The GOP primary that has degraded into absurd name-calling pits tea-party-backed Scott Sturgill against conservative Mike Miller in the Edgewood, Orlando, and Winter Park area.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Supreme Court Clears Release of Parkland Massacre Videos School Board Sought to Block
The order sides with a coalition of news organizations and ordered the release of footage from the afternoon of Feb. 14, when 17 people were killed at the school.
Wednesday Briefing: Jerry Forte, Palm Coast Fire Chief, What Is a Smart Community? Canvassing Board
A Chamber of Commerce-hosted event on smart cities at the Community Center, the Canvasing Board counts more mailed-in ballots, Compassionate Friends meet.
Judge Orders Proposed Amendment on Charter Schools Off the Ballot, But Appeal Likely
The provision in question would have allowed the state to operate and control public schools “not established by the school board,” wording that could have yielded oversight to private companies.
Tuesday Briefing: School Board ‘Branding,’ Food Truck Tuesday, Couch to 5K Challenge, De Gaulle
The Flagler School Board wants to take branding more seriously, Bunnell continues its manager interviews, Food Truck Tuesday in Town Center.
Bank Closes Campaign Account of Florida Candidate Who Advocates for Medical Marijuana
Nikki Fried, a lawyer running for Commissioner of Agriculture, once lobbied for medical-marijuana operators and helped shape the state’s laws and regulations regarding pot.
Monday Briefing: Bunnell Bypass, Industrial Building at Airport, Trial Week, Manager Interviews, Heat Index 102
The Flagler County Commission considers major grants to build the Bunnell bypass and to build an industrial structure at the county airport, the Bunnell commission interviews two candidates, classes begin at Bethune-Cookman.
Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin Sales Pitch Downplayed Risks Of Opioid Addiction
More than 1,500 pending civil lawsuits, filed mostly by state and local governments, allege that deceptive marketing claims helped fuel a national epidemic of opioid addiction and thousands of overdose deaths.
I Grew Up In the Segregated South. For Me, Supreme Court Rulings Are Personal.
The author shares her grave concern for what Brett Kavanaugh’s influence could mean for communities of color, women, the LGBTQ community, and others who’ve fought to advance civil rights.
Four Republicans Vying to Replace Putnam as Agriculture Commissioner Battle Lack of Recognition
The Aug. 28 Republican primary for agriculture commissioner has featured some sniping over issues such as campaign money and Second Amendment support, with the sparring mostly occurring between state Rep. Matt Caldwell of North Fort Myers and Sen. Denise Grimsley of Sebring.
Weekend Briefing: Bus Driver Appreciation, Early Voting Begins, Clergy Politics, Lincoln Day Dinner, DSC Enrollment Day
Early voting begins Saturday, Enrollment Saturday at Daytona State, Rabbi Merrill Shapiro on politicized clergy, “Senior Crime,” Flagler Palm Coast High School v. Atlantic High Friday evening.
Gwen Graham’s Bid for Governor Tries to Make History But a Legacy Can Be Double-Edged
Gwen Graham, a former one-term member of Congress, could make history this fall by being elected Florida’s first female governor and the first child of a governor to serve in the state’s top job.
Thursday Briefing: Flagler Kiwanis Marks 10 Years, Heat Index to 103, Matanzas High Football Kickoff, Inspired Mic
Join the Flagler Kiwanis Club for a 10th anniversary celebration, Matanzas High opens its football season, the Inspired Mic, Palm Coast’s only open-mic event, holds another edition.
If Ireland Can Get Out of Fossil Fuels, “Tree-City” Palm Coast Can Too
Almost 900 cities, universities, and governments have divested over $6 trillion from the fossil fuel industry by requiring pension funds and other such investments to be green. Why not yours?
22 of Florida’s 67 School Districts Are Using Armed Personnel as “Guardians” to Comply With Law
The guardian program approved by lawmakers has been controversial, with most districts, including Flagler County, rejecting the idea of training school personnel to be armed.
Wednesday Briefing: Canvassing Board, Turtle Talk at Gamble Rogers, 3 Days Left For Shots
Join a park ranger at Gamble Rogers this morning for a glimpse into the intricate world of remarkable sea turtles, the canvassing board tests its voting equipment, three days left for free immunization.
Supreme Court Asked To Block 6 Constitutional Amendments That Combine Multiple Issues
The plaintiffs include a former Supreme Court Justice and take aim at proposed amendments that the Florida Constitution Revision Commission placed on the November ballot.
Tuesday Briefing: Heroin Dealer in Court, Traffic Safety Team, Stormwater Costs, Vivaldi
Joseph Colon, the man facing a first-degree murder charge in a woman’s heroin overdose, is in court, the Palm Coast council talks raising stormwater rates, the traffic safety team meets.
Schools Are Safer Than Your Home
We’re making fortresses of the safest places in America, out of fear that one of those 120,000 schools might at some point be the target of a shooting.
In Governor’s Race, Democrats Push For Expanded Health Coverage For Floridians
Democratic candidates s are accentuating a split with Republicans in a campaign where health care has become one of the touchstone issues.
Monday Briefing: Bunnell’s Historic Watertower? Road Closures, City Manager Search, Dopesick, Nielsen Woodwinds
The Bunnell Commission considers giving the city’s water tower historic status and looks for a manager, another quote from Beth Macy’s “Dopesick,” road closures extended.
From Slinging Possums To Age Discrimination, Florida’s Silly Season Turns Toxic
The weeks leading up to elections are sometimes known as the “silly season,” but on numerous fronts in the Sunshine State, “the nasty season” seems a more fitting label.
Spurred By Latest Dubious Shooting, Calls For Stand Your Ground Repeal Hit Capitol
The July 19 shooting death of Markeis McGlockton, with his three young children nearby at a Circle K in Pinellas County is prompting the latest calls to repeal the 2005 law.
Weekend Briefing: Back To School, Canvassing Board Testing, Movie In the Park, Free Sportsfighing Club Clinic
It’s back to school for a day before the weekend, the Flagler Sportsfishing Club offers a free clinic, “Beauty and the Beast” free in Palm Coast’s Central Park, Musorgsky’s Pictures.
Thursday Briefing: Roundabout at Matanzas Woods, Meet The Teachers, Music Jam
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.
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.”