Tentative Deal Reached in Ports Strike
(Jacksonville, FL)-- The International Longshoremen's Association and the US Maritime Alliance tentatively agreed to a new contract yesterday. Members of the ILA were on strike to secure higher pay. Workers will return to duty today. The development came as Governor DeSantis was set to send State and National Guard Members to the ports to facilitate operations. Jacksonville ILA President Warren Smith tells First Coast News they’ll do what we've always done, service the community.
Seminole County School Teacher Arrested
(Sanford, FL) -- A Seminole County teacher is facing criminal charges. District officials announced yesterday that Lake Mary High School's Richard Colon was arrested and placed on leave. The 55-year-old is a history teacher and assistant girls soccer coach. He's accused of inappropriate contact with a student. Colon allegedly shared obscene material with a minor and used a computer to seduce children. The district says any type of behavior that jeopardizes the safety of our students and staff will not be tolerated. Colon is being held without bond, and he's due in court today. He has been with the district for almost 30 years.
Four Arrested In Volusia County For Breaking Into Smoke Shops
(DeLand, FL) -- Four people are accused of robbing several smoke shops in Volusia County. The sheriff's office announced yesterday the arrests were made Tuesday while the suspects were planning to rob a smoke shop in Deltona. Deputies found the four after getting a warrant out of St. Johns County where another smoke shop was robbed. The suspects are facing charges that include burglary, grand theft and felony criminal mischief.
Orange County Judge Accused Of Bad Courtroom Behavior
(Orlando, FL) -- A former prosecutor in the Casey Anthony trial is now facing questions about his conduct as a judge in Orange County. The Judicial Qualifications Commission notified Judge Jeff Ashton on Wednesday that it's investigating complaints about him. The commission cites six times where Ashton yelled at people in his courtroom or showed his bias. Ashton's office says he's disappointed this matter was publicized so soon before the election. He also tells Channel 9 he looks forward to addressing these accusations over the coming months. Ashton has 20 days to respond.
Texas Sues Tiktok
(Austin, TX) -- Texas is suing Tiktok over the handling of children's data. On Thursday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton filed a lawsuit saying Tiktok violated the state's parental consent laws. He claims Tiktok failed to comply with Texas's SCOPE Act, which requires social media companies to take steps to protect kids online and prohibits them from selling any child's personal data without parental permission. The lawsuit seeks civil penalties of up to ten-thousand-dollars per violation.
Scientists Map the Brain Of Fruit Fly
(Washington, DC)-- Scientists are announcing they've mapped the entire brain -- of a fruit fly. The milestone in neuro-biological research could provide insights into brains across the entire animal kingdom. The research published in the journal Nature, shows more than 50-million connections between nearly 140-thousand neurons -- or nerve cells -- inside the insect. Scientists believe the mapping will help them understand better how brains are wired and the indicators of healthy brain functions. The brain of a fruit fly is less than four-hundredths of an inch wide.
Today in History
1957, the first man-made satellite was launched into space by the Soviet Union. The craft was named "Sputnik One."