second reading next month.
Passenger Calls 911 On WA State Trooper
(Spokane, WA)-- A woman is making headlines after calling 911 on a Washington State Patrol trooper who was pursuing her vehicle during a high-speed chase. The Spokesman Review reports the woman was a passenger in the vehicle that was being pursued for suspected DUI just after midnight Sunday when she called the cops. Police say the woman inaccurately believed the trooper wasn't allowed to pursue them due to recent reforms to high-speed police pursuits passed by the state legislature in 2021. The woman also claimed her "constitutional rights" were being violated. Police say the vehicle eventually stopped and the trooper found alcohol containers. The trooper arrested the driver for DUI and attempt to elude police. Both passengers including the 911 caller were released.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2003, citing questions about "the fairness of death penalty system as a whole," Illinois Governor George Ryan commuted the sentences of all of the state's death row inmates, leaving the prisoners to serve out life sentences behind bars. Ryan's controversial blanket commutation came just days before he was scheduled to leave his governor's post.
1913, the Hudson Motor Company unveiled the first sedan-type car at the National Automobile Show in New York City.
1902, "Popular Mechanics" was published for the first time.
1878, milk was delivered in bottles for the first time.
1861, Alabama became the fourth state to secede from the Union.