Illegal Immigrant Semi-Truck Driver Kills Three

A semi-truck driver, in the country illegally while seeking asylum, killed three people from South Florida in a crash on the Florida Turnpike. Gov. Ron DeSantis called on Congress to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Originally from India, Harjinder Singh was granted a work permit under the Biden administration after it was denied during President Trump’s first term. While in the U.S., Singh reportedly obtained his commercial driver’s license in California.

According to FHP, Singh faces three counts of vehicular homicide for the Aug. 12 crash in St. Lucie County, which was caused by his making an illegal U-turn on the Turnpike near mile marker 170.

U.S. Marshals arrested the 28-year-old Saturday in Stockton, California, where he had fled the day after the crash. ICE revealed that he had been living in the U.S. since crossing the border from Mexico in 2018.

Hometown Heroes Housing Program Returns

Essential workers across the state can now apply for financial aid to purchase their first home through the Hometown Heroes Housing Program, a state-funded initiative offering zero-interest loans to help cover down payments and closing costs.

Backed by $50 million in state funding through the Live Local Act, the program provides up to $35,000 in forgivable loans for eligible first-time homebuyers in the communities where they serve.

Eligible applicants include full-time employees of Florida-based companies working in healthcare or schools, first responders, public safety or court employees, childcare workers, or current or veteran service members.

A key feature of the program is its self-sustaining model. When a homeowner sells their property, the assistance is returned to the state, replenishing the fund to help future buyers without new taxpayer investment.

Erin Is the First of Three Storms

The National Hurricane Center is tracking three storm systems in the Atlantic that may impact the state.

Hurricane Erin was a Category 2 storm on Tuesday, with top sustained winds of 105 mph and moving northwest. It was located about 615 miles southwest of Bermuda. Forecasting includes life-threatening surf and rip currents for Florida’s coastline.

A disturbance in the southern mid-Atlantic has a 60% chance of developing, making it another system to watch throughout the week as it approaches the Leeward Islands.

A third tropical wave has developed off the coast of western Africa, located about 200 miles southeast of the Cabo Verde Islands. The next two storm names on the hurricane list are Fernand and Gabrielle.

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➤ Starke: Kayle Bates, 67, was scheduled to receive a lethal injection at Florida State Prison Tuesday night for abducting and killing a Panhandle woman in 1982. It is the 10th execution carried out in Florida this year, further extending the state record. (More)

➤ Everglades: A federal judge in Miami dismissed part of a lawsuit over the legal rights of detainees at the Alligator Alcatraz immigration detention center and transferred the remaining case to a different jurisdiction. (More)

➤ Palm Beach County: Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed state Rep. Mike Caruso as the new Palm Beach County Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller, replacing Joe Abruzzo, who became county administrator. (More)

➤ Daytona Beach: The Fifth District Court of Appeal upheld the state law requiring “sexual predator” to be printed on driver’s licenses of convicted offenders. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: On Tuesday, Florida State University honored former university President John Thrasher, who died in May at age 81. Thrasher was a former House speaker and served in the Florida Senate. (See Tribute)

➤ Pinellas County: A Russian national was deposed Monday to discuss her actions after being accused of submitting 132 fraudulent voter registration applications in February and March 2023. (More)

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➤ Miami-Dade County Public Schools announced a multi-year, districtwide partnership with Adidas on Monday. The sportswear company will outfit all 41 schools in the district for the foreseeable future—from varsity down to JV and feeder programs. (More)

➤ The Miami Dolphins signed pass rusher Matthew Judon to a one-year, $6 million contract on Monday. (More)

➤ The Hoffman family—owners of the Florida Everblades minor league hockey team—is reportedly seeking to purchase the Pittsburgh Penguins. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | LLWS

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➤ Florida’s unemployment rate held steady in July at 3.7% for the fourth straight month. (More)

➤ Gas prices fell three cents per gallon on Monday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.04 per gallon. (See Map)

➤ Vision Insurance Exchange, based in Cape Coral, is the 15th home insurance company permitted by the state. The company will begin selling in the state in November if its certificate of authority is approved. (More)

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➤ The Manatee County Sheriff released video and details in the ongoing case of the death of Giovanni Pelletier, who had ties to Brevard County and was found dead in a pond earlier this month. (More)

➤Wildlife officials in Collier County are searching for an alligator that bit a woman’s arm and leg on Sunday. She was transported to the hospital. (More)

➤ New Orlando Magic guard Desmond Bane purchased the Windermere home of former Major League Baseball player Jhonny Peralta for $4.1 million. (See Photo)

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Do you support the death penalty?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Unsure

Tuesday’s Results:

Would you ever want to walk across the state or the country if you had the time and ability?

1. Yes: 27%
2. No: 49%
3. Maybe: 24%

What professional tennis player from Fort Lauderdale made a Grand Slam debut in 1971 at the U.S. Open at 16 years old?

Show me the answer