Bringing back the décrotteurs, RockabillieWillie At City Repertory Theatre, Paws for Music: Benefit for Community Cats of Palm Coast, the unending corruptions of Napoleon and his family.
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Social Security Could Run Short on Funds Within a Decade
Under current law, when the trust fund is empty, Social Security can pay benefits only from dedicated tax revenues, which would, by that point, cover only about 79% of promised benefits. Another way to say this is that when that trust fund is depleted, the people who rely on Social Security for some or the bulk of their income would see a sudden 21% cut in their monthly checks in 2036.
Students Will Be Banned from Using Cell Phones in Florida Elementary and Middle Schools
Florida lawmakers late Friday approved barring students in elementary and middle schools from using cell phones during the school day — and testing the idea in high schools. Current law prevents students from using cell phones during instructional time, but the change would expand that prohibition to throughout the school day in elementary and middle schools. Rep. Demi Busatta, a Coral Gables Republican who spearheaded the proposal, described it as “bell to bell.”
A Gutted Education Department Is Rolling Back Civil Rights and Targeting Transgender Students
The Education Department is being radically reshaped away from education, fairness and equity toward a more prosecutorial arm of the federal government as it negates civil rights investigations and ramps up investigations targeting transgender students and schools that apply more event-handed treatment of students and athletes. Civil rights offices are closed. Workers are fired. Investigating discrimination in schools is practically “impossible.”
Daytona State Rocket League Esports Team Wins NJCAAE Championship for DSC
Daytona State College’s No. 1 seed Rocket League Esports team claimed its second national championship Wednesday night, winning the 2025 NJCAAE Spring Premier Series National Title. The team defeated the No. 4 seed Columbia Basin College Hawks 3-0 in the Grand Finals matchup.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, May 3, 2025
RockabillieWillie At City Repertory Theatre, Arbor Day in Palm Coast’s Central Park at Town Center, The Flagler Beach All Stars hold their monthly beach clean-up, the end of an era and time’s dark matter.
Jesse Helms’s Children: The Renewed Push To Defund PBS and NPR
The Republican Party’s long-standing goal of ending federal funding for NPR, the nation’s public radio network, and PBS, its television counterpart, may be near. Across the country, 1,500 independent stations affiliated with NPR and PBS air shows such as “Morning Edition,” “Marketplace,” “PBS NewsHour,” “Frontline” and “Nova.” Some 43 million people tune into public radio every week, and over 130 million watch PBS every year, according to the networks.
State Prison Inmate on a Work Crew in Palm Coast Is Arrested for Burglary
An inmate from the Putnam Correctional Institution, assigned to a prison inmate work crew contracted by the City of Palm Coast, faces charges of burglary stemming from when he was working in a Palm Coast neighborhood. He had previously been convicted on burglary- and theft-related charges and sentenced by a court to state prison.
Palm Coast Has a City Manager. A Replacement Can Wait Until the Council Defuses Its IED.
The Palm Coast City Council did the right (and impressive) thing when it voted down both of the last two remaining candidates for city manager on Tuesday. It’s now time to shelve that search, stick with Lauren Johnston as city manager, and work on restoring the City Council’s reputation before launching a new search. The city is not in crisis. The same recycled gadfly demagogues addressing the council at every meeting should not create the false impression that it is.
Florida Lawmakers Raise New Barriers to Citizens’ Ballot Initiatives
With Democrats calling the changes an “assault on the very spirit of Florida’s democracy,” the Republican-controlled Legislature on Friday finalized a plan that will impose additional hurdles on the ballot-initiative process and heighten penalties for wrongdoing. Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed lawmakers to crack down on the process after highly contentious and expensive battles over proposals last year that sought to place abortion rights in the state Constitution and allow recreational marijuana for adults.
Flagler Humane Society Board Members Brazenly Reproach City and County Officials’ Push for Accountability
Palm Coast council members and county commissioners, meeting jointly earlier this week to discuss their long-frayed relationship with the society, have been dissatisfied with what they see as poor accountability and transparency at the non-profit, and not enough oversight by the governments. A pair of Humane Society board members’ language and lecturing did not help.
Jeffrey Hutchinson Killed for the 1998 Murders of His Girlfriend’s Three Children
After the U.S. Supreme Court rejected his final appeals, Jeffrey Hutchinson was executed Thursday night at Florida State Prison for the 1998 murders of his girlfriend’s three children in Okaloosa County, according to the state Department of Corrections.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, May 2, 2025
RockabillieWillie At City Repertory Theatre, Sneaker Ball Gala at the Community Center, Bunnell’s State of the City, First Friday Garden Walks at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, Rex Stout on getting up in the morning.
How Probation Fuels Mass Incarceration
On any given day, 1.9 million people are incarcerated in more than 6,000 federal, state and local facilities. Another 3.7 million remain under what scholars call “correctional control” through probation or parole supervision. That means one out of every 60 Americans is entangled in the system — one of the highest rates globally. Yet despite its vast reach, the criminal justice system often fails at its most basic goal: preventing people from being rearrested, reconvicted or reincarcerated.
Need To Be Background-Checked? Flagler Sheriff Offers Service for $60 to $105
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is now offering comprehensive, nationwide background check services to Flagler County residents through ACCESS Background Check Services.
Mike Waltz Out as National Security Adviser, In as UN Ambassador
Mike Waltz, a former Florida congressman [who represented Flagler County] and became known for sharing U.S. plans to strike Yemen on a Signal group chat, was out as White House national security adviser on Thursday. President Donald Trump announced he will instead nominate Waltz to be the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, a position that requires U.S. Senate confirmation.
Mayor Norris and Partisans Turn Council Meeting on His Charter Violations and Improprieties Into One More Sideshow
The Palm Coast City Council’s special meeting today heard and discussed an attorney’s independent investigation sustaining allegations that Mayor Mike Norris violated the charter by unilaterally seeking the ouster of top staffers, behaving unprofessionally at City Hall and repeatedly demeaning staff. But the report was almost a sideshow as the meeting devolved into often baseless screeds from the floor and self-pity from Norris.
Recruiter’s Advice to Palm Coast Council in City Manager Hire: Pause, ‘Settle Down’ and Gel Before Restarting Search
The consultant who coordinated Palm Coast’s search for a new city manager is recommending that the council pause its search for now, that it regroup, go through a facilitated process for its members to better understand each other and “gel” before moving on to another search. Only one candidate remains, Rich Hough. The council had asked for a white paper on budgeting from him earlier this week. That will not happen, for now.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, May 1, 2025
The Palm Coast City Council holds a special meeting to review the findings of the investigation of Mayor Mike Norris that found him to have violated the city charter, Eugène Pottier and his Internationale, the true Labor Day.
Politically Motivated Deportations from the Chinese Exclusion Act to Pro-Palestinian Activists
The recent deportation orders targeting foreign students in the U.S. have prompted a heated debate about the legality of these actions, especially as many individuals were facing removal because of their pro-Palestinian advocacy. The current removal orders targeting student activists echo America’s long and lamentable past of jailing and expelling immigrants because of their race or what they say or believe – or all three.
Hammock Dunes Charity Donates $100,000 to Flagler Free Clinic
The Flagler Free Clinic received a $100,000 donation from Hammock Dunes Cares, matching last year’s contribution. (The charity is not connected to Flagler Cares, the countywide social service agency and nonprofit.) The funds were raised during Hammock Dunes Cares’ Rally Auction, a two-week event in late February featuring activities such as tennis, croquet, bocce, a creek porch party, live music, and pickleball. The check presentation occurred on Tuesday, March 18, at Hammock Dunes.
Attorney General Flouts Federal Judge’s Order Suspending Florida Immigration Law, and May Face Sanctions
Attorney General James Uthmeier could face contempt sanctions over a letter he sent to Florida law enforcement agencies labeling as illegitimate a court order suspending a state immigration law that led to the arrest of a U.S. citizen. In an order issued late Tuesday night, U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams wrote that Uthmeier will have to prove that he shouldn’t face legal consequences over his greenlighting of arrests under the law, which she had temporarily blocked as likely unconstitutional.
Stephen Cox, 15-Year Veteran of Flagler Beach Fire Department and Leader Before His Time, Is Named City’s Fire Chief
Stephen Cox, a nearly 15-year veteran of the Flagler Beach Fire Department who’s long represented its new generation, was appointed its fire chief earlier this month, from a pool of 15 candidates. He replaces Bobby Pace, who’d retired in February from the post he’d held for 12 years.
Yet Another City Manager Candidate Drops Out After Palm Coast Council’s Disfavor, Leaving Last One Standing in Uncertainty
Paul Trombino, one of the last two finalists for the Palm Coast city manager job, withdrew his candidacy this morning, less than 24 hours after the Palm Coast City Council made clear in a series of split votes that he doesn’t have the council’s full confidence or enthusiasm. That leaves one man standing: Richard Hough. The council did not feel any differently about him. Three other finalists had dropped out before they were interviewed.
City Repertory Theatre Untames Shakespeare, Doo-Wop and R&B with “RockabillieWillie”
City Repertory Theatre’s production of “RockabillieWillie,” which opens Friday at CRT’s black box theater in Palm Coast’s City Marketplace, is a mash-up of scenes from Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Henry V,” plus juxtaposed quotes and quips from 22 more of the Bard’s plays and a few of his sonnets. RockabillieWillie” also includes live performances of old-school rockabilly, R&B, doo-wop and rock ’n’ roll hits such as Johnny Otis’s “Willie and the Hand Jive,” Buddy Holly’s “Oh Boy,” the Monotones’s “Book of Love” and more.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, April 30, 2025
The US Supreme Court justices hear arguments in a Catholic charter school case that could open the gates for public funding to go directly to religious schools, Separation Chat, Open Discussion, weaponry bazaars.
Mark Carney and Canada’s Game-Changing Election
Canada’s 2025 federal election will be remembered as a game-changer. Liberal Leader Mark Carney pulled off a dramatic reversal of political fortunes after convincing voters he was the best candidate to fight annexation threats from the United States. Canadians gave the Liberals their fourth mandate since 2015, although the race against the Conservatives was much closer than polls predicted. Nonetheless, only four months ago, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre had a 25-point lead in public opinion polls and a fairly secure path to victory.
Florida House Backs Off Later School Start Times
The Florida House on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill that would back away from a requirement aimed at starting high-school classes later in the morning. The Legislature in 2023 passed a law that would prevent high schools from starting earlier than 8:30 a.m. to help teens get more sleep.
A Sharply Divided Palm Coast City Council Fails to Appoint a New City Manager In Series of Messy Votes
As with so much in the recent history of the council, tonight’s attempt to appoint a permanent city manager was messy, it lacked unity, and it ended in deadlock as the council voted in zigzags against both Paul Trombino and Richard Hough in a half dozen 3-2 votes. The council opted to ask both candidates to write white papers on budgeting by next week to allow for yet another vote. Whether either candidate will agree is unclear, especially after this evening’s deliberations.
Florida Will Use Tax Dollars to Sue Its Own Public Schools on Behalf of Parents
Attorney General James Uthmeier said his office is “putting our money where our mouth is” in announcing a state-funded legal team dedicated to enforcing parents-rights laws. Addressing a crowd of fourth graders at Jacksonville Classical Academy Tuesday, Uthmeier said his office is “making sure that we’re walking the walk and setting examples” in enforcing laws related to gender transition, library materials, school surveys, and other topics that have dominated legislative, judicial, and executive conversations in recent years.
Florida House Sets Up Panel to Weigh Cuts or Elimination of Most Property Taxes
A special House committee will begin hearings this week to consider possible alternatives for asking Florida voters to cut property taxes. House Speaker Daniel Perez, R-Miami, on Tuesday announced the creation of a select committee to look at potential property-tax changes that could go before voters in November 2026. The full House would take up the issue at the start of the 2026 legislative session in January.
32-Year-Old Maine Resident Accused of Using Xbox to Threaten Palm Coast Boy’s Life and Family
James M. Maynard, a 32-year-old resident of a Bunnell-size town in inland Maine that gave birth to two of that state’s governors, was arrested and jailed there on a Flagler County warrant after a local investigation determined he was the alleged source of continuous death threats against a Palm Coast boy and his family through Xbox, the networked video game console.
Seaplane on Student Flight from Flagler Airport Flips and Crashes in Crescent Lake; No Injuries
A flight-school seaplane reported to have taken off from Flagler County Executive Airport this morning flipped and crashed in Crescent Lake, according to the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office. There were no injuries. The crash took place as a groundbreaking ceremony was unfolding at the Flagler airport.
Palm Coast Absent as Ground Breaks on $11.2 Million General Aviation Building at Flagler County Airport
Eight years after it was conceived–and at almost three times its original cost–the future 15,000 square foot general aviations building at Flagler County Executive Airport finally got its ground ceremonially broken this morning before dozens of local officials and spectators. The $11.2 million building is financed by a $5.6 million grant from the state Department of Transportation, a $5 million appropriation from the legislature, and $620,000 in local airport funds.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Flagler Airport Terminal Groundbreaking at 10 a.m., Random Acts of Insanity at Cinematique Theater, when a judge calls an inmate “sane and competent” for a state-sponsored killing.
Trump Dictates Press Coverage. His Model: Hungary’s Viktor Orbán
In his first 100 days, Trump asserted new control over the press, starting with those who cover him daily. In February 2025, his administration barred The Associated Press from the Oval Office for using “Gulf of Mexico” rather than adopting the president’s newly named “Gulf of America.”
2025 Tunnel to Towers 5K Raises Over $15,000 For 1st Responders and Troops
The City of Palm Coast proudly hosted the 4th Annual Tunnel to Towers 5K on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Central Park in Town Center, marking its largest turnout yet. With over 500 registered participants ranging in age from 4 to 89, the event brought the community together in a powerful show of support for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation’s mission to honor first responders and military service members.
Florida Lawmakers Look to Increase Tax-Dollar Shift to Charter Schools
Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature is moving forward with a series of proposals that would help charter schools, while Democrats argue the measures would chip away at traditional public schools. At least five bills have passed the House or the Senate that could help lead to more charter schools, bolster charter school facilities and, at least in some cases, ensure charter schools get a cut of local tax dollars.
Palm Coast’s Choice for City Manager: One Candidate With Extensive Civil Experience, the Other Military
In Richard Hough and Paul Trombino, the last two candidates for Palm Coast city manager still standing at the end of a thin and self-eroded field, the City Council has two distinct choices if it decides to offer the job to one of them at its evening meeting Tuesday: one brings extensive military experience, the other brings even more extensive civil experience. For all their differences, they have one thing in common. Neither has been a city or county manager, though both have managed large operations with large budgets and sizeable personnel.
Possible Sale of Flagler Beach’s Golf Course Again Raises Public Concerns, as Does ‘Horrendous’ State of Greens
Even as it has received appraisals for the property, the Flagler Beach City Commission again said last Thursday that whatever may or may not happen with Ocean Palm Golf Club, the nine-hole course at the south end of town, is in the earliest stages. Talk of its sale and a conceptual site plan for a 30,000 square-foot building there are all preliminary. Residents who neighbor the course raised doubts again at the meeting, suggesting that the plan is further along than the city claims, and that a workshop is in order. They also complained about the course’s current condition.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, April 28, 2025
Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson delivers the Bunnell State of the City Address, Ta-Nehisi Coates on our imagined traditions, The Economist on the best places to live, 12 states dependent on international migrations.
100 Years of Art Deco
On 28 April 1925, the International Exhibition of Modern Decorative and Industrial Arts opened in Paris. It was a landmark event in the evolution of art, architecture and design, and aroused great interest both for the works on display and for their impact.
Senate Refuses to Confirm DeSantis’s Moms for Liberty Appointee to Ethics Commission
The Senate is again declining to take up two of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Ethics Commission appointees, including Moms for Liberty co-founder Tina Descovich.
Florida House Votes to Scrap Work Limits for Older Teens But Ban STI Treatment Without Parental Consent
Although older teens could work unlimited hours, they wouldn’t be able to get treatment for sexually transmitted infections on their own under two bills the Florida House approved Friday. House lawmakers voted on party lines both to require parental consent for health care providers to treat minors with STIs and to let 16- and 17-year-olds work full-time hours during the school year without their parents’ permission.
Flagler County Assist, the County’s Unique Emergency Management Support Organization, Marks 40th Year
Flagler County Assist (FCA) is celebrating 40 years of service to the people of Flagler County. Since 1985 Flagler County Assist has supported numerous events and provided assistance during emergencies including wildfires, hurricanes, storms small and large public events as the 4th of July in Flagler Beach and the annual Pink on Parade 5 K race.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, April 27, 2025
Palm Coast Farmers’ Market at European Village, Clay Jones on why the president hires only morons, when Ronald Reagan pined for the time when war was “civilized,” before he joked about nuking the Soviet Union.
How Florida Went from Swing State to Solid Republican
Florida has undergone a dramatic political transformation over the past decade from a swing state to Republican stronghold. In 2012, there were almost 1.5 million more registered Democratic voters than Republicans in Florida. In 2020, Democrats’ advantage dropped to about 97,000. And by September 2024, there were almost 1 million more registered Republicans than Democrats.
Flagler’s Sam Greco Votes with House Majority to Eliminate Local Tourism Councils and Use Bed Tax Revenue to Cut Property Tax
A House measure passed Friday would have potentially damaging consequences for Flagler County tourism promotion, beach protection and beach management. The proposal would eliminate all local tourist development councils and use all but 25 percent of the revenue from the tourism sales surtax to offset property tax reductions.
Bill to Lower Minimum Wage in Florida Dies
Senate President Ben Albritton said a controversial bill that sought to pay some workers below the minimum wage is dead. “To tell you the truth, I think if somebody works, whether they’re being an apprentice or whatever, minimum wage is actually in the Constitution for a reason,” Albritton told reporters.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, April 26, 2025
Philomena Cunk on the meaning of life, Gamble Jam, Coffee With Commissioner Scott Spradley (assuming he’s not too jet-lagged), a few lines from Percy’s Moviegoer.