The new triple-drug cocktail would be the only one of its kind among the states that rely on similar procedures to kill prisoners, including a drug never used to that end before.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Tuesday Briefing: Rymfire Winter Concert, Matanzas v. Menendez, Palm Coast Redevelopment Plan
The Palm Coast council this evening is set to approve bringing Wawa to State Road 100 as part of a redevelopment plan, Rymfire Elementary’s winter concert, a word from Reinhold Niebuhr.
Beyond Tweet Storms: What Trump Could Learn from Alexander Hamilton
Hamilton wanted a strong central government. He advocated taxation. He took these positions for practical reasons, not because he was a flaming liberal, argues Jill Richardson.
Monday Briefing: Flagler’s Wild Tourism Spending, Fame, Between Trumpism and Islamism, Kundera
New county commissioners will contend with expensive requests from the county’s tourism division, Fame: the Musical at the Flagler Auditorium, Slovakia-bound art and Milan Kundera words.
Refinancing Pushes State Debt Down to $24.1 Billion, But Rising Interest Rates Loom
State debt has declined since reaching a peak of $28.2 billion in 2010 due to several factors. Since taking office in 2011, Scott has remained largely opposed to borrowing money or issuing bonds.
Why Trump Would Almost Certainly Be Violating the Constitution If He Continues to Own His Businesses
Even if he does sell his business, any retained residual interest, or any sale payout based on the company’s results, would still give him a stake in its fortunes, again fairly clearly violating the Constitution.
Florida’s Death Penalty Law in Disarray, Supreme Court Throws Out Yet More Sentences
Signaling how it is likely to handle scores of Death Row cases, a majority of the Florida Supreme Court threw out death sentences and ordered a new penalty proceeding for a convicted triple-murderer.
Economy Adds 178,000 Jobs in November, 4.6% Unemployment at Lowest Level in 9 Years
It’s the longest job-creation streak in the nation’s history, but wages dropped in October by 0.1 percent and the decline in the unemployment rate was due more to a decline in the labor force than because of job creation.
In Saint Augustine, A Dead Priest Pleads for the Life of His Killer
Father Rene Robert, who was murdered, signed the Declaration of Life in 1995: it is wrong for the state to take the life of a convicted criminal, no matter how vile the crime, and no matter how innocent the victim.
New Florida Senator Files Bill To Scrap 2014 Law Granting In-State Tuition to Undocumented Immigrants
The plan by Sen. Greg Steube, a Sarasota Republican, repealing the in-state tuition exception, could alter the higher-education plans of many students who have spent much of their lives in Florida.
Sorry, I Can’t Give Trump a Chance
Our democracy is too important to play nice with a man who campaigned on undermining it, argues Jill Richardson: “We already have evidence that Trump does absolutely everything he can get away with.”
Nominating Commission Sends 3 Names to Scott for Next Supreme Court Appointment
Fifth District Court of Appeal Chief Judge C. Alan Lawson, appellate Judge Wendy Berger and Orlando lawyer Dan Gerber made the final cut of the Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission.
Florida Court Backs Notifying Minor’s Parent Before Abortion, But Waivers Are Easy Out
Judges rarely turn down requests for waivers. The decision cites evidence that 89.5 percent of petitions were granted in 2013, 90.5 percent in 2014 and 94.7 percent in 2015.
In An Ugly Election Result, Hate Surges Online as Trump Emboldens Extremists
Throughout Donald J. Trump’s ultimately successful run for the presidency, many worried that he had, willfully or recklessly, emboldened racists across the country. Evidence suggests Trump’s effect on rising extremism has been unmistakable.
Surprised? Trump’s Advisor on Wall Street Regulations is a Longtime Swamp-Dweller
Donald Trump’s transition advisor for financial regulations works for a firm that is emblematic of the Washington revolving door: deregulation could serve Paul Atkins’ wallet as well as his political agenda.
How The Electoral College Mistrusts Voters
That flaw is the Electoral College. For the fourth time in our history, and the second in 16 years, it has given the presidency to the candidate who polled fewer votes — 2 million fewer in this case — than his principal rival.
Black and White: 11 Florida Supreme Court Applicants Contrast Starkly With Retiring James Perry
The exit of the liberal Perry — one of five jurists who make up a liberal-leaning majority — gives Gov. Rick Scott his first opportunity to shape a bench that has repeatedly vexed the Republican chief executive and the GOP-dominated Legislature.
Despite Orlando Massacre and Zika Virus, Florida Tourism Draws Record 27 Million Visitors in 3 Summer Months
The 5.1 percent increase from the same time last year came as Canadians, Florida’s top source of foreign tourism, have cut back on travel due to their nation’s weakened dollar.
It’ll Be Alt-Right
Donald Trump’s appointments and short-lists are pointing the way to an administration not much different than his campaign, suggesting there’s more wishful thinking than reality behind the hope that he’d surround himself with people saner than he is.
Opting Out of Obamacare: When Penalties Are Preferable to Unaffordable Premiums
Amid the uncertain future of Obamacare in a Trump administration, some resisters are feeling vindicated and other consumers simply don’t see the need to sign up.
Weekend Briefing: Richard Schreiner at Salvo, The Rainmaker at City Rep, This and That at Calypso
The late and very great Richard Schreiner’s works are revived at Salvo art gallery, Nash’s “Rainmaker” is staged all weekend at CRT, “This and That,” a new show at Calypso art gallery, and more.
Bias Backlash: How The Media Propelled Donald Trump to the White House
Over the last full year of nothing else on news channels but round-the-clock Trumpbusters, the true independents viewing at home were quietly making up their minds, working up from annoyance to a slow seethe, writes Nancy Smith.
Michael Dunn’s Conviction Upheld In Racial Murder of Jordan Davis in Jacksonville in 2012
A three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal said prosecutors presented sufficient evidence to rebut Michael Dunn’s claims of self-defense in the 2012 shooting of 17-year-old Jordan Davis.
Races Lost Across the State Again, Florida Democrats Look for Answers, and a Leader
After losing the state’s presidential and U.S. Senate races and failing to make major gains in the Legislature, Florida Democrats are groping for a way forward as the 2018 elections loom with battles for governor and all three state Cabinet seats.
Gov. Scott’s Pick from Judges Applying to Replace Perry Will Shift Supreme Court Right
The Florida Supreme Court Judicial Nominating Commission plans to provide Scott a short list of six names, from 11 applicants, by Nov. 29, giving the governor plenty of time to make a decision before Justice James E.C. Perry’s resignation goes into effect Dec. 30.
Revenge of the Forgotten Class
Hillary Clinton and the Democrats were playing with fire when they effectively wrote off white workers in the small towns and cities of the Rust Belt.
A School Superintendent’s Message Home In Light of Trump’s Victory: Diversity Is Strength
“First and foremost, we must reassure our staff and students that our school buildings are safe places where we truly value and respect every single individual and do not tolerate bullying or hate speech,” wrote Jack R. Smith in a letter to parents of children in Montgomery County public schools.
The Future of Civil Rights is Up To the Supreme Court
Based on the list of judges Donald Trump has said he would consider for nomination, our civil rights could be in real jeopardy with a Trump presidency, argues Mary Frances Berry.
Pot Amendment’s Passage Creates a Green Rush in Nation’s 2nd Largest Marijuana Market
Florida voters’ overwhelming approval of a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana for a broad swath of patients may have spurred a green rush into the state by investors eager to cash in.
The Day After
Despite a liberal’s shellshock from a Trump presidency and the dreadful clarity of times ahead, this is no time to decamp or retreat–nor to deny in any way that he is our president.
Medical Marijuana Cruises to Reality in Florida With Healthy 71% Majority
Stunning even some of the proposal’s most avid supporters, Florida voters Tuesday overwhelmingly approved a constitutional amendment legalizing medical marijuana for patients with a broad swath of conditions.
Why I’m Voting Clinton, Unreservedly
It’s not out of fear of a Trump presidency, although there is that, but in a support of a too-long list of actual policy proposals that shatter the manufactured absurdity of Trump as a viable alternative.
Last Poll Before Election Day Has Clinton Maintaining Thinnest Lead, Rubio Well Ahead
Clinton’s 46-45 advantage over Trump in the last Quinnipiac University poll before Election Day is the same lead she had a week ago, and is within the poll’s margin of error.
Monday Briefing: A1A Reopening, Diabetes Flag-Raising, Post-Hurricane Planning, Debris Pick-Up, Caro on Moses
A1A reopens at the southern end of Flagler Beach, the county commission holds a Hurrricane Matthew post-mortem and looks ahead to recovery projects, 2nd-pass debris pick-up begins in Palm Coast, Robert Caro on Robert Moses.
Amendment 2: Medical Marijuana Through the Eyes and Suffering of Those Who Need It Most
For two years Palm Coast’s Jennifer Kaczmarek, the artist-photographer, has followed 10 families struggling with debilitating illnesses that only marijuana alleviate. They plead for Amendment 2, the proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medicinal marijuana.
161,000 Jobs Created in October, Unemployment at 4.9%, Earnings Up at Fastest Pace Since 2008
The last jobs report before Election Day adds to a string of positive economic results, netting 1.8 million jobs so far this year and the second month in a row of strong earnings increases.
Weekend Briefing: Last Days of Early Voting, Creekside Festival, Pellicer Creek Raid, Homecoming at Stetson
Last weekend of early voting, Creekside Festival’s rescheduled days at Princess Place, the embattled Ag Museum’s Pellicer Creek Raid, $10 haircuts for a cause.
Florida Again at Center of 1 Percent Election
Between a Clinton knock-out and a Trump path to the White House, Florida also stands at an intersection of many of the issues reshaping the American electorate, both in 2016 and beyond.
Thursday Briefing: African American Entrepreneurs Club, Farewell to Jon Netts, Rubio at Houligans, Canvassing Board
The new African American Entrepreneurs Club meets, Palm Coast says goodbye to Jon Netts, Marco Rubio breaks his six-year indifference to Flagler with a campaign appearance at Houligans.
Clinton Holds Narrow Lead Over Trump in Florida, But Larger Leads in Early Votes
In Florida, Quinnipiac found that she is ahead by a substantial 48-42 lead among voters who have already cast ballots. That lead grows to double digits among Ohio and North Carolina early voters.
Wednesday Briefing: Live Bombing, Stagg Hearing II, Stetson Guitar Ensemble, Hulu on the Horizon, Palestrina Mass
Some live bombing is scheduled he Pinecastle Range Complex in the Ocala National Forest from 8 a.m. to noon, the second part of Emergency Mnagement’s Jennifer Stagg’s firing hearing takes place this morning, Hulu is coming for your TV.
Utilities Pour Millions Into Solar Amendment Clouded By Deceptive Intent and Opposed By Environmentalists
The latest contributions, $2 million on Oct. 24 from FPL and $999,998 last Tuesday from Duke, brought to nearly $20.2 million the amount the state’s four largest private utilities have spent on the amendment.
Facebook Profiling: Its System Lets Advertisers Exclude Black, Hispanic, and Other “Ethnic Affinities” From Seeing Ads
Imagine if, during the Jim Crow era, a newspaper offered advertisers the option of placing ads only in copies that went to white readers. That’s basically what Facebook is doing nowadays.
Hillary Clinton May or May Not Have Raped a Child
The FBI director’s McCarthyist revelations of more Clinton emails will change the trajectory of the presidential race some even as it underscores the emptiness at the core of a manufactured scandal.
Florida’s Death Penalty On Hold: Supreme Court Halts Trial Pending Legislative Change
The Florida Supreme Court on Friday stopped a Clearwater judge from proceeding with a death penalty case, signaling that courts might not be able to move forward with capital trials until the Legislature changes a law that justices earlier this month struck down as unconstitutional.
Rubio-Murphy’s 2nd Bout All About Trump, Kurdish Militias and Showing Up (Or Not)
The debate marked one of Murphy’s highest-profile chances to take on Rubio. Most polls have shown the incumbent with a modest edge, usually inside the margin of error, though one released Wednesday by Bloomberg Politics showed Rubio with a hefty 10-point lead.
Those Double-Digit Health Insurance Rate Hikes in Florida? Blame State GOP.
Sen. Bill Nelson, once Florida’s insurance commissioner, reminds residents that it was the Republican state Legislature that stripped the office of insurance regulation of the authority to approve, modify or reject rate hikes by health insurance companies, thus leading to current, unacceptable rate hikes.
Donald Trump Through the Eyes of a Survivor of Emotional Abuse
Emotional abuse can be hard to pinpoint when you’re the one being abused. So Donald Trump has just provided us all with a valuable service by demonstrating before a live TV audience what emotional abuse looks like in action, writes Jill Richardson.
Clinton’s Lead in Florida Narrowing in Latest Poll, Rubio Up by 4 Over Murphy
Clinton leads Trump by a margin of 46 percent to 43 percent in the poll, which was conducted from Friday to Sunday. That is down from a six-point lead in an FAU poll released Oct. 13. Trump was up by 2 percentage points in an August poll.
Pam Bondi on Donald Trump: “An Excellent Role Model”
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said Tuesday she remains firmly in the Republican presidential candidate’s corner despite some of his controversial remarks.