DeSantis Signs Law Aimed At Squatters
(Orlando, FL) -- A new law targeting squatters in Florida will take effect this summer. Governor Ron DeSantis was in Orlando to sign the legislation earlier today. The measure will strip squatters of their rights, allowing tenants to immediately remove people living illegally on their property after they simply fill out a form and hand it to local police. It will also create tougher penalties for anyone who presents a false lease or deed agreement. The law will go into place in July.
Florida, Disney Settle Lawsuits
(Orlando, FL) -- The DeSantis-Disney feud may be over. Lawsuits filed by the company and its new oversight board were settled yesterday. The feud started two years ago when Disney publicly criticized the state's Parental Rights in Education law that critics called the Don't Say Gay law. Governor Ron DeSantis says a lot of Disney's criticism of the law came from company officials in California, and both sides have a desire to move forward. A Walt Disney World official says this agreement will open a new chapter of constructive engagement and create jobs and economic opportunity.
Arguments Set Over Florida School Pronoun Restrictions
(Tallahassee, FL) -- A federal judge is scheduled to hear arguments tomorrow over a Florida law that restricts the use of pronouns in schools. A transgender Hillsborough County teacher and a nonbinary educator who was fired by Florida Virtual School last year are trying to get the legislation blocked, calling it unconstitutional. A lawsuit has been filed against the measure that prevents school employees from using a pronoun they were not assigned as birth. The state will ask the judge on Friday to reject the proposed injunction.
Tampa Police Officer Involved In Hit & Run
(Tampa, FL) -- An investigation is underway after a hit-and-run involving a Tampa Police officer. It happened over two weeks ago at North Boulevard and West River Heights. Video taken from a nearby home shows an officer in a patrol car going through a stop sign, hitting another car and then turning on his lights and sirens before fleeing the scene. Lutz' Jake Perrin and a friend were in the car the officer hit. They weren't hurt, but Perrin tells Fox 13 News he wants the officer held accountable, and he also wants the TPD to pay for the damage to his car.
UM Offering Class On Taylor Swift
(Coral Gables, FL)-- Swifties at the University of Miami have a new class just for them. The school this fall will offer an elective course called The Mastermind of the Taylor Swift Brand. According to UM's student newspaper, The Miami Hurricane, the course will focus on the pivotal role social media has played in crafting and amplifying Swift's billion dollar brand. Dr. Alyse Renee Lancaster will teach the class, and she says she has never been more excited. She tells the Hurricane some may see the course as dumbing down education, but she asks what's wrong with spreading a little joy and happiness among stressed-out college students.
Freshman Enjoys Joking About Prom Date
(Berthold, ND)-- A high school freshman in North Dakota had a good time showing off his prom date this past weekend. Shaun Randall was pictured at the prom with his arm around the waist of none other than Taylor Swift. Randall's mom says his sister bought the life-sized cardboard cutout of the pop icon for her brother as a joke. But Shaun found Swift's likeness to be a big hit at the dance which added to the fun.
Today in History
2016, the FBI was able to crack the iPhone of San Bernardino shooter Syed Farook and "no longer required" Apple's help. The Justice Department withdrew its legal action against the company. Apple fought a court order demanding it create a way to break into the phone, saying doing so would damage users' privacy.
1996, Congress passed the line-item veto, giving the president the power to cut government spending by scrapping specific items.
1979, residents in and around Middletown, Pennsylvania, were evacuated following a nuclear meltdown inside the Unit Two reactor at the Three Mile Island nuclear power plant.
1881, Barnum and Bailey formed their "Greatest Show On Earth."