Some lawmakers have been emboldened both by President Donald Trump’s false claim that millions of noncitizens voted in 2016 and by his creation of a panel to investigate alleged fraud.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Stephen Bittell, Party Chair and High Hope for Florida Democrats, Is Latest Disgraced Over Leering Behavior
Bittel’s boorish behavior was hardly a secret in Democratic circles. It was impossible for him to remain the chairman after all four Democratic gubernatorial candidates demanded that he step down.
Trump Administration Plan to Add Medicaid Work Requirement Stirs Fears
advocates who see the changes as a way for states to kick millions of adults off the program and undermine its mission of providing health coverage to the poor.
Statue of Mary McLeod Bethune May Replace That of Confederate General in U.S. Capitol
Over the objection of a senator who decried “cultural purging,” a Senate panel approved 18-1 replacing the statue of Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith in the National Statuary Hall in Washington.
Arresting Speakers at a Government Meeting: Supreme Court Takes Up Florida 1st Amendment Case
Fane Lozman alleges that a south Florida city violated his First Amendment rights by retaliating against him for his outspoken criticism during his public comment period.
Where Buying Marijuana is Legal, But There’s Nowhere to Smoke It
Even where it’s legal to sell it, it’s typically illegal to smoke or ingest the drug in dispensaries, bars, restaurants, city parks and public streets. Why?
Florida’s Opioid Crisis: Thousands of Babies Born to Addicts or Removed From Users’ Homes
More than 4,000 babies were born addicted to opioids in Florida last year, with a 38 percent increase in the number of children under 5 removed from homes because of drugs.
Appeals Court Rejects Patrick Hannon Stay, Will Be 26th Executed On Gov. Scott’s Watch
A federal appeals court rejected Hannon’s claim that a new state death-penalty requirements relating to the unanimity of juries should be applied to his case. He murdered two men in 1991.
House Tax Bill: Penalty For No Health Coverage Stays, Medical-Cost Deduction Goes
The medical deduction, originally created in World War II, is available only to taxpayers whose expenses are above 10 percent of their adjusted gross income.
Truck Terror Attacks May Be a Sign of ISIS Weakness, But They’re Very Hard to Stop
As ISIS loses territory on the battlefield, lone-actor assaults are expected to increase. The question for cities is what more can be done to protect against such attacks.
Can Gov. Scott Appoint 3 Justices On Last Days in Office? Supreme Court Takes On Potential Constitutional Crisis
The three justices, who face a mandatory retirement age, are part of what is widely considered a liberal bloc, which now holds a slim 4-3 majority.
Potential Ballot Proposals Include Older Retirement Age For Judges, Ending Death Penalty, Restoring Bright Futures
the Florida Constitution Revision Commission have filed 64 proposals, but a measure needs support from 22 of the 37 commission members to make it to the 2018 election ballot.
Obamacare Enrollment Opens Wednesday For 5th Year: 5 Things You Should Know
Despite the efforts of President Donald Trump and the Republican-led Congress, the Affordable Care Act is still the law of the land. But there are changes.
Uncertainty On Generators at Nursing Homes After Governor’s Order Is Invalidated
Gov. Rick Scott’s administration appealed the order to the 1st District Court of Appeal and claims the rules remain in effect during the appeal.
At State Conference, Democrats Mostly In Lockstep Begin to Line Up For Governor’s Race
There were few differences in the responses from former U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham of Tallahassee, Tallahassee Mayor Andrew Gillum and Winter Park businessman Chris King.
Lawmakers Moving To Put a Leash On
Bogus Service Dogs As Abuses Proliferate
Though Florida two years ago tightened some service dog regulations, it’s still easy to acquire or pass off any animal as a service animal. Other states are working to tighten their laws.
Monday Briefing: L’Darius Smith Trial, Hall of Terror, Local Mitigation, FEMA Deadline, Daniil Trifonov
L’Darius Smith, a former foorball player for FPC, is on trial on accusations that he held a gun while forcing a pre-teen girl to masturbate him, Palm Coast’s Hall of Terror on its first of two nights.
Fantasyland and the Liberal Delusion
Liberals’s hopes that the likes of Jeff Flake or Bob Corker in any way speak for today’s vanilla-white GOP is a refusal to concede that the Age of Trump is here to stay.
Treatment Overkill: Unneeded Scans, Therapy and Surgery Only Add To Patients’ Ills
Though ample evidence shows breast-cancer radiation treatment for many can be drastically cut down, less than half those eligible received it despite the additional cost and inconvenience.
FPL Seeking To Charge Customers Extra $50 to $60 a Year Through 2020 To Pay Irma Costs
The $1.3 billion FPL wants to recover would start showing up in customers’ bills in March — just as they get done paying off an extra $40 a year from Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
Weekend Briefing: Drug Court Graduation, “Plaza Suite” at the Playhouse, Bed Race, Chamber Players, Bras
Neil Simon’s “Plaza Suite” opens at the Flagler Playhouse, the 8th Fun Coast Bed Race in Flagler Beach, The Chamber Players of Palm Coast present another baroque concert.
A U.S. Soldier Died in Niger. What on Earth Are We Doing There?
If you were surprised to learn the U.S. has nearly a thousand troops in Niger, you’re not alone. But we’ve deployed troops to literally most of the planet, and our leading lawmakers don;t know it.
Florida Lawmakers Looking To Add Treatment Programs To Fight Opioid Epidemic
A combination of short-term intensive treatment beds, long-term outpatient services and medically assisted treatment could be the blueprint for a solution, a powerful lawmaker says.
Senators Angry At Delays In Medical Marijuana Licenses, Blaming Complacency
The head of the state’s medical-use office is blaming the delays on litigation over the constitutional amendment. Senators aren’t buying it, blaming complacency.
Washington, Jefferson, Madison: There’s No Defending Founders Who Practiced Slavery
It is still common, if not a norm, to hear founders’ ownership of slaves excused as part of the prevailing practices of their times rather than a contradiction with founders’ ideals.
Florida State Colleges Seeking Restoration of $30 Million Cut To Address “Employment Gap”
The money would help hire more faculty, provide more counseling services and create more programs aimed at closing the “employment gap” in high-demand jobs.
Monday Briefing: Navy Bombing In Ocala Forest, Stamp and Coin’s Last Meeting, Bunnell’s Manager
Live bombing, part of the Navy’s training, takes place all week at Ocala forest range, which may rattle Flagler windows, Bunnell’s manager’s job will be discussed in a commission meeting.
In Kristen Hadeed’s “Permission To Screw Up,” A Cheerful, Nimble Corrective To Millennial Stereotypes
FPC Graduate Kristen Hadeed’s first book traces the stumbles of her 10-year journey as CEO of Student Maid, a cleaning company in Gainesville, with wit and counter-intuitive insights: a review.
Racist, Violent, Unpunished: A White Hate Group’s Campaign of Menace
the Rise Above Movement, one of whose men beat up protesters in Charlottesville, train to fight. They post their beatings online. And so far, they have little reason to fear the authorities.
Weekend Briefing: Domestic Violence Summit, Legislative Delegation, [Title Of Show] at CRT, Blessing of the Animals
The sheriff unveils a domestic violence task force’s report, the county’s lawmakers listen to wish lists, City Repertory Theatre’s musical in its last weekend, animals are blessed at St. Luke’s Lutheran.
An Aryan Ass Vomits At UF
Protesting honors the flag, so does taking a knee during the anthem, but so does letting an idiotic white bigot have his 90 minutes on a stage at UF. Freedom of thought can take it.
Students Shout Down Richard Spencer’s “White Country” Speech at UF
Hundreds stood in protest on a barricaded street where law enforcement from throughout the state stood watch, on the road, on roofs, in nearby woods, in helicopters and through drones.
Thursday Briefing: Common Ground With Florida Hospital, Flagler Schools Resource Showcase, Paul Dykes
The Flagler Schools Resource Showcase is for all children from birth to grade 12, bringing together some 15 agencies and non-profits, Florida Hospital Flagler’s top leadership speaks at a Common Ground Breakfast.
Us? “Hateful?” White Nationalists Deny Charge as Richard Spencer Readies UF Appearance
At the Charlottesville rally, Spencer supporters carried torches and chanted “Jews will not replace us” before a car plowed into a group of counter-protesters, killing Heather Heyer.
Wednesday Briefing: Planning Board, League of Cities, Wykretowicz Trial, Haumea Rings, Chambery Funeral Home
A new funeral home celebrates its grand opening in Palm Coast, the League of Cities’ mayors meet, Volusia deputies’ affairs, Molly Ringwald’s many other Harveys.
Constitution Revision Panel Advances Proposal to Restrict Abortion Rights and Privacy
The controversial proposals are among the very few, out of 2,000, put forth by the public, as opposed to by the commission itself, for potential inclusion on a referendum ballot.
Tuesday Briefing: Rezoning Off Colbert Lane, Improving Palm Harbor Charter School, Stanley Wykretowicz Trial
Today: Showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms. Locally heavy rainfall possible in the evening. Lows around 70. Northeast winds 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent. Tonight: Breezy. Mostly cloudy. Showers likely and slight chance of thunderstorms in the morning, then chance of showers and slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. […]
Stunner On Birth Control: Trump’s Moral Exemption Is Geared To Just 2 Groups
A separate rule allowing employers that are not religious organization to deny contraceptive coverage to employees is geared toward anti-abortion groups, but its legal status is doubtful.
Monday Briefing: Kristen Hadeed’s Tough Dad, Child-Abuse Trial, Hurricane Make-Up Day
Ex-cop Stanley Wykretowicz goes on trial on charges he brutalized his 2-year-old niece, it’s Kristen Hadeed week, the county commission writes social services checks, Trump forgets the 1st Amendment.
7-Day Limit On Pain-Killer Prescriptions Part of Sweeping Proposal To Crack Down on Opioids
Doctors would be limited to prescribing seven days’ worth of opioids for patients with acute pain and would have to check a statewide database before ordering most prescription pain medications.
How One City Gets Its Guns: Not Big Trafficking Rings, But Mostly Through Little Guys
Unlike the drug trade — often dominated by powerful cartels or gangs — illegal gun markets operate more like the way teenagers get beer, “where every adult is potentially a source.”
Trump Blows Up Obamacare Subsidies: What You Need To Know
Some of Trump’s actions could have an immediate effect on the enrollment for 2018 ACA coverage that starts Nov. 1. Here are five things you should know.
From Mosquito Control to National Guard, Hurricane Costs Taking a Toll on Budgets
Hurricane recovery efforts have already cost the state budget more than $141 million and are likely to increase, with $25 million for the Florida National Guard; $36 million for debris removal and $6 million for mosquito control.
Thursday Briefing: Irma’s Mountain of Loss, Science Matters, A Community Garden in Flagler Beach, Flagpoles
The Flagler Beach City Commission is expected to approve its medical marijuana dispensaries ordinance and a request for a community garden in the city, Ann Coulter speaks at a Lincoln Day dinner.
Stop Playing The National Anthem At Sports Events
The anthem is being used to make statements that reflect anger and divisiveness instead of pride, but primarily so because it’s being performed where it shouldn’t be, argues Nancy Smith.
Florida Cuts Payments To HMOs Caring For Poor, Elderly and Disabled By 3.7 Percent
The hospital cuts accounted for 94 percent of the reduction in rates, which the state says is attributable to lower pharmaceutical costs. Long-term care is seeing an increase.
Florida Lawmakers Hear Grim Picture of Worsening Opioid Crisis and Lack of Treatment
In the first six months of 2016, deaths caused by fentanyl increased by nearly 140 percent, deaths from heroin overdoses jumped by 25 percent, compared to the same period in 2015.
In Boost To Flagler, Committee Approves Bills Including $50 Million a Year For Beach Repair
If the bills survive the coming legislative hurdles, there may be new money for Flagler County to tap into to repair its severely eroded beaches.
Pride In “Our Country”? Count Me Out.
There’s no contending with a president who speaks of his pride in this country in serial tweets even as his every other pronouncement is a cleave, a slur, a boast, a lie or a disgrace.
Florida Opens Its Schools to Puerto Rican Students; Irma Death Toll in State at 69
Florida is waiving rules and regulations to let public schools and higher-education institutions admit students from Puerto Rico on an emergency basis.