Florida Cracks Down On Toll Scams
(Orlando, FL) --Florida is protecting drivers from falling victim to toll scams. Attorney General Ashley Moody was in Orlando yesterday to issue a Consumer Alert warning residents about the ongoing scheme. The FBI says scammers are sending text messages regarding unpaid toll fees and directing victims to a fake website designed to look like the official SunPass page. Moody says the state's Cyber Fraud Enforcement Unit worked with the FDLE to shut down ten of these fraudulent sites. At today's news conference, Moody issued a Consumer Alert, warning drivers to avoid clicking unauthorized links and to check their SunPass accounts directly through the company.
Three Teens Arrested In Connection To South Florida Shooting
(Homestead, FL) --Three teenagers are facing charges in connection to a South Florida shooting earlier this week. Police say a 16-year-old was shot while trying to sell his minibike in Homestead on Tuesday. The victim posted a minibike for sale on OfferUp and agreed to exchange for another motorized bike and two-hundred dollars. During the meetup, 18-year-old Aureliano Gomez and at least two other teens allegedly surrounded the victim's car before shooting him in the leg. Gomez claims his minibike had been stolen and he brought his friends as backup. Gomez is facing charges for attempted murder and attempted robbery.
Tampa Insurance Company Fined $1M
(Tallahassee, FL) --A property insurance company based in Tampa will have to pay a steep fine. The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation fined Heritage Insurance one million dollars yesterday. The company was found to have violated state laws following Hurricane Ian. The Category Four storm hit Southwest Florida almost two years ago. Regulators found Heritage was slow to pay or deny claims, acknowledge it received communications about claims, didn't communicate adequately with policy holders and used unlicensed adjusters. Heritage's CEO says the company has taken steps to address the issues.
Woman Steals Car During Test Drive
(Doral, FL) --A North Carolina woman is accused of stealing a car during a test drive in Miami-Dade County. Miami-Dade Police say 27-year-old Melina Logan went to a Honda dealership in Palmetto Bay on South Dixie Highway yesterday afternoon. She took out a Civic Sport, and when the salesperson got out of the car, she took off. Logan wound up crashing into other cars in Doral on Northwest 25th Street. She jumped into a lake and tried swimming away from police, but officers went in and got her. She's facing charges that include grand theft.
Hollowed Grenade Found At Airport Meant As Gift
(New Haven, CT) --A hollowed-out grenade found in someone's luggage at Tweed New Haven Regional Airport in Connecticut was meant to be a gift. The terminal was briefly shut down on Wednesday when TSA agents located the device. The person with the grenade said it was supposed to be a present for someone, adding that they had no idea it couldn't be brought into the airport. The grenade was confiscated, and no charges were filed.
Ohio State University Speaker Says He Took Psychedelics To Write Controversial Speech
(Columbus, OH) --Ohio State University's commencement speaker says he took a psychedelic while writing his speech that encouraged people to buy cryptocurrency. Entrepreneur and OSU alum Chris Pan wrote on LinkedIn days before the ceremony that he got help using a mind-altering substance. On Sunday, Pan was booed as he tried to motivate graduates to buy bitcoin, and force them into a sing-a-long.
Today in History
1994, Nelson Mandela was sworn in as the first black president of South Africa.
1940, Winston Churchill took over as British Prime Minister following the resignation of Neville Chamberlain.
1924, J. Edgar Hoover was promoted to the post of FBI director.
1797, the United States Navy launched its first vessel, the USS United States.