A global assessment led by Zeb Hogan reveals a devastating collapse in migratory freshwater fish populations. Nearly 100 percent of species listed under international treaties face extinction risks. Dams and overfishing break vital river connections across 250 international borders. Restoration requires keeping rivers free-flowing and protecting floodplains. These disappearing migrations threaten the essential food security and the diverse cultural traditions of millions of people worldwide.
All Else
Parents and Florida’s Teachers Union Sue State Over Universal Vouchers, Calling them Unconstitutional
Parents and the Florida Education Association argue in a 39-page filing in state trial court in Leon County that state dollars funding private school vouchers don’t conform to the Florida’s Constitution’s charge requiring “uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools.”
Catherine Pepper Wickline Wilson, 1930-2026
Author and Flagler Beach Historical Museum Founder Leaves a Lasting Legacy
Catherine Pepper Wickline Wilson, a dedicated community leader, historian, and musician, passed away peacefully at the age of 95 at her home surrounded by family. A longtime resident of Flagler Beach, she leaves behind a legacy of civic service and cultural contributions.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, May 5, 2026
The Palm Coast City Council meets, Flagler Beach’s Planning Board meets to celebrate Chair Suzie Johnston’s 45th birthday, The Flagler Beach Library Writers’ Group meets at the Flagler Beach library, another Jim Thompson excerpt.
Gas Prices Spike 40 Cents in a Week in Florida, to $4.34/Gallon Average
Gas prices in Florida spiked an average of 40 cents over the past week, the second-largest one-week jump since the start of the conflict in Iran. In Flagler County on Monday, gas was selling for $4.37 a gallon at many stations along State Road 100 and $4.39 along Palm Coast Parkway.
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.
Lawsuit Calls Florida’s New Congressional Map ‘One of the Most Extreme Gerrymanders’ in US History
A lawsuit has been filed against the Florida congressional redistricting map signed into law Monday by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Equal Ground Education Fund, a Black-led organization that works to increase Black political power in Florida, filed a 71-page lawsuit in the Second Judicial Circuit in Leon County on behalf of 18 individual plaintiffs who live throughout the state. The suit seeks declaratory and injunctive relief to stop the new map from going into effect.
Palm Coast’s Katrina Hatzl, 29, Dies In Night Crash On U.S. 1
Katrina Lyn Hatzl died Friday night after losing control of her Chevrolet Impala on U.S. 1 in Palm Coast. A witness reported the vehicle sped past his van and overcorrected before striking a guard rail then flipping into a concrete embankment. Hatzl, the mother of two young daughters, previously ran a business called Katrina’s Crystals, more recently changed to Kat’s Crystal Creations.
Educator and Business Owner Rob Wood Challenges Will Furry For School Board, Citing Civility and Experience
Robert Wood has entered the Flagler County School Board District 2 race to challenge incumbent Will Furry. A conservative educator Wood wants to restore prestige and functional civility to a board frequently defined by discord. He brings extensive leadership experience from Western Governors University and the Air Force, and as a local business owner. . He advocates for relationship-driven governance.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, May 4, 2026
The Palm Coast City Council holds a “retreat” at the Southern Recreation Center, the County Commission meets, the Beverly Beach Town Commission meets, crime novelist Jim Thompson’s Library of America volume.
China Surpasses U.S. In Research While Disinvestment In Basic Science Could Shrink American Economy By Trillions
China now outspends the United States in research and development, marking a structural shift in global scientific leadership. This milestone follows China surpassing the U.S. in patents and highly cited publications. American disinvestment in basic science and tightening research security risk eroding the institutional capacity needed to utilize new knowledge. Without sustained federal support, the U.S. faces significant long-term economic contraction and talent loss.
The Cult of Civics Education Plagues Us Again
Americans have historically demonstrated a profound ignorance regarding their own history and government structures. This lack of academic knowledge did not prevent the nation from thriving or winning wars. Current efforts to mandate civics education often serve as a thin veil for nationalist indoctrination. These movements prioritize submissive obedience over actual empowerment. True American strength relies on cultural dynamism rather than memorizing trivia.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, May 3, 2026
Last performance of ‘Line’ and ‘All In the Timing’ and last performance of the season at City Rep Theatre Simenon’s existentialism, Bill Murray’s energy, “The Sound of Music” at Athens Theatre.
Memo to the West: You Will Not Win the Middle East
The war between the United States, Israel, and Iran lacks a definitive conclusion. Tehran maintains a strategic advantage by defining victory as mere survival. Depleted American missile inventories and divergent allied goals complicate efforts to achieve decisive results. This prolonged stalemate creates systemic risks for global energy markets. Force alone cannot resolve this deeply complex regional entanglement.
Immigration Sweeps Lead to Tens of Thousands More ‘Collateral’ Arrests of Noncriminals in 7 Months
A quarter of immigration arrests since August were labeled by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as “collateral,” a type of arrest and detention that’s been challenged in court as an end run around civil rights. Public outrage and lawsuits over the arrests may be tamping down the large-scale sweeps that foster them, but tens of thousands were arrested this way between August and early March.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Paws For Music: Community Cats Fundraiser at 1405 Saloon, Palm Coast Library Bookfest, ‘Line’ and ‘All In the Timing’ At City Rep Theatre, when a Texas school board banned a textbook over a paragraph on capitalism.
Job Performance Reviews Are Outdated and Often Pointless
Traditional performance reviews are failing the modern workforce because they focus on retrospective assessments and reductive metrics. Employees often view these systems as significant failures yet keep using them due to institutional habits and a false sense of objectivity. Effective management requires a shift toward continuous feedback and adaptable objectives to better reflect the collaborative and creative nature of contemporary professional work environments.
Fifth Year MedNexus Challenge Crowns Team ConnectHer
The next generation of healthcare innovators took the stage at the Palm Coast Community Center, presenting bold, community-focused solutions during the 2026 UNF MedNexus Innovation Challenge. Team ConnectHer, mentored by Dr. Riggs-Achorn, earned first place, with each student receiving a $1,000 scholarship.
Turmoil at Flagler Beach Fire Department as 5 Firefighters, Including Deputy Chief and Morgan Rainey, Resign
The Flagler Beach Fire Department is facing a leadership crisis as five firefighters tendered their resignations almost on the same day. High-profile departures include Deputy Chief Jennifer Fiveash and veteran Morgan Rainey. Personnel cite intimidation and lack of support under Chief Stephen Cox. City Manager Dale Martin is investigating the internal culture as Cox attributes the friction to chronic understaffing and low pay. Mutual aid from neighboring departments ensures continued public safety coverage.
New Investigative Details Reveal How a Deputy’s Shooting Practice Nearly Killed An 11-Year-Old Boy
A newly released affidavit describes how a projectile allegedly fired by Flagler County Sheriff’s deputy Bryan Jackson from an agency-issued AR-15 grazed an 11-year-old boy inside his home. Detectives navigated obstacles including missing surveillance footage. FBI trajectory analysis conclusively linked the shot to Jackson’s private firing range, as detectives also discovered that one of hisberms had been built on an adjoining property without the property owner’s permission.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, May 1, 2026
‘Line’ and ‘All In the Timing’ enters its final weekend at City Rep Theatre, First Friday in Flagler Beach, “The Sound of Music” at Athens Theatre, consumer confidence at an all-time low.
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.
Chernobyl at 40: Secret Files Reveal Extent of Soviet Lies
Forty years after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, declassified Stasi records reveal the calculated extent of Soviet misinformation. These secret files show that officials prioritized national reputation over public safety by falsifying press releases and hiding radiation data. The documents also expose a cynical plan to export contaminated food. This systemic dishonesty ultimately eroded public trust and contributed significantly to the eventual collapse of the regime.
Florida Democrats and Civil Rights Organizations Prepare For Court Battle Over New Redistricting
DeSantis’ redrawn congressional maps sparked immediate threats of legal action from advocacy groups as critics argue the mid-decade changes violate the state’s Fair Districts Amendment. The governor claims a recent Supreme Court ruling justifies the move. Opponents describe the plan as a partisan power grab designed to dilute minority voting power and secure Republican seats before the 2026 elections.
Sheriff’s Deputy Bryan Jackson Who Fired AR-15 Shot that Struck 11-Year-Old Is Charged with Misdemeanor
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office charged Deputy Bryan Jackson with culpable negligence after a bullet from his daughter’s AR-15 grazed an 11-year-old boy in a neighboring house. Jackson currently performs administrative duties. The State Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case after the FBI reconstructed the shooting from Jackson’s makeshift backyard range.
Teachers and Students in Flagler Schools Are Now Using AI Extensively and Routinely. Here’s How.
Flagler County schools report nearly universal adoption of artificial intelligence among faculty and staff. Students in secondary grades frequently use digital tools for classroom assignments and independent research, and a version of AI is accessible for students in all grades. District leaders compare this technological shift to the early days of the internet. School board members remain focused on data privacy, academic integrity, and student safety.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, April 30, 2026
Satchel Walton, an imminent graduate in journalism from UNC, worries about his industry and the truth, “The Sound of Music” at Athens Theatre, John Oliver on journalism.
Supreme Court’s Voting Rights Act Ruling Alters Landscape of Elections
The Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision striking down a Black-majority district in Louisiana reinterprets Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act to make racial discrimination harder to prove. Conservative justices argued the district was an unconstitutional gerrymander. Minority plaintiffs now face significant legal hurdles in challenging future maps. These changes carry major implications for partisan control in the 2026 midterm elections.
Florida House Approves DeSantis’ Congressional Redistricting Map in 90 Minutes
The Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday morning passed the congressional redistricting map presented to them by Gov. Ron DeSantis, which could give Republicans up to four new congressional districts. DeSantis’s legal team argues that federal law overrides state Fair District Amendments regarding minority representation. Democrats allege illegal partisan gerrymandering designed to aid 2026 midterm goals. The Florida Supreme Court will likely decide the constitutionality of this race-neutral approach.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Clay Jones on Kash Patel’s frat boy acts, Conversations in Democracy, noon to 1 p.m. at Pine Lakes Golf Club Clubhouse, 10 of Blaise Pascal’s Pensées if Trump were tweeting them.
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.
Florida Capitol Protesters Denounce Special Session’s Secret Congressional Redistricting Maps
Approximately 150 protesters gathered outside the Florida Capitol Tuesday as the House of Representatives convened inside, chanting “Hey hey, ho ho, rigged maps have got to go.” The gathering of protesters countered the Florida House’s quick floor session on the first day of a special session called to debate congressional redistricting. (The Senate convened later in the day.)
Taxpayer Cost of Private School Vouchers in Flagler County Surges to $19 Million as District Enrollment Falls
Flagler County public schools lost $400,000 in funding and 100 students between fall and January financial and enrollment calculations as private school subsidies of vouchers surged 20 percent since last year. State voucher spending reached $19.2 million dollars this year. District enrollment remains stagnant despite significant population growth, and budget transparency issues persist because state calculations combine voucher funds with district allocations.
Missing Records and Financial Desperation Undermine Marineland’s Hope to Reopen Marina Contract
The Marineland Town Commission seeks to renegotiate its contract with Mobius Marine, manager of the town’s 20-slip marina, to increase stagnant revenue. Marina earnings grew 179 percent since 2014. The town receives only $18,000 annually, without inflation adjustments. Attorneys warn that missing records undermine the town’s legal standing. Procedural failures regarding the 2023 contract extension further complicate efforts to extract higher payments from the marina.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
It’s school board day, with the 1 p.m. workshop and 6 p.m. meeting, the Flagler County Affordable Housing Committee, the Flagler Beach Library Writers’ Group meets, a few thoughts about Pascal.
Divisive Rhetoric Fuels Rising Political Violence
The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner underscores a dangerous escalation in American political violence fueled by intense polarization, dehumanizing rhetoric, and widespread disinformation. These factors erode trust in democratic institutions.
Florida’s Average Teacher Salary Is Lowest in the Nation
The national union’s annual rankings for teacher pay put Florida’s average starting salary of $49,435 at 19th in the nation. It’s overall average teacher salary of $56,663 ranks 50th among the 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Flagler Beach’s 6th Street Deli Among 1st Tenants as Promenade in Palm Coast’s Town Center Recruits
The $79 million mixed-use Promenade project in Palm Coast’s Town Center secured among its initial commercial tenants Flagler Beach’s 6th Street Deli and Fleet Feet as recruiting for the complex continues before late summer openings. Palm Coast is offering significant economic incentives to attract businesses there, though an attempt to attract a craft brewery fell flat. The Promenade includes 204 apartments and 68,000 square feet of retail space.
Their Answer to Florida’s Housing Crisis: Smaller Lot Sizes and Granny Flats
Although there’s no “silver bullet” to cure Florida’s affordable housing crisis, an argument is gaining ground that smaller lot sizes can be a significant part of the solution, as might be allowances for accessory dwelling units, sometimes called granny flats or in-law units, or ADUs.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, April 27, 2026
The Bunnell City Commission meets, John Darkow’s take on artificial intelligence, that creepy half-marathon with robots in Beijing, when Gary Kasparov won and lost to Deep Blue.
The Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Eye on Dark Matter
Everything in space – from the Earth and Sun to black holes – accounts for just 15% of all matter in the universe. The rest of the cosmos seems to be made of an invisible material astronomers call dark matter. With the release of its first images this month, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory has begun a 10-year mission to help unravel the mystery of dark matter. The observatory will continue the legacy of its namesake, a trailblazing astronomer who advanced our understanding of the other 85% of the universe.
David Jolly and Jerry Demings Are Competitive with Byron Donalds, Stetson Poll Shows
The Stetson University’s Center for Public Opinion Research survey is the latest to show a potentially competitive General Election between Byron Donalds, David Jolly and Jerry Demings in a state national Democrats wrote off until recently.
Florida’s Bold Search For Terrorists Behind Every Bush
Environmentalists, religious groups, and even failing football programs could face state sanctions now that a new law giving Florida’s governor the authority to designate terrorist organizations is on the books. We can only conclude these organizations have been taken over by our enemies to sap our resolve.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, April 26, 2026
‘Line’ and ‘All In the Timing’ At City Rep Theatre, Dead Men Tell No Tales at the Palm Coast Community Center, deporting Afghan collaborators to Congo, David Ignatius on the Iran war.
Sorry, Tampa Bay, Mixed‑Use Districts Don’t Reverse the Dismal Economics Of Sports Venues
What do mixed-use projects around sports venues mean for host communities? Sports venues don’t generate a financial windfall for host cities. The overwhelming evidence regarding the limited economic benefits of stadiums has produced a strong consensus among economists that sports venues are not worthwhile public investments.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, April 25, 2026
‘Line’ and ‘All In the Timing’ At City Rep Theatre, Gamble Jam, Dead Men Tell No Tales…. Or Do They? Murder Mystery Dinner Show at the Palm Coast Community Center, “The Sound of Music” at Athens Theatre.
Trump’s Vote by Mail Ban: ‘A Solution Looking for a Problem’
Former federal judge John E. Jones III argues that the recent executive order regarding mail-in voting is unconstitutional. Article 1, Section 4 of the Constitution grants states authority over election procedures. The order relies on false premises of widespread fraud and inaccurate voter rolls. Twenty-three states are currently suing to block this federal overreach. Jones asserts that the mandate will likely fail judicial scrutiny.
Investigative Services Division Chief Agustin “Augie” Rodriguez Graduates Commanders Academy
Flagler County Sheriff’s Investigative Services Division Chief Agustin “Augie” Rodriguez graduated from Class 18 of the Florida Sheriffs Association’s Commanders Academy, the Sheriff’s Office reports.
Don’t Let Palm Coast’s Westward Invasion Sprawl Over Old Brick Road
Walden Pond serves as a grim cautionary tale for Flagler County preservationists as the colossal western expansion of Palm Coast threatens Old Brick Road. County commissioners are right to demand wide buffers and forbid at-grade crossings. Saving what remains of the historic Dixie Highway requires resisting developer logic that prioritizes proximity over true natural preservation.
Supreme Court Denies Coastal Church’s Emergency Request to Resume Services in Flagler Beach Shopping Center
The Florida Supreme Court denied Flagler Beach’s Coastal Family Church’s request to hold in-person services during ongoing litigation, leaving in place a lower court injunction based on restrictive shopping center covenants. The property owner argues that public assemblies at the Flagler Beach shopping center violate agreements. Pastor Roderick Palmer faces separate legal woes from a credit card debt lawsuit and a foreclosure action involving a local property.