Lawmakers React To End Of Government Shutdown
(Orlando, FL) --The longest government shutdown in US history is over. President Trump signed a bill yesterday that ends the shutdown after 43 days. Orlando Democratic Congressman Maxwell Frost voted against the bill. He says it'll raise healthcare costs for 20 million Americans and rip away health coverage from hard-working Americans. Melbourne Republican Congressman Mike Haridopolos says the shutdown was a pointless, destructive protest that achieved nothing. He writes on X he's glad they can finally get back to work.
Former Employee Sues School Over Firing
(Cocoa, FL) --A Brevard County woman who was fired over social media posts about Charlie Kirk is suing her former employer. Erika Santos filed a federal lawsuit yesterday against Eastern Florida State College. The school fired her last month from her job in accounting and grant compliance over her Facebook posts after Kirk's assassination. The ACLU is representing Santos, and they tell the Orlando Sentinel the firing violated her free speech rights.
Operation Dirtbag Leads To 230 Arrests
(Undated) --More than 150 illegal immigrant sexual predators are off the streets in Florida thanks to "Operation Dirtbag." Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made the announcement yesterday. She said 230 illegals were rounded up in the Sunshine State altogether. They were wanted for everything from drug offenses and sexual crimes to murder.
U.S. Mint Strikes The 'Final Circulating Penny'
(Philadelphia, PA) - The U.S. Mint struck its final penny on Wednesday. President Trump previously announced plans to retire the coin, which dates back to 1793, in February, citing production cost as a primary reason. According to the Treasury Department, the penny will remain legal tender and retain its value indefinitely as there are approximately 300 billion pennies still in circulation which exceeds the amount needed for commerce.
Washington Tops States With High Eating Out Costs
(Seattle, WA) -- While many Americans are noticing an increase in cost for eating out, diners in Washington state are paying over 13-percent more than the national average. According to a new report from the Washington Hospitality Association, the state has the most expensive chain restaurant prices in the entire country and Seattle is ranked as the most expensive U.S. city for takeout, with costs 29-percent above the national average. One Seattle restaurant owner said "there doesn't seem to be a light at the end of the tunnel" as factors such as gas and minimum wage increases have raised the overall cost of doing business. Other cities including Miami, Honolulu and San Francisco have also topped the list of expensive takeout locations.
Today in History
2015, at least 150 people were killed following a series of terror attacks in Paris. Terrorists struck in several locations in the City of Light on this day, with at least two reported suicide bombings, shootings at restaurants, another shooting at a shopping mall and a hostage situation at a concert hall.
1982, the Vietnam War Memorial opened in Washington, D.C.
1927, the Holland Tunnel opened. The world's first underwater vehicular tunnel connected New York and New Jersey.