Thousands of people were killed by Iranian security forces in days of protests in January 2026. Meanwhile, in the same month, the killing of two protesters in Minneapolis shone a light on the use of fatal force by American law enforcement — a phenomenon that in 2025 saw the deaths of more than 1,300 people in the U.S., according to data tracking such incidents. But should one of those two sets of killings be classified as a government-involved “atrocity” and the other not? The answer may not be as simple as you think, and it revolves around how you classify atrocities.
Archives for February 18, 2026
DSC Offering New Associate of Science Degree in Aviation Maintenance Management Beginning Fall 2026
Pending Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and institutional accreditor approval, Daytona State College is launching a new Associate of Science in Aviation Maintenance Management degree in Fall 2026. The five-semester program combines industry standard technical training in aircraft maintenance with managerial skills essential for overseeing aviation maintenance operations.
To Prevent Inmate Deaths, Flagler Sheriff Implements Biometric Monitoring in Real Time at Jail
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office has deployed OverWatch biometric sensors at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility to improve inmate safety. Funded entirely by inmate welfare funds at no taxpayer cost, the wrist-worn devices monitor real-time vitals like heart rate and oxygen levels. This technology allows staff to detect and respond rapidly to medical emergencies, drug withdrawals, and suicide risks between routine physical checks.
Palm Coast Utility Sale Hurdles Approved as Pontieri Cites Privatization Fears and Mayor Calls It ‘Virtue Signaling’
Prompted by Council member Theresa Pontieri’s concerns over rising corporate utility privatization, the Palm Coast City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on first reading requiring a supermajority vote and a public referendum before the city’s water and sewer utility can be sold. While Mayor Mike Norris questioned the measure’s permanence, the ordinance aims to safeguard the $400 million asset from potential acquisition by private equity firms.
Palm Coast Council Defends Splash Pad Settlement that Fell $1.2 Million Short, Citing ‘Diminishing Returns’
Palm Coast City Council voted 5-0 to settle the remaining litigation over the defective Holland Park splash pad, recovering $2.375 million total. The settlement falls roughly $1.2 million short of the city’s repair costs and legal fees. Council members cited “diminishing returns” for ending the lawsuits, arguing that further legal action would risk costing taxpayers more than it would likely recover in additional damages.
Florida House Approves New Hurdles on Already Strict and Stingy Jobless Benefits
The Florida House passed a bill Tuesday adding strict eligibility requirements for unemployment benefits, including mandatory weekly employer contacts and interview attendance. While Republicans argue the measure is necessary to stop fraud, Democrats contend it penalizes valid claimants in a system that already offers some of the nation’s lowest benefits. The bill also mandates the Department of Commerce perform bi-weekly checks on claimants’ incarceration and employment status.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, February 18, 2026
The Tourist Development Council meets, the Palm Coast Planning Board meets, the county’s industrial development board meets, Bingo Night at Palm Coast Elks Lodge, Jesse Jackson.