Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday called for a special session to halt gun sales to people on federal watch lists and to impose new requirements for becoming a security guard. Republican legislative leaders say a special session isn’t needed.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Wednesday Briefing: Muzzling Protest at GOP Convention, New Music Shop, Women Vets in St. Augustine, Schubert
The ACLU sues the ridiculous restrictions on protesters on Cleveland streets around the GOP National Convention next month, women veterans are recognized in St. Augustine, a new music shop opens in Palm Coast’s City Marketplace.
For LGBT, Always That Target on Their Backs
It turns out shooter Omar Marteen may have been motivated by both homophobia and Islamic radicalism. That should not come as a surprise, writes Nancy Smith.
Florida’s Political Landscape Riven By Orlando Massacre Even as Lasting Effects or Consequences Are Doubted
Politicians and consultants are as divided as the electorate about how candidates should treat the tragedy, and the split carries over to those who think the tragedy will have dissipated by November as opposed to those who think it will impact the election.
Adam Putnam Says Orlando Mass Murderer Had Cleared All Legally Required Background Checks
Putnam runs the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees weapons permits in Florida. The department hasn’t released Mateen’s application paperwork.
Gov. Scott Requests Federal Emergency Declaration in Wake of Orlando Massacre
Calling the massacre at an Orlando nightclub “an attack on our state and entire nation,” Gov. Rick Scott early Monday asked President Barack Obama for a federal emergency declaration in Florida.
50 People Killed, 53 Wounded at Orlando Gay Club in Worst Mass Shooting in U.S. History
50 people have been killed and at least 53 wounded in a mass shooting by a lone gunman at Pulse Orlando, a gay nightclub on South Orange Avenue, at 2 o’clock this morning. Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings is calling the shooting a “domestic act of terrorism.”
Donald Trump’s Fascism and His Appeasers
Trump will fade. Trumpism may not. And the longer the Republican establishment is willing to appease him as a better alternative to Clinton, the more it legitimizes his racism as an acceptable American value.
Florida Justices Appear Skeptical in Challenge to Open-Carry Ban, Deferring to Legislature
Justices Barbara Pariente and Peggy Quince questioned how the current state law allowing citizens to receive concealed-weapons licenses to carry firearms suppresses gun ownership.
Thursday Briefing: Gator’s Abbey, Fruits and Veggies at the Library, Begging Romney to Run, Mega Mecca
The Flagler Beach City Commission honors Col. Jack Howell with a Purple Heart plaque, the Friends of the Library tell children a few things about fruit and veggies, The Weekly Standard begs Romney to run.
Wednesday Briefing: Court Hears Challenge to Open-Carry Ban, Underwater Surveillance, the 2008 Race Was Closer
The Supreme Court hears a challenge to Florida’s open-carry ban, Obama-Clinton was closer than Clinton-Sanders, Mozart’s B-major concerto.
It’s Not Over: Teen Jordan Davis Killer Michael Dunn Argues Self-Defense in Appeal
An appeals court heard arguments Tuesday about whether Michael Dunn was acting in self-defense when he fatally shot unarmed black teenager Jordan Davis in 2012 in the parking lot of a Jacksonville convenience store.
Tuesday Briefing: Pehota Back in Court, School Lunch Prices, Retiring Employees, European Village Revamp
Anna Pehota, accused of killing her husband last year, is in court for a pre-trial, the school district recognizes its longest-serving employees and says farewell to its retiring ones, the Palm Coast council approves a new master plan for European Village, Paul Gaugin is 168.
As Democrat Patrick Murphy Qualifies, GOP Urges Rubio To Take Back Pledge Not to Run
Murphy, a two-term congressman who was the beneficiary of a fundraising event Friday in Miami that featured President Barack Obama, remains unknown to many Floridians as do the other major Senate candidates from both parties.
Monday Briefing: Tropical Rains, Cottages at Princess Place, Library Expansion, Disney Cartoons
The county commission finalizes plans for the controversial construction of cottages at Princess Place Preserve and continues talks about future library expansion as Tropical Storm Colin bears down. Also, how Disney cartoons were made.
Rick Scott on Being Trump’s Vice President: “Pass”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is meeting with Donald Trump Monday, but only to talk strategy, not to be vetted as a running mate, the governor claimed in several interviews.
Weekend Briefing: Golf Reopens in Flagler Beach, Synchro Belles’ Annual Show, Democratic Picnic, Chess Open
Flagler Beach’s long dormant Ocean Palm Golf Course re-opens Saturday under new ownership, leased from the city, Flagler County’s Democratic Executive Committee holds a potluck picnic at Hershel King Park, and the weekend’s best reads.
Florida Government’s Legal Bill For Fighting Same-Sex Marriage: $500,000
The settlements came after U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle ruled in April that the lawyers in the consolidated cases were entitled to the fees, and nearly two years after Hinkle first ruled that Florida’s voter-approved same-sex marriage ban was unconstitutional.
Thursday Briefing: Sheriff’s Candidates in Action, Inspired Mic, Buchanan’s Heir, Sadism’s Anniversary
Flagler Young Republicans host a forum for the six GOP sheriff candidates, the Inspired Mic has another night at the new Europa, Trump’s lineage back to Pat Buchanan, and Edward MacDowell.
NRA Calls for Renewed and Extended Hunt Of Florida Bears that “Terrorize Homeowners”
Florida wildlife officials approved a controversial bear hunt last year but have not made a decision about another hunt yet. They’re expected to receive a staff recommendation by June 22.
Wednesday Briefing: Hurricane Season Starts, Palm Coast’s GOP Candidates, A Man Sentenced to Baptist Church
The Flagler County Republican Club hosts a candidate forum for the GOP contestants in Palm Coast’s mayoral and council races, hurricane season is upon us, Island Grille celebrates its one-year anniversary, a Catholic man is sentenced to 12 Sundays in Baptist church.
Florida Insurers Requesting an Average 17.7% Rate Increase in Obamacare Plans for 2017
While the requested increases for Florida vary from zero to 40 percent, all requested increases for silver plans are under 14 percent, and half are under 3 percent.
Tuesday Briefing: PTSD Memorial at Heroes Park, Old Kings Traffic Light, Legacy Florida in Everglades
You may finally be looking at a traffic light at Town Center Boulevard and Old Kings Road, you will be looking at a PTSD-suicide memorial at Heroes Park, and the latest analyses on the two most disliked people in America, Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump.
Obama in Hiroshima:
The Shallowness of American Atonement
Paul Tibbets, who captained the Enola Gay to its mission over Hiroshima, proudly sold WMD memorabilia into his old age, and President Obama refused to apologize in what was the first visit by a sitting president to Hiroshima in 71 years.
Hurricane Amnesia Worries Officials as Florida Weathers 11th Year Without Direct Hit
On Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration gave a “near-normal” forecast for the 2016 Atlantic season, which means a 70 percent chance of 10 to 16 named storms, of which 4 to 8 could grow into hurricanes.
Marco Rubio Says He’s Out For Good: No Senate Run, No Plans For Governor in 2018
Rubio said he has heard from colleagues and Florida activists “in the last day or so” who want him to re-up for six more years in the Senate, but he ruled that out in favor of eventually endorsing Lt. Gov. Carlos Lopez-Cantera for Senate.
Memorial Weekend Briefing: Ceremonies from Veterans to Heroes Park, FPC Reunion, FBI’s Email Ploy, Sexist Canon
Monday is dominated by Memorial Day ceremonies from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., FPC Class of 1996 have their 20-year reunion, the FBI wants to sneak into your email, thoughts on the sexist canon we still should read.
Gov. Scott Likens Obama Guidance on Transgender Equality to “Blackmail”
Gov. Rick Scott issued his harshest comments yet about the federal government’s guidance on how public schools should treat transgender students, but stopped short of saying whether his administration would enter the fray against the Obama administration’s controversial initiative.
Thursday Briefing: FPC and Matanzas Graduation Ceremonies, McLaughlin Town Hall, Imagine’s Colleen Fonte
FPC and Matanzas will both be holding graduation ceremonies at Daytona’s Ocean Center this afternoon and evening, Commissioner Nate McLaughlin holds a town hall meeting, Imagine School’s Colleen Fonte is a national winner.
Judge Rejects Sweeping Challenge to School System, But case May Head for Supreme Court
A Leon County judge said lawmakers met their constitutional obligation to provide free, quality public education for Florida students, but advocates plan to appeal, laying the groundwork for a landmark opinion by the Florida Supreme Court.
Wednesday Briefing: Toby Tobin Talks Home Building, Michelle O’Connell Autopsy, Cornel West on Trump and Clinton
Toby Tobin gives the county economic panel an update on Flagler construction, Cornel West goes off on Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, Pasco bans a book for middle schoolers.
Transgender Indecency
There were pragmatic ways to ensure access to bathrooms for transgender people until lawmakers hijacked the process with predatory bans that dehumanize people and make a mockery of decency.
When Bernie Sanders Mirrors Donald Trump
The same Democratic candidate who decried Donald Trump for condoning violence in North Carolina in March turned right around and did the same thing in Nevada when his rally devolved into chaos. He condoned it.
Florida Supreme Court Rules That City Utility’s Service Area Trumps Some County Authority
While the case involved a local dispute on the Treasure Coast, it drew attention from counties and utilities across the state, which is carved into territories and includes myriad local franchise agreements.
Democrats Alan Grayson and Patrick Murphy Borrow From Trump Playbook in Foul Duels
Murphy is the Democratic establishment pick for U.S. Senate. Grayson has churned out the descriptions “lickspittle pillock” and “sock puppet” to deride his fellow congressman.
Are We Finally Ready For Smart Guns? Daytona’s iGuns Technologies Aims For Yes
The iGun’s chip technology only works within centimeters and makes it impossible for anyone other than the person wearing the ring to fire it. Some gun advocates are resistant for various reasons.
“I’m Dead, I’m Dead,” Handcuffed and Repeatedly Tased Man Says Just Before Dying
Chase Sherman was in handcuffs, in the back seat of his when he was Tased 15 times by Georgia police though he was unarmed, and his parents had called 911 to come help.
At Salvo Art Saturday, “Transparency” as an Artist’s Conceptual Journey Beyond the Visible
Krystyna Spisak-Madejczyk, the featured artists at Salvo Art’s new show, is highly acclaimed in her native Poland as a sculptor and multimedia conceptual artist. She’s become well known in Flagler County’s expanding artistic circles since taking up residency in one of Salvo’s studios.
Weekend Briefing: Choral Arts Society Concerts, Transparency at Salvo, Calypso Gallery Grand Opening
“Transparency,” a new show opens at Salvo Art Project featuring Krystyna Spisak-Madejczyk, opens Saturday, the Choral Arts Society performs concerts Saturday and Sunday, Albrecht Durer is 545 years old.
Pressured to Defy Obama Order on Transgender Bathrooms, Scott and Bondi Stay Mum So Far
Opponents of allowing transgender students to use restrooms of their choice could lead to a breakdown in school discipline or even attacks, supporters say there is no evidence of that.
Thursday Briefing: Fallen Officers Memorial, Biggest Candidate Forum Yet, Flagler Beach Montessori Lease
The annual memorial commemorating Flagler County’s four fallen officers at 10 a.m., a candidate forum featuring school board, Palm Coast council and county commission candidates, the Flagler Beach City Commission takes on a montessori school’s lease.
FPL Bills Customers for Unbuilt Nuclear Plants But Wants Out of Justifying Need
Attorneys for consumers and business and environmental groups are fighting FPL’s request for a waiver from filing an annual analysis about the feasibility of adding two nuclear reactors in South Florida.
Wednesday Briefing: Flagler Youth Orchestra’s Surprise Soloist, Seniors’ Baccalaureate, Landon Talks
The Flagler Youth Orchestra performs the final concert of the season at the Flagler Auditorium this evening, Palm Coast City Manager talks of the city’s future, the poor can’t win in the court system.
Hundreds Of Thousands Lose Food Stamps In Florida as Work Requirements Kick In
In Florida if you can’t show that you’re working or meet the work requirements some other way, you get penalized and lose your food stamps for the following month. If you fail to meet the requirements again, it’s a three-month sanction and then six months.
Tuesday Briefing: Working-Group Pot, Food Truck Postponed, School Lunch Cost, Brown v. Board of Ed at 62
A committee of local law enforcement, judicial and other government officials meets to develop a proposed pot-decriminalization ordinance, the Palm Coast City Council discusses a European Village revamp, the school board discusses raising school lunches by 25 cents.
My Food Is My Business
I don’t feel comfortable walking into friends’ or families’ homes and berating them for their unhealthy, albeit traditional and quite common, lifestyle choices. Why then do friends and family members feel comfortable walking into my home and berating me for my healthy lifestyle choices, sometimes primarily because they aren’t the norm?
Opponents of Medical Pot Legalization Awaken from Slumber With Warning Video
The video, posted online by the “Vote No on 2 Campaign” alleges the measure would lead to a plethora of “pot shops” similar to the marijuana industry in California.
Monday Briefing: Public Library’s Expansion Plans, Manatee Protection, Romney’s 3rd Party
The county commission examines prospects and timelines for a library addition, and some financing options, and holds a hearing on its manatee-protection plan, Romney may be testing a third-party run with GOP leaders.
A Right To Die, Even For 20-Somethings
The revelation that a 20-something woman chose to die from PTSD related so 10 years of sexual abuse tests the boundaries of assisted suicide, but not if context and compassion replace armchair judgments.
Prince’s Reminder: Opioid Epidemic Intensifies But Steps to Curb It Face Challenges
There is broad consensus on the need for more treatment options, more education, more careful prescribing by doctors. But there’s still much debate about the details—and funding–for each of those steps.