The GOP’s Paul Renner, Byron Donalds and James Fishback all oppose legalizing recreational marijuana. Democrat David Jolly is one exception. He says the fact that a majority of Floridians voted to legalize cannabis in 2024 is why he supports making it legal.
Health & Society
Tax on Contraceptives Will Not Encourage Fertility
In an attempt to double the country’s rate of 1.0 children per woman, Beijing is reaching for a new tool: taxes on condoms, birth control pills and other contraceptives. As of Jan. 1, such items were subject to a 13% value-added tax. Meanwhile, services such as child care and matchmaking remain duty-free. These new moves will not have much, if any, effect on reversing the fertility rate decline to one of the world’s lowest and far below the 2.1 “replacement rate” needed to maintain a stable population.
Only 13 States’s Medicaid Still Cover GLP-1 Drugs to Treat Obesity, and More Are Dropping Out
Medicaid programs in California, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania and South Carolina have eliminated coverage of the drugs for weight loss, because the expense strained state budgets. The medications generally have been too expensive for people without insurance. In February, one of the largest producers of these drugs, Novo Nordisk, announced it would reduce their list prices to $675 per month in 2027.
From Anemia To Cancer Recovery, Phillip McKinney Found Healing Through Specialized Community Care Resources
Phillip McKinney used AdventHealth’s Community Care, which supports patients facing financial and social barriers in Flagler County, to navigate severe gastrointestinal bleeding and aggressive skin cancer. Social worker Briget Parkins coordinated his appointments, paperwork, and transportation through a nonprofit initiative that addresses nonmedical factors to prevent complications. McKinney eventually graduated from the program and now manages his health and housing independently.
MRNA Vaccine Misinformation Threatens Cancer Treatment Breakthroughs
Scientists are developing mRNA cancer vaccines to revolutionize tumor treatment through targeted immune system activation. This progress faces significant threats from the false turbo cancer narrative spreading across social media platforms. Such misinformation erodes public trust and influences critical patient decisions regarding therapy. Transparent communication and clinical engagement are necessary to ensure these medical innovations reach their full potential for saving lives globally.
As Florida Measles Cases Reach 134, DeSantis Again Orders Legislature to Loosen Vaccine Mandates
As the number of confirmed measles cases in Florida increases, so does Gov. Ron DeSantis’ passion to pass legislation to make it easier for parents to turn down the required vaccines for public school students. Florida this year has seen 134 confirmed measles cases as of April 23, the fourth most in the nation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Saturday in Byblos:
Charlie Sheen’s Addictive Book of Hedonism
Charlie Sheen survives his own history of addiction to deliver a surprising memoir in “The Book of Sheen,” a three-voice fugue of stardom, debauchery, and Casanova-like reflections. He skips the Hollywood trap of mawkish regret as his narrative energy and wit recount a life spent mostly in a drug-induced haze.
Ex-AdventHealth Nurse Avoids Prison Time in Plea to 5 Years’ Probation for Fraud and Unlicensed Practice
Autumn Marie Bardisa received five years of probation for practicing nursing without a license at AdventHealth Palm Coast. The 29-year-old treated over 4,000 patients using a stolen identity. Judge Dawn Nichols withheld adjudication and endorsed the plea deal, saying Bardisa had the the necessary medical training, excelled at her job, but showed incredible poor judgment. Bardisa eventually earned her license, but is surrendering it as part of the plea deal.
IPads in Kindergarten, YouTube at Snack Time: Parents Are Pushing Back
Many parents are shocked to discover that elementary schools now provide iPads to kindergartners for passive entertainment. This practice often involves children watching YouTube videos and commercials during school hours. Research suggests excessive screen use harms social development and attention spans. Consequently, parent advocacy groups are successfully pushing districts to limit devices. Some schools have started returning to paper-based learning and hands-on activities to prioritize student engagement.
Flagler County Is 6th Fastest Growing in Florida, with 25,000 New Residents Between 2020 and 2025
Flagler County added 25,000 residents between 2020 and 2025 to reach a total of 140,360 people. The 21.7 percent increase makes it the sixth fastest growing county in Florida. Most growth stems from domestic migration. The aging demographic influences local policy decisions, healthcare infrastructure, and public school enrollment trends. Growth slowed slightly during the most recent 12-month period reported recently.
AdventHealth Executive Outlines Looming Healthcare Crisis and Innovations to Solve Florida Medical Shortages
Florida faces massive nursing and physician shortages and rising costs from uncompensated care, AdventHealth East Florida Division President Rob Deininger told the Flagler Tiger Bay Club Tuesday. But technological innovations like artificial intelligence and telemedicine offer potential relief, as does expanding home-based hospital programs. His conclusion: Collaborative state-level experimentation remains essential for fixing the broken national healthcare value proposition for everyone today.
AdventHealth’s Free Sports Physicals And Heart Screenings to Flagler School Students Set for May
AdventHealth provides free sports physicals and electrocardiogram screenings to middle and high school students across Volusia and Flagler counties this spring. These exams are mandatory for students participating in athletics, band, and JROTC. Flagler County events are held May 20 and 21 at Flagler Palm Coast High School. The screenings help identify potential heart conditions.
She Was in Labor at a Florida Hospital. Then She Was in Zoom Court for Refusing a C-Section.
Cherise Doyley faced a bedside judicial hearing during active labor after refusing a C-section at a Jacksonville hospital. Doctors cited uterine rupture risks, yet Doyley prioritized her autonomy and recovery concerns. The court eventually authorized emergency intervention without her consent in a case that highlights how fetal personhood policies can strip pregnant patients of constitutional rights, leading to forced medical treatments and controversial legal precedents.
Rob Deininger, Head of AdventHealth’s East Florida Division, Addresses Flagler Tiger Bay March 24
Rob Deininger, president and chief executive officer of AdventHealth’s East Florida Division will headline the March 24 Flagler Tiger Bay Club luncheon at Hammock Dunes Club, focusing on the future of healthcare and the trends shaping the next decade.
Florida House Passes Contentious Legislation To Ban Local Government Funding For Diversity And Equity Initiatives
The Florida House approved SB 1134, a bill banning local governments from funding or promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Passing 77-37, the measure allows citizens to sue officials and empowers the governor to remove those in violation. GOP legislators claim DEI wastes taxpayer funds. Critics warn the vague language threatens cultural celebrations and marginalized communities. The bill now awaits Governor Ron DeSantis’ signature.
Big Beautiful Bill Cuts $665 Billion in State Medicaid Funds Over Next Decade
A new RAND Health analysis reveals that state Medicaid budgets will decrease by $665 billion over 10 years due to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. While the federal government saves $714 billion, states face varying impacts. California and New York see the largest cuts, while others may see general fund savings from reduced enrollment. Enrollment is expected to drop by 7.6 million by 2034.
Florida House Kills Bill to Expand Vaccine Exemptions
The Florida Senate is advancing a controversial bill to expand vaccine exemptions and allow over-the-counter ivermectin sales, despite House Speaker Daniel Perez stating the measure will not be heard. The bill excludes a total repeal of school mandates, but creates a new conscience-based opt-out category. The debate intensifies as Florida faces 124 measles cases in 2026, primarily linked to a university outbreak.
Florida House Passes Bill Granting Immunity to Gun Manufacturers Amid Sig Sauer Lawsuit Concerns
The Florida House passed HB 1551, a bill providing gun manufacturers immunity from certain products liability lawsuits. The 75-29 vote follows over $500,000 in campaign contributions from Sig Sauer, which faces litigation over its P320 pistols. While the House approved the measure, the Senate version remains stalled in committee with only 1 week remaining in the current legislative session.
Flagler Cares And Local Radio Stations Join in Neighbors Helping Neighbors Help-A-Thon For Families in Crises
Flagler Broadcasting will host the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Help-A-Thon this Friday to raise $25,000 for the Flagler Cares Barrier Fund. The event, simulcast on four local stations, encourages businesses to donate in-kind services and funds to help residents overcome sudden life-derailing obstacles. By providing “hand up” assistance rather than permanent welfare, the initiative seeks to stabilize families and foster a self-sustaining local community.
Flager Cares Impact: How Care Coordination Helped a Person in Need Move From Silence to Connection
Flagler Cares provides essential one-on-one support to community members facing complex barriers. When a deaf client struggled to complete mandatory interviews for food assistance, a care coordinator facilitated the process through lip-reading and secured her benefits. The support extended further as the agency helped her obtain free assistive phone-captioning technology, restoring her independence and ensuring she remains connected to vital services and family.
Bill To Allow Easier School Vaccine Opt-Outs Heads to Senate Floor Despite Rising Measles Cases
A Florida Senate panel approved SB 1756, a bill allowing parents to opt out of school-required vaccinations based on “conscience.” The move comes despite Florida ranking third nationally with 107 confirmed measles cases this year. Lawmakers also rejected an amendment that would have permitted private schools to maintain their own mandates. With 10 days left in the session, the House has yet to hear the proposal.
AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation’s Events Raise More than $150,000 to Support Surgical Care
The AdventHealth Palm Coast Foundation raised more than $150,000 during its annual Gala Golf Classic on Feb. 27 and Moonlit Gala dinner on March 1, welcoming more than 275 attendees. Proceeds will support surgical services and nursing initiatives at AdventHealth Palm Coast and AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway.
Florida Ranks Third Nationwide in Confirmed Measles Cases as Senate Advances Vaccine Exemption Bill
Florida currently ranks third nationwide in confirmed measles cases, with the CDC reporting 107 cases and the state health department officially tracking 104 cases primarily affecting 15- to 24-year-olds. Despite highly contagious outbreaks and immunization rates dropping below the required 95% threshold for herd immunity, the Florida Senate is advancing legislation to allow parents to opt out of vaccinating their children based on conscientious objections.
Controversial Bill Allowing Armed Civilians On Florida College Campuses Advances After House Approval
The Florida House of Representatives recently passed a bill expanding the school guardian program to state colleges and universities. The legislation allows college presidents to designate faculty and staff to carry concealed weapons on campus. While supporters cite safety concerns following previous campus violence, opponents question the adequacy of the proposed training and highlight funding disparities for law enforcement between colleges and state universities.
Flagler County Commissioner Kim Carney Launches File of Life Initiative to Ensure End-of-Life Wishes
Flagler County Vice Chair Kim Carney launched the File of Life initiative to help residents properly document their end-of-life medical directives. Inspired by the loss of her mother, Carney donated funds to provide specialized kits containing necessary yellow Do Not Resuscitate forms and magnetic holders. Now, Flagler County Fire Rescue Community Paramedics are distributing these kits to ensure first responders legally honor patient wishes.
Flagler Schools Update Mandatory ECG Testing Policy for Student Athletes, This Time Without Controversy
Flagler County is updating its mandatory electrocardiogram testing policy for student athletes to align with new state legislation that mirrors the district’s pioneering rules. The school board on Tuesday voted to advance changes requiring students in athletics and marching bands to complete screenings every two years. The district’s ongoing partnership with AdventHealth provides free clinics, which recently saved a local basketball player from cardiac emergencies.
Florida Patients and Doctors Scramble As Proposed AIDS Drug Program Cuts Threaten Care And Public Health
Proposed budget cuts by the Florida Department of Health threaten the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which helps low-income residents access vital HIV medications and insurance coverage. Tightened eligibility requirements and restricted drug options could leave thousands without lifesaving treatment, likely increasing transmission rates and public health costs. Advocacy groups have filed lawsuits to block these changes while the legislature debates additional program funding options.
Florida Senate Unanimously Passes Public Registry for Animal Abusers
The Florida Senate unanimously passed a bill to create a public registry for individuals convicted of animal abuse, maintained by the Department of Law Enforcement. The legislation also aims to crack down on puppy mills by introducing consumer protections, eliminating limits on recoverable veterinary costs, and establishing a voluntary best-practices program for dog breeders. A companion bill is currently advancing through the Florida State House.
Cold-Weather Shelter for Homeless and Others Open Feb. 22-24
The Sheltering Tree will open the Flagler County cold-weather shelter Sunday through Tuesday night, Feb. 22-24, as a cold brings nighttime temperatures below 40.
Parental Rights or Parental Property? The Looming Threat to Florida’s Minors
Florida is tightening control over youth autonomy through legislation requiring parental consent for essential medical care and state-mandated censorship of university curricula. By replacing sociology with sanitized history and restricting academic freedom, officials aim to shield students from diverse ideas. These efforts to blinker the next generation often backfire, as students naturally resist censorship and seek out forbidden knowledge.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputies De-escalate Standoff After Manic Man Reaches for Replica Gun
Flagler County deputies on Monday successfully de-escalated a volatile encounter with a frantic man wielding a realistic-looking pepper ball gun, extending the agency’s 13-year record without a fatal officer-involved shooting. The incident followed days of delusional 911 calls by the suspect, who was safely detained for a mental health evaluation despite resisting arrest and attempting to flee.
Stark Appeal Bares Human Cost Behind Flagler County’s Pending Elimination of Adult Day Care Program
Putting a human face on a potentially devastating and looming budget cut, Palm Coast resident Stephen De Garmo, 82, urged the Flagler County Commission to preserve its threatened adult day care program, a vital resource for his wife, Rene, who suffers from Alzheimer’s. The commission chair was sympathetic and noted potential nonprofit alternatives. But the program faces elimination due to its dearth of clients and anticipated revenue shortfalls from proposed state property tax changes.
2026 UNF MedNexus Innovation Challenge: ‘Addressing Loneliness in a Connected World’
The fifth annual UNF MedNexus Innovation Challenge will be hosted by the City of Palm Coast on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Palm Coast Community Center. This year’s theme, “Addressing Loneliness in a Connected World,” encourages students to examine how social isolation persists despite constant digital connection and to develop creative solutions that promote mental, emotional, and community well-being.
Flagler Cares Announces First ‘Neighbors Helping Neighbors’ Radio Help-A-Thon March 6
Flagler Cares is launching its inaugural Neighbors Helping Neighbors Help-A-Thon, a live radio fundraiser airing March 6 on Flagler Broadcasting stations. The event seeks monetary donations and professional services to assist residents facing housing, health, and employment challenges. Sponsored by local businesses, the broadcast aims to connect community resources with families navigating urgent crises.
Florida House Battles Senate to Dismantle Post Parkland Gun Laws
Florida House Republicans are pushing HB 6029 to repeal the state’s 2018 risk-protection order law, which allows for temporary firearm confiscation from dangerous individuals. Despite the House’s repeated attempts to roll back Parkland-era restrictions, Senate President Ben Albritton remains a staunch opponent of the repeal, citing the law’s effectiveness in preventing mass violence. With over 19,000 orders issued since its inception, the law faces intense Second Amendment scrutiny but currently lacks a Senate sponsor.
Unmask ICE. End the Rittenhousing of America.
Masked ICE agents operate with dangerous impunity typical of paramilitaries and militias in third-world countries. It’s time to take off their masks, end their immunity, require bodycams, and to diminish the undisciplined violence of amateurs, prevent any agent hired within the past year to be in the streets.
Footage and Documents Contradict DHS Accounts of Violent Immigration Crackdown Incidents
Growing discrepancies between official Department of Homeland Security accounts and video evidence have sparked a crisis of accountability regarding federal immigration enforcement. While DHS frequently cites self-defense in use-of-force incidents, court records and bystander footage often suggest otherwise. Despite a federal judge’s recent ruling that characterized official testimony as “not credible,” legal doctrines like qualified immunity and the limitations of the Federal Tort Claims Act continue to make holding individual agents responsible nearly impossible.
Controversial Education Bill Mandating Anti-Abortion Videos and Campus ICE Access Moves Forward
A Florida House subcommittee approved HB 1071, a huge education bill that mandates 6th-12th grade lessons on fetal development, including specific video-watching requirements. The legislation also prohibits spending on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and requires school administrators to grant law enforcement, including ICE, full campus access. While proponents argue the bill focuses on merit and biological facts, critics raise concerns regarding medical accuracy, potential ICE presence on campuses, and the erosion of inclusive programming.
Who Will Pay? Palm Coast Debates Future Growth Assumptions as It Approves New Bond and $582 Million Debt
The Palm Coast City Council unanimously approved a historic $330 million bond to fund essential water and sewer infrastructure improvements and refinance existing debt. Totaling $582 million with interest over 30 years, the loan sparked debate regarding its reliance on future population growth to offset ratepayer costs. While critics and candidates voiced concerns over the financial burden on current residents, city officials argued the investment is necessary to prevent utility failures and ensure long-term service.
AdventHealth’s Freytag Cancer Center’s First Year Expands Access to Cancer Care
As the need for timely, specialized cancer care continues to rise in Flagler County, the Freytag Cancer Center at AdventHealth Palm Coast has emerged as a vital resource for individuals and families facing a new diagnosis. During its first year, nearly 600 people turned to the center for care, showcasing the importance of accessible, coordinated oncology services in the community.
As Angel Sexton, 27, Is Sentenced to Prison, Mother Describes Family Wrecked By Sexual Assault of Her Son, 13
A Circuit Judge sentenced Palm Coast resident Angel Sexton, 27, to six years in prison followed by nine years of probation for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old relative. During the sentencing, the victim’s mother delivered a long statement describing the profound betrayal and trauma that derailed her family’s move to Florida and demolished family relationships and trust, causing psychological and physical damage. Sexton remained silent, as is common in negotiated pleas where the sentence is predetermined.
AdventHealth Palm Coast Among Forbes’ Inaugural List of America’s Top Hospitals
Most people don’t think about hospital rankings until they’re facing a real decision: where to go, who to trust, how close is close enough. A new national ranking from Forbes offers added clarity for families across Flagler, Lake and Volusia counties, naming six AdventHealth hospitals among America’s Top Hospitals.
Killing Renee Nicole Good and Stand Your Ground
Seen through Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, the killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minnesota highlights the dangerous subjectivity of moment-of-threat self-defense claims and the equally dangerous expansion of law enforcement immunity, which weakens reasonable use-of-force standards and immunizes lethal vigilantism.
Florida Obamacare Enrollment Sees Sharpest Drop in 12 Years
The number of Floridians relying on a federal health care exchange established under the Affordable Care Act has dropped by more than 261,000 people after Republicans in Congress let expire the enhanced premium tax credits that help hold down coverage costs.
Palm Coast Couple Faces Felony Charges After Toddler and Elderly Relative Found in Unlivable Conditions
Nikolas Cummings and Tashaye Brown were arrested in Palm Coast after authorities discovered a toddler and an 87-year-old man living in extreme filth. Flagler County deputies found the home infested with cockroaches, which were seen crawling over the sleeping child. The elderly victim was found on a soiled mattress, neglected and unable to access proper food or medicine. Both suspects face felony charges for child and elderly neglect.
The New Face of Homelessness: Flagler County Shelter Sees Occupancy Double Amid Affordability Crisis
Flagler County’s cold-weather shelter, The Sheltering Tree, is experiencing a significant surge in demand as freezing temperatures arrive. Rising housing costs, increased healthcare premiums, and recent federal benefit disruptions have pushed many working-class residents into housing instability. Local officials report that occupancy has doubled, with many guests arriving directly from their jobs. Supported by local churches and county-provided transportation, the volunteer-run operation struggles to meet the growing needs of a community in crisis.
‘That Pains Me’: Flagler Commission Will End $359,000 Senior Daycare Program Amid Tax Revenue Concerns
In a major retreat from safety-net responsibilities, the Flagler County Commission is shutting down the $359,000 adult day care program it’s managed for two decades. Commissioners agreed at a workshop on Monday to close the program by the end of the fiscal year in September. Commissioners cited unsustainable subsidies helping too few clients. Some 25 to 50 clients who may have no alternative will be affected. Fearing future property tax revenue cuts from state legislation, the county will now develop an exit plan for the program’s remaining vulnerable clients.
FDLE Publishes Study to Improve Understanding of Officer Suicide
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) today announced the publication of its first peer‑reviewed scholarly study, marking a major advancement in state-level efforts to better understand suicide among active and former law enforcement and corrections professionals.
Palm Coast Partnership Creates New Space for Residents to Honor Deceased Pets at Holland Park
The Saving Missing Animals Response Team (S.M.A.R.T.) of Flagler County will dedicate “The Rainbow Bridge” pet memorial at Holland Park on Saturday, Jan. 17, at 10 a.m. Created with the City of Palm Coast, the permanent installation allows residents to purchase engraved tags in memory of pets, supporting local animal rescue.
Usual Suspects Line Up Against Recreational Pot Initiative
In filings to the Florida Supreme Court on Friday, Attorney General James Uthmeier, the Florida Chamber of Commerce, and Associated Industries of Florida are condemning the Adult Personal Use of Marijuana amendment, in what is a preview of oral arguments before the High Court next month.