Brightline Expansion Proposal Moves Forward
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Brightline's latest expansion proposal is gaining momentum. A company executive told a Florida House panel last week that its plan to extend its operations into Tampa Bay are making tremendous strides. The goal is to connect the SunRail commuter rail service to the new Brightline station at Orlando International Airport, while also adding stops to several Central Florida hotspots. In preparation for the potential project, Tampa Representative Karen Pittman submitted a 50-million-dollar request for rail improvements in the I-4 corridor, where Brightline hopes to set up its next service. The issue will go up for discussion during the next legislative session, which is set to begin next month.
Haines City Officer Accused Of Shoplifting From Walmart
(Haines City, FL) -- A now-former police officer in Polk County is accused of stealing hundreds of dollars worth of items from Walmart. Authorities say 48-year-old David Griffin was caught shoplifting five times since October. Investigators say the ex-Haines City officer was spotted by an employee bagging up items he never scanned. Griffin resigned from the police department following his arrest over the weekend. He is charged with multiple counts of petit theft. Police say his suspected accomplice, 28-year-old Shelbi Dubose, helped him commit at least three of the crimes.
Florida Bill Wants To Increase Penalties For Panhandling
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A bill is trying to increase penalties for panhandling in Florida. Pensacola Republican Alex Andrade recently filed the measure that he says would give police the tools to remove aggressive panhandlers from roadways. It would ban the action in most public areas and only allow people to ask for money between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. First-time violators could face fines of up one-hundred dollars and 30 days in jail. Under the current law, anyone soliciting charitable donations must register with the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Former USF Chemistry Student Deported After Allegedly Trying To Poison Neighbor
(Tampa, FL) -- A former chemistry student at the University of South Florida is being deported to China after allegedly attempting to poison his neighbor. An attorney representing 36-year-old Xuming Li says he was in the U.S. on a student visa which was cancelled after he was expelled from the university. Li was arrested this past June after a neighbor provided police with video that appears to show him using a syringe to spray a mixture of methadone and hydrocodone into the neighbor's apartment. Investigators say Li was upset with the neighbor over an ongoing noise dispute.
Sarasota County School Board To Vote On Resolution Asking Bridget Zeigler To Resign
(Sarasota, FL) -- Many community members are calling for Sarasota County School Board member Bridget Zeigler to step down. The board is expected to vote on a resolution today to formally request that she resign. The controversy over her position on the board began after her husband, Florida GOP Chair Christian Zeigler, was accused of rape. Bridget Zeigler admitted to engaging in consensual sex with her husband and the woman who is the alleged victim in the sexual assault investigation, according to police reports.
Colorado Lawmakers To Ban Fatphobia In Workplace, Housing Market
(Boulder, CO) -- Colorado will ban "fatphobia" to stop employers and landlords from discriminating against those who are overweight. Lawmakers in the healthiest state in the US are expected to pass legislation that stops landlords from denying rentals based on weight limits and also puts workplace accommodations for overweight employees in place. Other states including Massachusetts, New Jersey and Vermont are considering similar laws as the fat acceptance trend grows across the country.
Prices Soar For Ohtani's L.A. Home Debut
(Los Angeles, CA)-- Shohei Ohtani's signing is already causing prices for the Los Angeles Dodgers' 2024 home opener to soar before tickets have officially gone on sale. The two-time MVP agreed to a historic 700 million-dollar contract with the Dodgers over the weekend. The news caused ticket prices for his Dodger Stadium debut on resale sites like StubHub to jump, with the cheapest available being a standing room only ticket for about 430-dollars including fees. The Dodgers haven't officially put tickets on sale yet, with the team telling fans on its website to check back for more information on single game tickets later. Meanwhile in Arizona, tickets for the Dodgers' first home Spring Training game are available starting at about 40-bucks through the team's website.
TODAY IN HISTORY
2022, Richmond, Virginia removed it's last Confederate statue. The statue was of Ambrose P. Hill. Richmond, Virginia was the capital of the Confederacy during the Civil War.
2000, a divided U.S. Supreme Court reversed a state court decision for recounts in Florida's contested presidential election. The decision effectively transformed George W. Bush into the president-elect.
1899, the wooden golf tee was patented by George Grant of Boston, Massachusetts.