Even the Supreme Court’s more liberal justices grilled the lawyer for Aramis Ayala, the state attorney stripped of two dozen cases by Scott after she said she’d not seek capital punishment for defendants.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Thursday Briefing: F-Section FPL Path, Professional Women’s Council, Summer Concert Series
F-Section residents hold a public meeting on alternatives to a foot path Palm Coast is building under FPL powerlines, toward Matanzas High, the chamber launches a new women’s group.
Florida Tourism Officials Worry About Donald Trump’s Impact on Travel
Visit Florida President and CEO Ken Lawson said he and others have heard anecdotal reports, both positive and negative, about international travel due to Donald Trump.
Wednesday Briefing: Domestic Violence Summit, Ayala v. Scott, Education Foundation, Beethoven in Havana
A much-anticipated domestic violence summit convened by Sheriff Rick Staly is at the Hilton Garden Inn at 2 p.m., the Flagler Education Foundation installs its officers, Beethoven as you’ve never heard him.
Making Democrats Great Again: It’s Going To Take A While
No wonder Republican leaders think they can get away with almost anything. They do because they can, argues Nancy Smith, and because Democrats’ absent strategy lets them.
Non-Partisan Analysis of 22 Million More Uninsured Deals Blow to Senate Health Bill
By 2026, an estimated 49 million people would be uninsured, compared with about 28 million who would lack coverage under current law.
Tuesday Briefing: Heat Index Up to 102, Habitat for Humanity, Health Care Rally, Entrepreneur Night, Martin Eden, Malarkey
Local supporters of the Affordable Care Act hold a rally near Florida Hospital Flagler, Habitat for Humanity hands off a house for a family of eight in Palm Coast’s R-Section. lots of heat, the OED Word of the Day is “malarkey.”
America First and Trump’s Word Wars
While other countries try to work together to solve problems and continue to lead on global progress, we’ll get left behind chanting “America First,” argues Olivia Alperstein.
Monday Briefing: Bunnell’s Old Brick Road, Palm Harbor Bids, Command and Control, Trump Snubs Ramadan, Teen Suicide
Palm Coast studies bids for management and concessions operations at Palm Harbor Golf Club, the Bunnell commission considers protecting a historic road, Trump refuses to uphold a Ramadan tradition.
The GOP Senate Bill’s Hollow Promise To Protect Coverage For Preexisting Conditions
Built into the bill are loopholes for states to bypass protections and erode coverage for preexisting conditions, so insurers could cover chronically ill people but not the diseases they suffer from.
Weekend Briefing: Pier Reopening, Golf Croquet, Ham Radio Field Day, What NASA Wants Aliens To See, GOP Unhealth
The pier reopens in Flagler Beach, the Senate GOP unleashes its demolition of Obamacare, Miami attorney Michael Higer is sworn in as president of The Florida Bar, Voyager’s payload to aliens.
Citizens’ Review Panel May Not Force Testimony From Cops, Florida Supreme Court Rules
The case stemmed from a complaint filed in 2009 alleging misconduct by a cop during a traffic stop. The Miami police department’s internal affairs division found insufficient evidence of misconduct.
Where It’s Legal, Pot Leads To Fewer Traffic Stops, But Racial Disparities Remain
The drop means fewer interactions between police and drivers, potentially limiting dangerous clashes. But black and Hispanic drivers are still searched at higher rates than white motorists.
Court Allows ACLU’s Public Record Fight Over Police Tracking of Cell Phones
The ACLU requested the records from Jackson as part of a broader inquiry in 2014 into the Sarasota Police Department’s use of what are known as “Stingray” tracking devices.
Behind Closed Doors: 5 Things Being Weighed In Secret Health Bill Also Weigh It Down
As 13 GOP senators continue to secretly craft a health care bill, some of the policies under consideration have slipped out, and pressure points of the debate are fairly clear.
In 1st Joint Forum of 2018 Race for Governor, Three Democrats Try To Lift Profile Above Trump Din
Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum, former Congresswoman Gwen Graham and businessman Chris King did not clash much on the issues so much as present an opening salvo in the 2018 race for governor.
Trump Administration Quietly Rolls Back Civil Rights Efforts Across Federal Government
Previously unannounced directives will limit the Department of Justice’s use of a storied civil rights enforcement tool, and loosen the Department of Education’s requirements on investigations.
Weekend Briefing: PCAF Art Collection, Holland Park’s Belated Re-Opening, Fitness Challenges, A-Bomb
Holland Park finally reopens Friday evening, the Sheriff talks domestic violence on WNZF, the fire chief and a council member offer a fitness challenge, the Palm Coast Arts Foundation does arts.
Gov. Scott Vetoes Higher Education Bill, Citing Cuts to State Colleges and Caps on Enrollment
Scott objected to an enrollment cap on baccalaureate degrees for the 28 state colleges and cutting college’s budget by $25 million, while substantially increasing spending on state universities.
Thursday Briefing: Weeks Back in Court, Magna Carta’s Birthday, Aaron Bean in Jacksonville, Kenzaburo Oe on Suicide
Former Elections Supervisor Kimberle Weeks is due in court for her latest pre-trial, this time with a new set of attorneys, Magna Carta was chartered 802 years ago, Neil Patrick Harris 44 years ago.
The Problem with Dividing
‘Good Muslims’ from ‘Bad Muslims’
The “good Muslims” support those “war on terror” policies that result in the expansion of violence against mostly innocent people. The “bad ones” don’t — and are called terrorists.
Both Sides Pressuring Scott on School Bill That Drew Protest Firestorm from Education Leaders
The bill’s passage infuriated school boards, superintendents, the state’s main teachers and other education advocates. Scott hinted that he was considering a veto at the time.
Wednesday Briefing: Sessions Time-Out, National Guard Progress, Ivanka and Marco’s Family Leave, Mohsin Hamid
The Florida Chamber’s education summit in Orlando, Marco Rubio and Ivanka Trump may have family leave in common, Sigmund Freud on our self-destructive selves, Mohsin Hamid.
Tuesday Briefing: Chamber Education Summit, Property Taxes in Palm Coast, Game Day Guns, Ted Talk on Lies
The Palm Coast Council talks property taxes, a court reviews the Florida State case about guns on game day, the Bunnell City Commission discusses a pay study, Reagan talks about The Day After.
Health Providers Prevail Over Gun Promoters in Guns v. Glocks Duel as 2011 Law Dies
The plaintiffs in the case, including individual doctors, argued that the restrictions were a violation of their First Amendment rights. A federal court agreed.
Monday Briefing: Remembering the Pulse Victims, Drought Index Down to 151, Flagler Budget, Reza Aslan’s Firing
A large commemoration ceremony at Lake Eola Park to remember the victims of the Pulse shooting in Orlando, with SunRail providing extra service. Flagler commissioners talk budget.
When Elected Officials Block Constituents on Twitter or Facebook, Possibly Breaking the Law
As elected officials increasingly turn to social media to communicate with constituents, some are blocking those who disagree with them. Some say it violates the First Amendment.
50 Years Later, Israel’s Attack on the USS Liberty Still Provokes Unsettling Conclusions
On June 8, 1967, during the Arab-Israeli war, Israeli jets and gunships attacked the USS Liberty in the Mediterranean, killing 34 Americans. Israel called it an accident. Survivors doubt it to this day.
Cities Can’t Go It Alone: They’ll Need State Help to Meet Paris Climate Goal
Even Palm Coast’s mayor has received requests to join the pledge, but many cities may be hamstrung by Republican governors and state legislatures that are less supportive of policies that would reduce fossil fuel emissions.
Four Funerals and a Wedding
In the past couple of weeks we’ve had four mass funerals and a wedding. Each tells a story about what we’ve become in a world turned on its head. Honorable is the least of it.
A Special Session Gorged on Wheeling and Dealing Ends With All Sides Declaring Victory
The agreement gave each of the three sides at the Capitol — Scott, the House and the Senate — something that could be called a victory, but more vetoes may yet be to come.
Lawmakers Find Agreement On Much Broader Allowances for Medical Pot Dispensaries
The cap on dispensaries would end in less than three years and the number of medical-marijuana operator licenses would increase as the number of patients eligible for the cannabis treatment grows.
Weekend Briefing: Portugal Day, Jiggleman Reading, Sportsfishing Tournament, Fantastic Beasts, Ali on Being Muslim
Celebrating Portugal Day at City Hall, a free movie in the park at dusk, Jiggleman kicks off a summer of reading at the public library, the special session concludes, maybe, Muhammad Ali speaks.
Court Throws Out Medical Malpractice Caps, Legacy of Jeb Bush Years, as Unconstitutional
Justices were sharply divided, with the majority finding that the caps on “non-economic” damages violated equal-protection rights and disputing that a malpractice insurance “crisis” exists.
Thursday Briefing: Traveling Zoo on World Oceans Day, Comey’s Intellectual History, Heroin, Special Session
Celebrate World Oceans Day at the agricultural extension offices at the Flagler County Fairgrounds, James Comey’s path to center stage, Flagler Beach reroofs, a call for coexistence from 500 years ago.
Lawmakers Move Forward With Medical Pot Deal as Vendors Could Each Operate 25 Shops
The state currently has seven licensed marijuana vendors, and the agreement between House and Senate leaders would require health officials to approve 10 new operators by Oct. 3.
Wednesday Briefing: Bike and Pedestrian Safety Improvements, FTI Graduation, Special Session Starts
Matanzas High students present their findings on pedestrian and bike paths to improve safety, the Legislature begins a 3-day special session on the budget, FTI holds its graduation ceremony.
In Blow to Collective Bargaining, Court Upholds Scott Veto of Firefighters’ Pay Raises
Scott’s decision to veto the $1.57 million for state firefighters, including employees who fight forest fires, had drawn criticism even from Agriculture Secretary Adam Putnam.
Tuesday Briefing: Pleasures of Dunking Top Cops, Thunderstorms, Tager’s 1st Workshop, Flagler Sportsfishing
Dunking cops, Superintendent James Tager handles his first school board workshop, Flagler Sportfishing Club meets, Palm Coast council talks streetlights.
Reflecting Bruising Session, Scott Vetoes Target Two-Thirds of House Members
The cuts, to 153 Republican projects and 55 Democratic initiatives, totaled $199 million and erased efforts of 81 different House members, just over two-thirds of the membership.
Monday Briefing: Drought Index Dips to 399, Replacing the 800MHz System, AIDS, Sean Monti Trial
Repeat offender and felon Sean Monti goes on trial, the County Commission hires a $175,000 consultant to study the future of the emergency radio system, and it talks library expansion.
He Was About To Pick Up His Newborn Son After Surgery When He Was Arrested By ICE
The case of Oscar Millan shows ICE’s renewed focus on strict immigration enforcement. Under the Obama administration, agents had discretion in cases of immigrants with gravely sick children.
A Lifetime In One Picture
My Daughter Odysseus
FlaglerLive’s editor reflects on the painful and joyful history behind a moment unexpectedly captured by a photographer at his daughter’s graduation from Grinnell College last week.
Medical Pot Left Out of Scott’s Special Session Call, But Lawmakers Angle For Joint Effort
Florida House and Senate leaders may expand the special session to include medical pot since they failed to reach agreement on implementing the voter-approved amendment in regular session.
Budget Deal Will Increase Per-Student Funding By $100 and Reset Visit Florida at $76 Million; Special Session Next Week
Florida lawmakers will hold a special session next week after Gov. Rick Scott and legislative leaders announced Friday they have reached the outline of a budget deal.
Weekend Briefing: Dunk a Chief in Flagler Beach, Volleyball at Hammock Beach, Road to Success at Carver, Tax Holiday
Road to Success open house at Carver Center, the fallout from Trump’s Paris pullout, child molester James Taylor is sentenced, Anderson Cooper at 50, volleyball tournament.
In American First, Scott Signs Bill Providing for Birth Certificates In Cases of Miscarriage
The bill, which easily cleared the Senate and House in early May, makes Florida the first state in the nation to issue birth certificates for miscarriages. The implications of the bill are unclear.
In Latest Polling, Obamacare Beats Trumpcare, 49-31, With Little Support For Means-Testing
The health overhaul bill passed by the House earlier this month accomplishes one major feat: It is even less popular than the not-very-popular Affordable Care Act.
GOP Defends Health Bill With Euphemisms, False Statements and Deleted Comments
Since the passage of the American Health Care Act, Republican members of Congress have tried to swing public opinion to their side, but through deceptive means.
Awakening from the Trump Nightmare
Forget impeachment. It ain’t going to happen, not when 19 Senate Republicans would have to join Democrats to pull it off. But public opinion is a different matter, argues Bernard-Henri Lévy.