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.
Main Content
Daily Cartoon and Briefing
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
Palm Coast Man Arrested for Plucking the Chicken in Front of Minor at Chick-Fil-A Drive-Thru
Luke Mathew Dudkewic, a 33-year-old resident of Palm Coast, faces a second degree felony charge of exhibitionism following his arrest over an allegedly lewd and enraptured exposure to a minor employee in the drive-thru line at Chick-fil-A last Friday. Dudkewic is denying any intentional wrongdoing.
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.
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.
More Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
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.
Chamber President Phillips Joins Broadcast as WNZF Announces FPC and Matanzas Football Broadcast Schedule
Flagler Broadcasting Sports Director Mike Lischio released the 2026 high school football broadcast schedule this week, marking the 18th season of local coverage on WNZF Radio. The slate includes 10 games over 12 weeks, anchored by district rivalries and the 18th annual Potato Bowl.
Profit and Loss Statements Required of PTOs and Fundraisers? 2 School Board Members Object to New Policy
The Flagler County school district is proposing a policy requiring stricter accounting practices for parent-teacher organizations, booster clubs and individuals raising money for schools. District officials admit no fraud exists to justify these administrative burdens. School Board members Janie Ruddy and Lauren Ramirez argue the rules will discourage volunteers, if not fundraising. The proposal remains inconclusive.
Palm Coast Planning Board Receptive to Ending Longtime Ban On Electronic Business Signs
The Palm Coast Planning Board boosted a plan to lift a 27-year ban on electronic business signs in the city. The proposed ordinance allows digital displays on major commercial corridors under strict city regulations. Concerns remain regarding enforcement on mobile vehicle signs and residential proximity.
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.
14-Year-Old FPC Student Faces Felony For ‘Dark Humor’ SnapChat Threat Despite Voluntarily Reporting It
A 14-year-old Flagler Palm Coast High School student faces a second-degree felony charge for posting a school shooting threat on Snapchat even though the student and his mother voluntarily met with a school resource officer to disclose the joke.
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.
Flagler Sheriff’s Deputy Kaleem Chohan, 24, Fired After Domestic Violence Arrest
The Flagler County Sheriff today fired first-year deputy Kaleem Suhail Chohan following his arrest Sunday on a battery charge involving his sister. The charge is a first-degree misdemeanor. He would have normally been suspended without pay pending the disposition of the case. Singe he was three days shy of his probation ending, he was fired.
Proposed Charter Amendments Would Address Council Removals, Vacancy Appointments and Debt Limits
Palm Coast officials narrowed over a dozen charter proposals to three priority amendments for the November ballot. The measures establish formal procedures for removing council members, refine the process for filling vacancies, and double the city’s general fund debt limit to $30 million. Some proposals are closer to final language than others.
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.
The Live Calendar: Today in Flagler
May 2026
May 02 2026
Flagler Beach Farmers Market
In Front of Flagler Beach City Hall
May 02 2026
Flagler Beach All Stars Beach Clean-Up
May 02 2026
Coffee With Flagler Beach Commission Chair Scott Spradley
Law Office of Scott Spradley
May 02 2026
Home and Garden Show at Nexus Center
Nexus Center
May 02 2026
Grace Community Food Pantry on Education Way
Flagler School District Bus Depot
May 02 2026
Palm Coast Library Bookfest
Flagler County Main Public Library
May 02 2026
Book Dragons, the Kids’ Book Club, at Flagler Beach Public Library
315 South 7th Street, Flagler Beach
May 02 2026
Paws For Music: Community Cats Fundraiser
1405 Saloon
May 02 2026
“The Sound of Music,” at Athens Theatre
Athens Theatre
May 02 2026
‘Line’ and ‘All In the Timing’ At City Rep Theatre
City Repertory Theatre at City Marketplace
May 02 2026
Random Acts of Insanity Standup Comedy
Cinematique of Daytona Beach
May 03 2026
ESL Bible Studies for Intermediate and Advanced Students
Grace Presbyterian Church
No event found!
The Conversation
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.
Florida and Beyond
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.
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.
More Florida and Beyond
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Commentary
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.
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.
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.
Sponsored Content
OpenAI Stock Forecast: Evaluating the Long-Term Prospects in AI
Artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, offering unprecedented efficiency and innovation. Among leading AI enterprises, OpenAI has emerged as a central figure, developing transformative technologies with applications ranging from natural language processing to enterprise solutions.
The Key Causes of Financial Gaps Among Families in Flagler County
Flagler County has a cost of living score of 98.7, meaning that it is 1.3% lower than the US national average. However, the same applies to wages. An average resident’s income tends to be 7% lower compared to what people earn across the nation. On top of that, county residents face challenges associated with housing, […]