The state transportation department holds a public information meeting about the coming roundabout at US1 and Matanzas Woods in Palm Coast, elementary schools have Meet the Teacher day, heat index up to 102.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
At Parkland Massacre Commission, Lessons of Columbine Compete With Tragic Repetitions
Security enhancements include more active-shooter drills, upgraded cameras with a central monitoring system and single-point entries for visitors.
Wednesday Briefing: Union Negotiations, “Who We Are,” Bunnell Charter Review, School Shooting Commission
The Parkland massacre commission meets for two days, the Bunnell Charter Review board meets, Ron deSantis and Adam Putnam debate.
Court Ruling With Broad Implications Throws Out Limits on Medical Pot Operators
The cap on the number of medical marijuana operators “directly contradicts the amendment,” Leon County Circuit Judge Charles Dodson ruled in an eight-page order.
Tuesday Briefing: Active Shooter Training, School Board Self-Rules, Vocational Education, Heat Index to 102
The Sheriff’s Office conducts a first-of-its kind active shooter training for Flagler school staff, the superintendent welcomes back faculty and staff, chess at European Village.
FlaglerLive Wins 1st Place For Court Reporting In Society of Professional Journalists’ Sunshine State Awards
FlaglerLive was awarded the courtroom honor for a series of articles written to give readers a front-row seat in the courtroom, reflecting proceedings with analytical and vivid detail and accessible narratives of the legal context.
Monday Briefing: Happy 50th Colleen Conklin, Korean War Veterans, Vacation-Rental Fees, Tourism Grants Galore
School Board member Colleen Conklin is the longest consecutive-serving elected official in Flagler, the county commission approves a slew of tourism grants, Korean veterans are honored.
Bright Futures ‘Medallion’ Scholarships For 46,000 Floridians Increase to Cover 75% of Tuition and Fees
The expansion is part of a record $519 million Bright Futures program legislators approved this year, with the the medallion portion of the scholarships increased to about $190 million.
America’s Pre-Existing Condition
Florida is among the states suing to end the requirement that people with pre-existing conditions be covered by insurers. It’s the latest cynical attempt to end Obamacare.
Democratic or Republican, Florida’s Candidates For Governor Say What Voters Want To Hear on Environment
Candidates’ solutions are mostly general and vary on how to keep up with the state’s growing population and businesses while keeping springs and rivers clean from the Panhandle to the Everglades.
Weekend Briefing: First Friday in Flagler Beach, BCC’s Wildcats on Netflix, Tax Holiday, African Fashion Show, Music Festival
Tax holiday all weekend, Bethune-Cookman’s marching band featured in featured in Netflix’s “Marching Orders,” a music and arts festival in Palm Coast’s Central Park.
Judge Throws Dog Racing Ban Off November Ballot, Calling It “Outright Trickeration”
“Contrary to the words presented for consideration by the voters, the amendment would not end dog racing, nor would it eliminate wagering on dog racing,” the judge wrote.
Thursday Briefing: Sheriff’s Quarterly Awards, National Guard Construction, Congressional Debate
The huge National Guard facility at the Flagler Airport is coming along, Democratic candidates for Flagler’s congressional district debate in Daytona, Trump’s judicial nominees discussed.
Amazon’s Deceptive Bargain With Local Government Purchasing–at Local Business’ Expense
Amazon’s bid to dominate local government purchasing has gone under the radar. IKt’s appealing on the surface, but could make it harder for agencies to buy from local vendors.
Wednesday Briefing: Get Your Free Immunization, GOP Congressional Candidates Debate, Heat Index to 105
Republican candidates in Congressional District 6 in a debate sponsored by The News-Journal, free immunizations at the Health Department, Sacha Baron Cohen’s limits.
Canadian Firm Poised to Light Up Florida Marijuana Market in $93 Million Deal
A Canadian love-fest for Florida pot companies continues to blossom with a $93 million deal that includes a Ruskin-based grower yet to begin selling marijuana products.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast Taxes and Water Rates, Heat Index to 102, Crabbing the Intracoastal
The Palm Coast Council talks water and sewer rates possibly ahead of a rate hike, as well as property taxes, John Knowles’s Separate Peace, Trump in Tampa with Scott and DeSantis.
Dog Racing Ban, On November Ballot, Gets a Boost From Doris Day
The Doris Day Animal League made a $1.5 million contribution to the Committee to Protect Dogs, backing Amendment 13, which appears on Florida ballots this fall.
Monday Briefing: Free Immunizations, Deadline for Party Registration Switch, Mobley Sentencing
Today is the last day to register or change your party affiliation for the Aug. 28 primary election, Dante Mobley is sentenced, the Health Department offers free immunizations.
Immigrant Youth Shelters: “If You’re a Predator, It’s a Gold Mine”
An investigation of police reports and call logs from more than two-thirds of the shelters housing immigrant children provides a snapshot of what has largely been kept from the public as well as members of Congress.
Weekend Briefing: Back To School Jam, Health Screenings, LGBTA Caucus, Wizard of Oz at Playhouse, Lifeguards
The Back to School Jam is at FPC’s gym Saturday, a lifeguard competition in Flagler Beach, free health screenings at the Palm Coast Community Center, Flagler Playhouse features The Wizard of Oz.
In Restoration of Florida Felons’ Voting Rights, Lawyers Make Novel 1st Amendment Argument
Lawyers for the plaintiffs maintain that Florida’s discretionary process violates the First Amendment, despite a dearth of cases anywhere in the country supporting that argument.
Thursday Briefing: Cops at Common Ground, Flagler Beach Talks Wickline and Taxes, Greyhound Racing Ban
The Flagler Beach City Commission discusses the uses of its Wickline Center, Flagler Beach Police Chief Matt Doughnet and Sheriff Rick Staly give a law enforcement update at a Chamber breakfast.
Protest and the Double-Edged Sword of ‘Civility’
Uncivil action may be a necessary strategy, just as civil disobedience, bearing witness, and making politicians uncomfortable were critical to the civil rights movement.
Wednesday Briefing: Heat Index to 102, Matthew Nesbitt Trial, Garbage Pick-Up Times, Five Mayors
Closing arguments in the Matthew Nesbitt trial, schedule pick-ups at Indian Trails Middle, garbage pick-up times moved up, Compassionate Friends, the bereavement support group, meets.
Judge Declares Unconstitutional Attempt By Scott To Forbid Early Voting On College Campuses
U.S. District Judge Mark Walker found that the Florida Department of State’s prohibition against campus early-voting sites “is facially discriminatory on account of age.”
Tuesday Briefing: Sheriff Named to State Association Board, Judicial Nominating Commission Kick-Off,
The Seventh Circuit Judicial Nominating Commission kicks off the search for a replacement for Judge Scott DuPont, Sheriff Staly is named to the board of a state sheriff’s association.
Why Should FPL Customers Pay For Its Polluting, Lawbreaking Mistake? Court Will Decide.
FPL wants to bill customers across the state, including Flagler, $206 million in recovery costs for its own polluting mistake at its Turkey Point plant in South Florida.
Monday Briefing: Nesbitt Trial, County Taxes, Bunnell Transparency, Candidate Hobnob
A big political candidate hobnob at the Palm Coast Community Center, Flagler and Bunnell governments talk taxes, Matthew Nesbitt goes on trial for alleged assaults on cops.
Restricting Food Stamps Use at Farmers’ Markets Is One More Way To Hurt the Poor
The government just canceled its contract with the company that makes the card readers necessary to read food stamps cards at farmers markets.
Trump Targets Breastfeeding Abroad, Contradicting U.S. Laws in 50 States
In a favor to the baby-formula lobby, the Trump administration sought to defeat a World Health Organization resolution to “protect, promote and support breastfeeding,” shocking researchers.
Truth Derangement Syndrome
Donald Trump once said he could shoot someone and not lose any votes. He’s right in the sense that he changed the rules of right and wrong, truth and lies, morality and immorality.
Weekend Briefing: Tour de Palm Coast, Lunch ‘n Lecture, Dive-In Movie, Travis Greco, Thoreau
Palm Coast Firefighter Travis Greco is honored, hurricane preparedness at Lunch ‘n Lecture series, Spider-Man: Homecoming at Dive-In movies, the shape of Thoreau’s writing.
No “Overconfidence” In 2018 Election as Florida Takes $19 Million in Security Upgrades
Florida’s top elections official told lawmakers that “time is of the essence” in using the federal money, with the Aug. 28 primary elections just over a month away.
Sunrail Schedule Increases to 20 Round-Trips Ahead of Expansion With 4 More Stations
Sunrail’s expansion adds 17 more miles and four new stations starting July 30, for a total of 39 miles in Orange, Volusia and Osceola counties.
Thursday Briefing: Golf Course Dispute, Inspired Mic, Beach Pier Bash, Heat Index to 103
The Flagler Beach City Commission holds a special meeting to determine the fate of its golf course, the chamber’s bash at the pier, the Inspired Mic at the New Europa.
Scott Signs Death Warrant, His 27th, For 1992 Murderer Jose Antonio Jimenez
Jose Antonio Jimenez was convicted in the October 1992 killing of 63-year-old Phyllis Minas, whose neighbors heard her shout, “Oh God! Oh my God!” during the attack.
Local Police Should Not Collaborate With Immigration and Customs Enforcement
As reports of abuse at ICE emerge and increase, robust sanctuary policies that end the collusion with local law enforcement that ICE relies on gain urgency.
Wednesday Briefing: Live Bombing, Happy Birthday Bob Cuff, Tourism Grants, Docks for Marineland, Trump Oops
Marineland guns for a $150,000 tourism grant to build docks at its marina, live bombing in the Ocala forest, Palm Coast Councilman Bob Cuff is 68, heat index to 103.
Before Vilifying Russia, U.S. Policy Apologists Might Try Looking in the Mirror
A bellicose stance toward Russia has become so routine and widespread that we might not give it a second thought. That makes it all the more hazardous.
FSU Will Move Statue of Slaveholder and Seek to Scrub Segregationist’s Name From Law School Building
The statue of Francis Eppes, a grandson of Thomas Jefferson and a former mayor of Tallahassee, has been up only since 2002. FSU President John Thrasher will seek to have the name of segregationist B.K. Roberts removed from the law school building.
Tuesday Briefing: Buddy Taylor Middle’s New Principal, School Vouchers, Food Truck Tuesday, Heat Index to 103
Palm Coast government discusses its budget, the School Board discusses the effects of a publicly funded private school voucher program on the district, Food Truck Tuesday in Central Park.
Sheriff Staly on Operations Center: “I Will Not Tolerate Blaming Victims of This Building, My Employees”
Sheriff Rick Staly delivered a 2,000-word statement on the troubled Operations Center during Monday’s workshop on the matter. The full text is reproduced here.
Three of Florida’s State University Presidents Earned More Than $1 Million Last Year
Three state university presidents in Florida earned more than $1 million in pay and other compensation during the 2016-2017 academic year.
Monday Briefing: Heat Index Up to 102, Sheriff’s Operations Center Diagnosis, Bunnell Manager Search
The County Commission holds a workshop to hear the results of air testing at the troubled Sheriff’s Operations Center, Bunnell commissioners try a new list of manager candidates to interview.
Weekend Briefing: Job Fair, France v. Croatia, Kids’ Fishing Clinic, Shriners, ‘Lego Batman’
It’s all about the World Cup final, but also Flagler Sportsfishing’s 9th annual free kids’ fishing clinic, free movie in the park, bowling to raise money for Daytona State College scholarships, and more.
Nat Reed, Adviser to Governors and Presidents Who Left His Imprint on Flagler’s Environment, Dies
Nat Reed, who died at 84, co-founded 1,000 Friends of Florida. His stewardship led to Flagler’s progressive comprehensive plan and greenway and environmental successes.
Thursday Briefing: Campus Safety Symposium, Flagler Beach’s Latest Bogey, Eskimo Wisdom, Dire Citrus Results
A school safety symposium gathers at Daytona State College, Commissioner Eric Cooley is expected to make his first public appearance at the Flagler Beach Commission since his arrest on a domestic violence charge.
What’s At Stake If Brett Kavanaugh Joins the Supreme Court
All Americans say they value personal freedom, especially the right to make our own decisions about our private lives. Expect that to end.
School Massacre Commission Told Emergency Communications Problems Are Not Restricted To Broward
Emergency calls from Parkland are shepherded by two separate communication centers, depending on whether the caller uses a cell phone or landline.