Stripper Sues State After Losing Her Job
(Gainesville, FL)-- A teenager is suing the state after losing her job as a stripper in Alachua County. Nineteen-year-old Serenity Bushey was fired this month from Cafe Risque in Micanopy after a new state law raised the minimum age for strippers. In her recent lawsuit, she claims the law violates her First Amendment rights. HB 7063 requires anyone who works in an adult entertainment venue to be at least 21-years-old.
Epstein Grand Jury Records Released
(West Palm Beach, FL)-- Almost 20 years later, we're learning about what went on in Jeffrey Epstein's grand jury proceedings. A Palm Beach County judge yesterday released partial transcripts of audio recordings from 2006. They show prosecutors tried to discredit two of Epstein's underage victims by calling them prostitutes, thieves and liars. Epstein wound up being indicted on one charge, felony solicitation of prostitution, and he spent 13 months in the Palm Beach County Jail. Palm Beach Police reported finding five victims and over a dozen witnesses that could have led to more charges and a longer sentence. Joe Recarey was the lead detective, and before he died, he told the Miami Herald he was frustrated that the prosecutors went to great lengths to discredit the victims. Epstein's case was closed in 2008, but it was reopened in 2018, and he was re-arrested in 2019 for sex trafficking. Epstein died in jail a month later at the age of 66.
Break-Ins Reported At Orange County Fire Stations
(Orlando, FL) -- An investigation is underway after vehicles were broken into at three fire stations in Orange County. The most recent break-in was yesterday at Station 33 on South Apopka Vineland Road. Two other break-ins were reported Sunday at Station 34 on Winter Garden Vineland Road and Station 44 on Reams Road. Several items were reported stolen. No arrests have been announced, and deputies haven't said if they think the break-ins are connected.
Suspect In Custody After Jumping In Pond To Elude Arrest In Madison County
(Madison, FL) -- A man is in custody after he jumped in a pond to avoid arrest in Madison County. The sheriff's office announced yesterday he was arrested for allegedly threatening others at the Deerwood Inn campground. When deputies got there, he ran into the woods, jumped into a large swamp pond and began to swim to a cluster of cypress trees. He was armed with a knife and threatening self-harm. Deputies say he was contained in the pond and they negotiated his surrender. Sheriff David Harper says more info will be released today.
Teen Arrested For Vandalising Pride Mural In St. Pete
(St. Petersburg, FL)-- A teenager is accused of defacing a Pride mural in St. Petersburg. Eighteen-year-old Christian Maier was arrested yesterday for felony criminal mischief and racing on a street. St. Pete Police say he did doughnuts and burnouts last month on a mural at Central Ave and 25th Street. He allegedly caused over a thousand dollars in damage, but the mural was repaired in time for Pride Month.
Man Files Complaint With FBI Over Broward County Business
(Hollywood, FL) -- A Hawaii man is taking his complaints with a Broward County business to the FBI. Alan Sue paid Dream Auto Collection in Hollywood 275-thousand dollars in April for a Mercedes, but he never got the car. The 78-year-old tried reaching out to the company, but he says no one ever responded. Sue filed complaints with the FBI, Hollywood Police and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. He doesn't know if they're investigating, though. Sue says someone claiming to be Dream Auto Collection's owner recently contacted him and said the car was sold to someone else. Sue says he was told he'd be given a refund but not until next month. He tells Local 10 News he feels stupid and foolish, and at one point, he was so distraught, he felt like killing himself.
AAA's Safe Ride Program To Kick Off On Wednesday
(Tallahassee, FL) -- Triple-A is helping Floridians celebrate the Fourth of July responsibility. The auto club will bring back its "Tow to Go" program later this week as a way to keep impaired drivers off the roadways. The free service will allow people to dispatch a tow truck to their location and bring them to a safe spot within a ten-mile radius. It's available for everyone, regardless of if they are a member of the association. Triple-A says the program should be used as a backup plan. It will run from 6 p.m. on Wednesday through 6 a.m. on July 8th.
Millions To Travel For 4th Of July Holiday
(Washington, DC)-- Millions of travelers are out and about ahead of the 4th of July holiday. The TSA says it expects to screen over 30-million passengers through July 8th. Triple-A predicts that a record 60-million people will be traveling by car over the holidays, which is nearly three-million more than last year.
Today in History
1985, General Motors announced the installation of electronic road maps in some of their higher priced cars.
1937, Amelia Earhart and Fred Noonan disappeared over the Pacific Ocean while trying to make the first around-the world flight.
1867, the first elevated railroad opened for business in New York City.