The Scott administration’s cost analyses sometimes have not made sense to Medicaid experts or health and social-service providers in the trenches.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Wednesday Briefing: Family Life Center Open House, FPC Starlets, Nick Klufas at 30, Missing Turtle
The Family Life Center marks mark the opening of its new building and office space with a ribbon-cutting, the FPC Starlets take the stage, a showcase for incoming middle schoolers at Buddy Taylor Middle School.
It’s Up to Grown-Ups To Stop Bullying, Not Kids
Speaking of her own experience with bullying, the author holds the adults who watched and did nothing far more responsible than those who perpetrated it.
Voters Will Decide School Board Term Limits and Ending Local Control Over Charter Schools
Under current law, school boards operate and control public schools within their counties. That would end if voters approve a constitutional amendment.
Tuesday Briefing: Transportation Impact, Talent Show Auditions, Food Truck Tuesdays, Guitar on the Rocks
Talent show auditions are tonight at the Youth Center, Food Truck Tuesday at Central Park, guitars at Stetson, the Palm Coast council is expected to adopt a new schedule of transportation impact fees.
Ballot Proposal Would Ensure Crime Victims Have Their Say in Plea Agreements and Sentencing
The proposal, which will need support from 60 percent of voters in November, would seek to ensure the rights of victims to receive information and provide input during criminal cases.
Monday Briefing: Pete Young, Fastest Lawman, Carver Gym Auction, That New Beach Access Law
FHP’s Pete Young is the new fast-draw champion, the county commission discusses a proposed ordinance to preserve beach access in front of private property for the public, the Carver Center auction is live.
Felons’ Lawyers Accuse Scott and Cabinet of Foot-Dragging Over Judge’s Rights-Restoration Order
A federal judge who found the state’s vote-restoration process unconstitutional gave Scott and the Cabinet until April 26 to overhaul the process. They’ve done nothing.
Weekend Briefing: South Pacific, Picnics and Pops, Fast Draw, Farm Days, Cheer at Pier, Health and Housing Fairs
South Pacific opens at the Flagler Playhouse, Family Farm Days at the Ag Museum, the fastest lawman shootout Sunday, a health fair, a housing fair, Cheer at the Pier and so much more.
Cities and Counties Pushing Back Against State Law Limiting Local Gun Regulations
Local governments are challenging the 2011 “preemption” law, which bans them from imposing gun restrictions tougher than those in state laws.
Judge Says Cancer Patient May Grow His Own Pot Plants, Seeding New Front in Florida Marijuana Wars
The patient is forced to grow his own plants to make liquid treatment because the state hasn’t allowed any marijuana operators to sell whole plants to patients.
Flagler Beach Museum’s 5th Annual Cheer at the Pier Saturday
The 5th Annual Cheer at the Pier is a fund-raising event for the Flagler Beach Museum that mixes sun, fun, drinks and the gastronomy of nearly a dozen participating restaurants and bars.
Thursday Briefing: FPC Classroom to Careers, 9th Grade Showcase, Crocs Grill Entertainment, Ex-Felons’ Rights
A busy day at Flagler Palm Coast High with a classrooms-to-careers symposium and incoming 9th graders’ first look at their new school, Farm Swap and Music Jam at the Ag museum.
Court Rejects Curbs on “Deer Dog Hunting” in Florida Wildlife Management Area
Property owners sued the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for not properly keeping hunters’ dogs away from their lands. They won, only for an appeals court to reverse the decision.
Wednesday Briefing: Soccer Coach Pleads Out, Take Back the Night, Commissioner of Agriculture Forum
Three candidates for agriculture commissioner appear in a Palm Coast forum, incoming 9th graders at FPC get their showcase at the school tonight, speaking against sexual violence, at Stetson.
Trump Picks 5th District Court of Appeal’s Wendy Berger for Central Florida Federal Court
Wendy Berger serves on the Daytona Beach-based 5th DCA and was a Jeb Bush aide. Trump nominated her to the federal bench’s Middle District of Florida.
Tuesday Briefing: Florida Park Drive, Dunes Restoration Update, Cats and Dogs for Adoption
A new feature highlighting cats and dogs for adoption, the Palm Coast Council again discusses issues surrounding Florida Park Drive, an update on dune repairs.
Trump Expected to Loom Over Nelson-Scott Senate Battle as Governor Announces Run
The Senate contest between Bill nelson and Rick Scott is termed a “proxy battle” about Donald Trump and a referendum by Floridians on Trump’s presidency.
Addiction Drug Vivitrol’s Side Effect: More Overdoses?
Researchers suggest people getting Vivitrol shots may be more susceptible to a fatal overdose if they halt the regimen early and resume using opiates.
Monday Briefing: Grand Champ Ava Hutten, 9, Bill Baxley at 79, New Sex Offender Registry, Dune Walkovers
Ava Hatten is Grand Champion in Swine Show for hog Rudy, 267 lb., Bunnell City Commissioner Bill Baxley is 79, Sheriff Rick Staly is a 911 dispatcher for two hours.
Daytona State College Summer Sessions Begin May 15, Enrollment Open
Daytona State College registration is closing in on summer classes that start May 15 and June 28. Fall semester sign-up also has begun with classes starting Aug. 27; now’s the time to secure classes and top choice for schedules.
Florida GOP Says It Can Fend Off Blue Wake and Keep “Trump Agenda Alive”
But Florida Republicans, gathering for a convention in Tampa, say they’ll need to increase turnout to retain congressional and legislative majorities and to unseat Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson.
30-Acre Brushfire Shuts Down I-95 in Volusia Again; Florida Forest Service Marks Wildfire Awareness Week
FHP shut down I-95 from mile marker 257 to 261 in both directions as a 30-acre fire jumped the interstate, forcing firefighters to battle the blaze from both sides.
12 Amendments Nearing Ballot, Including Bans on Offshore Drilling and Workplace Vaping, and Home Rule Overrides
The list includes 12 ballot proposals that incorporate 24 potential changes to the Florida Constitution. All of the proposals were initially endorsed by the commission.
Weekend Briefing: Rock ‘n Ribfest Fair, FPC Dance, First Friday, Walk For the Blind, Plein Air at Ocean Art
The Rock ‘n Ribfest spices up the Flagler County Fair, FPC’s dancers bring their “Stories in Motion” to the Flagler Auditorium stage, First Fridays in Flagler Beach, a new show at Ocean Art Gallery.
Thursday Briefing: Chipotle Opens, Jon Netts Returns, County Fair Continues, Kim Weeks Jury Deliberates
Chipotle restaurant opens next to Panera on Palm Coast’s State Road 100, ex-Mayor Jon Netts reemerges at a campaign forum, the county fair is in its first full day and the Kim Weeks trial should end with a verdict.
Wednesday Briefing: Off To The Fair, Netts v. Shipley at Palm Coast Council Forum, Weeks Trial Day 3
The Flagler County Fair and Youth Show kick off tonight and through the weekend, ex-Mayor Jon Netts reemerges as a candidate for Palm Coast Council, Stetson’s woodwind ensemble in concert.
10 Florida Cities Challenge State Law Barring Local Governments From Passing Gun Ordinances
Elected officials from 10 Florida cities are challenging an NRA-backed state law that imposes strict penalties on local lawmakers for enacting gun ordinances.
Tuesday Briefing: FPC’s Janine Jao, Weeks Trial, Birds of Flagler, Schools’ “Social Sentinel”
The school district is looking into using the services of a “Social Sentinel” surveillance system to monitor social media, the Palm Coast Council votes to add proposed charter amendments to the November ballot, Birds of Flagler at the Hammock Community Association, Sportfishing Club.
‘Aggressive’ New Advance Directive Would Let Dementia Patients Refuse Food
Do not resuscitate (DNR) orders are common. Do not feed orders, not so much, but New York may be opening the way to giving patients with dementia that option.
Monday Briefing: Kimberle Weeks Trial, Coffey Contract, $15 Million For Emergency Communications, Right Whales Are Not Birthing
The Kimberle Weeks trial, three years in the making, starts with jury selection, the County Commission approves a nearly $15 million upgrade of emergency communications.
Trump’s Census Whitewash
The Trump administration’s decision to include a question on the census about citizenship is intended to under-count immigrants and skew numbers to favor whiter voting districts.
The Dangerous John Bolton: Skewing Intelligence, Silencing Input That Doesn’t Fit His Biases
Former colleagues say John Bolton, whose job is to marshal information and present it to the president fairly, resists input that doesn’t fit his biases and retaliates against people he disagrees with.
Weekend Briefing: Cracker Day at Fairgrounds, Flagler Reads Together Finale, Voter Registration, Humane Society Dinner
It’s the 63rd annual Cracker Day Saturday at the Flagler County Fairgrounds, Flagler Humane Society hosts a fund-raising dinner, Flagler Reads Together comes to an end with a final event.
Thursday Briefing: State of Flagler Beach (Free!), Jail ‘N Bail for Cancer Research, Lords of 52nd Street
Larry Newsom presents the State of Flagler Beach at the Beach Front Grille, and since it’s not Palm Coast, it’s free, Lords of 52nd Street at the Auditorium, the Sheriff “arrests” people for cancer research.
Traffic Alert: Fire Moving Toward I-95 Shuts Down Interstate in Portion of Volusia
The Florida Highway Patrol is cautioning that it’s shutting down I-95 in both directions between State Road 44 and Dunlawton because of a wildfire.
Wednesday Briefing: Compassionate Friends, Renner at FCAR, DSC Job Fair, Golden Eagle Dinner
For real this time: Paul Renner is at the Flagler County Association of Realtors, William G. Schwarz, who faces life in prison over two DUI manslaughter charges, is in court, Daytona State has a jobs fair.
Superintendents Say Money May Not Cover All School Resource Officers Despite $100 Million
Superintendents are asking the state Board of Education for support in shifting money allocated to school marshals to the school resource officer program instead.
Tuesday Briefing: Judges’ Forum, Public Money For Private Schools, NAACP Meeting, Hukill
Judges Melissa Moore-Stens and R. Lee Smith appear at a forum as part of their reelection campaign, it’s Entrepreneur Night at Island Grille and at the NAACP’s meeting, Sen. Dorothy Hukill is recognized.
Gov. Scott Fuels Speculation About Senate Run By Tapping Brad Piepenbrink Again
The chief of staff announcement was made within minutes of social-media postings from the governor saying he will make a “big announcement” in two weeks.
Monday Briefing: State of Bunnell’s Police, Renner Speaks to Realtors, Afro-American Entrepreneurs, Cameron
The Bunnell City Commission hears a presentation on its police department, it’s African-American entrepreneur night at AACS, Renner gives Realtors a legislative update, the Magnificat.
Nurses Are Calling #TimesUp on Domestic Abuse, And on Those Who Doubt Victims
Emergency room encounters reveal the work that remains to be done to curb intimate partner violence. Too often, helpers abandon victims if they return to their abuser after attempting to leave.
Florida Voters Denied Choice on Gun Restrictions as Constitution Commission Holsters Proposal
Floridians won’t have an opportunity to decide whether the state should ban semi-automatic weapons or have gun-related restrictions after the Constitution Revision Commission rejected attempts to debate the proposals.
Weekend Briefing: “Blood Knot” at CRT, Home Show, Block Party, Lifeguard Certification, Lewis Black
A block party to benefit Christmas Come True, the play “Blood Knot” at CRT, the role of women in World War II, comedian Lewis Black and the home show in Daytona.
Proposal of 8-Year Term Limits For School Board Members May Head for November Ballot
School board members would be limited to eight years in office under a proposal that moved forward Wednesday in the state Constitution Revision Commission.
Thursday Briefing: Matanzas Showcase, Miss Florida at Belle Terre, Lance Blanchette, Sea Turtle Hospital
Matanzas High holds its showcase for next fall’s incoming 9th graders, Miss Florida is at Belle Terre Elementary, Lance Blanchette is introduced as the Flagler Beach Police Department’s 2nd in command.
Flagler Reads Together:
“The Alice Network”‘s Little Problem
Flagler Reads Together this year chose Kate Quinn’s “The Alice Network,” a novel about women spies during World War I wrapped in a sort of buddy road story.
Wednesday Briefing: Lifesaving Inmates, Holden House Open, Bach’s Birthday, Adult Open Gym Volleyball
Four inmates who kept another inmate from killing himself get a lifesaving award from the sheriff, historic Holden House holds an open house in Bunnell, first day of spring means it’s Bach’s birthday.
Nursing Home Industry Successfully Quashes Residents’ Bill of Rights
Florida Constitution Revision Commission member Brecht Heuchan withdrew a proposal that would have guaranteed rights to nursing-home residents and allowed them to sue facilities if those rights were violated.
Tuesday Briefing: C.J. Nelson Trial, School Fitness, Colbert Ln. Development, Bach at Stetson
The school board buys fitness equipment, Palm Coast talks big development along Colbert Lane, cooling night ahead, Bach’s birthday celebrated at Stetson, Whitney Lab tours, adult basketball at Indian Trails.