The Flagler County Commission approved a 30-year lease of 3.5 acres–for $1,000 an acre–at the county airport to Upstate Companies of St. Augustine. The firm will spend $4 million to construct a 52,000-square-foot complex featuring four hangars and offices. While officials hope to attract avionics and repair shops, the lease does not explicitly ban flight schools, despite concerns from residents and some commissioners regarding noise: FAA regulations preclude excluding aviation-related businesses.
Flagler Commission Approves Heidi Petito Resignation and Severance Terms Following Months Of Intense Friction
The Flagler County Commission approved a mutual separation agreement for Administrator Heidi Petito in a 4-1 vote today. Petito resigned citing untenable tension with the board. The agreement provides 20 weeks of severance and allows her to remain until July 14, if necessary. Commissioners Kim Carney and Pam Richardson were opposed to the package. Supporters and members of the public praised Petito’s 25 years of professional service.
Florida Supreme Court Rejects Legal Petition To Block DeSantis From Redrawing Congressional Districts
The Florida Supreme Court unanimously rejected a petition from voters seeking to block Governor Ron DeSantis’ plan to redraw the state’s congressional districts. The ruling confirms the governor’s authority to call a special session and the Secretary of State’s power to adjust election qualifying dates. DeSantis aims to reshape districts ahead of potential federal rulings regarding the Voting Rights Act and race-based mapping.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, March 2, 2026
The Flagler County Commission holds a pair of meetings, one of them to discuss Administrator Heidi Petito’s resignation, the Beverly Beach town commission meets, how the Jerusalem Post glorified Donald Trump, a few words from Siegfried Sassoon.
Why Regime Change in Iran Is Unlikely
Following massive joint airstrikes by U.S. and Israeli forces that reportedly killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Donald Trump is heavily advocating for regime change in Iran. Despite the aggressive military campaign and calls for a civilian uprising, veteran diplomat Donald Heflin warns that the Iranian regime’s deeply entrenched power and well-armed Revolutionary Guards make a successful civilian-led overthrow highly improbable at this time.
Florida’s Legislative Session at Midpoint: Manufactured Outrage Over Solving State Crises
Midway through the legislative session, Florida lawmakers are neglecting pressing issues like housing and healthcare to focus on divisive culture wars and partisan distractions. Instead of helping citizens, representatives are advancing bills to rename airports, ban library books, protect gun manufacturers, and restrict voting rights. Furthermore, proposed legislation threatens to criminalize political dissent, signaling a deeply concerning shift toward government overreach and unconstitutional state surveillance.
Florida Ranks Third Nationwide in Confirmed Measles Cases as Senate Advances Vaccine Exemption Bill
Florida currently ranks third nationwide in confirmed measles cases, with the CDC reporting 107 cases and the state health department officially tracking 104 cases primarily affecting 15- to 24-year-olds. Despite highly contagious outbreaks and immunization rates dropping below the required 95% threshold for herd immunity, the Florida Senate is advancing legislation to allow parents to opt out of vaccinating their children based on conscientious objections.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, March 1, 2026
Palm Coast Farmers’ Market at European Village, Valeria Luiselli’s “Predictions and Presentiment” and the place of sounds in prose, Grace Community Food Pantry.
Survey: Florida Voters Squeezed by Costs
A recent statewide survey by the James Madison Institute reveals that Florida voters are increasingly burdened by rising living costs, with insurance and property taxes driving housing unaffordability. While expressing concern over national divisions, a strong majority of Floridians support significant policy reforms, including property tax levy caps, expanded energy generation, and education unbundling. In the 2026 governor’s race, Byron Donalds currently leads the Republicans.
High-Speed Rail Moves Millions Around the World, Except in the U.S.
High-speed rail systems are found all over the globe. Japan’s bullet train began operating in 1964. China will have 31,000 miles (50,000 kilometers) of high-speed track by the end of 2025. The fastest train in Europe goes almost 200 mph (320 kph). Yet high-speed rail remains absent from most of the U.S.
Saturday in Byblos:
John Updike and Paul Bowles do Morocco
American authors John Updike and Paul Bowles portray Morocco in two short stories that start from the same geographic spot on the Mediterranean. Bowles approaches his Moroccan characters with a lyrical detachment that leaves room for interpretation. Updike projects a bleak, fear-driven racism reducing Arabs to menacing stereotypes. Both writers reveal much more about American anxieties and orientalist attitudes than the actual North African landscape they visited.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, February 28, 2026
Gamble Jam, Feline Friendship Art Class and Wine, “The Colored Museum” at CRT, Coffee With Commissioner Scott Spradley, experiencing Joe Rogan with David Remnick, Hugh Thomas on wizardry.
Martin Luther King Was For Universal Basic Income
Each year on the holiday that bears his name, Martin Luther King Jr. is remembered for his immense contributions to the struggle for racial equality. What is less often remembered but equally important is that King saw the fight for racial equality as deeply intertwined with economic justice. To address inequality – and out of growing concern for how automation might displace workers – King became an early advocate for universal basic income. Under universal basic income, the government provides direct cash payments to all citizens to help them afford life’s expenses.
New Endowment Secures Future Funding for Dolly Parton Imagination Library in Flagler County
Local resident Linda Mahran has established the Flagler County Early Literacy Endowment to provide free, age-appropriate books every month to children from birth to age five. Coordinated in partnership with local organizations, the fund will sustain the region’s Dolly Parton Imagination Library program. By raising community donations, the endowment aims to eliminate year-to-year fundraising dependence, foster early reading habits, and improve vital overall school readiness.
Facing A Toxic Environment, Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito Tenders Her Voluntary Resignation
Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito is resigning after facing continuous criticism from the new County Commission majority. Despite surviving a recent termination attempt, Petito recognizes the deteriorated working relationships and is proposing a separation agreement, effective at the latest in mid-July. Petito would stay on to shepherd the county through budget season. Her departure follows the recent resignation of Deputy Administrator Percy Sayles, who cited a toxic work environment. The commission will review her voluntary resignation and severance package on Monday morning.
Florida Senate Approves Data Center Legislation To Shield Local Communities From Massive Utility Costs
The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill imposing new restrictions on large-scale data centers to prevent local utility ratepayers from shouldering the immense electricity and water costs associated with the booming artificial intelligence industry. Spearheaded by Governor Ron DeSantis, the legislation mandates public disclosure when data center plans are filed and requires the Public Service Commission to ensure these facilities cover their own utility expenses.
Recently Released Felon Tased and Arrested Following Knife Attack on Flagler County Sheriff’s Deputy
Fifteen months after a prior arrest for assaulting deputies, 35-year-old Andrew Mark Williams was arrested again on Thursday following a violent standoff at an Ormond Beach home. After locking his elderly relatives out, Williams barricaded himself inside and slashed a Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy with a sharp kitchen knife. Deputies deployed a Taser to subdue him, leading to seven new felony charges including elder abuse.
Election Looming, Exasperated Flagler Beach Commission Clashes Over Disjointed Accusations Against City Manager
Flagler Beach City Commissioner Rick Belhumeur presented a lengthy but vague list of grievances against City Manager Dale Martin, prompting deep frustration from colleagues over the lack of clear direction. During a tense meeting, Belhumeur did not recommend specific actions and said he had no intention to terminate Martin. The manager easily defended his administration’s actions, retaining firm support from the commission majority and crucial city employees, but questions remain.
Flagler Beach Commission Finalizes Historic Annexation of Veranda Bay, Increasing City’s Size by Almost a Third
The Flagler Beach City Commission finalized the historic annexation of Veranda Bay Thursday night, after previously approving that of Summertown, expanding the city’s land mass by nearly a third. Passed in a 4-1 vote, the twin developments will add over 2,200 housing units and extensive commercial space in the coming decades. Despite prior opposition and threatened lawsuits from the county, the final approval proceeded smoothly with only minor public dissent currently remaining.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, February 27, 2026
“The Colored Museum” in its final weekend at CRT, Acoustic Jam Circle At The Community Center In The Hammock, Scenic A1A Pride Committee meeting, Darius the Great and Donald Trump.
Feeling Unprepared for AI’s Shocks? You’re Not Alone.
Highly educated, accomplished professionals worry whether there will be a place for them in an economy where generative AI can quickly – and relativity cheaply – complete a growing list of tasks that an extremely large number of people currently get paid to do.
Controversial Bill Allowing Armed Civilians On Florida College Campuses Advances After House Approval
The Florida House of Representatives recently passed a bill expanding the school guardian program to state colleges and universities. The legislation allows college presidents to designate faculty and staff to carry concealed weapons on campus. While supporters cite safety concerns following previous campus violence, opponents question the adequacy of the proposed training and highlight funding disparities for law enforcement between colleges and state universities.
Flagler County Commissioner Kim Carney Launches File of Life Initiative to Ensure End-of-Life Wishes
Flagler County Vice Chair Kim Carney launched the File of Life initiative to help residents properly document their end-of-life medical directives. Inspired by the loss of her mother, Carney donated funds to provide specialized kits containing necessary yellow Do Not Resuscitate forms and magnetic holders. Now, Flagler County Fire Rescue Community Paramedics are distributing these kits to ensure first responders legally honor patient wishes.
Flagler Beach’s $2.6 Million Beachwalk Project at the Pier Is Dead; City Returns $745,000 Grant to the County
Flagler Beach is officially abandoning its $2.6 million Beachwalk project, opting to return a $745,000 tourism grant after the Florida Department of Environmental Protection required a costly new dune system to proceed. The city will now simply refurbish the existing A-frame structure instead of expanding it. The returned grant money will most likely be reallocated to a field lights project located in Palm Coast.
Flagler Schools Update Mandatory ECG Testing Policy for Student Athletes, This Time Without Controversy
Flagler County is updating its mandatory electrocardiogram testing policy for student athletes to align with new state legislation that mirrors the district’s pioneering rules. The school board on Tuesday voted to advance changes requiring students in athletics and marching bands to complete screenings every two years. The district’s ongoing partnership with AdventHealth provides free clinics, which recently saved a local basketball player from cardiac emergencies.
Florida May Be Left Holding Bag for $608 Million Cost of ‘Alligator Alcatraz’
The Justice Department announced that a highly anticipated $608 million federal reimbursement from FEMA will not cover construction costs for Florida’s state-run migrant detention centers, including “Alligator Alcatraz.” Court filings reveal any potential funding would only apply to operational expenses, contradicting prior claims by the DeSantis administration. The funding delay occurs amid a major restructuring at the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, February 26, 2026
The Flagler Beach City Commission meets, Model Yacht Club Races at the Pond in Palm Coast’s Central Park, Ian McEwan’s “What We Can Know,” and McEwan spends an hour with David Remnick.
Flagler School Board Members Clash Over Allowing Student Representatives to Participate in Discussions
The Flagler County School Board is divided over a proposed policy defining the official roles of its student representatives. While two members advocate for allowing students to actively participate in board discussions without voting power, two others argue student input should be strictly limited to prevent political “weaponization” and procedural issues. The district administration is revising the draft to reach an acceptable compromise.
Florida Patients and Doctors Scramble As Proposed AIDS Drug Program Cuts Threaten Care And Public Health
Proposed budget cuts by the Florida Department of Health threaten the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which helps low-income residents access vital HIV medications and insurance coverage. Tightened eligibility requirements and restricted drug options could leave thousands without lifesaving treatment, likely increasing transmission rates and public health costs. Advocacy groups have filed lawsuits to block these changes while the legislature debates additional program funding options.
Flagler Deputies Catch Fleeing Roommate Stabbing Suspect in Palm Coast
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Palm Coast man after he allegedly stabbed his roommate multiple times during a dispute on Pier Lane and fled. Deputies pursued the suspect, Jose Rafael Cortes Nieves, and deployed stop sticks to safely end the high-speed chase. Cortes Nieves confessed to the brutal attack and is currently being held on a $150,000 bond. The victim is now recovering.
Proposal to Honor Jim Guines With Flagler School Building Name Paused Over Lease Doubts
The Flagler County School Board is delaying a proposal to rename its leased Engagement Center after the late Jim Guines, a former board member and lifelong educator. Board members expressed concerns about dedicating a potentially temporary facility to Guines, as the district’s lease expires in September. The board will wait for more clarity on the building’s future before proceeding with any permanent facility naming plans.
Palm Coast Resident Arrested For Generating Child Sexual Abuse Material Using Artificial Intelligence
Robert Ezra Lamb, a 38-year-old Palm Coast resident, faces five felony charges for generating and possessing artificial intelligence-generated child sexual abuse materials. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested him following an Onlyfans cybertip. Detectives discovered Lamb used an application to digitally remove clothing from real images of an ex-girlfriend’s young daughter. The case highlights a global surge in realistic, AI-generated child exploitation content.
In Year’s Second Execution, Florida Kills Melvin Trotter, 65, For 1986 Murder Of Grocery Store Owner
Melvin Trotter, 65, was executed by lethal injection at Florida State Prison for the 1986 murder of Palmetto grocery store owner Virgie Langford. The Florida Supreme Court denied his stay of execution, rejecting claims about lethal injection procedures and his age. Catholic leaders unsuccessfully urged Gov. Ron DeSantis to commute the sentence, criticizing Florida for its accelerated pace of executions after a highly active year.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization meets, free tax preparation, Separation Chat, Marco Rubio’s manufactured humanitarian crisis in Cuba, images from Havana and a DeLillo snapshot.
Palm Coast Approves Two-Building $22 Million Medical Complex For Town Center
The Palm Coast Planning Board unanimously approved a $22 million, 54,000-square-foot medical office complex at the intersection of Town Center Boulevard and Town Court. Developed by Paul Hassan, the two-building project will feature 198 parking spaces and may expand in future phases. Project manager Charlie Faulkner noted the new development aligns perfectly with the original vision for Town Center and fills a necessary community void.
Palm Coast Council Advances Key Charter Amendments on Vacancies, Borrowing Limits, and Disciplinary Powers
The Palm Coast City Council approved several charter amendments for the November ballot, prioritizing rules for filling council vacancies, updating borrowing limits, and defining disciplinary powers. Seeking to prevent voter fatigue, the council narrowed down recommendations from the Charter Review Committee. Key debates centered on the cost of special elections, candidate qualifying fees, and maintaining the majority-vote requirements to place these amendments before the voters.
The Supreme Court’s Unanswered Questions in Tariffs Ruling
The Supreme Court struck down President Donald Trump’s widespread use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose unilateral tariffs, ruling the practice unconstitutional. While the decision invalidates emergency tariffs on multiple nations and removes a key negotiating tool, Trump may still utilize specific provisions like Sections 232 and 301. The ruling opens the door to potential trade renegotiations and corporate tariff refund demands.
Matanzas High School Student Arrested For Snapchat Gun Threats
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office arrested a fourteen-year-old Matanzas High School student after he threatened to shoot two classmates. During an online argument over Snapchat, the teenager sent a video of himself displaying his father’s firearm and issued death threats. Authorities detained the boy following a lunchroom altercation, charging him with a felony for sending written or electronic threats to kill or do bodily injury.
Flagler Sheriff Among 18 Police Agencies Sharing $40 Million State Aid for Immigration Enforcement
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is receiving $6,500 for 100 mattresses, $198,000 for 60 rapid ID devices, $46,000 for five in-car cameras, $7,500 for five handheld inmate-tracking devices, and $2,800 for 400 blankets. Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Cabinet approved the $40 million ask from local police agencies Tuesday morning. It’s part of a broader, $250 million state grant created last year to both encourage and reimburse local agencies participating in the sweeping illegal immigration crackdown pushed by President Donald Trump and at the state level by DeSantis.
Florida Senate Unanimously Backed Black History Museum in St. Johns, But Will House Meet The Moment?
Florida’s Senate unanimously passed Senate Bill 308, sponsored by Sen. Tom Leek, to establish a state-funded Museum of Black History in St. Johns County, correcting a historical omission. The proposed museum would offer space for education and heritage tourism on land holding deep personal and historical significance. While the Senate acted decisively, the companion bill currently stalls in the House, leaving lawmakers to choose between symbolic gestures and meaningful action.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, February 24, 2026
The school board holds a pair of meetings, County Commissioner Kim Carney’s town hall meeting at the Wickline Center in Flagler Beach, Barack Obama’s too-controlled answer to Bryan Tyler Cohen.
From Kent State to Springsteen’s ‘Streets of Minneapolis’
The deadly 2026 shootings of protesters in Minneapolis by federal immigration agents share striking similarities with the 1970 Kent State tragedy. Public reactions to the two events diverged sharply due to modern free speech tools. Social media, ubiquitous smartphone cameras, and rapid digital song releases empowered Minneapolis protesters to firmly control the narrative, driving widespread public support and a swift retreat by the federal government.
County Votes 4-1 to Resolve Annexation Dispute Over Veranda Bay and Summertown, Ending Lawsuit Threat Against City
Flagler County has officially voted to settle its annexation dispute with Flagler Beach, ending the threat of a lawsuit. The 4-1 decision resolves ongoing conflicts over the Veranda Bay and Summertown developments, ensuring the developer pays transportation impact fees and grants the county a three-year window to purchase conservation land. The settlement clears the path for Flagler Beach to finalize the annexations this week.
Flagler Sheriff Solves 2003 Cold Case of Mary Lou Combs With Help From FBI Divers
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly announced the resolution of a 22-year-old cold case after a submerged vehicle was recovered from the Intracoastal Waterway. The car contained human remains and personal items linked to Mary Lou Combs, a mother of three who disappeared in August 2003. A massive multi-agency effort involving FBI dive teams helped locate the wreckage, finally bringing long-awaited closure to her grieving family.
Palm Coast Council Will Review 35 Proposed Changes to City Charter, from Council Appointments to Benefits
The Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday is reviewing proposed changes to the city charter recommended by the Charter Review Committee. The updates address council vacancies, candidate qualifications, removing employee benefits for council members, and clarifying administrative roles. The council must now decide which of these amendments, along with a potential Citizens’ Bill of Rights, will be placed on the November ballot for voter approval.
Florida Sugarcane and Citrus Growers Face Losses of Over $3 Billion Following Two Winter Freezes
A pair of severe winter storms in early 2026 caused an estimated $3.17 billion in agricultural damage across Florida, according to preliminary state reports. The freezing temperatures devastated crops that were not yet ready for harvest, severely impacting sugarcane, citrus, strawberries, and other vital commodities. These extensive crop losses will likely disrupt future yields, prompting state officials to immediately seek necessary federal emergency assistance.
Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin Wants to Have Coffee With You
The City of Palm Coast is inviting residents to grab a cup of coffee and join the conversation through Coffee and Conversations with newly hired City Manager Mike McGlothlin, a monthly community meet-and-greet.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, February 23, 2026
Cold-weather shelter opens tonight. Community Preparedness Workshop at the Emergency Operations Center, the Bunnell City Commission meets, Thomas Mann’s “Little Lizzy” as a study in humiliation, Jacques Brel’s “Ne me quitte pas.”
Stephen Colbert, the FCC, and the Looming War on Editorial Discretion
When CBS prevented Stephen Colbert from airing an interview with a Democratic candidate over Federal Communications Commission equal time rules, Colbert broadcasted the segment on YouTube instead. Historically, the equal time provision mandates equal broadcast access for political candidates, but Congress created exemptions for news programming. Now, critics fear that FCC threats against late-night talk shows signal a growing interference with independent media editorial discretion.
Local Governments Clash With Federal Agencies Over Massive ICE Detention Centers
As the Trump administration rapidly expands immigration detention through a massive federal budget, local communities across the United States are vehemently opposing new plans to convert industrial warehouses into large holding facilities. Citing a profound lack of federal transparency, severe economic strain, and deep humanitarian concerns, city leaders are utilizing zoning laws, moratoriums, and public pressure campaigns to successfully block these highly controversial new developments.