Disney Deal May Undermine New Oversight Board
(Orlando, FL) -- A newly discovered deal may undermine the board formed to oversee Disney World. The Central Florida Tourism Oversight District announced yesterday that Disney signed a contract last month with its previous oversight board. That 30-year development contract with the Reedy Creek Improvement District was signed a day before lawmakers voted to dissolve the board. One CFTOD board member tells the Orlando Sentinel the deal completely circumvents their authority to govern, and it also subverts the will of the voters, the Legislature and the governor. Disney, though, says the agreement was approved in open, noticed public forums in compliance with state law.
State Attorney To Seek Death Penalty For Central Florida Man
(Cocoa, FL) -- State prosecutors are asking for the death penalty for a Central Florida man accused of a deadly quadruple shooting. 36-year-old Domenico Gigante was formally indicted on four counts of first-degree premeditated murder yesterday. Police believe he is responsible for breaking into a Cocoa home earlier this month and killing his 15-year-old daughter, as well as four adults. The state says it is reviewing evidence to try to get Gigante to face the death penalty for each life lost during the incident. Prosecutors have just over a month to file an official notice.
Two More Charged For Attack On Polk County Pregnancy Center
(Tampa, FL) -- Two more people are facing charges for a targeted attack on a Polk County pregnancy center. The US Justice Department yesterday announced superseding indictments against Gabriella Oropesa and Annarella Rivera. They and two others, who were already charged, allegedly spray-painted threats on the walls outside the Life Choice Pregnancy Center in Winter Haven last year. The center offers alternatives to abortion for those with unwanted pregnancies.
Florida Asks DEA To Add Zombie Drug To Federal List
(Tallahassee, FL) -- The state of Florida is calling on the DEA to add a new dangerous drug to its federal list of controlled substances. State Attorney General Ashely Moody and law enforcement agencies first warned about xylazine [[ z-eye-luh-zin ]], also known as the zombie drug, heading into the spring break season. The Drug Enforcement Administration issued a Public Safety Alert detailing a spike in seizures connected to the drug. It is legally used to sedate big animals, but people are mixing it with fentanyl as a cheaper alternative. At least three cases of it have been detected in Central Florida.
Sen. Collins Defends Gun Bill After Nashville Shooting
(Tallahassee, FL) --A Tampa Bay lawmaker is defending a bill one colleague says is in poor taste. District 14 Republican State Senator Jay Collins is sponsoring SB 150.It would allow some people to carry concealed guns without a permit. Democratic State Senator Lauren Book said yesterday it's in poor taste to discuss this bill just days after the deadly school shooting in Nashville. Collins, though, says the bill would make schools and children safer. He tells 8 On Your Side police body cam footage from the shooting shows good guys with a gun are the antidote to bad guys with a gun. A vote is expected today.
Demand Note Written On Paycheck Stub Leads To Arrest
(Grosse Pointe Woods, MI) -- Authorities say a man who is accused of robbing four banks was tracked down by police after leaving a note. Collin Love Junior allegedly robbed the banks with accomplice Laronte [[ luh-RON-tay ]] Hill in February. Police said Love went into the Community Choice Credit Union, gave the teller a note demanding money, then fled on foot. Investigators discovered Love wrote the note on one of his paycheck stubs which eventually led to his arrest.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2020, International Olympic Committee postponed the 2020 Summer Olympic Games until July 2021.
1981, President Ronald Reagan was shot by a would-be assassin as he left Washington's Hilton Hotel. Three other people were wounded in the attack. Reagan spent the next two weeks in a hospital recovering from his wounds. John Hinckley Junior was ordered to spend the rest of his life behind bars for the attack.
1964, the popular game show, "Jeopardy," aired on NBC Television for the first time. Art Fleming was the host.
1867, the United States purchased Alaska from Russia for just over seven-million-dollars.