In an exceedingly rare move, a Florida House committee on Thursday reprimanded Rep. Angie Nixon for repeatedly blaring a bullhorn during a contentious fight over congressional redistricting. But the Jacksonville Democrat told reporters she’s unfazed — despite receiving the Florida Legislature’s first official reprimand in more than 20 years.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, May 14, 2026
Palm Coast’s Loop Road Groundbreaking on Matanzas Woods Parkway, ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,’ an FPC Production at the Fitz, The Flagler Beach City Commission meets, a Maupassant story anticipates Trump’s bloodlust at a UFC fight.
Opioid Overdose Deaths Drop 42% in First Half of 2025, Fentanyl Deaths Down 46%
Opioid-caused deaths fell by 42 percent from January 2025 to June 2025, and fentanyl-caused deaths fell 46 percent, according to the interim 2025 Drugs in Deceased Persons Report released by the Florida Medical Examiners Commission. Drug harm reduction advocates and researchers say shifts in the drug supply and changes in drug use are the major contributors to the decrease in deaths.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Conversations in Democracy at Pine Lakes Golf Club, Jonathan Brown on the cognitive test Trump failed, on being part of something bigger than oneself, David Foster Wallace on Charlie Rose.
The Nightmare Holocaust Survivors Came Home To
Holocaust survivors returning to Paris after the Nazi occupation discovered their homes were looted and occupied by strangers. Restitution laws meant to help victims often created bureaucratic hurdles that favored non-Jewish tenants instead. Many families spent decades fighting for financial compensation for stolen furniture and personal belongings. The exclusion of foreign-born Jews highlights the lasting economic and emotional scars left by the Holocaust.
Florida Immigration Enforcement Costs Shifted from Storm Fund Climb to $460 Million For the Year
The fund was created in 2022 to handle hurricane preparation and response and other natural disasters, allowing Gov. Ron DeSantis to quickly dispense money during states of emergency. Since 2022, the lawmakers have deposited $4.77 billion into the fund. As of a few weeks ago, the fund balance was $199 million.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, May 12, 2026
Day two of Gary Durso’s trial, the Palm Coast City Council meets in workshop, the Community Traffic Safety Team meet as does the school board, for a workshop, catching up with Robert Caro at 90, as he continues his biography of LBJ.
AI Integrated License Plate Readers Are Quietly Transforming American Cities Into Massive Surveillance Networks
Automatic license plate readers occupy thousands of American intersections, integrating with advanced artificial intelligence and creating searchable databases facilitating mass surveillance of marginalized communities. Private companies provide the equipment frequently bypassing local oversight laws. Significant costs exist. Little evidence supports claims regarding violent crime reduction. Activists are now organizing to resist this rapidly expanding government data dragnet nationwide across the United States today.
Victim’s Family Alleges in Lawsuit that FSU Shooter Was ‘Co-Conspiring’ with ChatGPT
The family of one of the victims of last year’s mass shooting at Florida State University have filed a lawsuit against the artificial intelligence chatbot the alleged shooter consulted before the attack. Lawyers representing 45-year-old Tiru Chabba’s estate announced the lawsuit filed Monday in Tallahassee federal court.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, May 11, 2026
The Bunnell City Commission meets, Flagler County’s Land Acquisition Committee, Francis Fukuyama on the future of democracy, a few words from the Philippines.
Netanyahu’s Baseless Pledge to ‘Finish” Hezbollah
When it comes to Hezbollah, Israel’s military simply cannot completely defeat a resistance movement that is so embedded in the social, political and cultural fabric of Lebanon. This would require not just a military victory, but the subjugation of its supporters and the delegitimisation of its ideology.
Florida Democrats Are Getting Giddy. They Should Beware.
Florida Democrats are experiencing rare optimism following competitive polling and recent special election victories as Republican incumbents Byron Donalds and James Uthmeier face scrutiny over controversial statements and legal issues. But the GOP maintains a supermajority and control over the judiciary, and Democrats have a history of failing in critical statewide elections.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, May 10, 2026
‘The Curious Savage” at Daytona Playhouse, the maimed run in Gaza, Shell’s obscene war profiteering, Palm Coast Farmers’ Market at European Village, when corporations were survivalists.
Why Do Some People Treat the Magic Kingdom and Disney Adults Like Cultural Abominations?
Critics frequently dismiss Disney World as a manufactured environment lacking true substance. This “authenticity objection” suggests the parks provide only mindless distraction. Philosophical analysis reveals Disney never purports to be anything other than a themed amusement park. Devoted fans also maintain their own unique identities outside this fantasy. The Magic Kingdom offers valuable spaces for diverse families to create lasting and collective memories together.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Palm Coast Spring Arts Festival in Central Park, the Saturday Flagler Beach Farmers Market, AAUW Monthly Meeting, Second Saturday Plant Sale at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, William Maxwell’s “A Final Report.”
How Ted Turner Changed the Way We See Our World
Ted Turner will be remembered mostly for the creation and development of the Cable News Network – CNN – which launched in 1980 and made our knowledge of distant events instantaneous and our world more comprehensible. In this sense, Turner’s legacy extends beyond television. He changed our conception not only of journalism but also of our world.
Southern Poverty Law Center Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges and Questions Motives
The Southern Poverty Law Center pleaded not guilty to federal charges of fraud and money laundering. The Department of Justice alleges that a discontinued informant program defrauded donors by enriching extremist groups. Defense attorneys labeled the prosecution a political attack.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, May 8, 2026
Coffee and Conversation with Palm Coast City Manager Michael McGlothlin at the Jacked-up Bean, ‘The Curious Savage” at Daytona Playhouse, more sappy reflections on “As Time Goes By.”
Intermittent Fasting Limits and Benefits
Intermittent fasting has become a buzzword in nutrition circles, with many people looking to it as a way to lose weight or improve their health. But new research from the Cochrane Collaboration shows intermittent fasting is no more effective for weight loss than receiving traditional dietary advice or even doing nothing at all.
‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ Too Expensive to Run, May Close
The New York Times reported Thursday morning that “Florida is in talks with the Trump administration” to shut down the facility dubbed by DeSantis’ administration as “Alligator Alcatraz,” adding that the talks are “preliminary but that “officials at the Department of Homeland Security have concluded that it is too expensive to keep operating the center.”
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Disingenuously bemoaning the days when Liszt and Brahms were celebrities, Philippe Lancon on Bach, Model Yacht Club races at the Pond in Palm Coast’s Central Park, Story Time with Miss Kim at Flagler Beach Public Library.
Texas Kills James Broadnax as Legal Experts Question Using Rap Lyrics as Criminal Evidence
Texas killed James G. Broadnax on April 30, 2026, for a 2008 double murder after prosecutors used 40 pages of Broadnax’s rap lyrics during the sentencing phase to argue a criminal mentality. Legal scholars identify a pattern of treating fictional lyrics as literal confessions, a practice that reflects historical racial stereotypes. Using art to justify executions extends the discriminatory legacy of Jim Crow laws into today’s courtrooms.
The Increasingly Mythical American Dream
At its best, the U.S. is seen as allowing individuals the freedom to live the life they want. Liberty and rugged individualism have been hallmarks of America since its beginnings, so it should come as no surprise that they are also central to the American Dream. Given this, has the American Dream become more or less difficult to achieve over time? Unfortunately, for a growing number of Americans, it appears to be more difficult.
With Democrat David Jolly’s Exception, Most Gubernatorial Candidates Oppose Legalizing Recreational Pot
The GOP’s Paul Renner, Byron Donalds and James Fishback all oppose legalizing recreational marijuana. Democrat David Jolly is one exception. He says the fact that a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis in 2024 is why he supports making it legal.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
The Flagler Beach Library Book Club and the Flagler County Republican Club meet, but quite separately, Bingo Night at Palm Coast Elks Lodge, a church declares the end of hell, and a few thoughts about eternity.
Fish Migrations Are Collapsing, a Problem for Millions
A global assessment led by Zeb Hogan reveals a devastating collapse in migratory freshwater fish populations. Nearly 100 percent of species listed under international treaties face extinction risks. Dams and overfishing break vital river connections across 250 international borders. Restoration requires keeping rivers free-flowing and protecting floodplains. These disappearing migrations threaten the essential food security and the diverse cultural traditions of millions of people worldwide.
Parents and Florida’s Teachers Union Sue State Over Universal Vouchers, Calling them Unconstitutional
Parents and the Florida Education Association argue in a 39-page filing in state trial court in Leon County that state dollars funding private school vouchers don’t conform to the Florida’s Constitution’s charge requiring “uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools.”
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
The Palm Coast City Council meets, Flagler Beach’s Planning Board meets to celebrate Chair Suzie Johnston’s 45th birthday, The Flagler Beach Library Writers’ Group meets at the Flagler Beach library, another Jim Thompson excerpt.
Tax on Contraceptives Will Not Encourage Fertility
In an attempt to double the country’s rate of 1.0 children per woman, Beijing is reaching for a new tool: taxes on condoms, birth control pills and other contraceptives. As of Jan. 1, such items were subject to a 13% value-added tax. Meanwhile, services such as child care and matchmaking remain duty-free. These new moves will not have much, if any, effect on reversing the fertility rate decline to one of the world’s lowest and far below the 2.1 “replacement rate” needed to maintain a stable population.
Lawsuit Calls Florida’s New Congressional Map ‘One of the Most Extreme Gerrymanders’ in US History
A lawsuit has been filed against the Florida congressional redistricting map signed into law Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Equal Ground Education Fund, a Black-led organization that works to increase Black political power in Florida, filed a 71-page lawsuit in the Second Judicial Circuit in Leon County on behalf of 18 individual plaintiffs who live throughout the state. The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to stop the new map from going into effect.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, May 4, 2026
The Palm Coast City Council holds a “retreat” at the Southern Recreation Center, the County Commission meets, the Beverly Beach Town Commission meets, crime novelist Jim Thompson’s Library of America volume.
China Surpasses U.S. In Research While Disinvestment In Basic Science Could Shrink American Economy By Trillions
China now outspends the United States in research and development, marking a structural shift in global scientific leadership. This milestone follows China surpassing the U.S. in patents and highly cited publications. American disinvestment in basic science and tightening research security risk eroding the institutional capacity needed to utilize new knowledge. Without sustained federal support, the U.S. faces significant long-term economic contraction and talent loss.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Last performance of ‘Line’ and ‘All In the Timing’ and last performance of the season at City Rep Theatre Simenon’s existentialism, Bill Murray’s energy, “The Sound of Music” at Athens Theatre.
Memo to the West: You Will Not Win the Middle East
The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran lacks a definitive conclusion. Tehran maintains a strategic advantage by defining victory as mere survival. Depleted American missile inventories and divergent allied goals complicate efforts to achieve decisive results. This prolonged stalemate creates systemic risks for global energy markets. Force alone cannot resolve this deeply complex regional entanglement.
Immigration Sweeps Lead to Tens of Thousands More ‘Collateral’ Arrests of Noncriminals in 7 Months
A quarter of immigration arrests since August were labeled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as “collateral,” a type of arrest and detention that’s been challenged in court as an end run around civil rights. Public outrage and lawsuits over the arrests may be tamping down the large-scale sweeps that foster them, but tens of thousands were arrested this way between August and early March.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Paws For Music: Community Cats Fundraiser at 1405 Saloon, Palm Coast Library Bookfest, ‘Line’ and ‘All In the Timing’ At City Rep Theatre, when a Texas school board banned a textbook over a paragraph on capitalism.
Job Performance Reviews Are Outdated and Often Pointless
Traditional performance reviews are failing the modern workforce because they focus on retrospective assessments and reductive metrics. Employees often view these systems as significant failures yet keep using them due to institutional habits and a false sense of objectivity. Effective management requires a shift toward continuous feedback and adaptable objectives to better reflect the collaborative and creative nature of contemporary professional work environments.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, May 1, 2026
‘Line’ and ‘All In the Timing’ enters its final weekend at City Rep Theatre, First Friday in Flagler Beach, “The Sound of Music” at Athens Theatre, consumer confidence at an all-time low.
Chernobyl at 40: Secret Files Reveal Extent of Soviet Lies
Forty years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, declassified Stasi records reveal the calculated extent of Soviet misinformation. These secret files show that officials prioritized national reputation over public safety by falsifying press releases and hiding radiation data. The documents also expose a cynical plan to export contaminated food. This systemic dishonesty ultimately eroded public trust and contributed significantly to the eventual collapse of the regime.
Florida Democrats and Civil Rights Organizations Prepare For Court Battle Over New Redistricting
DeSantis’ redrawn congressional maps sparked immediate threats of legal action from advocacy groups as critics argue the mid-decade changes violate the state’s Fair Districts Amendment. The governor claims a recent Supreme Court ruling justifies the move. Opponents describe the plan as a partisan power grab designed to dilute minority voting power and secure Republican seats before the 2026 elections.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Satchel Walton, an imminent graduate in journalism from UNC, worries about his industry and the truth, “The Sound of Music” at Athens Theatre, John Oliver on journalism.
Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act Ruling Alters Landscape of Elections
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision striking down a Black-majority district in Louisiana reinterprets Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to make racial discrimination harder to prove. Conservative justices argued the district was an unconstitutional gerrymander. Minority plaintiffs now face significant legal hurdles in challenging future maps. These changes carry major implications for partisan control in the 2026 midterm elections.
Florida House Approves DeSantis’ Congressional Redistricting Map in 90 Minutes
The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday morning passed the congressional redistricting map presented to them by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which could give Republicans up to four new congressional districts. DeSantis’s legal team argues that federal law overrides state Fair District Amendments regarding minority representation. Democrats allege illegal partisan gerrymandering designed to aid 2026 midterm goals. The Florida Supreme Court will likely decide the constitutionality of this race-neutral approach.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Clay Jones on Kash Patel’s frat boy acts, Conversations in Democracy, noon to 1 p.m. at Pine Lakes Golf Club Clubhouse, 10 of Blaise Pascal’s Pensées if Trump were tweeting them.
MRNA Vaccine Misinformation Threatens Cancer Treatment Breakthroughs
Scientists are developing mRNA cancer vaccines to revolutionize tumor treatment through targeted immune system activation. This progress faces significant threats from the false turbo cancer narrative spreading across social media platforms. Such misinformation erodes public trust and influences critical patient decisions regarding therapy. Transparent communication and clinical engagement are necessary to ensure these medical innovations reach their full potential for saving lives globally.
As Florida Measles Cases Reach 134, DeSantis Again Orders Legislature to Loosen Vaccine Mandates
As the number of confirmed measles cases in Florida increases, so does Gov. Ron DeSantis’ passion to pass legislation to make it easier for parents to turn down the required vaccines for public school students. Florida this year has seen 134 confirmed measles cases as of April 23, the fourth most in the nation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
It’s school board day, with the 1 p.m. workshop and 6 p.m. meeting, the Flagler County Affordable Housing Committee, the Flagler Beach Library Writers’ Group meets, a few thoughts about Pascal.
Divisive Rhetoric Fuels Rising Political Violence
The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner underscores a dangerous escalation in American political violence fueled by intense polarization, dehumanizing rhetoric, and widespread disinformation. These factors erode trust in democratic institutions.
Their Answer to Florida’s Housing Crisis: Smaller Lot Sizes and Granny Flats
Although there’s no “silver bullet” to cure Florida’s affordable housing crisis, an argument is gaining ground that smaller lot sizes can be a significant part of the solution, as might be allowances for accessory dwelling units, sometimes called granny flats or in-law units, or ADUs.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, April 27, 2026
The Bunnell City Commission meets, John Darkow’s take on artificial intelligence, that creepy half-marathon with robots in Beijing, when Gary Kasparov won and lost to Deep Blue.