Ban On Gender Dysphoria Treatments On minors Takes Effect Today
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A Florida ban on gender-affirming medical care for minors is in effect. Starting yesterday, doctors are no longer allowed to prescribe puberty blockers, hormone therapy or surgeries to treat new patients for gender dysphoria who are under the age of 18.This will not impact people who are already receiving the medication. Physicians who violate the order will have to go before the state's medical board, where they could get their licenses revoked. Several Republican lawmakers claim the ban is designed to protect children. While critics believe officials are targeting the LGBTQ-plus community.
35 People Arrested Following Central Florida Drug Bust
(Orlando, FL) -- Almost three dozen people are facing charges in connection to a large-scale drug operation in Central Florida. Orange County Sheriff John Mina says multiple state and federal agencies were involved in the trafficking case that stretched as far as Puerto Rico. The sheriff gave an update yesterday saying authorities seized more than seven-hundred pounds of cocaine and 25 guns. The suspects are accused of using the U.S. Postal Service to distribute drugs throughout the state and to other parts of the country. 35 people were arrested during the investigation.
DeSantis Criticizes COVID-Related Lockdown Orders
(Winter Haven, FL) -- Governor Ron DeSantis is throwing shade at how the federal government responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. While in Polk County yesterday, the governor said the U.S. government was wrong about almost everything, including lockdowns. He went on to say that even three years later Florida is still recovering from those actions. The United States is officially set to end its COVID protocols in early May.
NMB Police Kill Armed Suspect
(North Miami Beach, FL) -- A man is dead after he was shot by police in Miami-Dade County. It happened yesterday afternoon in North Miami Beach on Northeast Second Ave. Police say they were called to the area for a report of a man with a large knife in the street. When officers responded, they say they Tased the man, but he fled into an office building, grabbed a woman and held a machete to her neck. He was told to drop the machete, but police say he refused and was shot three times and died. No one else was hurt. Family members say the man was 38-year-old Edridge [[ED-ridge]] Alexis, and they say he had mental health issues, but they don't believe the police version of events. The FDLE is investigating.
Brawl Breaks Out At Miami-Dade School
(Miami, FL) --A Miami-Dade County school is like a third-world country. That's what resident Tangie Sands-Miller said yesterday after a brawl at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. District officials say arrests were made and weapons were seized. Sands-Miller tells CBS4 violence has long been a problem at the school, and school board members keep burying their heads in the sand.
Strong National Museum Of Play Announces Video Game Hall Of Fame Finalists
(Rochester, NY) --Officials at the Strong National Museum of Play have announced the finalists for this year's World Video Game Hall of Fame. The nominees include The Last Of Us, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare, Angry Birds, Quake, Wii Sports, and GoldenEye 007. Games are judged based on their longevity, influence on culture, and international reach. Voting is open until March 22nd and can be done by going to museumofplay.org. The induction ceremony will happen May 4th.
Coors Light Selling Beer-Flavored Popsicles
(Milwaukee, WI) --It may be a little early to start talking about cold treats for the summer, but this one is new. Coors Light is offering beer-flavored popsicles. The Coors-icles are non-alcoholic and marketed as 'made to chill.' Molson Coors is selling them for the NCAA Tournament as a way to 'stay chill when things get heated.' Supplies are limited and you have to buy them at Coors' online shop. A new batch is released every day through March 24th. A six-pack of Coors-icles will cost just over 20 dollars.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2016, Sea world announced that the current generation of killer whales at their parks would be the last. The park had come under fire for its killer whale breeding program, especially since the 2013 documentary "Blackfish."
2005, after a contentious court battle, doctors removed the feeding tube that kept brain damaged Florida woman Terri Schiavo [[ SHY-vo ]] alive for 15 years. The right-to-die case received national attention, pitting Schiavo's husband, Michael, against her family.
1845, the rubber band was patented by Stephen Perry of London.
1737, St. Patrick's Day was celebrated publicly in the 13 colonies for the first time in Boston, Massachusetts.
461 A.D., St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland died.