Florida House, Senate Release Budget Proposals
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Florida lawmakers from both sides of the aisle are laying out their spending plans.The state House and Senate released their proposed budgets for the 2024-2025 fiscal year late last week, each totaling around one-hundred-fifteen-billion dollars.This is four-billion dollars less than the current spending plan, but one-billion dollars more than Governor Ron DeSantis' recommendation. Senate President Kathleen Passidomo released a statement saying the timeline to spend pandemic-related funding is coming to an end, which is why they are making financial adjustments. The initial drafts are expected to change when the two chambers begin their negotiations.
Parishioners Mourn Priest Killed In Brevard County Shooting
(Palm Bay, FL)-- Members of a Brevard County church are mourning the loss of their former pastor. Former St. Joseph Catholic Church Pastor Robert Hoeffner [[hoff-ner]] was shot to death this weekend in Palm Bay. The Orlando Diocese says he was a priest for 50 years. Hoeffner's sister, Sally, and a 78-year-old man were also killed. That man is the grandfather of the accused shooter, 24-year-old Brandon Kapas. He was killed in a shootout with police on Sunday. Two police officers were hurt. One has already been released from the hospital. Both are expected to survive. Police aren't sure how Kapas and Hoeffner may have known each other.
Road Closes For Almost 12 Hours After Crash
(Orlando, FL) -- A crash is blamed for a lengthy road closure in Orange County. SR 528 was closed for almost 12 hours yesterday after two semitrucks collided around 8:00am near mile marker 19. FHP says one truck swerved to avoid a collision but jackknifed and hit the concrete barrier. The second truck tried to avoid colliding with the first truck but could not. Both trucks caught fire, and there was concern the fire would weaken the bridge. The CF Expressway says temporary repairs were made to the bridge last night, and all lanes reopened. The driver of the first truck suffered minor injuries.
St. Pete Coast Guard Crew Seizes $55M Worth Of Cocaine
(St. Petersburg, FL)-- A Coast Guard crew is back in St. Petersburg after what its commander calls an extremely successful patrol. The Coast Guard announced yesterday the 80-member crew of the Cutter Resolute returned to St. Pete after a 60-day counterdrug patrol. They seized ten thousand pounds of marijuana and cocaine worth about 55 million dollars. Six people were arrested for drug trafficking.
USF Launches New Lab Dedicated To AI
(Tampa, FL) -- A new addition at the University of South Florida can help students better understand an emerging technology. USF announced last week it has launched its first lab dedicated to artificial intelligence. The Behavioral AI Lab is part of the Center for Marketing and Sales Innovation Customer Experience Lab in the Muma College of Business. Associate Professor Rob Hammond says AI today is like the internet was in 1995, and it presents unimagined opportunities. He says the goal of the lab is to provide students the knowledge that allows them to not only use and collaborate with AI, but more importantly, to build solutions for novel problems.
MIA May Add CBD Edibles
(Miami, FL) -- Some airline passengers are on board with plans to bring a new vendor to Miami International Airport. MIA officials recently put out the word that it's looking to add a CBD store. One passenger says it would be awesome, and another says that would be great. An airline employee, though, is worried about passenger safety. He tells CBS News Miami during an emergency, we only have 30 seconds to evacuate an aircraft.
Recruit Looks To Become MPD's First Rookie Over 60
(Washington, DC)-- One DC recruit aiming to graduate from the Metropolitan police academy in April is poised become the MPD's oldest rookie. Michael Smith, who played pro basketball overseas in the `90s, will be four months shy of his 61st birthday when he graduates. He says his father was a sergeant for the NYPD and it's always been his dream to follow in his dad's footsteps. The current record for the oldest rookie to join DC police is 55, set in 2021 by Officer Alan Miller.
Today in History
2020, The World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.
1973, G. Gordon Liddy and James McCord were convicted of burglary, wiretapping and attempted bugging of the Democratic headquarters at the Watergate building.
1835, President Andrew Jackson survived the first ever assassination attempt on a U.S. President.