Six Central Florida Men Charged In International Child Porn Ring
(Tallahassee, FL) --Six Central Florida men are accused of being part of an international child porn ring. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced yesterday eight men were charged. They include men from Lake, Volusia, Polk, Seminole, Brevard and Osceola counties. Another suspect is from Pinellas County, and one is from New Jersey. The alleged ringleader is a man from Turkey. He allegedly transferred massive amounts of child sexual abuse material to the men. Investigators uncovered over a million videos and images showing sexual abuse of minors, many of whom were babies. Uthmeier thanked the FDLE for uncovering the network. He adds prosecutors will ensure these disgusting criminals face justice.
Immigration Advocates Blast Orlando's Deal With ICE
(Orlando, FL) --Orlando officials are facing criticism for their agreement with ICE. The agreement calls for Orlando Police to cooperate with ICE's deportation orders. Some critics addressed the city council yesterday. They say it violates the Trust Policy the city passed in 2018.That limits what the city can do when it comes to someone's immigration status. An official with the Hope CommUnity Center says this new agreement will specifically harm Venezuelans and Haitians who are here under special temporary protections. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer says the city didn't have a choice. He tells the Orlando Sentinel the city will still adhere to the Trust Act, but it must follow federal and state law.
Lawmakers Upset Over Detainment Of UF Student
(Miami, FL) --A University of Florida student may be facing deportation after a traffic violation. Felipe Zapata Velasquez was detained after being pulled over in Gainesville recently. The Colombia native is in the US on a visa, and his mother told a radio station in Colombia he had an expired drivers license. He's now in an ICE detention center in Miami-Dade County. Gainesville Democratic State Rep. Yvonne Hinson says being detained for such an offense is outlandish and quite alarming.
Uthmeier Announces Effort To Develop Nuclear Energy
(Tallahassee, FL) --When it comes to nuclear energy, Florida is done waiting. That's what Attorney General James Uthmeier said yesterday. He announced what he calls a major legal challenge against the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Uthmeier says the federal government is illegally blocking the development of advanced nuclear technologies that could revolutionize energy production in America. As an example, he says the NRC has been delaying the state's attempts to use SMRs, or small modular reactors, to meet the state's power needs. Uthmeier says he's asking a federal court to vacate the NRC's illegal actions and require the agency to adopt reasonable standards that reflect current science and safety advances. He adds Florida is standing up for innovation, energy reliability and the American people.
Gators Come Back To Win National Championship
(San Antonio, TX) -- The University of Florida men's basketball team won the national championship last night. They beat the University of Houston, 65-63, in San Antonio. It's the third time UF has won the title. The Gators rallied from 12 points down in the second half to get the win. Florida guard and Lake Wales native Walter Clayton was named the Final Four's Most Outstanding Player.
Extinct Wolf Brought Back To Life
(Dallas, TX) -- A tech firm says they used DNA from a 13-thousand year old tooth to bring back an extinct breed of wolf, called a dire wolf. The dire wolf was made famous in the HBO series Game of Thrones. Series creator, George R.R. Martin, is an investor in the project. Researchers started with remains found in Ohio and Idaho. The cells were cloned and then bred using a gray wolf, which is the closest living relative. Colossal said the pups are living on a two-thousand acre ecological preserve, surrounded by ten-foot-tall, zoo-grade fencing.
Today in History
2022, Will Smith was banned from attending the Oscars for 10 years after he slapped host Chris Rock on stage during the 2022 ceremony.
1974, Hank Aaron belted his 715th career home run to move past Babe Ruth into first place on the all-time home run list.
1865, General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate Army at Appomattox Court House in Virginia.