Israel’s massacres, systematic destruction of villages and towns and historical fabrications to annex Palestinian and Lebanese lands amount to war crimes and genocide according to the definition of the Geneva Conventions, and are enabled by American military support and media complicity.
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Daily Cartoon and Briefing
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, May 9, 2026
Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
Palm Coast City Manager McGlothlin Postpones Raydient Development Review as It Needs ‘More Work’
Two weeks before the proposed Raydient order to develop 22,000 homes west of U.S. 1 was to go before the city’s Planning Board, Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin said today that the whole process is being postponed to allow for better vetting. He did not provide a new timeline though one may be issued next week. The development’s new proposal includes industrial set-asides for animal feed lots and livestock operations, the deep well injection of waste products, dog, hog and poultry farms, and incinerator plants.
At Palm Coast Manager Mike McGlothlin’s Coffee Talk with Residents, It’s About Growth, Traffic and Westward Ho
Palm Coast City Manager Mike McGlothlin hosted his third monthly coffee chat at St. Joe’s Plaza this morning as residents raised pointed concerns regarding the expansion westward, traffic congestion, speedsters on Woodbury Drive, and infrastructure issues. McGlothlin maintains a congenial rapport with the public in a session free of acrimony even as it was rich in pointed questions and comments.
Flagler Beach Planning Board Member Had Explicitly Asked Pastor if He Had Shopping Center’s Permission for Church
When the church was seeking a special zoning exception from the city, a brief exchange between a Flagler Beach Planning Board member and Roderick Palmer, the pastor of Coastal Family Church, all but anticipated the lawsuit Palmer has been battling since January. The board member had asked Palmer explicitly, twice, if he had permission from the shopping center’s property association to run a church at Flagler Square. The answer was non-committal.
More Flagler, Palm Coast & Other Local
City Council Backs Mayor’s Effort to Identify Hidden History Across Land Slated For Raydient’s 22,000 Homes
Palm Coast Mayor Mike Norris secured council support to negotiate unfettered land access for historical societies within a 22,000-acre development site west of U.S. 1, known as the western expansion. Raydient plans to build 22,000 homes over three decades but preservationists want to survey roughly 25 historic sites, among them the iconic Old Brick Road.
The Force Is Strong In Flagler As Jedi Clerk Tom Bexley Hosts Star Wars-Themed Mass Wedding
The Kim C. Hammond Justice Center–Tatooine for short–transformed into a celebration from a galaxy not so far away on May 4 as Flagler County Clerk of Court Tom Bexley hosted the office’s first-ever Star Wars–themed wedding ceremony in honor of May the Fourth.
New Baseball League Coming to Palm Coast, But Council Delays Signing Off Over Sports Complex Concerns
The Palm Coast City Council tabled a contract for the newly formed Orange State League to use the Indian Trails Sports Complex this summer as concerns emerged about field availability and potential conflicts with the Palm Coast Little League regarding concession rights and maintenance responsibilities. The administration will clarify legal language and ensure local youth organizations support the new collegiate-level Big Buoys baseball team.
7 Years in Prison for Levi ‘Feezy’ Ayers, 23, for String of Burglaries, Car and Gun Thefts in Palm Coast
Circuit Judge Dawn Nichols on Tuesday sentenced Levi “Feezy” D’Antonio Ayers to seven years in prison as a result of a series of nine car burglaries, a car and a gun theft in the C, P, L and E sections of Palm Coast four years ago, when Ayers was 19. He had two accomplices, both of whom were sentenced several years ago, served their prison time and are now on probation.
Palm Coast Council ‘Retreat’ Vows Six Months of Action to Defy Lame-Duck Label
With three of its members down to their last six months on the board, the Palm Coast City Council met Monday to establish goals before the November elections and run through a few exercises setting out values and a so-called SWOT analysis–strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. The half-day session was held at the Southern Recreation Center.
Flagler County Administrator Job Posting Draws 30 Applicants in 1st Week; Shortlist Due by Mid-July
Flagler County’s search for a new administrator drew 30 applications in its first week. A three-member committee of Florida managers will rank qualified candidates and tun over a shortlist to the commission by mid-July.
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.
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.
Palm Coast Mother Jailed for Abandoning 3 Children at Hospital Over Dog’s Death; 44 Dogs Recovered
Sandra Marie Teague faces three child neglect charges after abandoning her three children at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway. She allegedly blamed the teenagers for the death of a pet dog. Investigation revealed a home filled with 44 dogs and various other animals living in squalid conditions. Teague remains in jail on a $150,000 bond.
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 Live Calendar: Today in Flagler
May 2026
May 09 2026
Palm Coast Spring Arts Festival
Central Park in Town Center
May 09 2026
Caleb Hathaway on Antebellum Flagler: A Palm Coast Historical Society Lecture
Palm Coast City Hall
May 09 2026
Gamble Jam at Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area
Gamble Rogers Memorial State Recreation Area at Flagler Beach
May 09 2026
‘The Curious Savage” at Daytona Playhouse
Daytona Playhouse
May 10 2026
ESL Bible Studies for Intermediate and Advanced Students
Grace Presbyterian Church
May 10 2026
Grace Community Food Pantry on Education Way
Flagler School District Bus Depot
May 10 2026
Palm Coast Farmers’ Market at European Village
European Village
May 10 2026
‘The Curious Savage” at Daytona Playhouse
Daytona Playhouse
May 10 2026
Al-Anon Family Groups
Bridges United Methodist Fellowship
May 11 2026
Nar-Anon Family Group
St. Mark by the Sea Lutheran Church
May 11 2026
Bunnell City Commission Meeting
Bunnell City Hall
May 12 2026
Palm Coast City Council Workshop
Palm Coast City Hall
No event found!
The Conversation
How Ted Turner Changed the Way We See Our World
Ted Turner will be remembered mostly for the creation and development of the Cable News Network – CNN – which launched in 1980 and made our knowledge of distant events instantaneous and our world more comprehensible. In this sense, Turner’s legacy extends beyond television. He changed our conception not only of journalism but also of our world.
Florida and Beyond
Southern Poverty Law Center Pleads Not Guilty To Federal Fraud Charges and Questions Motives
The Southern Poverty Law Center pleaded not guilty to federal charges of fraud and money laundering. The Department of Justice alleges that a discontinued informant program defrauded donors by enriching extremist groups. Defense attorneys labeled the prosecution a political attack.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, May 8, 2026
Coffee and Conversation with Palm Coast City Manager Michael McGlothlin at the Jacked-up Bean, ‘The Curious Savage” at Daytona Playhouse, more sappy reflections on “As Time Goes By.”
Intermittent Fasting Limits and Benefits
Intermittent fasting has become a buzzword in nutrition circles, with many people looking to it as a way to lose weight or improve their health. But new research from the Cochrane Collaboration shows intermittent fasting is no more effective for weight loss than receiving traditional dietary advice or even doing nothing at all.
More Florida and Beyond
‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ Too Expensive to Run, May Close
The New York Times reported Thursday morning that “Florida is in talks with the Trump administration” to shut down the facility dubbed by DeSantis’ administration as “Alligator Alcatraz,” adding that the talks are “preliminary but that “officials at the Department of Homeland Security have concluded that it is too expensive to keep operating the center.”
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, May 7, 2026
Disingenuously bemoaning the days when Liszt and Brahms were celebrities, Philippe Lancon on Bach, Model Yacht Club races at the Pond in Palm Coast’s Central Park, Story Time with Miss Kim at Flagler Beach Public Library.
Texas Kills James Broadnax as Legal Experts Question Using Rap Lyrics as Criminal Evidence
Texas killed James G. Broadnax on April 30, 2026, for a 2008 double murder after prosecutors used 40 pages of Broadnax’s rap lyrics during the sentencing phase to argue a criminal mentality. Legal scholars identify a pattern of treating fictional lyrics as literal confessions, a practice that reflects historical racial stereotypes. Using art to justify executions extends the discriminatory legacy of Jim Crow laws into today’s courtrooms.
The Increasingly Mythical American Dream
At its best, the U.S. is seen as allowing individuals the freedom to live the life they want. Liberty and rugged individualism have been hallmarks of America since its beginnings, so it should come as no surprise that they are also central to the American Dream. Given this, has the American Dream become more or less difficult to achieve over time? Unfortunately, for a growing number of Americans, it appears to be more difficult.
With Democrat David Jolly’s Exception, Most Gubernatorial Candidates Oppose Legalizing Recreational Pot
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.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, May 6, 2026
The Flagler Beach Library Book Club and the Flagler County Republican Club meet, but quite separately, Bingo Night at Palm Coast Elks Lodge, a church declares the end of hell, and a few thoughts about eternity.
Fish Migrations Are Collapsing, a Problem for Millions
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.
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Commentary
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.
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.
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.