Gov. Ron DeSantis, with a net worth of just over $300,000, doesn’t have former Gov. Rick Scott’s millions that allowed him to buzz around the state in his own plane.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Weekend Briefing: Light the Way, Charlie Helm Memorial, Pottery Days, Mark Lane, Bronx Wanderers
A memorial celebration for Charlie Helm is scheduled at the Flagler Auditorium, the Flagler Beach Historical Museum has its Native American Pottery Days, the Freedom7 Human Trafficking Task Force leads a walk.
Thursday Briefing: Parking Study in Flagler Beach, Odessa Ballet at Auditorium, Covering McCarthy
The Flagler Beach City Commission hears the results of a much-anticipated parking study, The Odessa National Ballet brings its dancers to the Flagler Auditorium, Halberstam on Joe McCarthy.
DeSantis Names Barbara Lagoa, a Conservative Cuban-American, to Supreme Court
DeSantis’ selection of Lagoa, the daughter of Cuban émigrés, was the first of three Supreme Court appointments the new governor will make, following the mandatory retirement of three justices who comprised what had been the court’s more liberal-leaning bloc.
Wednesday Briefing: Coffey Klatsch, Night in the 30s, A Different Bing’s Victory, Playboy Generation
A special meeting this evening where the County Commission will decide how to accept manager Craig Coffey’s resignation, a meeting of Flagler Beach businesses to contend with coming construction.
Was Elections Supervisor Brenda Snipes Treated Unfairly? Federal Judge Weighs Due Process
Brenda Snipes’ lawyers accused Gov. Rick Scott of trying to embarrass and humiliate the long-serving elections official. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker is hearing her lawsuit.
Tuesday Briefing: Sportsfield Reservations, Palm Coast Fibernet, School Advisory Councils, DeSantis Sworn In
The Palm Coast council talks of expanding its broadband network and scheduling matters at its sports fields, school advisory councils at Matanzas and Rymfire meet, the school board amends policies.
Monday Briefing: Bing’s and Captain’s BBQ, Scouts For Dunes, Inauguration, Community Health Fair
The Flagler County Commission meets in workshop to discuss its controversial lease with Captain’s BBQ at Bing’s Landing, paramedics and others host a health fair in Espanola, it’s inauguration day in Tallahassee.
In Contrast With Scott, DeSantis Expected To Make Easier Access to Medical Pot a Priority
A new administration headed by DeSantis, who takes over as governor Tuesday, seemingly presents a friendlier stance toward medical pot than the administration of outgoing Gov. Rick Scott.
Economy Adds 312,000 Jobs in 99th Consecutive Month of Growth, But Unemployment Rate Up
The December jobs report suggests that despite big drops in the stock market and a slowing housing sector, fears of a recession may be premature.
Transgender Inmate Spurs Appeal as Florida Prisons Seek to Deny Her Gender Identity
Inmate Reiyn Keohane contends that her rights have been violated at least in part because she has not been allowed to wear women’s undergarments and groom as a woman.
Parkland Massacre Report Calls for More Armed Teachers, More Money for School Cops
“Personal and system failures” culminated in the mass shooting that left 14 students and three faculty members dead and 17 people wounded at a Broward County high school, according to a report by a state panel that spent months investigating the Valentine’s Day massacre.
New Year Raises Florida’s Minimum Wage To $8.46 and Lowers Workers Comp Rates
Minimum-wage workers will start earning $8.46 an hour Tuesday, up from $8.25 an hour in 2018 — and more than a dollar above the $7.25 federal minimum wage.
2018 Roundup: For Florida, Another Massacre, Another Hurricane, Another Shift To the Right
Florida was struck by a hurricane for the third year in a row, was the site of yet another mass shooting, saw the end of the Supreme Court’s liberal wing and the election of a Donald Trump acolyte as governor.
Citing Company’s Tax Savings, FPL Customers Seek $736 Million Refund and Lower Rates
Florida Power & Light has asked state regulators to reject a petition that seeks to force the utility to refund as much as $736 million to customers and reduce base electric rates.
Florida School Enrollment Grows at
Slowest Rate Since the Great Recession
Florida has about 17,000 fewer students in its kindergarten-to-high school system than lawmakers anticipated this year, a new report shows.
Let Craig Coffey Resign. With Severance.
Craig Coffey’s loss of credibility has been painful. It doesn’t need to be cruel. Rather than a public flogging on Jan. 14, he should be allowed to resign with a measure of dignity–and severance.
Christmas Briefing (Last of the Year): Rotary Fantasy Lights, Winter Solstice Celebration, Vera Falgout
This is the last Briefing of the year, with few events this weekend in the lead-up to Christmas. We’ll be back Jan. 2. Happy New Year.
Nine Charged With Animal Cruelty Toward Bears in 4 Counties, Including Flagler
Defendants posted videos of bears being chased and mauled by large packs of dogs after being lured with dog food, doughnuts, pastries and peanut butter in areas of Baker, Flagler, Marion and Union counties.
Thursday Briefing: IB Diploma Ceremony, Inspired Mic, Bowling Trial, Ocala Forest Bombing
The annual International Baccalaureate diploma ceremony takes place at FPC’s bistro, Michael Bowling is expected to testify in his own defense in his trial on molestation charges, the Bunnell commission meets.
Broward Elections Supervisor Sues Scott, Calling Suspension ‘Malicious and Politically Motivated’
Suspended Broward County Supervisor of Elections Brenda Snipes has filed a federal lawsuit against Scott and Senate President Bill Galvano as she tries to regain her job.
Wednesday Briefing: Bowling Trial, Carter G. Woodson, Bombing, Philip Morris’s “Do You Inhale?”
The trial of 47-year-old Michael Bowling on molestation charges enters its second day, the Palm Coast Planning Board meets, recalling the Philip Morris pitch to I Love Lucy fans.
State Board of Education Approves Appointment of Richard Corcoran as Education Commissioner
The appointment of Corcoran, who has scant education experience but a lengthy political resume, was all but assured when Gov.-elect Ron DeSantis announced his support for the former lawmaker.
Tuesday Briefing: Live Bombing, Bowling Trial, NAACP Presser, Auditorium Construction, Matanzas Concert
The NAACP talks about the recent case of two FPC students leveling racist threats about a teacher, the Michael Bowling trial on molestation charges begins, Matanzas High School holds its winter concert.
Monday Briefing: Michael Bowling Trial, Snowfest, County Drones, FPC’s Advisory Council
The first trial of Michael Bowling, accused of molesting a girl, begins today, Snowfest 2018 took place in central Park, the County Commission discusses the addition of drones to its arsenal.
T.K. Wetherell, Former House Speaker and Florida State President, Dies at 72
Wetherell, a Daytona Beach native, served in the House from 1980 to 1992, the final two years as speaker. He died of cancer.
Democrats’ Arafat Complex
Early possibilities for the 2020 election–Joe Biden, Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, Hillary Clinton–suggest Democrats aren’t learning lessons but clinging to habits of self-destruction.
Federal Judge Strikes Down Entire Affordable Care Act, Putting Law In Peril–Again
Judge Reed C. O’Connor struck down the law, siding with Republican state attorneys general to say the tax bill passed by Congress last December effectively rendered the entire health law unconstitutional.
Florida Supreme Court Clears Cops to Use Stand Your Ground Defense in Shootings
Stand your ground applies to “persons,” and “a law enforcement officer is a ‘person’ whether on duty or off, and irrespective of whether the officer is making an arrest,” the court ruled unanimously.
Weekend Briefing: Palm Coast Boat Parade, “It’s A Wonderful Life,” Breakfast With Santa, Navy Band
The Annual holiday boat parade takes to Palm Coast’s canals Saturday evening, Matanzas’s Key Club hosts a Breakfast With Santa, grieving through the holidays, the Navy Band at the Auditorium.
Thursday Briefing: A Lawyer’s Gift to Flagler Beach, Jose Antonio Jimenez Execution, ITMS Band Concert
Flagler Beach attorney Scott Spradley gifts the city with a new print of the Pier to mark two anniversaries, the Indian Trails Middle School Band is in concert, Barbara Ehrenreich on what’s killing the poor.
‘Culture Change’ Needed In Schools as Parkland Massacre Commission Finalizes Its Work
The panel will ask the Legislature to impose sanctions if school districts failed to put into effect some of the school-safety measures, including measures already required by law, such as active-shooter drills.
Wednesday Briefing: Dinner With Santa at FPC, Holiday Giving Tea, School Shooting Commission
Dinner With Santa and a pasta dinner at FPC tonight for just $3, Holiday Giving Tea fund-raiser at the Flagler Auditorium, the Parkland shooting commission meets.
Understanding the Rise of France’s Yellow Jackets
In a larger sense the Yellow Vests movement reflects longstanding neglect or exploitation of rural communities. Not only in France but in the US and much of Western Europe.
In Novel Argument, Constitutional Amendment Spurs Call for Stay of Execution
The arguments center on part of Amendment 11, which was approved by 62 percent of voters and which changed a more than century-old provision dealing with how revisions in criminal laws should be applied to older crimes.
Tuesday Briefing: Wetlands Restoration Reckoning, Palm Coast Survey, Starlight Video, MHS Concert
The St. Johns Water Management District board discusses a controversial wetlands restoration plan for Flagler Beach, the Palm Coast council talks citizens survey, Matanzas High presents a winter concert.
Opposing Scott Court Cases, DeSantis
Signals Friendlier Approach to Medical Pot
DeSantis, a Republican who will take office on Jan. 8, is unwilling to continue some of the court battles now being waged by outgoing Gov. Rick Scott’s administration.
Monday Briefing: Michael Bowling in Court, Judge Moore-Stens at Old Kings, Bunnell Containers
A status hearing in the case of Michael Bowling, accusing of sexually assaulting two minor girls, Judge Moore-Stens drops by 6th graders’ classes at Old Kings Elementary, the Bunnell commission again talks containers.
Flagler’s Beach ‘Renourishment’ Is Exorbitant Futility
Whether it’s the Corps of Engineers’ plan for 2.6 miles of Flagler Beach sands or Flagler County’s ongoing dune-rebuilding over 12 miles, there’s no money to sustain either, yet officials are mortgaging the county’s future on a blank check.
DeSantis Names Jared Moskowitz, a Democrat, as Florida’s Emergency Management Chief
Moskowitz will succeed Division of Emergency Management Director Wes Maul, who was appointed by outgoing Gov. Rick Scott last year.
Weekend Briefing: Legislative Delegation, Starlight Parade, Access Flagler First, Narcan Awareness
Flagler’s state lawmakers hear local wish lists, the Starlight Parade in Town Center, Narcan awareness at First Friday and Access Flagler First, plus concerts, plays and dancing all over the place.
The Migrant Caravan’s Lessons from South of the Border
In Tijuana, some Mexicans have embraced the Trump line on Central American migrants. But others have welcomed them with open arms.
Pushing For Charter Schools and Vouchers, DeSantis Will name Corcoran Education Commissioner
Corcoran, a lawyer and Republican from Pasco County, secured the passage of two major charter-school and voucher-friendly bills during his 2016-18 tenure as speaker.
Thursday Briefing: Grand Reserve Booming, Matanzas Band Concert, Bush’s Education Reform
The Matanzas Band and Percussion ensembles present their Holiday Concert, Critic’s Choice Dinner at Salsa’s Restaurant, ex-Gov. Jeb Bush kicks off an education reform conference.
Putnam Stays Out Fight Over Concealed Weapons Permits as His Office Goes to a Democrat
After the concealed-weapons permitting processed revealed serious flaws under Adam Putnam, attempts are afoot to move the process to state police, out of the agriculture commissioner’s purview.
Wednesday Briefing: Bunnell Retreats, Black Violin, African-American Entrepreneurs, FPC Band and Chorus
The FPC Band and Chorus present their winter concert, the Bunnell commission retreats to Princess Place for goal-setting, the African American Entrepreneurs Association hosts a ribbon-cutting.
Save the News-Journal: How Wall Street Is Plundering Newspaper Chains Like GateHouse
Executives at GateHouse, which owns the News-Journal, demanded a $27 million cut from theirf papers’ operating expense to help pay for the hedge fund’s CEO’s $54 million pay package.
Supervisors of Election Seek Answer on Amendment Restoring Felons’ Right to Vote
Florida officials don’t have a plan for how to carry out a constitutional amendment that restores the right to vote to more than a million Floridians convicted of felonies.
Tuesday Briefing: Beach Renourishment in Flagler Beach, Palm Coast Manager Search, Thespian Showcase
The Palm Coast City Council takes a further step in its search for a new manager, Flagler Beach and county government hold a joint meeting on beach repair, thespians from three Flagler schools are showcased at the Auditorium.
Calling Loss of Life a ‘Catastrophe,’ Judge Backs Revoking Nursing Home’s License
The deaths and evacuation of the Broward nursing home drew national attention in the days after Hurricane Irma, which made landfall Sept. 10, 2017 .