It is a tumultuous time in the politics of gender. On the one hand, transgender and queer social movements have sought to expand people’s ability to break out of the gender binary of man or woman. On the other, the Trump administration has aggressively worked to reassert the gender binary by law.
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Saturday in Byblos:
François de Rosset’s Story of the Execution of Two Siblings
François Rosset was a bestselling French writer who in 1619 fictionalized the story of the tragic 1603 execution of Marguerite and Julien de Ravalet for adultery and incest after eloping to escape social norms and, for Marguerite, a decrepit husband. Rosset questioned the brutal judicial system and described the couple with remarkable compassion even as he nodded in the direction of the era’s social and religious norms. The theme has since evolved through literature, art and law, with at times surprising results.
François de Rosset, “Of a Brother and Sister’s Incestuous Love and Tragic End” (1619)
A translation from the French of François de Rosset’s “Of A Brother and Sister’s Incestuous Love and Tragic End,” or “Des amours incestueuses d’un frère et d’une soeur et de leur fin malheureuse et tragique,” form Rosset’s 1619 collection, Tragic Stories (“Histoires tragiques.”)
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, March 29, 2026
The Flagler Home and Lifestyle Show has its second and final day, Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” at City Repertory Theatre, “My Fair Lady,” at Daytona Playhouse, Palm Coast Farmers’ Market at European Village, Richard Ford reminds us to stop blaming baseball.
AI’s Greatest Risk in Education Isn’t Cheating. It’s the Erosion of Learning.
People may use AI to cheat or skip out on work assignments. But the many uses of AI in higher education, and the changes they portend, beg a much deeper question: As machines become more capable of doing the labor of research and learning, what happens to higher education? What purpose does the university serve?
Over 1,300 ‘No Kings’ Protesters at 3 Locations in Flagler Beach and Palm Coast Proclaim Diversity of Opposition to Trump
Demonstrators gathered in Flagler Beach and two locations in Palm Coast Saturday to participate in the third set of anti-authoritarian “No Kings” protests, part of some 3,100 such protests across the country. More than 1,300 people voiced opposition to the Trump administration through signs and chants. A small counter-protest emerged at Palm Coast Parkway. Participants expressed concerns ranging from civil rights to immigration issues, but the movement’s political effectiveness ahead of the November election is unclear.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, March 28, 2026
No Kings rallies and protests in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, 9:30 to 1 p.m., Flagler Home and Lifestyle Show at FPC, The Jungle Book at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center, Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” at City Repertory Theatre, “My Fair Lady,” at Daytona Playhouse, Gamble Jam, reflections on the shattering of an apartment building in Tehran.
Oil Reserves Last for Weeks. Solar Panels Last Decades.
Rising Middle East tensions highlight the extreme vulnerability of global fossil fuel markets. Cheap renewable technologies provide a permanent solution for energy independence and national security. Transitioning to all-electric systems offers decades of stability compared to volatile fuel prices. Electrification ensures resilience by replacing imported petroleum with reliable domestic solar and wind power.
In latest Attack on DEI, Florida Removes Sociology from University General Education Courses
The State University System Board of Governors on Thursday removed sociology from the public university general education catalog. The move, which wasn’t on the public agenda, was brought up by Chancellor Ray Rodrigues about 40 minutes into the meeting.
Florida Democrat Cherfilus-McCormick Found Guilty of Stealing and Laundering FEMA Funds
U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, a Florida Democrat, could be expelled from Congress for stealing millions in disaster aid payments laundered through her campaign account, according to a House panel’s Friday findings. The bipartisan House Ethics subcommittee declared Cherfilus-McCormick guilty on 25 of 27 ethics charges, hours after she withstood a lengthy hearing into her alleged double-dealings. It was the committee’s first public tribunal in nearly 16 years.
Palm Coast City Hall and 3 Schools Lost Internet and Phone Service Thursday and Friday in Accidental Cable Cut
A subcontractor accidentally severed a Fibernet line along U.S. 1 on Thursday, caused significant internet and phone outages for Palm Coast City Hall, Matanzas High School, Belle Terre Elementary and Indian Trails Middle School. Crews worked overnight to repair the damage and restore services by Saturday morning. Teachers transitioned to offline instruction to avoid classroom disruptions. The city manager intends to seek full financial reimbursement for the repair project costs.
As War and ICE Fuel Momentum, Throngs Expected at No Kings Rallies in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach Saturday
Organizers in Flagler County scheduled three separate No Kings rallies in Palm Coast and Flagler Beach, joining millions expected to participate in over 3,000 demonstrations across the nation and beyond Saturday. The non-hierarchical protests draw on thematic opposition to recent foreign and domestic policies and the president’s authoritarianism.
City Manager Names Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill Interim Deputy in Place of Departing Lauren Johnston
Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin appointed Fire Chief Kyle Berryhill as the interim deputy city manager today, replacing Lauren Johnston, who is joining the local school district in April. Bradd Clark will lead the fire department during the transition. Berryhill’s long tenure with the city and previous stints as acting manager provide institutional memory for a city staff seeking continuity, leadership, and stability.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, March 27, 2026
The Scenic A1A Pride Committee meets, Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” at City Repertory Theatre, Acoustic Jam Circle At The Community Center In The Hammock, Israel’s long history of funding Hamas.
Europe’s Deforestation Law Could Change the Global Coffee Trade, and Cost
Starting in 2026, companies selling coffee on the European Union market will have to prove that their product is “deforestation-free.” That means every bag of beans, every jar of ground coffee and every espresso capsule must trace back to coffee plants on land that hasn’t been cleared of forest since Dec. 31, 2020. The rule change could transform how coffee is grown, traded and sold.
79 Junior Golfers Compete as Palm Coast Hosts State Tournament at Palm Harbor Club
Seventy-nine golfers aged 13 to 15 competed at Palm Harbor Golf Club on March 21 and 22. Parker Osborne won the boys’ division. Hazel Peters secured the girls’ title by one stroke. The event attracted families from across Florida. This tournament boosted local hotel and restaurant revenue. City officials emphasize that municipal assets drive sports tourism. Palm Coast continues to host regional athletic competitions.
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia Brings Campaign-Style Attacks on Local Government Spending to Flagler County
Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia visited Flagler County today to accuse local officials of wasteful spending. Using a methodology based on inflation and population growth, Ingoglia claimed the county overspent by 59 million dollars over six years. Local leaders remained silent during the aggressive presentation and some later spoke approvingly of the CFO’s criticism.
Records Reveal Some Details as Construction Starts On Scaled Down Data Center in Palm Coast’s Town Center
Construction started on a 10 megawatt DC Blox data center in Palm Coast serving as an undersea cable landing station by way of Flagler Beach. Records show the developer scaled the building size to under 40,000 square feet to bypass public planning board reviews. FlaglerLive obtained the site plan and other construction documents after numerous requests as the project operated under a state confidentiality law for two years.
Florida Democrats See 2 Election Victories as Signal of Shift Ahead, GOP Shrugs Them Off as Nothing Special
Florida Democrats secured two significant legislative flips in Tuesday’s special elections, defeating Republican opponents in Hillsborough and Palm Beach counties. State party leaders attribute the victories to improved infrastructure and local engagement while Republican leaders dismiss the results as isolated incidents typical of special election cycles. The flips might attract national funding back to the state as both parties prepare for the 2026 general elections.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, March 26, 2026
Brass Transit: The Musical Legacy of Chicago, 7 p.m. at the Fitzgerald Performing Arts Center tonight, or if you want more excitement, the Flagler Beach City Commission meets, jingoism on a Spectrum truck, the end of America.
Arctic Wildlife at Risk as Trump Invites Oil Drills
The Trump administration revoked protections on more than 13 million acres of a 23-million-acre Alaskan reserve in November 2025, including some of its most ecologically sensitive areas. Congress also voted to rescind protections in the reserve and open the door to oil and gas drilling. The moves followed the administration’s decision in October to also open the coastal plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas drilling.
Sheriff’s Gala Raises $70,000 for Employee Assistance Trust
During a night that included dancing, dinner, and honoring Flagler County’s finest, more than 170 guests celebrated the 2026 Sheriff’s Gala and raised over $70,000 to support the Flagler Sheriff’s Employee Assistance Trust. The annual black-tie event, which was held on March 21 at Hammock Beach Resort, raised money to aid Flagler County Sheriff’s Office employees in times of unexpected need.
Limiting Student School Board Members To Cheerleading Scripts Undermines Role’s Original Intent
Flagler County Schools established student board members in 2002 to provide authentic youth perspectives on policy. The students once influenced graduation requirements and infrastructure improvements. Recent trends relegated them to ceremonial duties and prepared scripts. Board members Lauren Ramirez and Janie Ruddy want to restore meaningful participation, Will Furry and Christy Chong don’t. A new policy defining the roles would be pointless if it does not empower students to lead effectively as intended.
Marineland’s New Attorneys Sound Alarm Over Lax Policies, Missing Audits, Lost Records and Potential Litigation
Marineland is grappling with missing audits and vanished public records. New legal counsel warns of financial instability after the town lost a third of its general fund revenue as commissioners seek to renegotiate a marina contract to bolster funds, though that may lead to litigation. The attorneys are preparing a roadmap to address many of the issues.
AdventHealth Executive Outlines Looming Healthcare Crisis and Innovations to Solve Florida Medical Shortages
Florida faces massive nursing and physician shortages and rising costs from uncompensated care, AdventHealth East Florida Division President Rob Deininger told the Flagler Tiger Bay Club Tuesday. But technological innovations like artificial intelligence and telemedicine offer potential relief, as does expanding home-based hospital programs. His conclusion: Collaborative state-level experimentation remains essential for fixing the broken national healthcare value proposition for everyone today.
Florida Democrats Flip Two Key Legislative Seats In Biggest Special Election Victory In Recent Years
Florida Democrats flipped two legislative seats during special elections held Tuesday. Navy veteran Brian Nathan secured a narrow victory in a Hillsborough County senate district. Emily Gregory won House District 87, which covers the Mar-a-Lago area. Republican Hilary Holley maintained GOP control of House District 51 in Polk County. These results represent significant momentum for the Democratic party within a traditionally Republican-leaning state legislative landscape.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, March 25, 2026
River to Sea Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) meeting, Conversations in Democracy addressing migrants at the Flagler jail, art and legacy of Hittite civilization from the heart of Anatolia.
The Strategic Oil Reserve Explained
Global energy markets face massive disruption following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Thirty two nations are releasing 412 million barrels of oil from strategic reserves. This historic action seeks to mitigate soaring fuel costs. Supply chains require immediate stabilization. The United States contribution will reduce domestic stockpiles to 34% capacity. These emergency measures provide temporary relief against extreme market volatility during current combat.
Flagler County Republican Executive Committee Invites High School Students To Art Exhibit Auction
The Flagler County Republican Executive Committee (FCREC) is inviting local high school students to participate in a special Student Art Exhibit and Auction as part of America 250… A Lincoln Day Dinner, taking place August 8.
Lurching from Limping Race to Unbridled Racism, Paul Renner Calls for Total ‘Ban on Muslim Immigration’
Former House Speaker Paul Renner, who represented Palm Coast and Flagler County, pledged Tuesday to pursue an aggressive stance against radical Islam if elected governor in November, saying it is time to be “realistic and honest that the long-term compatibility of Islam in this country does not exist.” He promised to “promote a federal ban on Muslim immigration to our country” and called it p”permanent and comprehensive.”
Woman’s Arrest Over Stolen Palm Coast Lots Reveals Murky Financial Trails and Cryptic Country Music Ties
Authorities arrested 63-year-old Cheryl Annette Jefferson on a Flagler County warrant for orchestrating a multi-state property fraud scheme involving over $421,000. Investigations began after a New York woman discovered her Palm Coast lot was sold without her knowledge. Jefferson claims she acted on behalf of famous country music artists. Detectives traced stolen funds to cryptocurrency accounts and identified additional fraudulent transactions across Florida, Georgia, and Colorado.
Deputy City Manager Lauren Johnston Leaves Palm Coast For Top Operations Role At Flagler Schools
Palm Coast Deputy City Manager Lauren Johnston is moving to the Flagler County School District as the new chief of operations in place of Dave Freeman. Superintendent LaShakia Moore announced the appointment this morning alongside new Human Resources Director Joshua Walker. Johnston accepted a significant pay cut to improve her work-life balance. City Manager Michael McGlothlin plans to name an interim replacement within a week.
Cyclist Ronald Lynn Broaddus Dies After Sunday Afternoon Collision With Pickup Truck On U.S. 1
Sixty-four-year-old cyclist Ronald Lynn Broaddus died Sunday following a collision with a Ford F-150 on U.S. 1. The crash occurred near the Flagler-Volusia county line as Broaddus attempted to cross into the median. Emergency responders transported him to Halifax Hospital with critical injuries.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
The School Board meets at 1 and 6 p.m., AdventHealth’s Rob Deininger is the featured speaker at Flagler Tiger Bay, The Flagler Beach Library Writers’ Group meets, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Longest Running Wild Dolphin Study In Florida Reveals Complex Social Communication Through Unique Whistles
Researchers in Sarasota lead the longest running study of wild dolphins. Their recent work focuses on unique signature whistles used for individual identification. These animals also use shared non-signature whistles to communicate alarm or surprise. Mothers adjust their pitch for calves in a way resembling human motherese. Continuous acoustic monitoring reveals a complex social system. Science continues to decode these intricate marine mammal vocalizations.
DeSantis Signs Law Ensuring You Can Always Use Loud, Smelly Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Mowers
Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 290 to protect the use of gas-powered equipment against local government bans. The wide-ranging legislation also restricts housing density development in small municipalities and authorizes state officials to repurpose surplus conservation lands for agricultural production, a provision that has Democrats worried. Other provisions include stricter penalties for commercial license fraud and the repeal of a grocery assistance program.
9th Annual Addressing Crime Together Meeting and Sheriff’s Citizens Academy
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office hosts two community events this spring to promote transparency and engagement. The Citizens Academy begins March 31. The free multi-week program offers residents a look at agency operations and includes patrol ride-alongs. Sheriff Rick Staly also holds the ninth annual Addressing Crime Together meeting on April 9, focusing on local crime trends and safety initiatives for 2026.
Target Shopping Center Expansion and Large U-Haul Storage Facility Off Whiteview Are Approved
The Palm Coast Planning Board approved a 119,000-square-foot U-Haul storage facility at Whiteview Parkway and US1, with 950 units and future westward road expansion plans. It also approved a 48,600-square-foot retail extension at Palm Coast Landings to accommodate three new but unnamed businesses. Both applications passed unanimously without any questions by an uncurious planning board.
AdventHealth’s Free Sports Physicals And Heart Screenings to Flagler School Students Set for May
AdventHealth provides free sports physicals and electrocardiogram screenings to middle and high school students across Volusia and Flagler counties this spring. These exams are mandatory for students participating in athletics, band, and JROTC. Flagler County events are held May 20 and 21 at Flagler Palm Coast High School. The screenings help identify potential heart conditions.
Palm Coast Council Candidate Darlene Shelley Preparing to Sue City and Council Member Theresa Pontieri Over ICI Vote
Darlene Shelley filed a lawsuit against Palm Coast and Council Member Theresa Pontieri. The legal action–hung up in an errors cue at the clerk’s office for now–challenges an approved housing expansion in the E Section. Shelley alleges the council violated due process and transparency rules. She also claims Pontieri holds a conflict of interest regarding first responder housing. Pontieri dismissed the claims as frivolous and politically motivated.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, March 23, 2026
The Bunnell City Commission meets, The AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide provides free tax preparation services, remembering William Maxwell from the way “They Came Like Swallows” to “The Man in the Moon.”
Research Rethinks Polygamy
In the vast majority of cases, polygamy takes the form of one husband and multiple wives – more precisely referred to as polygyny. Leading political scientist Rose McDermott described polygyny as evil. Other researchers, such as anthropologist Joseph Henrich, even go as far as to credit Christianity’s derision of polygyny as a driving force of Western prosperity. A trio of new studies, all relying on the highest standards of data analysis, contend that these arguments are misguided.
St. Augustine Tops Southern Living Magazine’s List of Best Little Cities in America
Southern Living magazine came out with its list of the best small towns in the South and Florida snagged five spots on that ledger with St. Augustine topping the rankings.
Trump’s Iran War Propaganda Is Turning Carnage Into a Gaming Spectacle of Apocalyptic Christian Nationalism
By Henry A. Giroux During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to be an antiwar candidate, boasting that, unlike his predecessors, he would end endless wars and keep the United States out of new military conflicts. Yet the trajectory of his presidency has unfolded in the opposite direction. From expanding military confrontations in the Caribbean […]
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, March 22, 2026
Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” at City Repertory Theatre, Caribbean IslandFest at The Stage in Palm Coast’s Town Center, when Hermann Göring comes off better than either Truman or Trump, Fawlty Towers’ war.
AI Bots Are Swamping Social Media, Threatening Democracy
AI agents can generate varied, credible content at a large scale. The swarms can send people messages tailored to their individual preferences and to the context of their online conversations. The swarms can tailor tone, style and content to respond dynamically to human interaction and platform signals such as numbers of likes or views. An AI-controlled bot swarm could create the false impression of widespread, bipartisan opposition to a political candidate.
Evangelist Challenging “Speech Zone” Wins Supreme Court Battle To Block Enforcement Of Restrictive Ordinance
Law enforcement officers raised concerns about public demonstrations such as Gabriel Olivier’s preaching, prompting city leaders to enact an ordinance that requires protesters and other demonstrators to remain within a designated protest area. Olivier was arrested for violating this ordinance after he left the designated area to move “to the sidewalk fronting the amphitheater” and thereby get closer to the crowds.
She Was in Labor at a Florida Hospital. Then She Was in Zoom Court for Refusing a C-Section.
Cherise Doyley faced a bedside judicial hearing during active labor after refusing a C-section at a Jacksonville hospital. Doctors cited uterine rupture risks, yet Doyley prioritized her autonomy and recovery concerns. The court eventually authorized emergency intervention without her consent in a case that highlights how fetal personhood policies can strip pregnant patients of constitutional rights, leading to forced medical treatments and controversial legal precedents.
Palm Coast Driver Killed In Rear End Collision With Tractor Trailer On State Road 11
A 37-year-old Palm Coast man died Friday morning after his Subaru struck the rear of a tractor-trailer on State Road 11 as the truck was making a turn onto a logging road. The collision occurred between Bunnell and Cody’s Corner. Emergency responders extracted the unresponsive driver, but paramedics pronounced him deceased at the scene.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Bunnell City Manager Alvin Jackson’s 65th, Chess Meet-Up At the Flagler Beach Public Library, all ages, all skill levels, Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” at City Repertory Theatre, the Saturday Flagler Beach Farmers Market, Vernon Parrington on John C. Calhoun.