People United for Medical Marijuana, which is led and heavily financed by Orlando lawyer John Morgan, still needs to submit 683,149 valid petition signatures to the state by a Feb. 1 deadline.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Thursday Briefing: Flagler Beach Contracts With New Manager Newsome, McLaughlin Takes Over Economic Opportunity
The Flagler Beach City Commission may approve a contract with Larry Newsome, its new city manager, this evening. Commissioner Nate McLaughlin takes over chairmanship of the county’s economic opportunity council.
A Problem for Enterprise Florida and Gov. Rick Scott: Bill Johnson
Just what the governor doesn’t need: a reason for lawmakers to blow raspberries at his budget request for Enterprise Florida Inc. (EFI). As it happens, they might have their reason. His name is Bill Johnson.
Wednesday Briefing: A $40,000 Tax Subsidy for a Writers’ Conference, Jeff vs. Luka, Bach’s Brandenburgs
The county’s Tourist Development Council is asked to consider a $40,000 tax subsidy for the four-day Florida Outdoors Association conference at the Hammock Beach Resort next September, four times the amount awarded last year.
France Says Non, Merci, to Madame Trump
In the xenophobic, racist’s right-wingers’ very anger – in their spokespeople and in the words they used – lurked a threat to the republic, to democracy, and to the nation’s fundamental values.
Tuesday Briefing: Justin Boyles Guilty of Murder, Coming Years’ School Calendars, Wadsworth Park Closure
Justin Boyles was convicted of second-degree murder and faces life in prison for the murder of Hammock resident Ed Mellener in 2013, the Flagler School Board takes up calendars for the next two school years.
Pinellas Sheriff’s Caution on Open-Carry Bill Triggers Duel of Furious Accusations
Sheriff Bob Gualtieri says a Sarasota Herald-Tribune blogger “absolutely mischaracterizes” his concerns about open-carry, as the blogger and Florida Carry, the pro-gun lobby group, claim the sheriff would threaten to shoot concealed carriers.
Brandon Henry, Kayaker in St. Johns, Missing on River Since Sunday Afternoon, Is Found
Brandon Henry, 29, of St. Johns County, was last seen at 3 p.m. Sunday afternoon launching his kayak on the St. Johns River, near his home, and traveling north on the water, somewhat south of Jacksonville.
Monday Briefing: A Garden For South Bunnell, A Sensitive Acquisition on Lake Disston, Library Talk
The Flagler County Land Acquisition Committee is considering the potential acquisition of a $2.8 million, 116-acre property on Lake Disston. The public library board talks finances, and officials meet in South Bunnell to dedicate a vegetable garden.
Donald Trump’s Funeral
If Donald Trump were to drop dead tomorrow Democrats would grieve, Republican candidates would celebrate, but Trump’s neo-fascism will have already damaged the nation beyond recognition.
Weekend Briefing: Community Chorus, Starlight Parade, Holiday Pops, Chess in Jax, Lotsa Schubert
The Community Chorus of Palm Coast in concert at Trinity Presbyterian Friday, Palm Coast’s Starlight Parade and preceding events start Saturday afternoon, The St. Augustine Orchestra at the Flagler Auditorium Sunday, and a whole lot more.
No War On Women? I Disagree
The debate reflects an ancient, unyielding, and ultimately impossible desire on the part of men to control a power that our creator entrusted to women: propagating the species, writes Julie Delegal.
Public School Testing Could Move Away From Statewide Exams as Lawmakers Study Fix
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando, is working on legislation that would allow schools to use tests other than the statewide standardized exams, which are used in some graduation and promotion decisions, teacher evaluations and school grades.
Thursday Briefing: Flagler Beach’s Water Break, Scalia’s Blacks Problem, Christmas Shows
In a hearing on affirmative action Justice Antonin Scalia echoes a brief questioning whether blacks belong in certain advanced universities, Flagler Beach may approve a contract with Larry Newsome, its new city manager, Old Kings Elementary and Buddy Taylor have Christmas shows.
Wednesday Briefing: Youth Orchestra in Concert at the Auditorium, Hammock Murder Trial
The Flagler Youth Orchestra’s 370-some musicians are in concert at the Flagler Auditorium this evening, the murder trial of Justin Boyles, who is accused of murdering Hammock resident Edward Scott Mullener in a love-triangle dispute in 2013, continues in St. Augustine.
Florida Gibberish: Subbing Computer Coding For Foreign Languages Is Idea of a Yahoo
The bill in the Florida Legislature by an ex-Yahoo executive wanting to push computer science at the expense of foreign languages would worsen education, not improve it.
Tuesday Briefing: Trump’s Total Muslim Ban, Palm Coast’s Plans for Old Kings Road, Women of Ireland
Donald Trump calls for banning all Muslims entering the U.S., without exceptions, Palm Coast discusses widening Old Kings Road and amending the city manager’s contract, an unhygenic incident at Rymfire’s VPK.
“We Might Be One Terrorist Act Away From a Trump Presidency”
A spectacular murder spree by Islamists could spook Americans enough to vote for the greatest fear-monger. Anything is possible, but Ian Buruma doesn’t believe American voters would be that stupid.
Judge Tosses Part of Amendment 1 Challenge, But Environmentalists Claim Success
A Leon County judge Thursday removed a major part of a lawsuit that contests how lawmakers decided to spend money that voters approved last year for land buying and preservation. However, an attorney for four environmental groups challenging the state’s spending called the ruling a victory. “We’re in this case,” said David Guest, managing attorney […]
Monday Briefing: Spartan Race Is Back, Ambulance Debate Shuttles to Flagler, Bunnell Debates Managers
The Flagler County Commission is expected to approve a $25,000 subsidy for the Spartan Race, this time on private land, and debate the delivery of ambulance service in the county and Palm Coast, in answer to Palm Coast’s mounting wish for a new system.
In Light of Paris and San Bernandino, Smaller Cities Re-Evaluate Their Soft-Target Potential
People who don’t live in big cities typically viewed as likely terrorist targets may not think about terrorism affecting their communities or about devoting the resources to countering the possibility they could be hit. But they ought to.
Hunting Undocumented Immigrants,
Travis Hutson Discovers His Inner Jim Crow
Sen. Travis Hutson filed a pair of bills that would criminalize undocumented immigrants in Florida. The bills are unconstitutional, bigoted and unnecessary.
Proposal Would Allow Students to Sub Computer Coding for Foreign Language Classes
Bill sponsor Jeremy Ring, a Margate Democrat who is a former Yahoo executive, said the proposal would give Florida students a “true leg up” in the increasingly tech-driven world.
Weekend Briefing: Youth Orchestra at Salvo, First Fridays, Belle Terre Swim Club Open House, Boat Parade
A busy weekend of entertainment starting with Friday evening’s performance of the Youth Orchestra at Salvo gallery, Saturday’s open house at the Belle Terre Swim and Racquet Club, the boat parade that evening and plenty more.
Killed in House, Stand Your Ground Bill That Shifts Burden of Proof Lives Again in Senate
A proposal that would shift the burden of proof to the state in cases involving Florida’s controversial “stand your ground” law is poised to go to the full Senate.
Matanzas High Students Win 2nd Place in Statewide Contest for Financial Literacy Video
The students, Brittany Dye, Patrick Flebotte, Emma Grushkin, Danielle Hartley and Duncan Sorensen, had been assigned a 30-second public service announcement in their television production class.
Thursday Briefing: FPC Improv at the Auditorium, Support for Bunnell Fire Victims, Carson’s Fall from Space
Flagler Palm Coast High School performances improvise at the Flagler Auditorium this evening, the Legislature takes up computer coding as a substitute for foreign language classes, Ben Carson loses his shine.
Supreme Court Approves Congressional Districts; Flagler’s Stays Whole, Inching Left
The congressional district the Supreme Court approves keeps Flagler County whole, shedding Putnam and moving it south to take in more of Volusia County, which will help Democrats slightly.
Wednesday Briefing: Interviews in Bunnell, Code Enforcement in Palm Coast, Kant in Königsberg
The Bunnell City Commission interviews three internal candidates for city manager this evening starting at 6 p.m., Florida lawmakers take on Fracking, Immanuel Kant’s categorical imperative explained.
Florida Protest Group Delays Rally in Light Of Terror Attack at Planned Parenthood
Orlando-based Florida Family Policy Council’s “Rally to Defund Planned Parenthood,” slated for Dec. 7 at the Florida Capitol, will take place in the spring instead, the council organizers said.
Tuesday Briefing: World AIDS Day, Demolishing an ITT Icon, Palm Coast’s Video Awards
It’s World Aids Day, the Flagler School Board will seek bids to destroy Corporate One, its former home and ITT’s once-upon-a-time headquarters, the Palm Coast council is set to approve a moratorium on bottle clubs.
Proposal Would Force Cities, Including Bunnell and Flagler Beach, to Move Elections to November
Cities intend to fight a proposal now before state lawmakers that would take away their ability to set local election dates and could extend the terms of some current elected officials.
Monday Briefing: It’s Shirley Chisholm Day, Tree-Lighting Tonight, Charles Mingus Always
Shirley Chisholm Day is celebrated in Palm Coast this evening, Central Park is aglitter with the tree-lighting ceremony and the Fantasy Lights, and three full concerts of Charles Mingus.
Should Government Censor Offensive Speech? 40% of Millennials Say Yes. That’s a Problem.
Surprisingly, the Pew survey finds nearly twice as many Democrats as Republicans saying government should be able to stop speech against minorities. Independents are in the middle.
Hurricane Season Ends as Florida Escapes Direct Hit For 10th Straight Year
The current streak is made even more remarkable since Florida, with its 1,260 miles of coastline, has accounted for about 40 percent of hurricane landfalls on U.S. shores in that recorded time period, according to the National Weather Service.
Florida Picks 5 Nurseries to Grow and Distribute Medical Marijuana for Select Patients
Parents of children with severe epilepsy pushed for a 2014 law to legalize the purportedly non-euphoric marijuana — low in THC, high in CBD — as it can end or dramatically reduce life-threatening seizures.
Thanksgiving Briefing: Humanitarians of the Year, Alan Thicke at the Auditorium, Trump in Sarasota
Government offices and schools close for a breather, but Donald Trump invades Florida, Alan Thicke stars in “The Toy Shoppe” at the Flagler Auditorium, and Jeb Bush still doesn’t get it.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast Talks EMS and Its Own Pay, Imagine’s K-Kids, Hubert Grimes Gives Thanks,
The Palm Coast Council talks about its own pay and discusses overhauling county’s EMS system, Hubert Grimes gives thanks at Methodist gathering, Imagine school’s K-Kids care for the less fortunate.
Scott’s $79.3 Billion Budget Proposal Draws Criticism for Gimmickry and $250 Million Fund
The budget would cut taxes $1 billion, create a business fund and raise per-student funding but would still be $1,284 per student below the 2006, inflation-adjusted level.
The Politics of Resentment: Why Poorer Areas Are Increasingly Voting Republican
A political puzzle: Parts of the country that depend on the safety-net programs supported by Democrats are increasingly voting for Republicans who favor shredding that net. The reason: the poor don’t vote.
Monday Briefing: Mayor Netts Honored, Enterprise Florida’s Fans, Scott’s Budget Unveiled
Palm Coast Mayor Jon Netts is the recipient of a Northeast Florida Regional Council award, Gov. Scott unveils his proposed budget while pushing for more powers for Enterprise Florida.
Conservatives Should Be Leading the Charge to Accept Syrian Refugees. We Have No Choice.
Doesn’t American exceptionalism demand that we lead where others have neither the will nor the courage? We have no choice. America gives sanctuary to those fleeing persecution, argues Nancy Smith. This is what we do and who we are. We’re the good guys.
Weekend Briefing: Salvo Art Project’s 1-Year Bash, Jim Guines Appreciation, Chili Pipers at the Auditorium
The great Jim Guines is celebrated and appreciated Sunday at 3 p.m. at FPC, JJ Graham’s and Petra Iston’s Salvo Art Project turns 1 year old in a Saturday celebration, the myth of Sisyphus in an Oscar-Nominated short film from 1974.
America’s Responsibility for Enabling ISIS, And How to End Blowback Terrorism
More wars – especially CIA-backed, Western-led wars – will solve nothing. By contrast, a surge of investment in education and sustainable development is the real key to building a more stable future for the Middle East and the world, argues Jeffrey Sachs.
Measure Allowing Guns on Florida College Campuses Heads for Likely House Passage
But the fate of the NRA-supported gun measure, vehemently opposed by university officials, still hangs in the Senate, where passage is less certain.
Thursday Briefing: Civil Liberties v. Security, Ambulance Wars, Jindal Drops Out, and Henryk Wieniawski
How to balance civil liberties in an age of insecurities, Palm Coast and Flagler County are at loggerheads over ambulance services again, Bobby Jindal is the latest GOP candidate to drop out of the presidential race.
Syrian Refugees, ISIS, the Attacks to Come and What To Do: A Grim Q&A
Tom O’Hara’s sobering answers to basic questions on the next ISIS attack, the refusal to take in Syrian refugees, what ISIS wants and whether an invasion of Syria and Iraq can work.
Trump in Florida Maintains Big Lead Over Rubio and Easily Beats Clinton in Latest Poll
Donald Trump has double the support of Marco Rubio, with Ben Carson a distant third, and would beat Hillary Clinton by 8 points in Florida Atlantic University Business and Economics Polling Initiative.
Wednesday Briefing: Curbing Bottle Clubs, a Manager’s Job Description in Bunnell, ISIS Debates
Palm Coast’s planning board takes on bottle clubs, where patrons gather with their own liquor to socialize, Bunnell takes on its manager search, and a slew of other government meetings are scheduled before Thanksgiving.
In Rare Defeat for NRA in Florida, Lawmakers Kill Broader Stand Your Ground Measure
A National Rifle Association-backed measure that could have made it easier legally for people to claim self-defense in shooting incidents failed to get through its first House committee on Tuesday.