Tampa Officer Shot Near Busch Gardens
(Tampa, FL) -- A Tampa police officer is recovering after he was shot near Busch Gardens. The scene unfolded yesterday morning outside the department's District 2 office. Officer Jordan Laupert was hit in the leg. The suspect fled toward the amusement park and was later found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officer Laupert is reportedly in stable condition. The name of the 21-year-old suspect has not been released.
Four Cases Of Dengue In Brevard Co.
(Brevard Co., FL)-- The Florida Department of Health is warning Brevard County after four cases of dengue virus were reported. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes and can be deadly. Symptoms include flu-like illness, muscle aches, joint pain, fever, and rash. The DOH says it's working with local officials to enhance monitoring and prevention efforts. Residents should get rid of any standing water, wear repellent, and avoid being outside at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
Brevard County Teacher Settles Dispute Over Student's Preferred Name
(Orlando, FL) -- Former Satellite High School AP English teacher Melissa Calhoun found herself in controversy last year. She called a student by their preferred name instead of their legal name without parental consent. That violates a state law passed two years ago. The district chose not to renew her contract, but yesterday a state board ruled she can keep her teaching license. Calhoun was in tears afterward. She has to pay a 750-dollar fine, serve one year of probation and complete an ethics and education course. There's no word on if Calhoun plans to return to the classroom.
Demings Responds To Letter From Uthmeier
(Orlando, FL) -- Orange County's mayor has some harsh words for Florida's attorney general. Mayor Jerry Demings responded yesterday to a letter he got from James Uthmeier. The AG accused Demings and the county commission of supporting sanctuary policies and not complying with immigration laws. Uthmeier also threatened to remove Demings and commissioners from office. Demings said yesterday Uthmeier is a mean-spirited, overaggressive young man who's full of himself and doesn't know what he's doing or what he's saying. Demings also denies Orange County is a sanctuary county. He adds the threat of removal from office is misplaced and misguided at best.
Dozens Arrested In Online Child Sex Sting In Marion County
(Ocala, FL) -- Dozens of men are facing charges after a child sex sting in Marion County. The sheriff's office announced yesterday 40 men were arrested in Operation Seek and Ye Shall Find Out. Undercover officers posing as children were contacted online by men who wanted to have sex with them. When the men showed up at a predetermined location, they were arrested. Six of them may be in the country illegally. The charges against the men include human trafficking, using a computer to solicit a child and traveling to meet a minor for illegal sexual conduct. Some are also facing gun and drug charges. Sheriff Billy Woods says parents have to be aware of what their kids are doing online. He also says he wants to assure parents he'll continue to attack this plague head-on.
DeSantis Welcomes Earlier Census
(Tampa, FL) -- Governor Ron DeSantis thinks Florida could benefit from a change President Trump wants to make. Trump has proposed conducting a census before the 2026 midterms instead of waiting until 2030. DeSantis said yesterday the last census in 2020 cost Florida a congressional seat, and he'd love a redo for 2026. He'd especially love it if the census excluded illegal immigrants. DeSantis says California would lose a lot of seats because they're a sanctuary state. He says Florida, though, could gain seats if the census only counted US citizens.
Tallahassee Police Welcome Chuck E. Cheese After Recent Arrest
(Tallahassee, FL)-- Tallahassee, Florida Police and Chuck E. Cheese appear to be on good terms again. The company's CEO showed up at TPD headquarters yesterday after officers arrested a man in a Chuck E. Cheese costume last week. Kids watched as the man was handcuffed, and images of the arrest spread online. Chuck E. Cheese CEO David McKillips says what happened last week was disappointing for many kids and families. He decided to shake hands with officers, turn the page and invite them to a special event at Chuck E. Cheese. Kids got free play, pizza, drinks and surprises. McKillip says sometimes you just need to move on from a challenging moment with leadership, grace and friendship.
Today in History
1971, Apollo 15 astronauts David Scott and James Irwin became the first men to ride in a vehicle on the moon. The two men spent two hours traveling five miles on the moon's surface in their lunar rover.