Palm Coast’s Eric Floyd goes on trial on four charges of raping a teen girl in his charge, iPads distributed to 4th and 6th graders at Rymfire, Merkel’s fame, an IPA with pot.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Proposal To Replace Statue of Confederate Gen. Smith With One of Mary McLeod Bethune
State Sen. Perry Thurston proposed a resolution to have Bethune replace Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith as one of Florida’s two representatives in the National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C.
Monday Briefing: Eclipse Starts At 1:18, Peaks at 2:49 PM, Mosquito Control Eclipse at 10 AM
It’s all about the eclipse today, but it’s also about the troubled Mosquito Control board meeting, and the Flagler County Commission considering a take-over of Bunnell’s fire department.
Confederate Monuments’ Phony History
The irony of the debate over removal of Confederate monuments is that it supposes a removal of history when the monuments themselves were intended to re-write it.
Mitt Romney: “There May Commence An Unraveling of Our National Fabric”
In forceful terms, the former GOP p[residential nominee calls on Donald Trump to apologize and denounce white supremacists and other racists without equivocation or equivalencies.
Weekend Briefing: Home and Garden Show, DSC Enrollment Day, Surfers For Autism, GOP Kickoff
Surfers For Autism all day Saturday in Flagler Beach, enrollment day at Daytona State, Flagler Republicans kick off their 2018 campaign, Steinbeck on Florida, Vermeer and the 19th Amendment.
Embroiled In Supremacist Controversy, Trump Reaches For Scott As Lunch Buddy
Scott had lunch with Trump at a New Jersey golf resort, as the president continued to draw criticism for comments about a white nationalist rally.
How One City Took Down Its Confederate Monuments: A Stealth History Lesson
After Charlottesville, Baltimore’s removal of Confederate statues in the dead of night was the city’s latest attempt to make peace with the ghosts of the Civil War. Other cities may be taking note.
Thursday Briefing: The Inspired Mic at Europa, Brice Wright, Heat Index to 107, Band Instruments, DSC Trustees
The Inspired Mic is another night at the improvs at European Village’s New Europa, the Daytona State trustees meet, band instrument distribution at Buddy Taylor, plus another scorcher.
“I Didn’t Serve To Defend Neo-Nazis,” Gov. Scott Says, Distancing Himself From Trump
Pam Bondi, meanwhile, endorsed UF President Kent Fuchs’s denial of a request to allow white nationalist leader Richard Spencer to speak on campus next month.
UF Prepares For White Supremacist Richard Spencer, a Rally Participant in Charlottesville
National Policy Institute President Richard Spencer, who made an appearance at the Charlottesville event, could speak at the University of Florida next month. Authorities are taking measures.
A New Generation of White Supremacists, Better Organized, Emerges in Charlottesville
A group that included many people who were college-educated or ex-military displayed effective planning. “White people are pretty good at getting organized,” said one.
Gov. Scott Seeks Amendment To Require Supermajority When Lawmakers Raise Taxes
Gov. Scott didn’t define the meaning of “supermajority” but 15 states, liberal and conservative, already have the requirement of from 60 to 75 percent supermajorities when lawmakers raise taxes.
Three Ways the Trump Administration Has Downplayed White Supremacy
In the weeks leading up to the protests, Trump and those close to him have often played down the real threat of violence being committed by white supremacists on a regular basis across the country.
Kim Jong-Trump
There is no pre-emptive military option against North Korea. None. No matter how much Korea “provokes.” There is only containment, and shutting up Donald Trump.
Not This Time: Supreme Court Rejects Re-Sentencing For Murderer of 13-Year-Old Girl
Hitchcock was sent to Death Row after a 10-2 jury recommendation. Attorneys argued that the new unanimity standard should retroactively apply to his case and lead to a new sentencing hearing.
Big Pharma Bullies: How Insurers Force You To Buy Name-Brand Drugs Instead of Generic
Some pharmaceutical companies are cutting deals with insurance companies to favor their brand-name products over cheaper generics. Insurers pay less, but sometimes consumers pay more.
Clash Continues Ahead of Aug. 24 Execution Over Lethal Injection Drug Never Before Used
Asay’s execution would be the first carried out in Florida since a January 2016 U.S. Supreme Court decision that found Florida’s death penalty sentencing system was unconstitutional.
Wednesday Briefing: Canales In Court, School Open Houses, Lifeguard Championship, Einaudi’s Elegy For the Arctic
One day from school opening, a half dozen schools have open houses and meet the teacher days, Jonathan Canales, accused of shooting his wife, is back in court, Ludovico Einaudi on the ice for the Arctic.
Alarming Federal Report On Global Warming Elicits Fears Trump Will Suppress It
The report all but erases doubt that climate change is the result of human activity and that warming will worsen, but it’s awaiting President Trump’s approval and that of the Environmental Protection Agency.
Upwards Mobility Bunk: Don’t Lie to Poor Kids About Why They’re Poor, And Will Stay Poor
What happens when children born into poverty run face first into the crushing reality that the society they live in really isn’t that fair at all? Hard work has nothing to do with it.
Florida’s State Colleges Will See Their First Enrollment Increase in Seven Years
A new state forecast projects a 1 percent growth rate in enrollment in the 28 colleges during the 2017-18 academic year, representing the equivalent of 324,109 full-time students.
In Some States, Sales Tax Holidays Lose Luster as Hype Overshadows Cost
Tax holidays don’t increase buying but merely concentrate it around specific dates. They’re regressive. They’re more political than useful: in Florida, the Legislature turned down Gov. Scott’s request for 10 days.
Trump Will Win In 2020
There’s nothing original in Donald Trump’s presidency when seen through Nixon-colored glasses, considering the similarities–and the invaluable help both got from Democrats to get elected.
Economy Adds 209,000 Jobs in 82nd Straight Month of Growth, Unemployment at 4.3%
The unemployment rate was last this low in 2001, at the end of the Clinton boom, though wages have only recently started to improve at a pace ahead of inflation.
Half of Floridians Now Off Land Lines, Underscoring Need For Stronger Cell Coverage
An estimated 51 percent of homes in the state were wireless-only in 2015. Meanwhile, the number of traditional residential wirelines in the state dropped 15 percent from 2015 to 2016.
Thursday Briefing: Palm Coast’s Once and Future Managers, Tager’s Message, Muslim Ban
Palm Coast discusses its future, freshman orientation at Matanzas High School, Flagler Democrats meet to hear about the Trump Muslim ban.
Wednesday Briefing: Superintendent Tager’s Back to School Welcome, Computers at Buddy Taylor, Mozart’s Only Trio
Superintendent James Tager welcomes district staff on employees’ first day back, computers are handed out to students at Buddy Taylor, Mozart’s only string trio in a great performance.
Gov. Scott’s Emily Hysterics
Even Tropical Storm/Depression Emily cried foul at Gov. Scott’s, sleazy, opportunistic hyping of what was no more than an overheated summer storm: look at how fast she high-tailed it out of the state.
Tuesday Briefing: Flagler Beach Comp Plan, Dual Enrollment, iPads for K-3 Students, Alex Jones
The School Board will spend $400,000 on iPads for K-3 students, Palm Coast will spend $200,000 on a dubious traffic plan, Alex Jones is deconstructed, Stephen King is in disbelief.
Court To Decide Legality of Those Utility Bills For Nukes Plants That May Never Be Built
A federal appeals court hears arguments in a class-action lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a state law that has led to Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy Florida collecting money from customers for nuclear-power projects.
McCain’s Brain Cancer Draws Renewed Attention to Possible Agent Orange Connection
For years, Vietnam vets and their widows have been pushing the VA to extend benefits to those exposed to the toxic herbicide and later stricken with glioblastoma. The VA has said no.
Monday Briefing: Islamophobia Watch, Trolls, Tribal Workplaces, Jennifer Heidle Trial, Court Funding
The state Revenue Estimating Conference analyzes court system funding, a Flagler woman goes on trial for allegedly assaulting a law enforcement officer, Trump’s mental health in question.
Renewed Push For Tougher Texting While Driving Penalties May Face Resistance in Flagler
A Florida state legislator, Emily Slosberg, who survived a violent car crash caused by distracted driving, is campaigning across the state to make texting and driving a primary offense.
Weekend Briefing: Heat Index Up to 109, Disney’s Aladdin at Playhouse, Back To School Jam, Future of Fake News
Paul Dykes and Erin Vickers, accused of child rape and child porn possession, appear in court, the Back to School Jam at FPC Saturday, the Playhouse features its junior thespians.
Thursday Briefing: Renner and Hutson Postgame Show, Flagler Beach Pot Dispensaries, Stamp and Coin
Rep. Paul Renner and Sen. Travis Hutson talk about the last legislative session and the one to come, the Flagler Beach Commission takes up a proposed ban on medical marijuana dispensaries.
Next Stations of the Cross In Obamacare’s Near-Death Experiences: Debate and Amendments
Senators are limited to 20 hours of debate, following which numberless amendments may be introduced–but not debated. It may get messy and difficult to follow.
Wednesday Briefing: Grade Schedule Pick-up, Compassionate Friends, Economic Opportunity, Carlin
School already: grade-schedule pick-ups begin at Indian Trails Middle School, Compassionate Friends meet, George Carlin reminds us he’s still dead.
Tuesday Briefing: School Taxes, Texting While Driving, Palm Harbor Golf Fare, Blivets
The Palm Coast council discusses capital improvements, the school board sets its tax rate, comparing pre-existing conditions to cars that have been in crashes.
Florida Must Pay $1.1 Million In Legal Fees After Losing Battle in Glocks v. Docs Fight
A federal court struck down a controversial state law, backed by the NRA, that sought to prevent doctors from asking patients about guns.
Prescription-Drug Overdoses Swamp Medical Examiners, Putting Accuracy In Question
The concern is that performing more than the recommended limit of 325 autopsies in a year, in addition to other duties such as testifying in court, could result in errors.
Monday Briefing: Bunnell Budget, Sabotaging Obamacare, Sonny Clark and Robert Frost
The Bunnell City Commission figures out its 2017-18 budget, Enterprise Florida picks a new president, Robert Frost trash-talks the novel.
Patriotic Millionaire: There’s No ‘Free Market’ Solution to Health Care
Republican leaders claim they want affordable access to quality health care for all. It can’t be done by lowering taxes on businesses and the rich and letting the market run it all.
Gov. Scott Defends Plan to Appoint Three Supreme Court Justices in Last Days In Office
Those three members — justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince — are part of the court’s more-liberal majority, and some advocates are worried that Scott, a Republican, could tip the balance of power on the bench on his final day in office.
Weekend Briefing: Tour de Palm Coast, “Depth” at Blue Gallery, Play 60 at FPC, Price of Revenge, Calder
The annual cycling Tour de Palm Coast, dive-in movie at Frieda Zamba and by the surf in Flagler Beach, Alexander Calder’s birthday, a new show at Blue Gallery, Balzac on double-standards.
Thursday Briefing: Peers on the Pier, God Gab, Inspired Mic at Europa, JJ Graham’s Phoenix, Balzac’s Speculators
The Inspired Mic, Palm Coast’s unpredictable improv, is on at Europa, the Chamber hosts its annual Peers on the Pier party, how Trump does in fact own Obamacare now, and double-standards.
Appeals Court Skeptical Of Sitting In Judgment Over Florida’s Education Standards
The issue is whether courts can evaluate the state’s obligation under a 1998 constitutional amendment that declares it a “paramount duty of the state” to education all children.
Obamacare Exchanges In Limbo as GOP Repeal Fails and Trump Ramps Up Sabotage Talk
Even as premiums increase about 18 percent, Florida Blue, the state’s largest health insurer, said those rates would go even higher if government subsidies disappeared.
Wednesday Briefing: Soderberg Kicks Off, Buckets of Tourism Grants, Blood Drive, Malcolm Gladwell
Blood drive in Bunnell, Nancy Soderberg launches her congressional campaign against Ron DeSantis, the tourism council considers dozens of grants, Malcolm Gladwell.
Tuesday Briefing: Mock Election All Day, Palm Coast’s Future, Food Truck Tuesday, Blood-and-Soil Nationalism
The Palm Coast City Council decides whether to add five cops to city streets and may talk about its manager’s future, a countywide mock election takes place at Supervisor’s office to show off new equipment.