Former Palm Coast City Council member and attorney Robert Cuff, a Republican most of his adult life, writes Rep. Randy Fine and Sens. Rick Scott and Ashley Moddy of his grave concern over President Trump’s unilateral military intervention in Venezuela, criticizing the lack of bipartisan Congressional notification and the dismissal of constitutional checks. Urging an end to legislative abdication, the letter demands that Congress reassert its authority over war and spending to restrain an increasingly unaccountable executive branch.
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Daily Cartoon and Briefing
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
From Redistricting to Property Tax Elimination to School Voucher Failures: Lawmakers Convene for High-Stakes 2026 Session
Florida’s 2026 legislative session kicks off next week with lawmakers tackling a $117.36 billion budget, artificial intelligence regulations, and potential property tax cuts. Key debates include repealing gun purchase age limits, redrawing congressional districts for the 2026 elections, and addressing “growing pains” in school voucher programs. Additionally, Senate leaders are pushing a “rural renaissance” plan to revitalize the state’s agricultural heartlands.
Web Surfing for Hookups with Sex Offenders While on Probation Sends Former Scientist George Proulx Back to Prison
Former Palm Coast resident George Proulx has been sentenced to an additional four years in prison following a violation of his sex offender probation. Released in 2024 after serving four years for abusing four adolescents, Proulx was caught accessing the internet and tracking female sex offenders. Despite a potential 45-year maximum sentence for the violation, a negotiated plea deal will see him released at age 76 with no further probation, provided he continues registering as an offender.
After Anemic Congressional Campaign, Furry Pivots Back to School Board Re-Election from His Coveted Vice Chairmanship
Flagler County School Board member Will Furry has quit his bid to challenge U.S. Rep. Randy Fine in the GOP congressional primary to run for re-election to the School Board. Furry attributed his withdrawal to uncertainty over potential redistricting, though his campaign struggled to raise funds against opponents like Fine and Charles Gambaro. His return follows a contentious November episode where he and Chair Christy Chong deadlocked the board for nine hours to block a colleague’s appointment as vice chair.
More Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
Builders and Palm Coast Trade Legal Blows in Battle Over Impact Fees Ahead of February Court Hearings
The legal battle between the Flagler Home Builders Association and Palm Coast over impact fee hikes produced dueling motions before the holidays. The City moved to dismiss the case on Dec. 5. The Builders filed for summary judgment on Dec. 15, arguing the fees are unconstitutional and unjustified. A judge will hear arguments on the city’s motion on Feb. 2 and the homebuilders’ motions on Feb. 17.
Home Health Aide Charged with Stealing from 90-Year-Old Assisted Living Resident to Buy Gas, Donuts and Trinkets
Kaiti Natasha Swain, a 32-year-old home health aide, was arrested on two felony charges for allegedly stealing cash and a credit card from a 90-year-old resident at HarborChase of Palm Coast. An investigation linked Swain to over $600 in fraudulent purchases at businesses in Palatka and Palm Coast.
As Data Centers Draw Opposition Across Florida, DeSantis and Environmentalists Forge an Unlikely Alliance
As AI data centers proliferate across Florida, communities are pushing back against their massive water and energy consumption. From Palm Beach County’s “Project Tango” to rural Osceola County, residents fear these facilities will drain aquifers and ruin neighborhoods. While Governor DeSantis has unexpectedly signaled support for local control over these centers, the state legislature’s deference to corporate secrecy remains a hurdle. A proposed solution involves requiring substantial bonds from developers to cover environmental damages.
Convicted Sex Offender with Lurid Criminal Past Charged with Kidnapping and Beating 11-Year-Old Boy
Darnell Wayne Hairston, a 60-year-old convicted sex offender with a long history of violent crimes, was arrested in Flagler County following a New Year’s Eve traffic stop. After a violent struggle with deputies, authorities discovered an 11-year-old kidnapping victim in his truck. The child had been missing for three days and was allegedly tortured at a remote campsite. Hairston now faces several first-degree felonies, including kidnapping, aggravated child abuse, and battery by strangulation.
Flagler Sheriff’s Detention Deputy’s Battery Charge Likely to Be Dropped as Alleged Victim Refuses to Pursue It
Following the New Year’s Night arrest of Flagler County Detention Deputy Sara Radford for misdemeanor domestic battery, the alleged victim, Jose Marine, has requested that the court dismiss the charge. Marine wrote a Volusia County Court judge that he does not recall the incident and that no physical harm occurred. Radford remains suspended without pay.
Reading Into Them: Flagler County Leaders’ Favorite Books of 2025
The third edition of FlaglerLive’s annual best reads project celebrates the personal joy of reading over academic or literary hierarchies. Featuring contributions from a local judge, attorneys, elected and other Flagler County leaders, the collection highlights diverse favorites ranging from Thomas Mann’s “Magic Mountain” and Erik Larson’s history to a legal decisions and self-actualization books. Here’s to venturing beyond comfort zones to discover transformative titles.
Flagler County Rededicates Wadsworth Skate Park After $240,000 Repairs; Long-Term Plans for Concrete ‘Bowl’ Remain
Flagler County officials gathered today to rededicate the Wadsworth Park skate park near Flagler Beach following a $240,000 renovation. The project replaced 60 percent of the aging steel ramps and repaired existing facilities. While local skaters and advocates like Jay Wolfington and Carla Cline continue to push for a $1.5 million concrete facility, officials opted for the current repairs using available capital savings. Commissioners say a permanent concrete bowl remains the county’s long-term goal for the site.
Family Friend, 54, Arrested for Alleged Rape of Palm Coast Adolescent
Seth Tyler Holton, 54, is being held without bond at the Flagler County jail following allegations that he raped an adolescent girl while her parents were away. A family friend, Holton allegedly confessed to the assault during conversations with the parents and a subsequent non-custodial interview with detectives. Sheriff Rick Staly credited the victim’s bravery for coming forward.
Cold-Weather Shelter for Homeless and Others Open Through Thursday Night
The Sheltering Tree will open the Flagler County cold-weather shelter through Thursday night, Dec. 29-Jan. 1, as temperatures are expected to fall into the 30s those nights.
From ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ to Book Bans: Florida’s 10 Biggest Looming Legal Issues of 2026
Florida enters 2026 facing high-stakes legal battles over “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center conditions, school book removals, and firearm age limits. Courts are also weighing the constitutionality of state-level immigration crimes, social media restrictions for minors, and bans on gender-affirming care. Additionally, the Florida Supreme Court is reviewing utility rate hikes and marijuana legalization efforts, while federal judges decide if the state overstepped its authority regarding wetlands permitting and platform censorship.
Jim Canfield, Galvanizing Architect of Palm Coast Incorporation and First Mayor, Dies at 96
Jim Canfield, the founding mayor of Palm Coast and a pivotal figure in the city’s 1999 incorporation, has died at age 96. A former Manhattan educator, Canfield led the Home Rule Committee through a contentious transition to cityhood, overcoming opposition regarding taxes and representation. Known for his non-partisan leadership and diplomatic nature, he served as mayor until 2007. Colleagues remember him as an honorable, welcoming leader who prioritized community identity over political division.
The Live Calendar: Today in Flagler
January 2026
Jan 06 2026
Flagler Beach Library Writers’ Club
315 South 7th Street, Flagler Beach
Jan 06 2026
Flagler Beach Planning and Architectural Review Board
Flagler Beach City Hall
Jan 06 2026
Palm Coast City Council Meeting
Palm Coast City Hall
Jan 06 2026
Bunnell Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board
Government Services Building
Jan 06 2026
Flagler Beach United Methodist Church Food Pantry Evening Hours
Flagler Beach United Methodist Church
Jan 06 2026
Random Acts of Insanity Standup Comedy
Cinematique of Daytona Beach
Jan 07 2026
Palm Coast Code Enforcement Board Meeting
Palm Coast City Hall
Jan 07 2026
Separation Chat: Open Discussion
Pine Lakes Golf Club
Jan 07 2026
Flagler Beach Library Book Club
315 South 7th Street, Flagler Beach
Jan 07 2026
The Circle of Light A Course in Miracles Study Group
Contact Aynne McAvoy
Jan 07 2026
Flagler County Republican Club Meeting
Jan 07 2026
Flagler Beach Parks Ad Hoc Committee
Flagler Beach City Hall
No event found!
The Conversation
Can U.S. Run Venezuela? Unlikely.
Washington increasingly relies on coercion – military, economic and political – not only to deter adversaries but to compel compliance from weaker nations. This may deliver short-term obedience, but it is counterproductive as a strategy for building durable power, which depends on legitimacy and capacity. When coercion is applied to governance, it can harden resistance, narrow diplomatic options and transform local political failures into contests of national pride.
Florida and Beyond
Judge Rules ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ Immigration Detention Facility Is Exempt from Florida’s Prison Access Laws
A Leon County circuit judge has dismissed a lawsuit by five Democratic lawmakers seeking unannounced access to the state’s “Alligator Alcatraz” immigrant detention center. Judge Jonathan Sjostrom ruled that state laws granting legislators access to prisons and jails do not apply because the Everglades facility is not a correctional institution under the Department of Corrections. The ruling supports the DeSantis administration’s argument that individual lawmakers lack the oversight authority held by legislative committees.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, January 5, 2026
The Beverly Beach Town Commission is first to get back into the swing of things with a meeting this evening, the Chief Justice, like Herbert Hoover after the Great Crash, thinks America is dandy, an observation from the Thousand and One Nights.
Trump’s New World Order Is Taking Shape in Venezuela
The attack on Venezuela and the capture of President Nicolás Maduro herald the decoupling of Trump’s United States from the rules-based international order, and the end of liberal order as a whole. A new international order is now emerging, based on the use of force, revisionism and security on the American continent. Here are five keys to understanding the outcomes of the military intervention, and the new order it ushers in.
More Florida and Beyond
Trump Is Whitewashing Slavery’s Brutal Reality
Trump is seeking to to purge public memorials and markers honoring the suffering and heroism of the enslaved as well as those who championed their freedom. Among the materials reportedly flagged for removal from history museums, national parks and other government facilities is a disturbing but powerful photograph known as “The Scourged Back.”
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, January 4, 2025
Florida: A History in Pictures, a Palm Coast Historical Society Speaker Series, Palm Coast Farmers’ Market, the beauty and romance of Teresa Carreno, the Venezuelan composer and pianist you’ve not yet heard, but should.
Saturday in Byblos
Getting to Know Karl Ove Knausgaard
Karl Ove Knausgaard’s “My Struggle” is a polarizing masterpiece of autofiction, blending mundane details with profound existential dread. Despite his flat style and occasionally tedious philosophical tangents, Knausgaard’s uncompromising honesty regarding family, addiction, and self-loathing creates a bewitching, page-turning intimacy as he ennobles the ordinary. His place as a Scandinavian literary giant seems assured even as he tests the reader’s patience with his massive scale.
Maduro’s Kidnapping: What We Know So Far
The US campaign against Venezuela is the product of two distinct policy impulses within the Trump administration. The first is the long held desire of many Republican hawks, including the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, to force regime change in Caracas. The second impulse is more complex. Trump campaigned for election in 2024 on the idea that his administration would not become involved in foreign conflicts. But his administration claims that Venezuela’s government and military are involved in drug trafficking.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, January 3, 2026
Kuper on price inflation, the Saturday Flagler Beach Farmers Market in front of City Hall, the Flagler Beach All Stars hold their monthly beach clean-up, Johnny Cash on what is truth.
Is “Microdosing’ Exercise a Thing?
“Microdosing” originally meant taking tiny amounts of psychedelics (such as mushrooms) to enhance mood or performance, with fewer side effects. But the term has taken off to mean anything where you incorporate a much lower “dose” of something – and still reap the benefits. So, does this work for exercise? If you can’t make time for a 30-minute run, will shorter bursts of activity do anything for your health? Here’s what the evidence says.
California Is Banning Masks for Federal Agents. Here’s Why It Could Lose in Court.
A series of immigration raids across California in 2025 had one thing in common: Most of the federal agents detaining people wore masks over their faces. This month, the state of California and its largest county will ban law enforcement officers from covering their faces, with a few exceptions, putting local and state police at odds with masked immigration agents.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, January 2, 2026
The year’s first First Friday in Flagler Beach this evening from 6 to 9, with Madam for entertainment, memories of the Aral Sea, and where the Dead Sea is headed next, with a Palestinian Walk.
Jury Trials, a Critical Part of Democracy, Are Disappearing
in a change with profound implications, juries now decide only a tiny fraction of criminal and civil cases in the U.S. The decline over time has been dramatic, triggering warnings from scholars since at least the 1920s. In 1962, when federal judicial statistics became reliable enough to track the trend, juries decided about 6% of civil cases; today that share is less then 1%.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, January 1, 2026
The Cold-Weather Shelter known as the Sheltering Tree opens yet again tonight as the temperatures scrape the 30s, reflections on the new year, a Mozart piano concerto and a few words from Edward Abbey.
Adieu, Brigitte Bardot
Brigitte Bardot’s death, at the age of 91, brings to a close one of the most extraordinary careers in post-war French cultural life. Best known as an actress, she was also a singer, a fashion icon, an animal rights activist and a symbol of France’s sexual liberation. Famous enough to be known by her initials, B.B. symbolized a certain vision of French femininity – rebellious and sensual, yet vulnerable.
52 Bears Killed in State-Sanctioned Hunt, 120 Fewer Than Permitted
The bear population in Florida is estimated at around 4,050. The 2025 hunt was the first since in a decade. The state shut down the last hunt in 2015 at the end of its second day after nearly 300 bears had been killed. The 2025 rules gave hunters the green light to kill bears at game feeding stations, using food to bait the animals. The rules allow hunters to use dogs to assist them in the hunt beginning in 2027.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, December 31, 2025
The Cold-Weather Shelter known as the Sheltering Tree will open tonight, the last day of BachFest, hurrying home “before the usual manifestations of insanity had begin in the streets,” and how we were the world.
Commentary
On Netflix’s Adaptation of Jane Austen’s ‘Persuasion’
Jane Austen’s work might shake the blinkered out of an unhelpful way of seeing the world, or reveal hidden depths in overlooked friends and acquaintances. It can take people away from those who do not appreciate them, and introduce them into new communities in which they thrive.
2025’s Words of the Year: Digital Disillusion
Every year, editors for publications ranging from the Oxford English Dictionary to the Macquarie Dictionary of Australian English select a “word of the year.” This year’s slate largely centers on digital life. But rather than reflecting the unbridled optimism about the internet of the early aughts – when words like “w00t,” “blog,” “tweet” and even “face with tears of joy” emoji (😂) were chosen – this year’s selections reflect a growing unease over how the internet has become a hotbed of artifice, manipulation and fake relationships.
Jean Baudrillard Predicted AI 30 Years Ago
In 1986 Baudrillard was noting that in society “the scene and the mirror have given way to a screen and a network”. He predicted the use of the smartphone, foreseeing each person in control of a machine which would isolate them “in a position of perfect sovereignty”, like “an astronaut in a bubble”. Such insights helped him go on to devise perhaps his most famous concept: the theory that we were stepping into the era of “hyperreality”.