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A Florida funeral home shipped the men’s remains to Ireland, according to a letter from a Florida medical examiner’s office. A CNN request under open-records law revealed documents confirming the mix-up, including letters from the Irish consulate in Atlanta to the medical examiner’s office and investigators involved in the case. That’s when the victims’ loved ones discovered the mix-up, according to the August letter from the medical examiner’s office. The Pinellas County Forensic Science Center in Largo, Florida -- home to the medical examiner's office. The District Six Medical Examiner Office did not respond to CNN’s request for additional details.

Persons: Kane Mitchell, Luke Comiskey, he’d, Comiskey, Mitchell, they’re, William Pellan, it’s, “, ” Pellan, Luke Comiskey’s, Luke, James Richard Peoples III, Peoples, ”, ’, Chris O'Mera, Pellan, Leana Wen, Police Adam Geissenberger, Barnabas Church Organizations: CNN, Florida, Pinellas Park Police Department, District Six, Office, Irish Department of Foreign Affairs, Pinellas Park police, Peoples, Six, Medical, Forensic Science, Medical Examiner Office, CNN Florida’s Department of Law, Pinellas, Pinellas Park Chief, Police, Gaelic football Locations: Dublin, Pinellas Park, St . Petersburg, Florida, Ireland, Irish, Atlanta, St . Petersburg , Florida, Pinellas, Largo , Florida, Baltimore, New York, St, Bronx, New York City, Australia, Spain

☆ Tampa is paying Robert DuBoise $14 million after DNA evidence exonerated him after he spent 37 years behind bars
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-15 | by ( Jamiel Lynch | Dalia Faheid | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —After a man wrongfully spent 37 years in prison for rape and murder, the Tampa City Council unanimously voted Thursday to approve a $14 million settlement in a federal lawsuit. Robert DuBoise, who was convicted of the August 1983 rape and murder of 19-year-old Barbara Grams in Tampa Heights, was exonerated in September 2020 after DNA evidence established that he did not commit the crimes. That made him the 30th person exonerated from Florida’s death row, according to the Innocence Project of Florida, which assisted with DuBoise’s case. CNN has reached out to the Innocence Project of Florida for comment on the settlement. During the city council meeting, council member Charlie Miranda commented on what DuBoise has lost through the wrongful conviction.

Persons: Robert DuBoise, Barbara Grams, ” DuBoise, “, Grams, Amos Robinson, Abron Scott, Jane Castor, DuBoise, ”, Police Lee Bercaw, Charlie Miranda Organizations: CNN, Tampa City, Innocence, Tampa Police Department, of, Police, Tampa Police Locations: Tampa, Tampa Heights, Florida, Pinellas County, of Florida, Hillsborough County

The Red Sox said Williams died Friday at AdventHealth North Pinellas Hospital in Tarpon Springs, Florida, after a brief illness. Williams was voted AL Manager of the Year after leading the Red Sox to their second straight playoff appearance. Williams signed with Boston, played at Class A Iowa and was selected by St. Louis in the 1965 Rule 5 draft. Williams played in 14 major league games, going 3 for 13 (.231) with one RBI. Bobby Cox took over as the Blue Jays' manager in 1982 and when Cox left in 1986 to become Atlanta's general manager, Williams replaced him in Toronto's dugout.

Persons: — Jimy Williams, Williams, “ I’ve, “ You’ve, can’t, Let’s, ’ ”, James Francis Williams, Tom Seaver, Graig Nettles, Louis, Sandy Koufax, Juan Marichal, Koufax, “, ”, Bobby Mattick's, Bobby Cox, Cox, Cito Gaston, George Bell, Sid Bream, Francisco, Barry Bonds, Kevin Kennedy, Charlie Manuel's, Shawn, Brady, Peggy, Monica Farr, Jenna Williams, Monica, ___ Organizations: BOSTON, American, Boston, Toronto, Red Sox, AdventHealth, Pinellas Hospital, Arroyo Grande High School, Fresno State, Alaska, St, Los Angeles Dodgers, of Famer, Houston Chronicle, Triple, California Angels, Midwest League, Blue Jays, East, Detroit, Braves, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, ” Boston, Astros, Tampa, Philadelphia, Texas, World University Locations: Houston, Tarpon Springs , Florida, Palm Harbor, Santa Maria , California, Fresno, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Montreal, Vancouver, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Brady

CNN —Florida authorities have identified the woman found dead after an alligator was seen with a body in its mouth. The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday identified the victim as Sabrina Peckham, 41. A witness, JaMarcus Bullard, told CNN affiliate Spectrum News 13 he earlier saw an alligator with a body its mouth. Officials humanely killed In the the 13-foot, 8.5-inch male, according to the sheriff’s office and Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission. Alligators have been spotted in the area before, but resident Jennifer Dean told Spectrum News 13 that she had never seen one this large.

Persons: Sabrina Peckham, JaMarcus Bullard, ” Bullard, Jennifer Dean, ” Dean Organizations: CNN, Pinellas County Sheriff’s, Florida Wildlife Conservation Locations: Florida, Largo, Tampa, Pinellas County

☆ Florida: Category 3 Hurricane Idalia threatens to hit state as an even stronger storm Wednesday, and conditions are already deteriorating
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Nouran Salahieh | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

It could be the first major hurricane at Category 3 or stronger to hit the Big Bend region. ET, with sustained winds 120 mph winds that are projected to grow stronger as it approaches the state, the hurricane center said. Tampa, well south of the projected landfall area, was also bracing for Idalia’s wrath and seeing storm surge beginning to flood streets Tuesday. • Much of Florida under state of emergency: DeSantis has issued an emergency declaration to 49 of 67 Florida counties. “Idalia is likely to still be a hurricane while moving across southern Georgia, and possibly when it reaches the coast of Georgia or southern South Carolina on Wednesday,” the hurricane center said Tuesday evening.

Persons: Idalia, “, Ron DeSantis, DeSantis, ” DeSantis, ” Perry, Lee Bercaw, ” Bercaw, Jamie Rhome, Mayor Heath Davis, Levy, •, Florida won’t, “ Idalia Organizations: CNN, National Guard, National Hurricane Center, Fort Myers, National Weather Service, Florida, Florida Gov, Big, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Tampa Police, Mayor, Florida Gulf, • Travel, Tampa International Airport, Pete, Clearwater International, •, Guard, Pasadena Hospital, HCA, HCA Florida Trinity West Hospital, HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital, Tampa General Hospital, Florida Department of Corrections, Carolinas, North Carolina Locations: Florida’s, Big Bend, Bend, Cedar Key , Florida, Madeira Beach, Fort, Fort Myers Beach, Tallahassee, Apalachee, Panhandle, Taylor, Florida, Idalia’s, Perry, Tampa, Florida Gulf Coast, Alachua, Baker, Citrus, Dixie, Franklin, Gilchrist, Gulf, Hamilton, Hernando, Hillsborough, Jefferson, Lafayette, Leon, Madison , Manatee, Marion, Nassau, Pasco , Pinellas, Putnam, Sarasota, Suwannee, Sumter, Union, Volusia, Wakulla, HCA Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North, North Carolina

Ian killed 75 people in Lee County, nearly half of the statewide death toll of 149, officials said. At that point, the National Hurricane Center flagged the possibility of a storm surge covering much of Cape Coral and Fort Myers. Parts of Fort Myers Beach had a 40 percent chance of a six-foot-high storm surge, according to the surge forecasts. In Lee County officials said they were waiting to make an assessment the next morning. Officials expanded their evacuation order later in the morning, and by the middle of the afternoon, Lee County officials were more urgent in their recommendation.

Persons: Ian, Lee County, Ron DeSantis, Lee, Fort Myers, ” Organizations: National Hurricane Service, National Hurricane Center, Fort Myers, Facebook Locations: Florida, Tampa, Fort Myers, Lee County, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, State, Coral, Fort, Cape Coral, Neighboring Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Charlotte, Sarasota County, Lee

CNN —Florida is bracing for “major impact” as Tropical Storm Idalia is expected to rapidly strengthen into a powerful Category 3 hurricane and aim for its Gulf Coast, threatening dangerous storm surge and winds, authorities said. “Idalia could become a hurricane later this morning, and is forecast to become a major hurricane by early Wednesday,” the National Hurricane Center said. The Florida National Guard activated: More than 5,000 National Guard members were activated to help respond to the storm. Idalia posed a “notable risk” of this phenomenon, the National Hurricane Center warned Monday, as it travels through the Gulf of Mexico. Cedar Key could be cut off by the high storm surge, National Hurricane Center Deputy Director Jamie Rhome said.

Persons: Idalia, “, Ron DeSantis, It’s, Taylor, DeSantis, ” Barbara Tripp, ” Tripp, Ian —, Chris O'Meara, Jamie Rhome, “ I’m, ” Rhome, Andrew Kruczkiewicz, ” Organizations: CNN, Sunshine State, National Hurricane Center, ”, Carolinas, Tampa International, Pete, Clearwater International, Florida State University, University of Florida, M University . Emergencies, DeSantis, Florida National Guard, National Guard, US Navy, Navy, ., Pasadena Hospital, HCA, HCA Florida Trinity West Hospital, HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital, Tampa Fire, Facebook, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Columbia, Climate Locations: Florida, Gulf, Bend, Tampa, Tallahassee, Cuba, Mexico, Georgia, Carolinas, Hillsborough, Franklin, Levy, Citrus, Manatee, Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas, Sarasota, HCA Florida, Gulf of Mexico, Tampa , Florida, Big, Idalia

☆ Idalia is expected to rapidly intensify in the extremely warm Gulf of Mexico. Here’s what that means
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-28 | by ( Rachel Ramirez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

Mike Lang/USA Today Network Workers and residents clear debris from a destroyed bar in Fort Myers on Saturday, October 1. Thomas Cordy/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network This aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in Fort Myers Beach on Thursday. Wilfredo Lee/AP Jake Moses and Heather Jones explore a section of destroyed businesses in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, on Thursday. Alexandre Meneghini/Reuters Frederic and Mary Herodet board up their Gulf Bistro restaurant in St. Pete Beach, Florida, on Tuesday. Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire Sarah Peterson fills sandbags in Fort Myers Beach on September 24.

Persons: Ian —, Idalia, ” Brian McNoldy, Allison Wing, Florida State University . Hurricane Franklin, ”, Wing, ” McNoldy, Andrew Kruczkiewicz, Kruczkiewicz, Ricardo Arduengo, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Hurricane, Evan Vucci, Greg Guidi, Thomas Bostic, Joe Raedle, Win McNamee, Stephanie Fopiano, Kenya Taylor, Mike Lang, Giorgio Viera, Jonathan Drake, Candy Miller, Ana Kapel, Amy Beth Bennett, Meg Kinnard, Shannon Stapleton, Steve Helber, Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentintel, Alex Brandon, Jim Watson, Eva Marie Uzcategui, Bob Levitt, Thomas Cordy, Wilfredo Lee, Jake Moses, Heather Jones, Douglas R, Clifford, Tom, Jonathan Strong, Kylie Dodd, Brenda Brennan, Sean Rayford, John Raoux, Stefanie Karas, ZUMA, Ian, Marco Bello, Ben Hendren, Pedro, Reuters Melvin Phillips, Crystal Vander, Bryan R, Smith, Hurricane Ian, Greg Lovett, Stephen M, Dowell, Zuram Rodriguez, Joe Cavaretta, Crews, Ramon Espinosa, Yamil Lage, Chris O'Meara, Maria Llonch, Willie J, Allen Jr, Alexandre Meneghini, Reuters Frederic, Mary Herodet, Pete, Adalberto Roque, Phelan M, Ryan Copenhaver, Siesta, Gregg Newton, Cathie Perkins, Martha Asencio, Sarah Peterson, Andrew West, ” Kruczkiewicz, McNoldy, you’re Organizations: CNN, National Hurricane Center, University of Miami, “, National Oceanic, Atmospheric Administration, Florida State University . Hurricane, Columbia Climate School, Columbia University, Getty, Fort Myers, Venice High, USA Today Network Workers, Reuters, South Florida Sun, AP, US Army National Guard, AP University of Central, Bloomberg, Texas, Force, USA, Tampa Bay Times, Zuma Workers, Orange County Government, An, AP Vehicles, NOAA, NASA, City, Naples Police, Anadolu Agency, Punta Gorda, El, El Nuevo Herald, TNS, Officials, Orlando Sentinel, AP Highways, Wednesday, Sentinel, AP People, Southwest, Tampa International Airport, Bistro, Vehicle, Kennedy Space Center, International, Costco, ZUMA Press, Hurricanes Locations: Gulf of Mexico, Florida, Matlacha , Florida, AFP, Fort Myers , Florida, Island , Florida, Fort, Fort Myers Beach, Kenya, North Port, Venice , Florida, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach , South Carolina, South Florida, Quarterman, North Charleston , South Carolina, North Port , Florida, Sanibel, AP University of Central Florida, Orlando , Florida, Orlando, Charleston , South Carolina, New Smyrna Beach , Florida, Cape Coral , Florida, Palm Beach County , Florida, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Naples , Florida, Orange County , Florida, Orange County, Punta Gorda , Florida, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte , Florida, Captiva, Port Charlotte, Iona , Florida, Bonita Springs , Florida, An Orlando, Sanibel , Florida, Tampa , Florida, Punta, Tampa, Roberts, El Nuevo, Stuart , Florida, Tampa Bay, Delray Beach , Florida, The, Hurricane, Pembroke Pines , Florida, Davie , Florida, Havana, Cuba, Batabano, Pinar del Rio, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Cape Canaveral , Florida, Cuban, Fanguito, Sarasota , Florida, Havana Bay, Kissimmee, Pinellas County , Florida, Augusta , Georgia, Columbia, South Carolina

☆ How Ron DeSantis Joined the ‘Ruling Class’ — and Turned Against It
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Nicholas Confessore | More About Nicholas Confessore | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +4 min

In January, Pinellas school district officials yanked Toni Morrison’s classic novel “The Bluest Eye” from high schools after a parent complained about a two-page rape scene. But in counties like Pinellas, his policies and rhetoric have already had what his critics believe is their intended effect. She objected to parts of the syllabus Mr. Robinson had distributed to his class on African-American history, which her son had briefly enrolled in. “I don’t stop my class and ask my white kids, ‘Hey, how are you feeling?’ What kind of teacher would do that?” Mr. Robinson said. In January, someone reported Mr. Robinson for a TikTok mentioning that he had taught students in his Dunedin sociology class about the Black thinker W.E.B.

Persons: DeSantis, yanked Toni Morrison’s, Ruby, ”, Jeffrey Sachs, Diaz, Laura Hine, Renee Chiea —, —, Brandt Robinson, Robinson, Chiea, Nell Irvin Painter, DeSantis’s, Mr, “ It’s, Robinson’s, W.E.B, Du Bois Organizations: Republican, Liberty, Disney, Acadia University, Dunedin High School, Princeton, America, Mr, The Times, Black Locations: Pinellas County, Pinellas, ”, New Orleans, Nova Scotia, Tallahassee ’, Florida, Dunedin

☆ Rapid intensification, explained
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Jennifer Gray | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

So as the climate crisis forces up ocean temperatures, rapid intensification becomes more likely, pushing storms to explode at a rapid pace into deadly hurricanes, scientists say. Mike Lang/USA Today Network Workers and residents clear debris from a destroyed bar in Fort Myers on Saturday, October 1. Thomas Cordy/The Palm Beach Post/USA Today Network This aerial photo shows damaged homes and debris in Fort Myers Beach on Thursday. Wilfredo Lee/AP Jake Moses and Heather Jones explore a section of destroyed businesses in Fort Myers Beach, Florida, on Thursday. Martha Asencio-Rhine/Tampa Bay Times via ZUMA Press Wire Sarah Peterson fills sandbags in Fort Myers Beach on September 24.

Persons: ”, Phil Klotzbach, Klotzbach, ” Klotzbach, Ricardo Arduengo, Joe Biden, Jill Biden, Hurricane, Evan Vucci, Greg Guidi, Thomas Bostic, Joe Raedle, Win McNamee, Stephanie Fopiano, Kenya Taylor, Mike Lang, Giorgio Viera, Jonathan Drake, Candy Miller, Ana Kapel, Amy Beth Bennett, Meg Kinnard, Shannon Stapleton, Steve Helber, Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentintel, Alex Brandon, Jim Watson, Eva Marie Uzcategui, Bob Levitt, Thomas Cordy, Wilfredo Lee, Jake Moses, Heather Jones, Douglas R, Clifford, Tom, Jonathan Strong, Kylie Dodd, Brenda Brennan, Sean Rayford, John Raoux, Stefanie Karas, ZUMA, Ian, Marco Bello, Ben Hendren, Pedro, Reuters Melvin Phillips, Crystal Vander, Bryan R, Smith, Hurricane Ian, Greg Lovett, Stephen M, Dowell, Zuram Rodriguez, Joe Cavaretta, Crews, Ramon Espinosa, Yamil Lage, Chris O'Meara, Maria Llonch, Willie J, Allen Jr, Alexandre Meneghini, Reuters Frederic, Mary Herodet, Pete, Adalberto Roque, Phelan M, Ryan Copenhaver, Siesta, Gregg Newton, Cathie Perkins, Martha Asencio, Sarah Peterson, Andrew West, Ida, Laura, Hurricane Dorian Organizations: CNN, of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, North Atlantic, Getty, Fort Myers, Venice High, USA Today Network Workers, Reuters, South Florida Sun, AP, US Army National Guard, AP University of Central, Bloomberg, Texas, Force, USA, Tampa Bay Times, Zuma Workers, Orange County Government, An, AP Vehicles, NOAA, NASA, City, Naples Police, Anadolu Agency, Punta Gorda, El, El Nuevo Herald, TNS, Officials, Orlando Sentinel, AP Highways, Wednesday, Sentinel, AP People, Southwest, Tampa International Airport, Bistro, Vehicle, Kennedy Space Center, International, Costco, ZUMA Press, Louisiana, Simpson Locations: North, Matlacha , Florida, AFP, Fort Myers , Florida, Island , Florida, Fort, Fort Myers Beach, Kenya, North Port, Venice , Florida, Fort Myers, Myrtle Beach , South Carolina, South Florida, Quarterman, North Charleston , South Carolina, North Port , Florida, Sanibel, Florida, AP University of Central Florida, Orlando , Florida, Orlando, Charleston , South Carolina, New Smyrna Beach , Florida, Cape Coral , Florida, Palm Beach County , Florida, Fort Myers Beach , Florida, Naples , Florida, Orange County , Florida, Orange County, Punta Gorda , Florida, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte , Florida, Captiva, Port Charlotte, Iona , Florida, Bonita Springs , Florida, An Orlando, Sanibel , Florida, Tampa , Florida, Punta, Tampa, Roberts, El Nuevo, Stuart , Florida, Tampa Bay, Delray Beach , Florida, The, Hurricane, Pembroke Pines , Florida, Davie , Florida, Havana, Cuba, Batabano, Pinar del Rio, St, Pete Beach , Florida, Cape Canaveral , Florida, Cuban, Fanguito, Sarasota , Florida, Havana Bay, Kissimmee, Pinellas County , Florida, Bahamas

☆ Fact Check-DeSantis yearbook photo shared alongside a fabricated quote
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-11 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

A yearbook photograph of Florida Governor and 2024 Republican presidential contender Ron DeSantis has been digitally altered to include a fabricated quote attributed to him. DeSantis, but the yearbook does not include any quote below his portrait, said a spokesperson for Pinellas County Schools, which includes DeSantis’s alma mater Dunedin High School. An earlier iteration of DeSantis’s yearbook photo posted on Reddit on April 14, 2023 does not include any quote. DeSantis graduated from Dunedin High School in 1997, according to Florida news reports (youtu.be/UH-dZ-PgJeM?t=105), (here). Sean Clark, director of strategic communications at Pinellas County Schools, said in an email that the photo is from the Dunedin High School yearbook, “however there is no quote within the yearbook photo beneath Governor DeSantis’s photo nor any other student within the yearbook”.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Rushmore, Jesus, Reponses, DeSantis, Sean Clark, DeSantis’s, Read Organizations: Florida Governor, Pinellas County Schools, Dunedin High School, Nintendo, Twitter, UH, Reuters Locations: Florida, alma, Reddit

☆ DeSantis is now a millionaire. Unfortunately, he still has student loans to pay off.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-30 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

DeSantis made over $1 million for his book advance when he wrote "The Courage to Be Free." Ron DeSantis almost quadrupled his net worth in a year, thanks to a seven-figure payday from his bestselling memoir, "The Courage to be Free." A year earlier, DeSantis' net worth was nearly $319,000. The lift in salary was largely thanks to a $1.25 million book advance DeSantis got from Broadside Books, the conservative arm of HarperCollins Publishing that is owned by Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Since filing his last financial disclosure, DeSantis lowered the amount he owes on his student loans slightly, from $21,284.92 to $18,628.66.

Persons: DeSantis, they've, —, Ron DeSantis, Joe Biden's, Donald Trump, Trump, “, Joe Raedle, Casey DeSantis, Hillary Clinton, Mike Pence, GOP Sen, Tim Scott of, Sen, Elizabeth Warren of, he'd Organizations: Be, Service, Gov, Broadside Books, HarperCollins Publishing, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, Republican, Trump Organization, Forbes, New York Times, Ivy League, Navy, Associated Press, Florida Gov, House, Museum, Federal, Commission, Trump, GOP, Democratic Locations: Florida, Florida's, Beach , Florida, Orange, Pinellas Park , Florida, Tim Scott of South Carolina, Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, Dunedin , Florida

☆ Opinion | Soon We Won’t Have Enough Kids to Fill Our Schools. That’s a Problem.
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( Jessica Grose | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

The number of school-age children in America is declining. And declining university enrollment based on a lower school-age population — which has been described as a “demographic cliff” — is something that some colleges are already grappling with. K-12 public school systems around the country are facing a similar demographic reality. As The Times’s Shawn Hubler reported in May, “All together America’s public schools have lost at least 1.2 million students since 2020,” according to a survey from the right-leaning American Enterprise Institute. Even in states like Arizona, where there’s been overall population growth in recent years, enrollment has remained below prepandemic numbers, and rural schools in the state have been struggling for several years.

Persons: Shawn Hubler, “, Thomas Dee, ”, there’s Organizations: American Enterprise Institute, Stanford’s Graduate School of Education Locations: America, Chicago, Michigan, Philadelphia , New York City, Seattle, Boston, United States, Florida’s Orange County, Orlando, Pinellas County, Tampa, Arizona

HOW THE LAWSUITS DIFFERDisney's lawsuit was filed in federal court and alleges that DeSantis violated the company's protections under the U.S. Constitution, including its First Amendment right to free speech. In contrast, the state court lawsuit against Disney focuses on the procedures the old board followed in approving the agreements with Disney. The Florida district is asking the state court to void the Disney agreements. The district could file a motion in federal court to ask Walker to dismiss or pause Disney's federal case while the state court proceeds. Legal doctrines hold that federal judges should refrain from hearing a case where there is a related state court proceeding, particularly when a state court decision could resolve the federal lawsuit.

☆ DeSantis' tough words may come back to haunt him in Disney lawsuit, experts say
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Tom Hals | Thomson Reuters | Tom Hals Is An Award-Winning Reporter With Years Of Experience Working In Asia | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

[1/2] Florida Governor and likely 2024 Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis speaks as part of his Florida Blueprint tour in Pinellas Park, Florida, U.S. March 8, 2023. Disney on Wednesday sued DeSantis to prevent the state from ending the company's virtual autonomy in central Florida where it has its theme parks. Disney said DeSantis' actions amounted to a "targeted campaign of government retaliation." Disney claimed in its lawsuit that the state adopted a "targeted campaign of government retaliation — orchestrated at every step by Governor DeSantis as punishment for Disney’s protected speech." DeSantis' tough talk toward Disney is cited throughout the lawsuit, including 18 quotes referring to some form of "woke Disney."

CNN —The 2-year-old boy found last month in an alligator’s mouth in a St. Petersburg, Florida, lake died of drowning, police say. The boy was put in the lake by his father, who is charged in both deaths, according to a St. Petersburg police affidavit. The Pinellas County medical examiner confirmed Monday that the cause of death was drowning, St. Petersburg police told CNN. Thomas Mosley St. Petersburg PoliceThe toddler’s father, Thomas Mosley, 21, is facing two counts of first-degree murder. They found Jeffery inside with “apparent cuts and stabs in excess of 100 wounds,” according to the affidavit.

☆ Walmart is closing a batch of stores in 2023 — here's the full list
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-15 | by ( Ben Tobin | Dominick Reuter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Walmart will close five stores in four states: Illinois, Wisconsin, New Mexico, and Florida. The company is also winding down its two remaining pickup locations in Illinois and Arkansas. The recent closures follow a trend of Walmart closing a handful of stores across various states each year, with the company saying that the stores are "underperforming" without providing specifics. In addition, the retail giant is ending its nine-year experiment with two pick-up only locations in Illinois and Arkansas. SE, AlbuquerqueWisconsin:10330 W. Silver Spring Dr, MilwaukeeDo you shop at one of the Walmart stores above and want to share your thoughts?

☆ Neo-Nazi and woman charged with conspiring to attack Maryland power grid
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-06 | by ( Dan Mangan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office via APAn admitted neo-Nazi and a Maryland woman were arrested and charged with plotting to attack several electrical substations in the Baltimore area, federal authorities announced Monday. Russell, who lives in Orlando, Florida, is due to appear in federal court in that city on the charges Monday afternoon. Clendaniel, a resident of Catonsville, Maryland, is due to appear in Baltimore federal court on Monday afternoon. That interview was conducted after Devon Arthurs, a roommate of Russell's in Tampa, killed their two other roommates, the complaint said. Arthurs told law enforcement authorities at the time "that he had recently converted from Neo-Nazi beliefs to Islam," the complaint said.

The Tampa Police Department announced it had terminated an officer Tuesday following an internal investigation into a video where he was seen dragging a woman into jail. Interim Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said Damon's actions were "unacceptable and are not tolerated at this department." Supervisors at the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, the agency which manages the jail, referred Damon's actions to Tampa Police's standards bureau. Tampa Police Department had revised its protocols in 2013 following a similar incident with uncooperative prisoners. Damon's termination comes after two other incidents of police misconduct at the Tampa Police Department in recent weeks.

☆ Tampa Police Chief Resigns After Flashing Badge to Get Out of Traffic Stop on a Golf Cart
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-05 | by ( Alyssa Lukpat | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Mary O’Connor came out of retirement to become Tampa’s police chief, the city said earlier this year. The police chief of Tampa, Fla., resigned on Monday, weeks after she flashed her badge to get out of a traffic stop, officials said. The former chief, Mary O’Connor , was off duty and riding in a golf cart with her husband in Oldsmar, a city in Pinellas County just west of Tampa, on the night of Nov. 12, Tampa police said. In a body-cam video of the traffic stop, a sheriff’s deputy said he stopped the couple because their golf cart wasn’t tagged.

The police chief of Tampa, Florida who flashed her badge to get out of a stop for traveling in a golf cart without a license plate has resigned, according to a statement published on Monday. O’Connor, who was appointed police chief in February, was a passenger in a golf cart driven by her husband that night, police said in a statement. Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor in a golf cart driven by her husband in Oldsmar, northwest of Tampa, Fla., on Nov. 12, 2022. Public trust in Tampa’s police department is paramount to our success as a city and community," Castor said. Assistant Chief Lee Bercaw will take over as acting chief "while a comprehensive national search is conducted," according to the statement.

The police chief of Tampa, Florida, has apologized and is asking for a disciplinary review of herself after she flashed her badge to get out of a stop for traveling in a golf cart without a license plate, officials said Thursday. Chief Mary O’Connor, who was appointed in February, was a passenger in a golf cart driven by her husband, police said in a statement. Tampa Police Chief Mary O’Connor in a golf cart driven by her husband in Oldsmar, northwest of Tampa, on Nov. 12. Tampa PD via YouTubeThe video shows O’Connor ask the deputy whether his body camera is on, and when he responds that it is, she says, “I’m the police chief in Tampa." I’m hoping that you’ll just let us go tonight,” O’Connor says as she opens her badge case and hands it to her husband, the video shows.

☆ In DeSantis' small Florida hometown, voters see 'scumbag' or 'hometown hero' as they head to the polls
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

DeSantis is up for reelection Tuesday, and could seek the White House in 2024.Insider interviewed voters from his small hometown of Dunedin, Florida. download the app Email address By clicking ‘Sign up’, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider as well as other partner offers and accept our Terms of Service and Privacy PolicyDUNEDIN, Florida — Florida Gov. Dunedin, Florida, has an arch in the center of town that reads, "Defending Freedom." "Ron DeSantis is a scumbag," Laura, who declined to share her last name, told Insider after exiting a polling station. Polls in Florida will close at 7 p.m., so it's not yet clear whether DeSantis will win over his hometown.

☆ Trump-backed Anna Paulina Luna faces off against Democrat Eric Lynn for Florida's 13th District after Democrat Charlie Crist resigned to run for governor
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-05 | by ( Kimberly Leonard | Dave Levinthal | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Florida's 13th congressional district is open after Democrat Charlie Crist resigned to run for governor. Republican Anna Paulina Luna is aiming to turn a blue US House seat red as she runs for the open seat in Florida's 13th Congressional District against Democrat Eric Lynn. Florida's 13th Congressional District candidatesLuna is an Air Force veteran and former model who went on to become the director of conservative nonprofit Turning Point USA, and is a podcast host with Gingrich 360. The money raceLuna has raised nearly $3 million, spent $2.6 million, and has about $480,000 cash on hand, as of October 19, according to the nonpartisan money-in-politics organization OpenSecrets. Lynn has raised $2 million, spent more than $1.5 million, and has about $592,000 cash on hand, as of October 19.

☆ Florida attorney who opposed state helmet law dies in motorcycle crash while not wearing one
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-26 | by ( Minyvonne Burke | Minyvonne Burke Is A Senior Breaking News Reporter For Nbc News. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Friends are speaking out after a Florida attorney who fought state helmet laws died in a motorcycle crash while not wearing one. "He was a guy that you went to for advice," Gary Pruss told the Tampa Bay Times. Smith had spent over a decade fighting Florida laws that required the use of helmets, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He represented a number of clients who violated state motorcycle requirements in court cases that have been credited with helping to overturn the helmet law. As a result of the case, the Pinellas Sheriff’s Office briefly stopped enforcing the state’s helmet law after a judge dismissed the person's citation.

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