CDC Speaks Out Against Florida's COVID Vaccine Advisory
(Undated) -- The CDC is speaking out against Florida's latest COVID-19 vaccine advisory. Governor Ron DeSantis and State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo advised residents under the age of 65 to not get the updated shot. ABC News reports that CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen is calling the state's comments "unfounded and dangerous." She went on to say the new boosters are the safest protection to avoid virus-related hospitalizations and death.The agency is recommending all Americans above six months old should get the vaccine as soon as it becomes available.
Florida Buys Chicago Billboards To Recruit Police
(Chicago, IL) -- Florida is working on a campaign to recruit more out-of-state law enforcement officers. Governor Ron DeSantis says the state will buy advertising space on Chicago billboards to promote his policies. DeSantis says police should move to the Sunshine State because of Illinois' rising crime rates and the elimination of its cash bail system which will go into effect next week. The ads will highlight a five-thousand dollar signing bonus for police recruits from another state, as well as a first responder housing program.The governor says nearly three-thousand officers have relocated to Florida since last year, including nearly 50 from Illinois.
New Central Florida Prosecutor Makes First Major Policy Change
(Orlando, FL) -- A new Central Florida prosecutor is making his first policy change since taking office one month ago. Newly appointed Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain says he will send all police use-of-force cases to a grand jury in order to create community transparency. The first case to undergo the process is scheduled to be the Kissimmee shooting where deputies shot three teens who were accused of stealing Pokémon cards and pizza from a Target more than a year ago. During a news conference earlier today, Bain also explained how he will streamline the office's case management process to reduce a current backlog.Governor Ron DeSantis suspended State Attorney Monique Worrell last month after accusing her of negligence.
Woman Indicted In Federal Court For Incident At Kennedy Space Center
(Orlando, FL) --A woman is indicted for allegedly driving to the Kennedy Space Center with a gun, then hitting a police officer when trying to leave. Forty-one-year-old Katie Mahai was indicted in federal court this week. Police say she disregarded barriers and police as she drove toward the Kennedy Space Center, hitting gates and stop sticks with a gun in the front passenger seat back in February. Mahai faces federal charges of armed trespass, fleeing and eluding law enforcement officers, and unlawfully bringing a firearm onto Kennedy Space Center.
Miami City Commissioner Arrested; First Court Appearance Today
(Miami, FL) -Miami City Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla is due in court today facing criminal charges. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement arrested the District 1 commissioner on Thursday on one count of money laundering, three counts of unlawful compensation or reward for official behavior, one count of bribery, one count of criminal conspiracy, four counts of official misconduct, one count of campaign contribution in excess of legal limits and two counts of failure to report a gift. Attorney William W. Riley Junior, who is listed as the commissioner's campaign treasurer, was also charged with the same crimes. If convicted, the two face decades in prison.
Third Republican Party Presidential Primary Debate To Be Held In Miami
(Miami, FL) -The third Republican Party presidential primary debate will be held in Miami. The party's national committee made the decision public on Thursday.The debate is planned for early November, but a venue has not yet been announced.
Astronaut Breaks Longest NASA Single Spaceflight Record
(Undated) --NASA astronaut Frank Rubio now holds the record for the longest orbit mission by an American. Rubio passed 355 days on the International Space Station this week. The West Point grad, who is a doctor and a helicopter pilot by training, said he's looking forward to reaching 365 days. Rubio is scheduled to return to Earth on September 27th, when he'll have spent 371 days in space.
Strong Museum Announces Candidates For National Toy Hall Of Fame
(Rochester, NY) --The Strong National Museum Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York has announced the toys that are candidates for induction into the National Toy Hall of Fame. Among the list of 12 are Battleship, Connect Four, baseball cards, Bingo, Nerf toys, slime and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. People can vote online for their favorites until September 20th. The winning toys will be made public in November.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1981, the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Sandra Day O'Connor for the U.S. Supreme Court. This would make her the first woman to ever become a justice on the Supreme Court. She served from 1981 until 2006.
1949, "The Lone Ranger" premiered on ABC.