Arson Suspected In Osceola County Fire
(Kissimmee, FL) --A nonprofit is dealing with what one official calls a devastating loss for the people of Osceola County. A Kissimmee Salvation Army facility on Union Street was destroyed in a fire yesterday. Salvation Army Commander Ken Chapman believes someone who uses the facility regularly set the fire after he had been trespassed earlier in the day.Chapman tells News 6 the man is in custody. The building was used to serve hot meals, provide laundry and showers, food, and utility and rental assistance. Chapman also says this could not come at a worse time as they enter their busiest season of the year, and he's not sure if and when the building will be operational again. The police department and the fire department are investigating.
Judge Rules Lawsuit Against Orange County School Board Can Continue
(Orlando, FL) --Those suing the Orange County School Board can claim a small legal victory. A judge last week denied the board's motion to dismiss a lawsuit it's facing and ruled the case can move forward. The Southern Poverty Law Center is suing the board on behalf of the Association to Preserve the Eatonville Community and Robert Hungerford's great-granddaughter. The school board owns the land that a former school named after Hungerford sits on in Eatonville, and it has tried to sell the land before. The plaintiffs, though, claim a law passed about 70 years ago says the land can only be used to educate Black children. The school board says that law has no relevance today, the plaintiffs lack standing, and the lawsuit is moot because the board isn't actively trying to sell the land. The Orlando Sentinel reports the board has three weeks to appeal the judge's ruling.
Over 100 Homeless People Living At FLL
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) -- The rising cost of living is leading more people to find shelter at airports. Over 100 homeless people are thought to be living at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. One of them is a woman named Rebecca. She says she came here from Arizona after her husband died, but she quickly ran out of money and couldn't find a job. Rebecca says the airport is safer than the streets because there are security cameras and police. She spends her days at soup kitchens and looking for jobs before spending nights at the airport. Rebecca says on a good night she can find a family bathroom where she can lock the door and sleep inside. She recently told 7News she hasn't given up hope, but she doesn't know how much longer she can go on like this.
Man Wanted For Vandalizing Key West Buoy
(Key West, FL) --A search is underway to find the man who damaged a Key West landmark. Police yesterday posted photos online of a man suspected of vandalizing the Southernmost Point buoy on Friday. There's no word on what kind of damage was done.
Bear Steals Family's UberEats Delivery
(Longwood, FL) --A hungry bear is blamed for ruining a Seminole County family's dinner. Longwood's Laidy Gutierrez and Daniel Bula ordered dinner, through UberEats, from Taco Bell last week. The family's doorbell camera shows the driver dropping off the food before a black bear wanders onto the porch and takes it. The couple's niece says the bear even took the soda. Gutierrez says UberEats issued a refund, but she also learned a lesson.She tells Fox 35 News they'll no longer have fast food delivered to their front porch.
Musk Debuts 'Grok'
(Undated) --Elon Musk is debuting "Grok," the first technology from his new AI company "xAI." The company says it is modeled on "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," and is supposed to have some wit and a "rebellious streak." The prototype is in its early beta phase, and only a small number of users will have access before a wider release to use the chatbot. It will eventually be a feature of X Premium+, which Musk said would be 16-dollars a month.
TODAY IN HISTORY
1965, the Pillsbury Doughboy debuted in television advertisements.
1929, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City opened to the public.
1893, Colorado became the first state to give women the right to vote.