Florida’s overall citrus production for the current season to 49.65 million boxes, the lowest cumulative mark since the 1937-38 season, when 40.87 million boxes were filled.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Monday Briefing: Dorothy Singer Trial, County Goal-Setting, Law Enforcement Memorial, Remembering NAACP’s Harry T. Moore
The Sheriff’s Office hosts the annual memorial ceremony for fallen officers, accused murderer Dorothy Singer goes on trial, the Bunnell City Commission talks LED lights.
Call to Service: An Invitation To Join the Palm Coast Kiwanis Club
The Palm Coast Kiwanis Club, whose foundation makes roughly $80,000 in donations a year, is looking for new members to participate and volunteer in a number of outreach activities.
Haspel, Spies and the Destruction of Evidence
The CIA official who ordered the destruction of videotapes that had documented the treatment of terror suspects, says he told Gina Haspel what he intended to do.
ProPublica, WMFE and Orlando Public Library to Host Forum on PTSD in First Responders
First responders who are interested in sharing their stories are also invited to register for interview recording sessions.
No Move to Plug Budget Despite Warnings About Cuts to Prisons’ Substance-Abuse Programs
The Senate appropriations chairman said lawmakers aren’t planning to plug a $28 million budget gap at the Florida Department of Corrections until next year.
Weekend Briefing: Picnics and Pops, Art League’s Textures, ‘Little Mermaid,’ CRT’s ‘Agnes of God’
The Palm Coast Arts Foundation tries again to host the Jacksonville Symphony’s Picnics and Pops concert, Agnes of God in its final weekend at CRT, FPC’s Little Mermaid at the Auditorium Friday and Saturday, and plenty more.
Thursday Briefing: Customary Beach Use in Flagler Beach, FPC’s ‘Little Mermaid’ at Auditorium, Stetson’s MA Graduates
FPC’s “Little Mermaid” opens at the Flagler Auditorium, Soderberg, Sevigny and Upchurch are at Tiger Bay in Daytona, Flagler Beach votes to protect customary use of beaches.
Trump Is Rescinding $7 Billion in Children’s Health Insurance. Should You Be Worried?
Trump wants to eliminate $15 billion in federal spending, including $7 billion from the popular Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Wednesday Briefing: Skywarn Storm Spotter Class, Florida Park Drive Detour, Rubio Mobile Office Hours
Wannabe storm spotters get a free class at Flagler’s Emergency Operations Center, Sen. Marco Rubio staffers are at the Flagler County Public Library, the Carver Center auction nears its final days.
Want to Attract Women? Try Not Hating Us.
The recent attack in Toronto by a man who identifies as an “incel” has called attention to the disturbing and flourishing online incel community.
New Gambling Rule Would End ‘Designated-Player’ Card Games, Costing Millions
Florida gambling regulators’ rule could cost $50 million a year and hundreds of jobs, according to a lawyer representing several of the state’s cardroom operators.
Tuesday Briefing: Michael Cummings in Court, Community Traffic Safety Team, Picking Nobile’s Successor
Michael Cummings, accused of murdering his ex-wife on Point Pleasant Drive, has a pre-trial, the county’s traffic safety team meets, the Palm Coast Council talks Steven Nobile replacement.
State Objects to Anonymity of 19 Year Old Woman Seeking to Join NRA Lawsuit
Lawyers for Attorney General Pam Bondi asked a federal judge to deny the anonymity request, calling it unjustified, and open court proceedings more important.
Monday Briefing: Moving the Sheriff’s Palm Coast Precinct, Florida History Day, Kaepernick’s Resistance,
The County Commission considers an $875,000 purchase of a property for the Sheriff’s next Palm Coast home and a $40,000 subsidy to a company as an economic development incentive.
Ranks of Notorious Hate Group Include Active-Duty Military With Advanced Weapons Training
A Marine who took part in the violent assaults in Charlottesville last summer underscores involvement of current or former service members in white supremacist groups, long a concern.
Advice for High School Graduates: Learn a Trade
The shameful practice of tracking poor students into blue-collar jobs contrasts with millions of rewarding, high-paying trade jobs sitting empty.
Florida Prisons’ 40% Cut in Substance-Abuse and Mental-Health Treatment Draw Criticism
Some $7.6 million in substance-abuse services in prisons will be eliminated, Another $1.6 million will be cut in transitional housing services.
Weekend Briefing: “Agnes of God” at CRT, A Dinosaur at the FYO, Moonrise Grand Opening, Arbor Day, Cycle Flagler
Moonrise Brewery at European Village pours its own beers at its grand opening, “Agnes Of God” is at CRT, the Palm Coast Arts Foundation hosts a Songwriters’ Festival, Arbor Day events.
Supreme Court Unanimously Rejects Challenge to Red-Light Camera Enforcement
Justices said a local government could use a private contractor to review images — so long as a city officer makes the ultimate decision on whether to issue a ticket.
Thursday Briefing: Badcock Opens in Flagler Beach, Speech Contest, Seinfeld, Day of Prayer
The Palm Coast Democratic Club hosts three candidates, Bunnell and the sheriff hold separate Day of Prayer events, the Tropicana Speech Contest, Seinfeld in Jacksonville.
Florida Prisons Cut Drug-Rehab and Re-Entry Programs That Help Felons From Re-Offending
Florida’s prisons are slashing substance-abuse services, transitional housing and re-entry programs, the very programs that keep inmates from returning to prison.
Wednesday Briefing: Flagler Youth Orchestra’s Take a Bow, Attorney General Forum, Badcock Opening
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s final concert of the season at the Auditorium, Badcock opens grandly in Flagler Beach.
Florida Woman Seeks Anonymity in NRA Lawsuit, Citing Potential Threats to Her Safety
The woman wants to join the National Rifle Association’s challenge to a new Florida law that made it illegal to sell guns to anyone under age 21.
Tuesday Briefing: Happy 10th Anniversary WNZF, FBI Shootout History, Palm Coast Talks Nobile Replacement
WNZF and Flagler Broadcasting celebrate their 10th anniversary, Palm Coast Council tries to figure out filling Steven Nobile’s seat, the school board goes LED, Cheever’s “Enormous Radio.”
For Working Poor’s Sake, Bring Back May Day
Nearly one in five families have zero or negative net worth. That number rises to over a quarter of Latin American households and 30 percent of black households.
Monday Briefing: Bunnell’s City Manager Search, Florida Park Drive Lane Closures, Rubio Office Hours
Staff members for U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio hold “mobile” office hours at the public library in Palm Coast, Bunnell holds a special meeting in the aftermath of firing its manager, the Nelson-Scott race begins.
Citing Net Losses Near End of 2017, Report Raises Questions About Job Growth in Florida
A new federal report cast Florida in an unusual role: as the state with the most net job losses, at least for the third quarter of 2017, contrasting with Gov. Rick Scott claims.
Weekend Briefing: Make America Shrek Again, Free Clinic Open House, Motown Revue, WaterSafe, Menopause
“Shrek,” the best show in town this weekend, is on Friday evening and twice on Saturday, the 22nd Annual Spring Classic Fishing Tournament, a Free Clinic open house, and a mountain of additional events.
With Sharpton Headlining, Rally Calls For Restoring Felon Rights After Stinging Court Defeat
The long-planned march followed a late-night ruling from a federal appeals court that gave Gov. Scott a victory in a bitterly fought challenge to the state’s voter-restoration system.
Thursday Briefing: Honoring FHF Volunteers, Shrek Opens, USA Gymnastics Regionals, Farm Swap and Music Jam, Sharpton March
Shrek the fabulous musical opens for general audiences at Matanzas’s Pirate Theatre, ROTC awards at the auditorium, Florida Hospital Flagler thanks its volunteers.
Florida Angling Closer to More Restrictions On Shark-Fishing From Beaches and Piers
Calls to restrict or ban shark fishing from beaches, piers and bridges led the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to direct staff to craft new rules.
Wednesday Briefing: ‘Shrek’ at Matanzas, DSC Health Fair, Tager at Economic Development Board, Band Competition
“Shrek: The Musical” opens tonight at Matanzas’s Pirates Theater, Daytona State College hosts a health-science fair, Superintendent Jim Tager speaks to the economic development board.
Shot By Shot Recreation of Cruz Rampage Through School Highlights Commission’s First Day
The first meeting of a 16-member commission studying the Parkland school massacre included a chilling recreation of the shot by shot progression of Nikolas Cruz through the school.
The Latest Assault on Food Stamps Holders
The draconian work requirement to receive food stamps could throw 1 million people off the rolls and cause more job losses than job gains.
Tuesday Briefing: Entrepreneur Night at Moonrise, Palm Coast’s ‘Downtown Innovation,’ Paint and Wine
The Palm Coast council talks about developing an “innovation district” in Town Center, Entrepreneur Night is at Moonrise Brewery, the St. Johns County School Board wrestles with a defict caused by safety requirements.
16-Member Commission Will ‘Investigate System Failures’ in Parkland School Massacre
The commission will review Florida’s policies for dealing with “active assailants” on school campuses, with a comparison to “best practices” policies around the nation.
Monday Briefing: Bunnell’s (Free) State of the City , Emergency Comm Bid Protest, State Band Competition at FPC
The Flagler County Commission holds a special meeting to rule on a bid protest over a critical contract, Bunnell Mayor Catherine Robinson presents the State of the City, the Flagler Palm Coast High School Band Program hosts the 2018 State MPA North Concert Festival at the Flagler Auditorium.
Judge Rejects Local Districts’ Challenge of Controversial Law Shifting Money To Charter Schools
The controversy highlights continuing tensions between local school districts and the state about oversight and expansion of charter schools, which are public schools but are often run by private operators.
Florida Moves to Shut Down For-Profit Residence After Finding Horrific Abuse and Neglect
The move follows years of complaints that patients at a center for children with disabilities were violently mistreated by staff and subjected to physical restraints like straitjackets.
Weekend Briefing: Hammock Musicfest, Relay For Life, Suicide Prevention, Rally By the Sea, South Pacific
A musicfest to support music education, the progressive Rally By the Sea in Flagler Beach, Relay for Life in Central Park, Humane Society’s Town Howl, and much more.
Thursday Briefing: Spirit Casket, Sheriff Talks Crime, Renner and Hutson Update, Inspired Mic
The Spirit rides commemorates first responders who’ve lost their lives at roadside, the sheriff talks about crime-fighting at the Hilton Garden Inn, the Inspired Mic has another edition at Europa.
105 Missiles Fired at Syria Is 10 Times The Number of Syrian Refugees We’ve Taken In All Year
“This is about humanity,” President Trump said of attacking Syria. A look at his response to other regional catastrophes shows his claim doesn’t begin to add up.
Scott Wants To Cut Medicaid Application Window From 90 Days To 30; His Savings Claims Are Challenged
The Scott administration’s cost analyses sometimes have not made sense to Medicaid experts or health and social-service providers in the trenches.
Wednesday Briefing: Family Life Center Open House, FPC Starlets, Nick Klufas at 30, Missing Turtle
The Family Life Center marks mark the opening of its new building and office space with a ribbon-cutting, the FPC Starlets take the stage, a showcase for incoming middle schoolers at Buddy Taylor Middle School.
It’s Up to Grown-Ups To Stop Bullying, Not Kids
Speaking of her own experience with bullying, the author holds the adults who watched and did nothing far more responsible than those who perpetrated it.
Voters Will Decide School Board Term Limits and Ending Local Control Over Charter Schools
Under current law, school boards operate and control public schools within their counties. That would end if voters approve a constitutional amendment.
Tuesday Briefing: Transportation Impact, Talent Show Auditions, Food Truck Tuesdays, Guitar on the Rocks
Talent show auditions are tonight at the Youth Center, Food Truck Tuesday at Central Park, guitars at Stetson, the Palm Coast council is expected to adopt a new schedule of transportation impact fees.
Ballot Proposal Would Ensure Crime Victims Have Their Say in Plea Agreements and Sentencing
The proposal, which will need support from 60 percent of voters in November, would seek to ensure the rights of victims to receive information and provide input during criminal cases.
Monday Briefing: Pete Young, Fastest Lawman, Carver Gym Auction, That New Beach Access Law
FHP’s Pete Young is the new fast-draw champion, the county commission discusses a proposed ordinance to preserve beach access in front of private property for the public, the Carver Center auction is live.