The Florida Legislature concluded its 2026 session without passing a state budget. Lawmakers prioritized symbolic resolutions and voter suppression over insurance costs, housing affordability, or the climate crisis. Wasted money in the school voucher program and environmental protection were ignored as partisan infighting and petty distractions defined the two-month period.
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IPads in Kindergarten, YouTube at Snack Time: Parents Are Pushing Back
Many parents are shocked to discover that elementary schools now provide iPads to kindergartners for passive entertainment. This practice often involves children watching YouTube videos and commercials during school hours. Research suggests excessive screen use harms social development and attention spans. Consequently, parent advocacy groups are successfully pushing districts to limit devices. Some schools have started returning to paper-based learning and hands-on activities to prioritize student engagement.
CFO Blaise Ingoglia’s Disinformation Campaign at Local Governments’ Expense
Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia is touring the state to accuse local governments of reckless overspending, but his claims rely on a simplistic formula ignoring critical economic factors like property value increases and essential service needs. Flagler County faced his unsubstantiated attacks last week. Actual budget data reveals that Ingoglia’s claims collapse under the weight of even feathery scrutiny.
R.J. Larizza Hosts Former Rivals as Unveiling of 4 State Attorneys’ Portraits Stirs Old Battles and Triumphs
State Attorney R.J. Larizza Friday unveiled a portrait gallery at an event honoring four storied Seventh Judicial Circuit former State Attorneys: Dan Warren, Stephen Boyles, John Tanner and Steve Alexander. Warren’s son Raymond, a former prosecutor and public defender, recalled his father’s role in the summer of 1964, seminal in the state’s civil rights history, and Tanner used the occasion to discuss his 1963 manslaughter indictment by Warren, and subsequent enmity with the state attorney.
Appeals Court Will Decide if Flagler Beach Shopping Center Can Legally Ban Coastal Family Church Services
Coastal Family Church is appealing a court injunction prohibiting services at its Flagler Beach shopping center location. The property management company cites private covenants banning public assembly to justify the restriction. The church argues the ban violates First Amendment rights and constitutes selective enforcement. The high-stakes legal battle pits foundational private property rights against constitutional religious protections.
Voting Rights Groups File Suit as DeSantis Signs Proof-of-Citizenship Law
While Congress remains deadlocked on the SAVE America Act that would require proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote, that requirement will soon become the law of the land in Florida now that Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed the latest “voting integrity ” legislation. The governor signed the bill (HB 991) into law Wednesday in The Villages following its approval by the Florida Legislature last month. The law requires people who are registering to vote to produce evidence of citizenship, such as a valid passport or birth certificate. It will take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Flagler Beach Approves Millions In New Debt For Sewer Upgrades Without Clear Resident Cost
The Flagler Beach City Commission approved $37 million of an expected $52 million loan to rebuild its sewer plant, and is applying for an additional, separate $19 million loan for other stormwater improvements. Yet the city cannot currently calculate exact rate increases for residents because outdated studies fail to reflect rising construction costs. Development impact fees will not provide immediate relief.
Flagler Beach Leaders Revisit 30 Years of Paid Parking Talk Amid Growing Resentment Toward Palm Coast and County
Flagler Beach commissioners debated a new vision statement today to address identity preservation amid heavy tourism but long-standing resentment toward Palm Coast and Flagler County surfaced during discussions about traffic congestion. Despite 30 years of ignoring parking studies, officials now claim they will prioritize paid parking for visitors. No specific leader was appointed to manage the project.
DeSantis Demands Impeachment Of a Judge as he Signs ‘Missy’s Law’ Ending Some Pre-Sentence Releases
Gov. DeSantis signed Missy’s Law to prevent the release of violent felons awaiting sentencing. The legislation is named after Melissa Mogle, a child killed by her stepfather after he was released on bond. DeSantis called for the impeachment of Judge Tiffany Baker-Carper for her role in that release.
In Remarkable Display of De-Escalation, Sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Carter Talks 22-Year-Old Down from Gun Suicide
Isaac Malone Lewis, his own gun to his head, was in a two-hour standoff with Flagler County deputies on Burning Ember Lane Monday following a series of domestic incidents. Deputy Bryan Carter negotiated with him and ensured a peaceful surrender. Lewis now faces felony charges for stalking and fleeing police. Sheriff Rick Staly credited the successful resolution to comprehensive de-escalation training.
Flagler County Is 6th Fastest Growing in Florida, with 25,000 New Residents Between 2020 and 2025
Flagler County added 25,000 residents between 2020 and 2025 to reach a total of 140,360 people. The 21.7 percent increase makes it the sixth fastest growing county in Florida. Most growth stems from domestic migration. The aging demographic influences local policy decisions, healthcare infrastructure, and public school enrollment trends. Growth slowed slightly during the most recent 12-month period reported recently.
St. Johns County Grand Jury Indicts Convicted Felon Christian Barrios For Two Execution-Style Murders
A St. Johns County grand jury indicted Christian Barrios today for the first-degree murders of Melissa Wood and Jason Chatham. Authorities say Barrios shot the pair outside a Ponte Vedra Walgreens after suspecting infidelity. Following the shooting, he stole a vehicle and fled to Nassau County before his capture. Barrios allegedly confessed to the killings. A judge will soon decide on sealing that confession.
Trump Gets an Airport in West Palm Beach, Taxpayers Get The $5 Million Bill
Gov. DeSantis signed legislation renaming Palm Beach International Airport after President Donald Trump, a rebranding that’ll cost at $5 million for signage and marketing across the West Palm Beach facility. Republican supporters believe the honor reflects Trump’s presidency as Democrats criticize the wasted money as a political stunt that ignores many pressing state economic priorities for Florida.
Flagler Beach Approves Extended Farmers’ Market Hours for Turtle Fest, But with Warning on Future Street Closures
The Flagler Beach City Commission approved extended hours for the farmers’ market during Turtle Fest on April 11, but Commission Chair Eric Cooley has significant reservations about the city’s increasing frequency of downtown street closures and their negative impact on residents and business owners. The market will partner with Turtle Fest on April 11 and the Cedar Bridge Foundation’s autism Run/Walk on April 26, donating its revenue to the two organizations.
Former Flagler Beach Facilities Director Bryan Moisao Sues City, Alleging Wrongful Retaliatory Termination
Former Flagler Beach facilities director Bryan Moisao filed a lawsuit against the city, alleging wrongful termination and whistleblower retaliation following his discharge last September. Moisao alleges City Manager Dale Martin fired him for reporting operational misconduct despite receiving a good performance evaluation. The city personnel board previously dismissed his administrative complaint despite discrepancies in two separate evaluations, one of which he’d never seen.
Thousands Of No Kings Protesters Gathered In Red Florida Counties To Challenge Autocracy and War
Thousands of protesters gathered across Florida cities to demonstrate against Donald Trump during the third No Kings event even in Republican strongholds, including Pensacola, Jacksonville, Lakeland and Flagler County. Veterans joined diverse crowds to criticize foreign policy decisions and domestic immigration enforcement. Participants expressed concern regarding government lawlessness and executive overreach.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 […]
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.
19 Questions Regarding ICE Detention In Flagler Jail Reveal Significant Gaps In Public Information
The Flagler County jail is one of the state’s busiest holding facilities for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, collaborating with federal agencies in the Trump administration’s sweep of undocumented migrants. FlaglerLive submitted 19 questions to the Sheriff’s Office about the agency’s participation, costs and other issues related to the collaboration with ICE. Some questions were answered, others deferred to ICE, which did not respond.
Flagler County Sheriff Participation in Federal Immigration Sweeps Raises Questions About Local Taxpayer Costs
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly says local taxpayers will be left bearing no burden for participation in federal immigration sweeps. Signed agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement indicate the county remains responsible for salaries, benefits, training and other costs, and neither the Sheriff’s Office nor federal agencies are providing specific financial data, including about the cost of housing migrants at the county jail as transparency remains elusive.
At Least 205 Migrants Have Been Detained at Flagler County Jail So Far This Year as Part of ICE Sweeps
At least 205 individuals arrested as part of the Trump administration sweep of undocumented migrants have been detained at the Flagler County jail so far this year, based on a day-by-day analysis of jail bookings by FlaglerLive. Records remain heavily redacted despite state public records laws. Local deputies now act as federal agents through the 287(g) program, with significant activity continuing daily. The jail reportedly offers better conditions than federal holding centers, but verification and transparency remain difficult to impossible.
Florida Attorney General Uthmeier Explains Why Some Felons’ Gun Rights Are More Equal Than Others
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a supplemental brief supporting the Second Amendment rights of nonviolent felons to overturn the conviction of Christopher Morgan for firearm possession. Uthmeier argues historical traditions do not support disarming nondangerous individuals.
Palm Coast Council Approves $2.5 Million Purchase of Temporary Buildings to Resolve Utility Office Crisis
Palm Coast City Council members unanimously approved spending $2.5 million from the utility fund to purchase modular buildings. This decision replaces a failing administrative facility at 2 Utility Drive. Staff members evacuated the site recently due to severe plumbing and pest issues. Leaders chose purchasing over leasing to ensure better long-term value. The city intends to repurpose or sell these structures once operations eventually relocate.
Bunnell Pastor Charles Cowart Receives Probation for Axe Incident After his Wife Pleads for Leniency
Charles Cowart received three years of probation on Wednesday following an incident involving an axe and aggravated assault charges. Judge Dawn Nichols issued a downward departure sentence after Cowart’s wife requested the charges be dropped. In a separate case, Nichols sentenced John Weis to one year in prison for molesting a 13-year-old girl at Flagler Beach’s Wickline Park.
High Mass: Flagler County Inmates Were Running Drug Operation During Jail Church Services
Three convicted felons face new charges following an undercover investigation into a drug-dealing operation within the Flagler County jail. Joshua Siedel and Caleb Tucker allegedly distributed drugs to other inmates during church services in exchange for commissary items. Detectives used surveillance footage and tactical searches to dismantle the scheme.
County Commission Rejects Hammock Restaurant Parking Plan Amid Skepticism Over Staffing and Size
Flagler County commissioners rejected a parking variance for a proposed 90-seat restaurant in the Hammock, in place of the defunct Fusion 386. Owners Michael Goodman and Bruce Garrison sought 31 spaces instead of the required 41. Commissioners and the public are skeptical that the 3,000-square-foot building will use only five employees per shift. The project was tabled and the owners directed to submit revised plans.
Clerk of Court Tom Bexley Enthusiastic About Hiring Resigning County Administrator Heidi Petito For Senior Role
Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito is negotiating a senior leadership role with Clerk of Court Tom Bexley, and both are eager to make it happen, they told FlaglerLive. The move follows Petito’s announcement of her resignation from the County Commission after 23 years of service. Petito now seeks to depart before her initial July 14 date, assuming commissioners grant the exit. This new position allows Petito to remain in public service within Flagler County.
What Makes Art Art? City Repertory Theatre Hangs the Question with Yasmina Reza’s Comedy
City Repertory Theatre presents Yasmina Reza’s comedy “Art” in Palm Coast from March 20-29, featuring an all-female cast that explores tensions triggered when a friend buys an expensive white painting. The play examines the subjective nature of aesthetics and the hidden complexities of long-term friendships. Director John Sbordone leads the troupe in this unique interpretation for Women’s History Month.
Florida Kills Michael Lee King for 2008 Kidnapping and Murder Of Denise Lee Following 911 Failures
Florida authorities killed Michael Lee King Tuesday for the 2008 kidnapping and murder of Denise Amber Lee. The case spurred significant legislative reforms regarding 911 emergency dispatcher training through the Denise Amber Lee Act. DeSantis has signed warrants for two additional executions for other convicted murderers later this spring.
Palm Coast Council Rejects Rezoning For Concrete Plant on Hargrove Grade, Opposing Heavy Industry Precedent
The Palm Coast City Council voted 4-1 to deny a rezoning request from Hard Rock Materials today, preventing a concrete batch plant from opening in the Hargrove Grade industrial park on a 10-acre parcel Hard Rock paid $2.1 million for last year. Local business owners argued that heavy industrial operations would degrade the light industrial area. The council prioritized maintaining zoning consistency and protecting existing property interests over what would have been 20 jobs and modest tax revenue.
Palm Coast Council Stops Short of Lowering Residential Speed Limits to 25, Deterred By Cost
The Palm Coast City Council declined to lower residential speed limits from 30 to 25 miles per hour due to prohibitive costs. Replacing 2,400 signs would cost between $550,000 and $1.3 million. Officials decided to pursue state and federal grants to fund the safety initiative. Mayor Mike Norris suggested stricter enforcement by deputies as a more cost-effective way to manage local driver behavior.
Florida Sheriffs Led by Polk’s Grady Judd Sharply Criticize Federal Mass Deportation Efforts
Florida law enforcement leaders on the State Immigration Enforcement Council now advocate for a path to legal status for undocumented residents without criminal records. Council chair Grady Judd expressed concerns that federal agents are sweeping up productive individuals who contribute to the economy. The group suggests a 5-year process involving civil fines and English proficiency. This shift contrasts with previous support for aggressive deportation.