House Democrats on Tuesday said they’ve submitted letters from 41 representatives, more than the required 20 percent of the chamber’s 120 members, to demand that Secretary of State Laurel Lee poll all 160 legislators on the request for the special session.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
Tuesday Briefing: Building in Palm Coast, School Vaccination Protocols, Stormwater, Food Truck Tuesday
Palm Coast government hosts a forum on its building department, the school board talks vaccination, Food Truck Tuesday in Central Park, the Flagler Youth Orchestra recruits.
5 Ways The Economy Is Stacked Against Young People
Stagnant wages, out of control student debt, rising costs of necessities, unaffordable housing: they’re all among the reasons why the rules are rigged against young people trying to make it on their own.
State Economists Warn of Slowing Economy, as DeSantis Says State Is Prepared for Recession
DeSantis’ outlook was more restrained than that of White House officials, when they were asked about the national economy while making the rounds on Sunday morning news programs.
Among Hurdles For Those With Opioid Addictions: Getting The Drug To Treat It
Among the barriers to buprenorphine access: too few medical providers are certified to write the prescriptions. But pharmacists are also a part of the problem. Because they fill the prescriptions, pharmacists are the gatekeepers for the drug, and not all of them are willing to take on that role.
Monday Briefing: Contractor Review Board Appointments, More Money for Fireworks, Employees of the Quarter
The County Commission makes appointments to the Contractor Review Board, with a controversial applicant in the mix, the cost of July 4 fireworks is going up to $25,000, the sheriff names winners of quarterly awards.
Stop Criminalizing Children in the Name of School Security
The rash of zero-tolerance felony arrests of children that the Flagler school district experienced last year unjustly makes examples of adolescents in the name of a security establishment focusing on the wrong threats across the state.
Where Doctors Can Recommend Marijuana to Replace Opioids
Four states, not including Florida, allow people with an opioid addiction to qualify for a medical marijuana card. Many physicians say it’s a bad idea, with marijuana unproven either to manage pain or kick an opioid addiction.
Federal Judge Raises Question on Felon Rights’ Amendment: What If It’s Unconstitutional?
Federal Judge Robert Hinkle is raising a question of constitutionality that goes to the heart of Amendment 4 and may invalidate the entire amendment, not just its provision on financial obligations.
Weekend Briefing: Fruehan and Haughton in Court, Improv at the Playhouse, GTM’s 20th, Belle Terre Clean-Up
Judge Perkins hears ex-physician Fruehan’s plea and sentences Bruce Haughton on an assisted suicide conviction in separate cases, the GTM reserve celebrates, a night of improv at the Flagler Playhouse, a fishing tournament on the pier.
State Safety Panel Berates “Non-Compliance” With Armed Presence in Some Schools
A state school-safety commission meeting got heated Wednesday as members tackled a range of issues stemming from a controversial school “guardian” program, while one panelist recommended allowing Florida pre-schools to have armed security.
Thursday Briefing: Heat Index to 102, Palm Coast’s Sports Alliance Re-Launch, Inspired Mic, Primary Elections
Palm Coast re-launches its Sports Alliance, the school safety commission meets again, a proposal to open primary voting is discussed, the Inspired Mic at Hidden Treasures.
In Defeat for Home Rule, Appeals Court Rejects Florida City’s Ban on Styrofoam Containers
Siding with the Florida Retail Federation and upholding the constitutionality of state laws, an appeals court Wednesday rejected a 2016 move by the city of Coral Gables to ban the use of Styrofoam food containers.
Wednesday Briefing: Heat Index to 110, Safety Commission, “Public Feeding,” $16,263 to Youth Ranches
Flagler’s Public Safety Coordinating Council talks homelessness and suicide prevention, another dangerously hot day, the Marjorie Stoneman Douglas safety commission meets.
Tuesday Briefing: Heat Index to 106, Litter Gitter’s River Cleanup, Hammock Harbor, Flagler Beach Budget
Matanzas Riverkeeper’s Litter Gitter II cleans up around Bing’s, the Flagler Beach City Commission figures out next year’s budget, the Flagler Planning Board takes on another big Hammock development.
Judge Rejects Teachers’ Claim That Education Law Violates Collective Bargaining Rights
Unions argued a 2018 requirement violated collective-bargaining rights and equal-protection rights as the requirements did not apply to other public-sector unions.
Monday Briefing: Heat Index to 108, First Day Back for Students, Flagler Cares Coalition, Charter Review
Another potentially dangerously hot day for a first-day back for students, the Flagler Beach Charter Review Commission meets, the Flagler Sportfishing Club’s generosity, and Bunnell talks finances–without a finance director.
End-Running Federal Lawsuit, Gov. DeSantis Petitions Florida Supreme Court on Felon Voting Rights
A week after asking a federal judge to toss out a lawsuit on the issue, Gov. Ron DeSantis is seeking guidance from the Florida Supreme Court about a controversial state law requiring people convicted of felonies to repay financial obligations before they can regain the right to vote.
Of Course Guns Have Nothing To Do With It
Mountains of evidence link America’s mass killings to the massive amount of guns in circulation, but let’s go ahead and pretend that guns have nothing to do with it, nor the absence of sensible gun control.
Florida Film Academy’s International Student Film Festival in St. Augustine Sept. 14-15
Florida Film Academy is hosting its inaugural International Student Film Festival on Saturday, September 14 and Sunday, September 15 at Corazon Cinema and Café in downtown St. Augustine with showings from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.
State Rules May Ease Path to Mental Health Counselors’ Qualifications and Toughen Charter School Security
With the start of a new school year just around the corner, Florida officials are eyeing policy changes that would expand the number of mental health professionals in schools and ensure that charter schools are meeting safety requirements.
Weekend Briefing: 4 Artists Talk, School Open Houses, Enrollment Day at DSC, Teens-In-Flight Fund-Raiser AdventHealth’s Kids
Teens-In-Flight Inc. hosts its second annual Hangar Party, a free one-day youth football safety clinic, time for students to lock in their fall schedule at Daytona State College, artists Peter Cerreta, J. J. Graham, Harry Messersmith, and John Sbordone at FCAL,
Thursday Briefing: Heat Index to 109, Meet the Teachers, Gopher Tortoises in Flagler Beach
Dangerously high temperatures, meet the teachers and orientation at Old Kings, Rymfire, Buddy Taylor, Indian Trails and FPC, talk of gopher tortoise in Flagler Beach.
Deriding Focus on Trump Rhetoric, DeSantis Blames Mass Shootings on ‘Recesses of the Internet’
Trump is facing accusations that his immigration rhetoric inspired a man who posted warnings online of a “Hispanic invasion” before killing 22 people at an El Paso, Texas, Walmart on Saturday.
Wednesday Briefing: Purple Heart Day, New Student Orientation at FPC, Meet the Teachers at Imagine
It’s pre-planning days in Flagler Schools and new student orientation at Flagler Palm Coast High School, Purple Heart Day, Henry James characters discuss being in love.
Florida Senate Will Study White Nationalism and Other Factors in Mass Violence
In the run-up to the 2020 legislative session, the Florida Senate will review acts of mass violence such as the deadly shootings this weekend in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, along with factors such as white nationalism.
Tuesday Briefing: National Night Out at FPC, Superintendent Search, Sportsfishing Club, Sales Tax Holiday Ends
The sheriff’s annual National Night Out this evening at FPC, the school board discusses a timeline for its next superintendent hire, the back-to-school sales tax holiday ends at midnight tonight.
I’d Like to Stop Writing About Innocents Killed by Guns
So far, as hard as we try, every time it happens again we apparently have not stood up in sufficient numbers or shouted loud enough to make the massacres stop. What does it take? The story keeps repeating.
DeSantis Wants Felon Voting Rights Case Tossed, Saying It belongs in State, Not Federal, Court
The interpretation of “all terms of their sentence” became a flashpoint during this spring’s legislative session as lawmakers struggled to reach consensus on a measure to carry out the amendment.
Monday Briefing: Mark Weinberg’s National Honor, Welcome Back, School Staff, Tourism Grants, Stormwater
Court services’ Mark Weinberg wins a national award, school staff return with a welcome back breakfast, a ribbon-cutting at the new Flagler Auditorium, Palm Coast and Bunnell each have their stormwater discussions.
What “Abolish ICE” Really Means
All evidence suggests that immigrants are far from the national security threat the Trump administration claims they are. Regardless of status, they’re more law-abiding than native-born citizens.
Lethal Crisis: When Seniors Turn To Suicide
As suicide rates continue to climb, claiming more than 47,000 lives in 2017, a six-month investigation finds that older Americans are quietly killing themselves in nursing homes, assisted living centers and adult care homes.
The Lose-Lose of Trump’s Proposal to Cut 3 Million People Off Food Stamps
The Trump administration’s move to cut low-income people who are eligible for food stamps and school lunch off of those programs isn’t just immoral, it’s short-sighted, argues Jill Richardson.
After 43 Years of Peace, a Joint Agreement Between FPL and AT&T On Utility Pole Uses Breaks Down
FPL alleged that the telecommunications company did not pay about $20 million owed for 2017 and 2018. The companies have had what is known as a joint-use agreement since 1975 that has allowed them to share poles.
Weekend Briefing: Urban Surf, Michael Wilson Sentencing, First Friday, Summer Art, Back to School Jam
It’s First Friday in Flagler Beach, Michael Wislon is sentenced on lesser charges after being acquitted of attempted murder, the annual Back to School Jam is at FPC Saturday.
Abortion Waiting Period Back in Play as Florida Appeal Court Overturns Lower-Court Decision
The 24-hour waiting period case could eventually become a key test for the Florida Supreme Court, which has historically backed abortion rights but is now dominated by conservative justices.
Thursday Briefing: Grades 7 and 8 Schedule Pick-Ups at ITMS, Hurricane Prep with the Lord, Staly’s Lifetime Award
It’s those back-to-school routines again, with grade schedule pick-ups at Indian Trails Middle, a hurricane preparation presentation with Flagler County’s Jonathan Lord, a sheriff’s association award for Rick Staly.
State Will Appeal Ruling That Struck Down Law Penalizing Local Officials For Regulating Guns
Florida will appeal a circuit judge’s ruling that struck down a state law threatening tough penalties for local officials and governments that approve gun regulations.
Wednesday Briefing: Heat Index to 104, McDevitt Back in Court, Glenn Davis, Bombing Runs, DSC Tours
James McDevitt is back in court to contest his 2013 conviction on rape charges, the Navy conducts live bombing runs in the Ocala forest, tours continue on the Daytona State College campus ahead of the fall term.
Assault Weapons Definition Is Key as Proposed Ban Heads For Floridians’ 2020 Ballot
The proposed constitutional amendment would prohibit “possession of assault weapons, defined as semiautomatic rifles and shotguns capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition at once, either in fixed or detachable magazine…”
Tuesday Briefing: A1A Sea Wall Done, Palm Coast’s Sports Fields, End of Leisure Services Committee, Mike Waltz
Construction of the sea wall along State Road A1A in Flagler Beach is complete but for the dune cover, Palm Coast discusses its utilities and other budgets, Rep. Mike Waltz speaks with county staff.
No Medicare For All, But Biden’s ‘Incremental’ Health Plan Still Would Be A Heavy Lift
The former vice president has specifically repudiated many of his Democratic rivals’ calls for a “Medicare for All” system and instead sought to build his plan on the ACA’s framework.
Three University Students Pose With Guns In Front of Shot-Up Emmett Till Memorial
Three students were suspended from their fraternity house, Kappa Alpha, after we shared an Instagram photo one of the men posted that was taken in front of a sign commemorating the murder of the 14-year-old black youth in 1955.
Immigration, the Democrats’ 2020 Waterloo
In this Democratic Party, argues Nancy Smith, moderates have been purged, conservative Democrats are nonexistent, and the party’s leaders seem intent on turning it into a party of hard socialism as quickly as possible.
Monday Briefing: Sportsfishing Club’s Clinic, Bunnell Budget, Last Camp, DSC Tours, Hélène Grimaud’s Chaconne
The Bunnell City Commission studies its general fund budget, your chance to tour the Daytona State College campus in Daytona, the Sportsfishing Club’s successful kids clinic, the great Grimaud plays Bach.
Siding With Local Governments, Judge Strikes Law Penalizing Officials Who Pass Gun Rules Stricter Than State’s
In 2011, Florida lawmakers approved a series of penalties that local governments and officials could face if they violated the prohibition on gun laws that are stricter than the state’s.
Florida’s Hemp Industry Is Born Again As Perception of CBD as Cure-All Turns Manic
The nationwide craze for products containing CBD is evident at supermarkets, gas stations and big-box stores, where lotions, tinctures and bath “bombs” are among the items flying off the shelves as consumers seek to quell anxiety, aches and pains and a host of other ailments.
A Year After Incidents, Embry-Riddle Replacing Bulk of Training Fleet With 60 New Cessna Skyhawks
Last year the university’s planes experienced a string of incidents, one of them fatal to a student and an examiner. Embry-Riddle’s fleet in Daytona Beach and Arizona currently includes more than 100 aircraft,
Coming Out in Rural America
“I came out to my parents via email the same week I figured it out myself because it’s no big deal in our family. Others aren’t as lucky; some people’s families still disown them.”
A Clerk of Court Takes a Case to the Supreme Court (It’s Not Tom Bexley)
The Broward County clerk of court wants Florida Supreme Court justices to take up a dispute about whether the state has unconstitutionally underfunded the clerk’s office.