Strap on those seat belts: the Florida Legislature gets started with Gov. Scotts State of the State, Dorothy Singer, accused of murdering her husband, is in court, Palm Coast council discusses wireless.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
From Opioids to Taxes to Vacation Rentals: 11 Issues To Watch In Legislative Session Starting Tuesday
The House and Senate will negotiate a state budget and consider hundreds of bills including on health care, taxes, the environment, short-term rentals and hurricanes, among others. Here’s a preview.
21 Years From Concept to Take-Off: Flagler Airport Opens $17 Million Runway
The new runway at the Flagler Airport will accommodate more fuel-heavy jets, thus adding to the airport’s fuel sales. Next up is the building of a new terminal.
Monday Briefing: Coastal Protection, $1.2 Million for Dump Trucks, Flagler Beach Parking, Disney Princes As Sex Offenders
A ribbon-cutting for Flagler Airport’s new runway, the future of parking in Flagler Beacch, contracting with dump trucks to start dumping dunes sand, why certain prices are sex offenders.
Trump Administration’s Shift on Marijuana Could Imperil Banking Arrangements
By rolling back an Obama-era arrangement that shielded legal marijuana users and businesses from prosecution, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions may compel many banks and credit unions to stop working with marijuana businesses.
Weekend Briefing: Christmas Tree Recycling, Audubon Walk, GOP Annual Meeting, “One Night in Memphis”
The annual Christmas tree recycling event takes place Saturday, “One Night in Memphis” at the Auditorium, a couple of 5K’s, assuming the weather doesn’t cancel them, and Knausgaard on wheelies.
FPL Puts Plan To Bill Customers $1.3 Billion For Irma Repairs On Hold, Citing New Tax Law
The company has not moved forward with the plan, primarily because it is studying implications of a federal tax overhaul approved last month by Congress and signed by President Donald Trump.
Thursday Briefing: Bundle Up, Sleeping Beauty at the Auditorium, Copwatch, Audubon’s Post-Christmas
“Copwatch” is shown free at the AACS in Palm Coast, Sleeping beauty, the ballet, reappears at the Flagler Auditorium, Audubon Society tells you what to do with all that gear you got at Christmas.
Collateral Damage of Florida’s Opioid Crisis: Children
Contending with tales of children discovered in the backseats of cars with their parents passed out from drug overdoses in the front, or toddlers left alone in fetid apartments for days while drug-addled mothers or fathers scour the streets for a fix.
Wednesday Briefing: Winter Storm’s Cold Rains and Night Freeze, Code Enforcement, Debussy
Cold but not freezing rain is expected in the morning, giving way to the coldest night of the year, with lows in the 20s, a new law office opens, schools closed all week.
New Laws Kick In on Prescription Refills, Rideshare Regulations, Child Time-Sharing, Minimum Wage Up to $8.25/hr
A half-dozen new laws kick in today, easing regulations over ridesharing systems like Uber and a more consumer-friendly way to enable prescription refills, while Florida’s minimum wage gets its annual inflation adjustment.
Facebook’s Uneven Enforcement of Hate Speech Rules Allows Vile Posts to Stay Up
Asked about its handling of 49 posts that might be deemed offensive, Facebook, acknowledged that its content reviewers had made the wrong call on 22 of them.
Among Slew of Legislative Rules, A Proposal To Limit Local Authority on Environment
From fracking to tree-trimming to using close to $900 million from a voter-approved conservation fund, Florida lawmakers are lining up their wishes ahead of the 2018 session.
Not To Worry, Estate Planners: Help For Struggling Millionaires Is On The Way
The estate tax was just slashed to exempt millionaire families up to $22 million, a doubling of the previous exemption, which had covered 99.8 percent of taxpayers.
O Canada: Can a Single-Payer Health-Insurance System Work in the United States?
American support for government-run, single-payer health care, once a fringe opinion, is picking up momentum, with doctors and patients increasingly supportive,
Latvala and Company: At Least 18 Lawmakers Gone or Punished Over Harassment in Capitols
The movement that has empowered women across the country to levy sexual assault and harassment allegations against powerful men continues to snowball.
How to Pay For Hurricane Irma’s Damages: Lawmakers (and Taxpayers) Face Billions in Costs
Irma’s tally: Agriculture: $2.5 billion hit on crops and facilities; insurance: $6.55 billion in property damage claims; utilities: $1 billion to cover the costs of getting power restored.
As Seas Rise Over South Florida: When’s the Last Time I’ll Go Home for Christmas?
By the author’s count, she’ll get 13 more holidays before the sea threatens to swallow her family’s home in South Florida, where the risk of a storm surge within four feet of high tide lines has doubled.
Trump Pushing DeSantis For Governor, But Opponent Calls It “Kiss Of Death” After Moore Flop
U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, a Palm Coast Republican who continues to mull a bid for governor, drew Twitter praise Friday from President Donald Trump, who flew to Palm Beach for the Christmas holiday.
Christmas Briefing, Last of the Year: Holiday Events, Holiday Trash Pick-Up, Holiday Hours, Bach’s Christmas Oratorio
A relatively quiet week ahead with its share of holiday events and scaled back schedules for everyone, including the Briefing, plus a full performance of Bach’s Christmas Oratorio under Gardiner.
Jacksonville and Florida National Guard Lose Out On Basing of F-35 Fighter Jet
Air Force today announced it will not locate its F-35 Lightning II fighter jet in Jacksonville with the Florida National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing, opting for Alabama and Wisconsin.
Ex-Congresswoman Corrine Brown Pleads to Avoid Prison During Appeal. Judge Says No.
A federal judge Wednesday rejected a request by former Congresswoman Corrine Brown, who once represented Flagler, to stay out of prison while she appeals a conviction for her role in a charity scam.
Thursday Briefing: Redneck Tenors at the Auditorium, Last Day of School, Guns and Abusers, The Spoon Lady
As activities wind down toward the Christmas break the Redneck Tenors bring their act to the Auditorium, the Spoon Lady shows her stuff, and it’s time to take guns away from domestic abusers.
Facing Harassment Charges and Damaging Reports, Florida Sen. Jack Latvala Resigns, Derisively Blaming “Political Correctness”
Latvala devoted much of his resignation letter to contest the charges against him and went as far as claiming that the drive to oust him was a matter of opportunism even as a special master is recommending a criminal investigation.
Wednesday Briefing: Maria Howell Sounding, TDC Absenteeism, Taxing Painters Hill, Home Builders’ Next Paradise
The Tourist Development Council cancels yet another meeting, the Flagler Home Builders Association breaks ground on a new design, the County Commission holds a special meeting on taxing the Painters Hill area for hurricane recovery.
Applicants Line Up Concert-Style For Florida’s Dozens of New Methadone-Treatment Licenses
Florida officials this summer decided to double the number of methadone clinics in the state as part of a $27 million federal grant aimed at curbing opioid addiction and overdoses.
Tuesday Briefing: Micayla Cronk, FPC Football, Monitoring Children’s Devices, Generators at City Facilities
The school board recognizes the FPC football team’s undefeated season and state champ Cara Cronk, Palm Coast government buys 32 generators, Hemingway takes on value-added words.
Assisted Living Facilities Are Challenging Rule Requiring Generator Power in Emergencies
The Florida Senior Living Association representing 350 assisted living facilities argues the proposed rule creates requirements that are not authorized in state law.
Monday Briefing: Pot Dispensaries Ban, Surfview Development Delayed Again, Skip a Week, Lazo Sentencing
The Flagler County Commission is scheduled to take up an ordinance that would outright ban medical pot dispensaries in unincorporated Flagler, Ricardo Lazo is sentenced in a case involving threatening his wife with a machete.
3 Reasons The Trump Tax Plan Is a Disgrace
Robert Reich’s three-step guide on the rubbish of the Trump-Republican tax plan for when you confront your Republican Uncle Bob during the holidays.
All-Cash Business? Not So: Why It’s Getting Easier for Marijuana Shops to Open Bank Accounts
Almost 400 banks and credit unions now serve the medical marijuana industry, according to the U.S. Treasury — a number that has more than tripled since 2014.
Blaming Climate Change, Ex-Emergency Management Chief Warns Floridians of More Intense Storms Ahead
Craig Fugate, a former FEMA and Florida Division of Emergency Management chief, highlighted the need for people in Florida to plan year-round for the six-month hurricane season.
Weekend Briefing: Pier Open Again, Christmas With a Deputy, Soccer Tryouts, Nutcracker, Boat Parade, Dvorak
Performances of Nutcracker and Messiah, a record number of boats in the holiday boat parade, Breakfast with Santa at Matanzas, soccer tryouts, and a Dvorak anniversary.
In Florida, You Can Lose Your Driver’s License For Jaywalking–Especially If You’re Black
Sen. Jeff Brandes has repeatedly introduced measures that would prohibit driver’s license suspensions for non-driving offenses. But Clerks of court stand to lose $40 million annually if the law is modified.
Thursday Briefing: Inspired Mic at Europa, Model Yacht Club, Celtic Angels, School Concerts
It’s Inspired Mic night again at the New Europa in European Village, Celtic Angels perform their Christmas show at the Auditorium, Indian Trails and Belle Terre students perform.
Alabama Saves The Day. But Not Much Else.
If what it takes for Democrats to win is a Republican pedophiliac predator and compulsive lawbreaker, their victory in Alabama Tuesday helps the GOP more than it does Democrats.
Wednesday Briefing: FPC Band and Chorus, Palm Coast Arts Foundation’s Latest, Scalia on Textualism
Nancy Crouch of the Palm Coast Arts Foundation speaks to the county’s economic development board, the FPC Band and Chorus are in concert at the Auditorium.
Senate Leader Eyes Constitutional Amendment Requiring Two-Thirds Majority For Any Tax Increase
The Florida Constitution Revision Commission, which meets every 20 years, has the power to place constitutional amendments on the November 2018 ballot.
Tuesday Briefing: Hammock Restaurant and Brewery, City Manager Head-Hunting, SpaceX Launch
A second brewery is cooking up in the Hammock, SpaceX launch just before noon, a fund-raiser tea at the Flagler Auditorium, a murderer returns to court.
From All-Women Field, Florida Democrats Pick Palm Beach’s Terrie Rizzo As New Leader
Seeking unity, Democrats are trying to reclaim the governor’s office and defend U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson’s seat next year as well as contend for state Cabinet seats.
Monday Briefing: Mary Ann Clark’s 90th, Bunnell Booze Hours, Diapers Tax Exemption, Lodge Supremacy
The Flagler Historical Society’s Mary Ann Clark celebrates her 90th birthday, Bunnell realigns its alcohol sale hours, Henry Cabot Lodge on American supremacy, the Legislature wants to exempt diapers from sales taxes.
A Dubious Arrest, a Compromised Prosecutor, a Tainted Plea: How One Murder Case Exposes A Broken System
One innocent man’s odyssey through the justice system shows why defendants often agree to virtually inescapable plea deals for crimes they didn’t commit.
“We Don’t Serve Gays”
Invoking Christian belief to deny service to a gay couple is not a First Amendment right, nor is it a matter of artistic expression. It’s good old discrimination under a new mask.
Weekend Briefing: Kitten Adoption, Home For the Holidays, Ethics Commission, Starlight Parade, Circus
Repeat felon George Wood goes on trial for armed burglary on Palm Coast’s Utility Drive during the Hurricane Matthew emergency, Palm Coast’s Christ,mas parade, holiday shows everywhere, a wine and art shuttle and a lot more.
$50 Million for St. Johns River Protection, $100 Million for Florida Forever: Measures Advance
Measures doubling Gov. Scott’s request for the Florida Forever conservation program and earmark money to improve the St. Johns River moved easily through the Senate Thursday.
Thursday Briefing: Mosquito Control Audit, DSC Board, Cool Days, Schools’ Winter Concerts, Nutcracker
Dance Alive performs Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker at the Auditorium, a legislative committee considers auditing Mosquito Control, numerous elementary schools’ winter concerts.
In Blow to NRA, Florida Legislature Will Holster Open-Carry and Other Gun Bills
With the 2018 legislative session still more than a month away, gun-related measures might have died Tuesday in the Senate.
Wednesday Briefing: Paul Dykes Trial Day 3, Sheriff’s Christmas Wish, Drone Restrictions, Mandela
A Florida House committee considers restrictions on drones, the Paul Dykes trial enters its third and likely final day, marking the anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s death.
Tuesday Briefing: Matanzas Steel Drums Concert, Guns in Courthouses, Civil Liberties, The Great Fazil Say
The always-exciting Matanzas Steel Drums band is in concert, the Palm Coast council talks land uses, the Paul Dykes trial continues, Turkey’s Fazil Say is something to behold.
5 Years in Prison for Ex-Congresswoman Corrine Brown, Who Once Represented Flagler
Describing the fraud as “shameless,” a federal judge sentenced former Democratic Congresswoman Corrine Brown to five years in prison for her role in a charity scam.