Florida Cabinet members agreed Tuesday to spend $7.8 million to conserve two large tracts of ranch land over objections from Gov. Rick Scott, who said he wanted a better deal on one of the parcels.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Tuesday Briefing: Banned Books Week, Entrepreneur Night at Black Cloud, Why ISIS Demolishes History
It’s Banned Books Week, the Palm Coast City Cpouncil holds a special meeting to buy a dozen vehicles, Area entrepreneurs gather for their monthly meet-up, this time at Black Cloud,
Rick Scott, Who Made Millions as Hospital CEO, Now Faults Hospital Costs
The proposals are the latest in a series of moves by Scott, who made millions as CEO of HCA/Columbia, to revamp the hospital industry. The Legislature will have to enact his proposals.
Monday Briefing: Open House For Sheriff’s New Home, Free Clinic Fund-Raiser, Bunnell in the Money Again
The Flagler County Free Clinic holds a fund-raiser at the Turtle Shack in Flagler Beach from 6 to 8 p.m., Bunnell commissioners vote themselves a little money back, Carly Fiorina’s disasters.
The Age of Bobby Fischer: Before Facebook Mated Eccentrics
In today’s prying, unforgiving online world, Bobby Fischer’s paranoia and personal flaws would have tripped him up long before he became champion and hero in 1972, argues Kenneth Rogoff.
School Superintendents Have “Lost Confidence” in Florida’s Student Accountability System
The rebuke comes after months of controversy about the new Florida Standards Assessment, which was plagued by technical problems this spring, including computer glitches and a cyberattack.
Police Body Cams: Exemptions From Public-Record Disclosure Belie Intended Transparency
Police body cams were intended to improve accountability and public access to cops’ work. Access exemptions in Florida and many other states are instead countering their intended purpose.
New Laws Next Week On Revenge Porn, Domestic Violence, Trafficking, Cop Funerals
Among 27 new Florida laws starting next week, it’ll be illegal to post sexually explicit material without the knowledge of people identified in the images, criminal penalties will increase on sex trafficking, the state may spend $5,000 on cop funerals.
Weekend Briefing: Godspell at CRT, Jeb Bush Channels Romney’s “Free Stuff,” Drug Take-Back Saturday
Jeb Bush puts Mitt Romney’s foot in his own mouth with his latest insult to minorities, “Godpsell” continues at Palm Coast’s City Repertory Theatre, drug take-back Saturday in Palm Coast.
Pope Francis’s Challenge to America
Pope Francis is challenging conservative Americans–and presidential candidates–to rethink their belligerence to Cuba, Palestinians and action on global warming, writes Chris Patten.
Florida Teens’ Taste for E-Cigarettes Now More than Double That of Tobacco Sticks
Some 6.9 percent of Florida high-school students smoke cigarettes, but 15.8 percent use electronic cigarettes, which allow inhalation of vaporized nicotine.
Trump Leads By Far Among Florida Republicans as Rubio Leaps Ahead of Bush
Donald Trump leads with 31.5 percent in a GOP primary, in Florida Atlantic University poll, followed by Rubio in second place with 19.2 percent, followed by Bush at 11.3 percent, Carson at 10.3 percent and Carly Fiorina at 8.3 percent.
Wednesday Briefing: Goodbye, Linda Crego, Flagler Likes Bunnell’s Sewer, Unanimous Verdicts in Death Penalty
Flagler County and Bunnell government hash out Flagler’s take-over of the old Plantation Bay utility, The Flagler Beach City Commission figures out its next manager, Brian Williams returns as if nothing ever happened.
How Does Lawbreaking Kim Davis Get to Keep Her Job?
The law of the land isn’t an item on an a la carte menu from which elected officials can pick and choose, argues Nancy Smith, who says Kim Davis should have been removed from office by the governor.
Florida’s Foster Children Are Still Being Medicated Without Proper Oversight
Just a fifth of the 2,434 children in state foster care had proper consent-form and other requirements to be subjected to psychotropic drugs, according to UF research.
Tuesday Briefing: Coastal Cloud Among 50 Florida Firms to Watch, Carly Fiorina’s Pot Problem, Shott at NAACP
Coastal Cloud was selected from 500 Florida companies by GrowFL, Lynette Shott brings school district outreach to the NAACP, Carly Fiorina thinks pot is more dangerous than alcohol (it’s nowhere near as dangerous).
Doctors and Pharmacists Complain: Patients Aren’t Getting Their Pain Meds Fast Enough
Pharmacists complain that distributors are limiting their supply of powerful narcotics, forcing the pharmacists to ration their limited stock to their regular patients.
Monday Briefing: Donuts With Doughney, Pink Gala Set, Ben Carson’s Bigotry, Trump’s Ratings
Meet up with Flagler Beach Police Captain Matt Doughney at the 7-11 on A1A, the Flagler County Commission takes up communication towers again, Ben Carson opposes a Muslim president, Donald Trump explains his monster ratings.
Worrisome Study in Hand, Lawmakers Question Tying Teacher Salaries to Test Scores
The study supported the use of the Florida Standards Assessment for school grades and teacher evaluations but said that “the FSA scores for some students will be suspect” because of the computer glitches.
Muslim, Dark-Skinned, Geeky:
Ahmed Mohamed Had No Chance
If there’s remaining doubt that it is subhuman to be a Muslim or an Arab in the United States, the imbecilic arrest of 14-year-old Ahmed Mohamed over a clock puts the doubts to rest.
John Thrasher on Campus Guns, FSU’s Alleged Inferiority and Marco Rubio’s Oats
Florida State University President John Thrasher talks about Rubio trash-talking FSU, his opposition to guns on campus, academic freedom and having the time of his life.
8.8 Million More People Got Health Insurance Last Year, Largely Due to Obamacare
The increase, due to the Affordable Care Act, is unprecedented since the creation of Medicare and Medicaid 50 years ago. Expanding Medicaid–as Florida did not–would have added to the ranks of the insured even more.
State Targets Two More Abortion Clinics as Scott Tightens Vise on Women’s Health
The latest clinics to be fined for allegedly performing 2nd trimester abortions, including Bread and Roses in Gainesville, aren’t affiliated with Planned Parenthood but are cited on similar grounds.
Florida’s Unemployment Rate Falls to 5.3% and to 6.3% in Flagler as Employment Grows
In Flagler the ranks of the unemployed declined from 2,809 to 2,688, a reduction of 121, and a reduction of 745 over the year. The labor force, however, remains below where it was last year.
Weekend Briefing: Elbert Tucker Speaks, Judge Moore-Stens Marks Constitution’s Birthday, GoToby Goes Bull on N-J
Elbert Tucker is the keynote speaker at Drug Court graduation, Judge Moore-Stens is the keynote speaker at a celebration of the Constitution at the Public Library, GoToby doesn’t think the News-Journal has its foreclosure facts straight.
World Warms to Climate Change Treaty, But Europe, Not U.S. Is Setting the Standard
December’s UN conference on climate change in Paris may lead to a treaty as a consensus has emerged that it’s also about economic challenges like poverty, sustainable development, and the wellbeing of future generations.
Thursday Briefing: Obama Likes Ahmed’s Coo Coo-Cop Clock, Maya at the GSB, Dexter Gordon’s Tunisia
The Flagler Commission holds its final budget and tax hearing, the annual Maya at the Playa conference kicks off at the GSB, Obama invites Ahmed Mohamed to the White House, with the clock that scared a teacher and cops.
Cocked Again, College-Campus Gun Bill Makes It Through First Two Legislative Hurdles
The concealed-carry legislation won support from criminal-justice committees in the Florida House and Senate but is widely opposed by academic leaders.
Flagler Airport Pilot Flies Historic Cuba-Bound Flight From the United States
Local pilot Galin Hernandez’s historic flight to Cuba over Labor Day was among the first of its kind from the American mainland, though it took off from Hollywood.
Wednesday Briefing: Rios Sentenced to 15 Years, Clinton Down, Trump Steady, Tourism Grants Ahoy
Rios, accused of raping a 14-year-old girl, was found guilty in 15 minutes by a jury, more Republicans think Trump could be president, fewer Democrats like Clinton, and the Flagler TDC goes wild with grants.
Federal Bureaucracy Is the Monster Killing the Florida Everglades
Federal regulations keep water from flowing south into Everglades National Park, where it could save a freshwater-dependent ecosystem dying of thirst, argues Nancy Smith.
Senate Leader Balks as Gov. Scott Seeks $85 Million in Business Incentives and Recruitment
Senate President Andy Gardiner says the $53 million to Enterprise Florida is adequate, with $43 million for incentives and $10 million for marketing.
Tuesday Briefing: County Talks Cell Towers, School Board Takes Up 5-Year, $16-Million Construction Plan
The Flagler County Commission is still hunting for an alternative site for a 320-foot cell tower near John Anderson Highway. The school board and Palm Coast City Council meet.
Anonymous Internet Browsing at the Public Library? Not if Homeland Security Finds Out.
A library that allowed Tor users around the world to bounce their Internet traffic through the library, masking users’ locations reversed course after getting word from the Department of Homeland Security.
Monday Briefing: Flagler Youth Orchestra Open House, Ismael Rios Trial, 3 Flagler Schools Move Michelle Obama
The Youth Orchestra holds its pre-season orientation at Indian Trails Middle School at 5:30 p.m., 3 Flagler Schools Move Michelle Obama, Linda Provencher has a town hall, and plenty more to restart the week.
The Hell With Your Tired,
Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses
Barack Obama’s order to open the U.S. to 10,000 refugees is dismal compared to Germany’s. Racism, not means, block greater numbers from an American welcome.
Everybody Likes Pre-K. Defining It Is Another Matter.
While there’s a growing consensus on the value of preschool, states disagree on where the programs should be based, who should run them, or how the government should support them.
Suspects Wanted for Attempted Murder Following Failed Home Invasion in Flagler Estates Nabbed
Andrew Phillip Cherry, 22, and Lee Ann Renee Mosher, 24, both of 354 Juanita Ave. in St. Augustine were located by U.S. Marshals today in St. Augustine.
Weekend Briefing: Big Band Night, Arts in Education Week, DSC’s Free SAT Workshops, Manly Crying
The Palm Coast Arts Foundation hosts its Big Band Night at Halifax Plantation, Senior Games begin, Biden hedges away from a presidential run, and a look at crying men in history.
Boots on the Ground to Fight ISIS? Sure, But Arab and Turkish Boots, Not American
Republican candidates for president are right about calling for military force against ISIS, wrong about the kind of force that should fight: only Sunni fighters from Arab lands and Turkey can effectively defeat ISIS, argues Joseph Nye.
Facing Lawsuit from Florida Carry, FSU Scraps Gun Ban in Cars on Football Game Day
The changes to the school’s “Game Day Plan 2015” guide for fans won’t holster the legal challenge by Florida Carry Inc. as legislators again consider allowing concealed weapons on campus.
Thursday Briefing: Restaurant Week Begins, Flagler Beach Takes Up Private Pier Parties, Democrats’ Hillary Panic
Time for some Flagler gastronomy as the chamber’s Restaurant Week teases palates, the Flagler Beach City Commission again takes up the renting out of the pier to private parties, Democrats look at Al Gore and others as Hillary replacements, just in case.
Citing “Thousands” Of Untested Rape Kits, Bondi Seeks More Money For Crime Labs
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is expected to request an additional $35 million in funding during the 2016 legislative session, including $7.76 million to raise the base salaries of people working in crime labs.
Wednesday Briefing: Dog v. Boy, Barry v. Publix, Nimby v. Cell Towers, Tax Hearings and Child Protection
The Flagler County Commission will decide whether to allow three colossal cell towers to rise past its usual rules, and rule on whether a dog should be declared dangerous for biting an 8-year-old boy. Palm Coast and Flagler Beach hold tax hearings.
Confederate General Is Out, Henry Flagler May Be In as Florida Lawmaker Seeks Capitol Statue Switch
The bronze statue of Confederate Gen. Edmund Kirby Smith has stood in the U.S. Capitol since 1922. It would be replaced by the likes of Henry Flagler or Walt Disney under a bill filed Tuesday by Rep. Jose Felix Diaz, a Republican.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast Talks Manatees, Parkway 90% Done, Coastal Cloud’s 100th, Leadership Flagler’s New Class
Work returns with a vengeance after Labor Day as budget and tax hearings begin today, starting with the school board, palm Coast discusses manatee protection, Coastal Cloud celebrates its 100th client.
“God’s Authority” Has No Place In Civil Government
Kim Davis is not the problem. She’s a symptom of a dangerous movement that seeks to carve out religious objections all over the law books, making civil government a vassal of religious edicts.
For Every US Soldier Killed in Afghanistan, 13 Children Were Shot and Killed in America
Between 2002 and 2012, at least 28,000 children and teens 19-years-old and younger were killed with guns. Teenagers between the ages of 15 and 19 made up over two-thirds of all youth gun deaths in America.
Unemployment Rate Falls to 7-Year Best of 5.1% With Job Creation at 173,000
The 2015 total is at 1.7 million new jobs–400,000 more jobs created in eight months than the entire eight years of the second Bush’s presidency.
Utilities Take Credit, But Lower Power Bills In 2016 Are Due to Cheaper Coal and Gas
An FPL customer who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours a month currently pays $96.72. That number is projected to drop to $93.24 in January before going to $94.86 in June.