Sixty-four-year-old cyclist Ronald Lynn Broaddus died Sunday following a collision with a Ford F-150 on U.S. 1. The crash occurred near the Flagler-Volusia county line as Broaddus attempted to cross into the median. Emergency responders transported him to Halifax Hospital with critical injuries.
All Else
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, March 24, 2026
The School Board meets at 1 and 6 p.m., AdventHealth’s Rob Deininger is the featured speaker at Flagler Tiger Bay, The Flagler Beach Library Writers’ Group meets, shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Longest Running Wild Dolphin Study In Florida Reveals Complex Social Communication Through Unique Whistles
Researchers in Sarasota lead the longest running study of wild dolphins. Their recent work focuses on unique signature whistles used for individual identification. These animals also use shared non-signature whistles to communicate alarm or surprise. Mothers adjust their pitch for calves in a way resembling human motherese. Continuous acoustic monitoring reveals a complex social system. Science continues to decode these intricate marine mammal vocalizations.
DeSantis Signs Law Ensuring You Can Always Use Loud, Smelly Gas-Powered Leaf Blowers and Mowers
Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB 290 to protect the use of gas-powered equipment against local government bans. The wide-ranging legislation also restricts housing density development in small municipalities and authorizes state officials to repurpose surplus conservation lands for agricultural production, a provision that has Democrats worried. Other provisions include stricter penalties for commercial license fraud and the repeal of a grocery assistance program.
9th Annual Addressing Crime Together Meeting and Sheriff’s Citizens Academy
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office hosts two community events this spring to promote transparency and engagement. The Citizens Academy begins March 31. The free multi-week program offers residents a look at agency operations and includes patrol ride-alongs. Sheriff Rick Staly also holds the ninth annual Addressing Crime Together meeting on April 9, focusing on local crime trends and safety initiatives for 2026.
Target Shopping Center Expansion and Large U-Haul Storage Facility Off Whiteview Are Approved
The Palm Coast Planning Board approved a 119,000-square-foot U-Haul storage facility at Whiteview Parkway and US1, with 950 units and future westward road expansion plans. It also approved a 48,600-square-foot retail extension at Palm Coast Landings to accommodate three new but unnamed businesses. Both applications passed unanimously without any questions by an uncurious planning board.
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.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, March 23, 2026
The Bunnell City Commission meets, The AARP Foundation’s Tax Aide provides free tax preparation services, remembering William Maxwell from the way “They Came Like Swallows” to “The Man in the Moon.”
Research Rethinks Polygamy
In the vast majority of cases, polygamy takes the form of one husband and multiple wives – more precisely referred to as polygyny. Leading political scientist Rose McDermott described polygyny as evil. Other researchers, such as anthropologist Joseph Henrich, even go as far as to credit Christianity’s derision of polygyny as a driving force of Western prosperity. A trio of new studies, all relying on the highest standards of data analysis, contend that these arguments are misguided.
St. Augustine Tops Southern Living Magazine’s List of Best Little Cities in America
Southern Living magazine came out with its list of the best small towns in the South and Florida snagged five spots on that ledger with St. Augustine topping the rankings.
Trump’s Iran War Propaganda Is Turning Carnage Into a Gaming Spectacle of Apocalyptic Christian Nationalism
By Henry A. Giroux During his presidential campaign, Donald Trump promised to be an antiwar candidate, boasting that, unlike his predecessors, he would end endless wars and keep the United States out of new military conflicts. Yet the trajectory of his presidency has unfolded in the opposite direction. From expanding military confrontations in the Caribbean […]
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, March 22, 2026
Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” at City Repertory Theatre, Caribbean IslandFest at The Stage in Palm Coast’s Town Center, when Hermann Göring comes off better than either Truman or Trump, Fawlty Towers’ war.
AI Bots Are Swamping Social Media, Threatening Democracy
AI agents can generate varied, credible content at a large scale. The swarms can send people messages tailored to their individual preferences and to the context of their online conversations. The swarms can tailor tone, style and content to respond dynamically to human interaction and platform signals such as numbers of likes or views. An AI-controlled bot swarm could create the false impression of widespread, bipartisan opposition to a political candidate.
Evangelist Challenging “Speech Zone” Wins Supreme Court Battle To Block Enforcement Of Restrictive Ordinance
Law enforcement officers raised concerns about public demonstrations such as Gabriel Olivier’s preaching, prompting city leaders to enact an ordinance that requires protesters and other demonstrators to remain within a designated protest area. Olivier was arrested for violating this ordinance after he left the designated area to move “to the sidewalk fronting the amphitheater” and thereby get closer to the crowds.
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.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, March 21, 2026
Bunnell City Manager Alvin Jackson’s 65th, Chess Meet-Up At the Flagler Beach Public Library, all ages, all skill levels, Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” at City Repertory Theatre, the Saturday Flagler Beach Farmers Market, Vernon Parrington on John C. Calhoun.
Overconfidence Is How Wars Are Lost
The United States entered the conflict with Iran suffering from extreme overconfidence fueled by the appearances of a swift victory in Venezuela. Trump dismissed risks to oil markets and ignored asymmetric lessons from the war in Ukraine. Iran effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz using inexpensive drones to target global shipping insurance. The strategic failure echoes past mistakes in Vietnam and Afghanistan where material superiority failed against resilient adversaries.
Flagler County Secures Federal Transit Administration Approval To Access Millions In New Public Transportation Funding
Flagler County successfully completed the Federal Transit Administration Region IV process to become an official grant recipient. This designation follows a decade of effort by local staff. The county expects annual transportation grant awards to increase by more than 50% because of this milestone. Officials must maintain strict compliance with federal regulations. This federal support aims to enhance public transportation services for the entire community.
19 Questions Regarding ICE Detention In Flagler Jail Reveal Significant Gaps In Public Information
The Flagler County jail is one of the state’s busiest holding facilities for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, collaborating with federal agencies in the Trump administration’s sweep of undocumented migrants. FlaglerLive submitted 19 questions to the Sheriff’s Office about the agency’s participation, costs and other issues related to the collaboration with ICE. Some questions were answered, others deferred to ICE, which did not respond.
Flagler County Sheriff Participation in Federal Immigration Sweeps Raises Questions About Local Taxpayer Costs
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly says local taxpayers will be left bearing no burden for participation in federal immigration sweeps. Signed agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement indicate the county remains responsible for salaries, benefits, training and other costs, and neither the Sheriff’s Office nor federal agencies are providing specific financial data, including about the cost of housing migrants at the county jail as transparency remains elusive.
At Least 205 Migrants Have Been Detained at Flagler County Jail So Far This Year as Part of ICE Sweeps
At least 205 individuals arrested as part of the Trump administration sweep of undocumented migrants have been detained at the Flagler County jail so far this year, based on a day-by-day analysis of jail bookings by FlaglerLive. Records remain heavily redacted despite state public records laws. Local deputies now act as federal agents through the 287(g) program, with significant activity continuing daily. The jail reportedly offers better conditions than federal holding centers, but verification and transparency remain difficult to impossible.
Florida Attorney General Uthmeier Explains Why Some Felons’ Gun Rights Are More Equal Than Others
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a supplemental brief supporting the Second Amendment rights of nonviolent felons to overturn the conviction of Christopher Morgan for firearm possession. Uthmeier argues historical traditions do not support disarming nondangerous individuals.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Friday, March 20, 2026
Yasmina Reza’s “Art,” at City Repertory Theatre, this time with an all-female cast, “Steel Magnolias” at Athens Theatre, Tax Collector Shelley Edmonson and Clerk of Court Tom Bexley on Free For All Friday, covering up Israel’s Sde Teiman scandal.
Why US Healthcare Remains the Most Expensive in the World
Two-thirds of Americans are very worried about their ability to pay for healthcare – whether it’s their medications, a doctor’s visit, health insurance or an unpredictably costly medical emergency.
Palm Coast Council Approves $2.5 Million Purchase of Temporary Buildings to Resolve Utility Office Crisis
Palm Coast City Council members unanimously approved spending $2.5 million from the utility fund to purchase modular buildings. This decision replaces a failing administrative facility at 2 Utility Drive. Staff members evacuated the site recently due to severe plumbing and pest issues. Leaders chose purchasing over leasing to ensure better long-term value. The city intends to repurpose or sell these structures once operations eventually relocate.
Flagler Sheriff’s CSI Supervisor Savannah MacLellan Graduates Elite Leadership Academy
The five-day program in Orange Park focused on mentorship and career advancement for women in law enforcement. MacLellan joined the agency in 2023 and earned a promotion to lead the evidence unit in 2025. She oversees a team of civilian technicians.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Thursday, March 19, 2026
Town of Marineland commission meets and chats about its marina, Community Preparedness Workshop at EOC, “Steel Magnolias” at Athens Theatre, a review of recent Iran war covers from around the world.
Even ‘The West Wing’ Has Polarized America
In 2016, The Guardian’s Brian Moylan asserted that the “The West Wing” was appealing because it portrayed “a world where the political system works.” Audiences have been comfort-streaming the “The West Wing” since Trump’s first term. Interest in the series spiked after Trump’s election in 2016, and it served as an escape from the contentious 2020 campaign.
Election Officials Warn of Cost and Chaos If Federal Law Requiring Citizenship Proof of Voters Passes
The so-called SAVE America Act, which President Donald Trump is relentlessly pushing, would create chaos for state and local elections administrators by immediately imposing several new requirements without adding funding, former North Carolina elections chief Karen Brinson Bell said on a press call Tuesday organized by Washington U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell.
Clerk of Court Tom Bexley Enthusiastic About Hiring Resigning County Administrator Heidi Petito For Senior Role
Flagler County Administrator Heidi Petito is negotiating a senior leadership role with Clerk of Court Tom Bexley, and both are eager to make it happen, they told FlaglerLive. The move follows Petito’s announcement of her resignation from the County Commission after 23 years of service. Petito now seeks to depart before her initial July 14 date, assuming commissioners grant the exit. This new position allows Petito to remain in public service within Flagler County.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Wednesday, March 18, 2026
The Flagler County Contractor Review Board meets, the Palm Coast Planning and Land Development Board meets, the FCC takes its cues from Dubai to censor the networks, the death of Richard Nixon.
Local Governments Are Proof that Polarization Is Not Inevitable
When it comes to national politics, Americans are fiercely divided across a range of issues, including gun control, election security and vaccines. It’s not new for Republicans and Democrats to be at odds over issues, but things have reached a point where even the idea of compromising appears to be anathema, making it more difficult to solve thorny problems. But things are much less heated at the local level. A survey of more than 1,400 local officials by the Carnegie Corporation and CivicPulse found that local governments are “largely insulated from the harshest effects of polarization.”
Palm Coast Scores Clean Financial Audit in Independent Review Of 2025 Records
The City of Palm Coast received an unmodified audit opinion for the 2025 fiscal year. Independent auditors found no material weaknesses regarding internal controls or state and federal funding usage. The city continues its decades-long streak of receiving national awards for financial reporting excellence. Residents can access detailed budget data through the online Finance Transparency Dashboard.
Palm Coast Council Rejects Rezoning For Concrete Plant on Hargrove Grade, Opposing Heavy Industry Precedent
The Palm Coast City Council voted 4-1 to deny a rezoning request from Hard Rock Materials today, preventing a concrete batch plant from opening in the Hargrove Grade industrial park on a 10-acre parcel Hard Rock paid $2.1 million for last year. Local business owners argued that heavy industrial operations would degrade the light industrial area. The council prioritized maintaining zoning consistency and protecting existing property interests over what would have been 20 jobs and modest tax revenue.
Florida Sheriffs Led by Polk’s Grady Judd Sharply Criticize Federal Mass Deportation Efforts
Florida law enforcement leaders on the State Immigration Enforcement Council now advocate for a path to legal status for undocumented residents without criminal records. Council chair Grady Judd expressed concerns that federal agents are sweeping up productive individuals who contribute to the economy. The group suggests a 5-year process involving civil fines and English proficiency. This shift contrasts with previous support for aggressive deportation.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The Palm Coast City Council meets at 9 a.m., County Commissioner Leann Pennington hosts a Town Hall, 6 to 8 p., at Haw Creek Community Center, The Flagler Beach Library Writers’ Club meets, Hannah Arendt’s prediction for maga.
Why Trump Is Losing the War at Home
Donald Trump entered the Iran war with historically low public support. Americans traditionally favor restraint over forced regime change, but the administration failed to prepare the public or the cabinet for significant economic sacrifices as oil price hikes are fueling domestic resentment and influential conservative voices and young male supporters feel betrayed.
Florida Gas Average Up 29 Percent In Two Weeks
Pump prices in Florida increased 27 cents over the past week and have grown 82 cents since the on-going war with Iran began. In Palm Coast, gas on Monday was selling for $3.75 at Wawa and $3.99 at RaceTrac on State Road 100, with different stations offering $3.75, $3.79, $3.89 and $3.99 along Palm Coast Parkway, according to GasBuddy.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Monday, March 16, 2026
It’s possible that it may not try to fire County Administrator Heidi Petito when the County Commission meets this evening. The Mosquito Control District board meets. Memories of Janet Reno, the anti-Bondi.
Hey, Congress, Anybody There?
The Trump administration’s assault on Iran features inconsistent justifications, ranging from nuclear destruction to divine plans. Although the executive branch often sidesteps traditional declarations of war, Congress retains significant constitutional checks. By utilizing the War Powers Resolution, public oversight hearings, and the power of the purse, lawmakers can challenge presidential authority. Mounting fiscal deficits and declining public support may eventually force congressional action.
Florida Eagerly Turns Back the Clock to 1956
Florida’s Legislature is actively rolling back diversity initiatives, voting rights, and LGBTQ+ protections. New educational mandates target perceived Marxist influences in universities and grade schools. State leaders are prohibiting local climate policies to protect industrial interests, all of it intentionally retreating toward the restrictive cultural and environmental standards of 1956.
Small Private Schools Cleared to Open in Malls and Other Commercial Zones
Legislators added a provision eliminating zoning requirements for small private schools into a Democratic-led bill in the waning hours of the 2026 legislative session. Both GOP-led chambers of the Florida Legislature passed SB 182, allowing private schools with 150 or fewer students to operate in commercially zoned buildings.
FPL Scores Highest Profit Margin of Almost All Investor-Owned Utilities in the Country in 2025
Florida Power and Light, which serves around 6 million customers in Florida and serves all of Flagler County, far exceeded the 13 to 15 percent average in profit margin for American investor-owned utilities, ranking atop the list in profit margin for 2025, and second on the list between 2021 and 2024. FPL’s profit margin in 2025 was 27.44 percent, followed by MidAmerivan Energy with 27.16 percent.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Sunday, March 15, 2026
Daytona Solisti Concert, Strengthening Your Bond with Your Pets, a community lecture at Trinity Presbyterian, The Seeking Insights for Solutions (SIS) book club hosts a virtual guest and discussion, Yasmina Reza’s “God of Carnage” at Limelight Theatre.
Saturday in Byblos:
Wendell Berry’s Celebration of Old Jack’s Crusty Life
Wendell Berry’s 1974 novel explores the final day of Jack Beechum. The narrative drifts through decades of Kentucky history as Jack finds sanctuary in the land but remains alienated from the people on it or in his life. The prose reaches heights of elegiac beauty, occasionally descending into mawkish parody and didactic sneers as Berry maintains a tension between agrarian ideals and harsh judgment of urban progress and human failure. The novel is part of the Port William series.
This Sunshine Week, Florida Reflects Alarming National Trend of Blocking Public Access To Essential Information
Government transparency in the United States has reached a historical low point during the second Trump administration. Florida, once a leader in open government, now exemplifies a national trend of “secrecy creep” through exorbitant fees and withheld records. Federal actions, including the firing of FOIA oversight officials and the deletion of databases, have created a culture of obfuscation that threatens the foundations of democracy.
Severe Drought Expands Across Flagler, Northern and Western Counties After 4 Months of Dry Weather
The St. Johns River Water Management District reports significant hydrologic declines following four months of minimal rainfall. All eighteen counties recorded below-average precipitation during February. These dry conditions caused groundwater levels in the Upper Floridan aquifer to drop into the eleventh percentile. Most of the state currently faces moderate to extreme drought. Residents should follow Phase I water shortage restrictions to preserve dwindling regional water supplies during this period.
The Daily Cartoon and Live Briefing: Saturday, March 14, 2026
Second Saturday Plant Sale at Washington Oaks Gardens State Park, three de-commissioned amigos, American Association of University Women (AAUW) Monthly Meeting, “Steel Magnolias” at Athens Theatre in DeLand, Yasmina Reza’s “God of Carnage” at Limelight Theatre in St. Augustine.
Florida Lawmakers Pass Bill To Arm University Professors
The Florida House passed a legislative package authorizing professors and university appointees to carry firearms on campus. This measure extends the School Guardian Program to public colleges. Lawmakers resolved a dispute regarding private religious school security by focusing exclusively on higher education. The bill mandates university threat-management teams and faculty training for behavioral warning signs.
25 Years of American Stupidity in the Middle East
Western and particularly American meddling in the Middle East represents a persistent cult of failure rooted in historical hubris. Leashed to Israel, Donald Trump is continuing the tradition by targeting Iran, a civilization far older and more resilient than the United States. The escalating stupidity is accelerating the American empire’s moral and financial bankruptcy while leaving behind a legacy of mass graves.




















































