Trump can’t have it both ways. He can’t revel in his powers of denigration and incitement then take cover behind a bogus sense of outrage and his usual deflections when the incitement and denigration arm fuses and kill people.
Florida & Beyond, and All Opinions
2 Million Floridians Have Already Voted, Republican Registrants Holding 43-40 Edge Over Democrats
As of Friday morning, 869,745 Republicans had cast ballots, compared to 808,288 Democrats and 347,488 unaffiliated voters, out of the state’s nearly 13.3 million registered voters.
Weekend Briefing: Bedrace, Rocky Horror Show, Gola’s Steampunk, Palm Coast Founders’ Day, De Yampert on Crows, A Schubert Concert
The fabulous bed race in Flagler Beach, Palm Coast Founders’ Day, Holler-ween at the Ag Museum, Daytona Solisti’s opening concert, last weekend for “The Rocky Horror Show” and lots more.
All Insults Nearly All The Time As Ron DeSantis and Andrew Gillum Debate a Final Round
It was an hour of jugular attacks, with Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis accusing each other of being dishonest and unworthy of leading the state before they exited the stage with a fist bump.
Thursday Briefing: Fruehan in Court, Holden House on National Registry, Innovative Workforce, Early Voting
Holden House in Bunnell lands on the National Register of Historic Places, ex-physician Florence Fruehan attempts to get a criminal charge dropped, the Flagler Beach commission meets.
Amendment 9: What Has Vaping Got To Do With Offshore Oil Drilling?
Rather than allowing the vaping ban to stand on its own, the revision commission coupled it with a proposed ban on offshore oil drilling in Florida waters, describing the combination as an environmental amendment.
Trump’s Bone Saw Problem
Trump can’t be lavishing praise on tyrants and think it’s not another way of saying, as he did of white supremacists last year, that “some of them are fine people.” He can’t be equating journalists with scum and not have blood on his hands.
Wednesday Briefing: What Kind of Manager for Palm Coast? Great Kids Awards, Gillum-DeSantis II
Palm Coast government hosts two public workshops to hear from residents what kind of city manager they want next, Gillum and DeSantis debate again, early voting continues at three locations.
Even As Voter Registration Soars, Bogus Fraud Claims and Real Voter Suppression Live On
Experts are predicting record-high midterm voter turnout. But millions of U.S. citizens are being systematically inhibited — either blatantly or covertly — from casting votes this November.
Judge Clears Way For Local Governments to Challenge State Ban on Stricter Gun Restrictions
Some 30 local Florida governments are challenging a state law that forbids cities and counties from passing stricter gun regulations than the state allows.
Gillum Leads DeSantis 52-46, Taking 21-Point Lead Among Women, 18 With Independents
Gillum is so far winning key demographics, with a seemingly insurmountable 18-point lead among independents, who usually decide statewide races, but he’s also winning among women by 21 points.
Tuesday Briefing: D’Marcus Boyd Plea, Stetson Guitar Ensemble, Moody-Shaw Debate, Ocala Forest Bombing
D’Marcus Boyd appears in court to tender a plea on charges of rape, burglary and grand theft, Attorney General candidates Ashley Moody (R) and Sean Shaw (D), debate on News 13, some bombing in the Ocala forest.
Amendment 3: Not As Clear-Cut As ‘Voter Control of Gambling in Florida’
Amendment 3, placed on the ballot by a political committee largely backed by Disney Worldwide Services, Inc. and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, would give voters the “exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling” in the state.
Elizabeth Warren’s Identity Problem
Trump’s racism is obvious. He’s using the name Pocahontas as a racial slur. But Elizabeth Warren stepped into a controversial issue without much sensitivity for the people who are most affected by it.
Women and Independents Keep Bill Nelson Ahead of Rick Scott By 6 Points in Latest Poll
Sen. Bill Nelson, drawing much higher favorability ratings and strong support from independents–key to all statewide races in Florida–is maintaining a comfortable 52-46 percent advantage over Gov. Rick Scott in the race for U.S. Senate.
Monday Briefing: Early Voting Begins, Bunnell’s Meet-and-Greet, Sea Ray Boats Yard Sale
Early voting begins at three locations for all registered voters in Flagler, Bunnell government hosts a meet and greet for all, the Stamp and Coin Club meets.
Is The .08 Threshold for DUI Too Lax?
Traffic safety advocates and a federal highway safety agency support the change to .05 and have been recommending it for years.
How Fentanyl, in 56% of Florida’s Overdose Deaths, Changes the Opioid Equation
With lethal amounts of fentanyl showing up in heroin and other drug supplies throughout the country, active drug users are at a greater risk of dying than ever before.
Weekend Briefing: Rocky Horror, Holler-Ween Fest, NAACP Freedom Fund, Sea Ray Boats Sale, Brass and Opera
The Rocky Horror Show at City Repertory Theatre, Holler-Ween Fest at the Agricultural Museum, the NAACP hosts its Freedom Fund evening, Sea Ray has a yard sale.
Nikki Fried and Matt Caldwell Gun For Agriculture Commissioner Behind Holsters and Consumer Protection
Democrat Nikki Fried and Republican Matt Caldwell offer differing views on Trump, the state’s management of concealed-weapons licenses and how to move forward with medical marijuana.
A Better Way To Fight Homelessness: Decriminalize It
Law enforcement is often used as a first response to address homelessness. Many communities criminalize it instead of connecting the homeless with essential services, assuming they’re available.
Thursday Briefing: Chamber’s Candidate Forum, Resource Fair, Intracoastal Bank, Inspired Mic
The Chamber of Commerce hosts a candidate forum at the Hilton, a community resources and college financial aid fair, the Inspired Mic returns.
Bitter Clash Over Charter Schools Behind Supreme Court Decision To Kill ‘Defective’ Ballot Measure
The proposed constitutional amendment could have opened a new avenue for the establishment of charter schools outside the control of county school boards.
News-Journal Redemption: Krys Fluker Is Paper’s New Editorial Page Editor
Krys Fluker has just been named editorial page editor of the Daytona Beach News-Journal. FlaglerLive Editor Pierre Tristam cheers the appointment of his old colleague.
Wednesday Briefing: Wawa, Town Center Apartments, Fearless and Focused Women, Wellness
The Bulldog Drive Wawa takes a gulp closer to reality, the Palm Coast planning board approves a site plan for Town Center apartments, fearless women talk at a chamber function.
Sean Shaw v. Ashley Moody: Race for Attorney General Contrasts Activism With Status Quo
State Rep. Sean Shaw, the Democratic candidate for attorney general, vows to aggressively use the office to take on fraud and other issues, while Former Hillsborough County Circuit Judge Ashley Moody, the Republican candidate, wants to build on the work of her friend, the term-limited Bondi.
Tuesday Briefing: Canales Trial, Education Foundation, Palm Coast Electric Tax, Relief Truck, Gillum-DeSantis Debate
Gubernatorial candidates Andrew Gillum and Ron DeSantis debate, the Palm Coast council talks electric tax, the Flagler Education Foundation recognizes its donors on a new wall.
Palm Coast’s Shocking Electric Tax Scheme
Out of nowhere the Palm Coast City Council is about to ram through a large tax increase on residents and businesses with hardly any discussion, no hearings, no public education. No wonder we have tea parties.
Saying Scott ‘Exceeded His Authority,’ Supreme Court Rules Next Governor Will Appoint 3 Justices, Not Scott
The winner of the Nov. 6 election between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum “has the sole authority” to fill the court vacancies, the court ruled.
Monday Briefing: Relief Food Truck, No School, Candidates at Tiger Bay, Trial Week, Biometric Rifle Safes
The Flagler Tiger Bay Club hosts congressional candidate Nancy Soderberg, the county commission approves biometric safes and flack jackets for the sheriff’s school deputies, Ken Starr in palm Beach.
A Note to Readers on Our New Server
FlaglerLive switched to a new, more powerful server Saturday morning. But it takes up to 48 hours for the new Domain Name System (DNS) to propagate around the globe. That could create some confusion for some readers.
‘Marsy’s Law’ Protections for Crime Victims Sound Great, but Could Cause Problems
Giving crime victims constitutional rights equal to those of defendants sets up a clash over the accused person’s Sixth Amendment right to due process and the right to be presumed innocent until proven guilty.
We Need Cities of Resistance: Adaptation to Global Warming’s Cataclysms Is No Longer an Option
We can no longer champion the disingenuous framework of climate adaptation plans based on efforts to recycle, change light bulbs, eat less meat, in a future that everyone now knows is on the verge of collapse.
Amendment 4: With 1.4 Million Florida Felons Banned from Voting, Voters Will Decide On Restoring Right
Amendment 4 would automatically restore the right to vote for felons who have completed their sentences, paid restitution and fulfilled probation. Murderers and sex offenders would be excluded.
Weekend Briefing: Rocky Horror Show, FPC Homecoming, Soprano Anna Maria, Bike MS, Pink Army 5K, Pet Blessing
Another weekend very rich in all sorts of activities, musical theater, the Pink Army 5K, a pet blessing and fair, a soprano’s performance at the Arts Foundation, movie in the park, and plenty more.
‘Unimaginable’ Hurricane Devastation in Florida’s Panhandle as Long Recovery Begins
The Florida National Guard has deployed 3,500 members for search-and-rescue and humanitarian aid, with assistance from National Guard units from as far away as New York and Kansas.
Nearly 400,000 Without Power as Florida Shifts to Search and Rescue in Michael’s Wake
The Category 4 storm created storm surges up to 14 feet in areas, inflicted damages across Tyndall Air Force Base east of Panama City and spawned at least two “devastating” tornadoes in Gadsden County.
The GOP’s Kavanaugh Playbook Was Textbook Abusive Behavior
Kavanaugh defenders said a lot about the presumption of innocence. But in truth they were following a much more menacing playbook, common to many abusers called out for their behavior.
Category 4 Hurricane Michael Approaching Panhandle Landfall; Spared Flagler Sends Help
The storm is expected to speed through the Panhandle before moving into the Atlanta area and the Carolinas, Flagler County’s Suzanne Eubanks on Tuesday was deployed to go into Holmes County as part of the state’s Region 3 All Hazards Incident Management Team.
Scott Warns of Hurricane Michael’s ‘Devastation’ and Storm Surge, Flagler Calls Local Impact ‘Minimal’
Current bulletins from the National Weather Service for Flagler County include a high risk for rip currents, a high surf advisory, and a coastal flood advisory. The risk of tropical storm force winds has decreased to 20 percent.
Tuesday Briefing: Palm Coast Drones, a 350-ft Cell Tower, Party Registration Deadline, What Russia Wants
Last day to register to vote, rules for Palm Coast government’s drones, Flagler County seeks a permit for a 350-foot tower, a lecturer on what Russia wants.
‘Monstrous’ Hurricane Michael Aims For Panhandle, But Effects on Flagler Limited
Michael has the potential to be the strongest storm in the region since Hurricane Eloise swept across Bay County in September 1975 with 110 mph winds.
Monday Briefing: Robert Tarczewski, Trump in Orlando, Bunnell’s Charter Review, Containers as Business
The Bunnell City Commission considers charter changes to put before voters, Donald Trump speaks min Orlando, it’s homecoming week at FPC, Palm Coast has a couple of road closures, Mencken on lying presidents.
Tropical Storm Michael: Scott Declares State of Emergency for Panhandle; Impact on Flagler Uncertain
Though distant, what will become Tropical Storm Michael is expected to bring waves of heavy rainfall and embedded thunderstorms beginning Tuesday and persisting through late Thursday in the northeast Florida region.
Attorney General Launches Investigation of Catholic Priests’ Child Sex Abuse in All 7 Florida Dioceses
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who is leaving office in January due to term limits, said it is too early to know how many Floridians, former residents or visitors may have been molested.
Weekend Briefing: Creekside Festival, Pan-Am Dance, First Friday, Drug Court Fall Ride, Linda Cole
The Creekside Music and Art Festival at Princess Place, Hispanic-American Club’s Pan-American Dance, bikers for Drug Court, learning about the amendments, the Rotary’s Community Stars.
After Granting Stay, Supreme Court Clears Way for Execution of Murderer Jose Antonio Jimenez
Jimenez had cited a February execution of Death Row inmate Eric Branch, who reportedly screamed and made body movements as he was being executed, among reasons not to proceed.
Saint Kavanaugh
Whether Kavanaugh was confirmed or not is irrelevant: whoever’s next might be less personally sleazy, more temperamentally amoebic, but judicially? Same shill, different name.
Thursday Briefing: Active-Shooter Training, Wetlands Restoration Meeting, ITMS Band Fall Concert
The St. Johns Water Management District holds a community meetings on the controversial Flagler County Wetland Restoration Project, the Indian Trails band in concert, Mencken on art.
Judge Halts Florida’s Medical Pot Licensing Process Over Its Flawed Restrictions
The judge previously ruled that Florida health rules over medical pot were unconstitutional, and set a Wednesday deadline for the deficiencies with the law to be resolved. It passed.