Florida Rep Committed Ethics Violations

A House Ethics panel found Democrat Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick guilty on Friday of 25 counts of ethics violations, including breaking campaign finance laws.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) called for Cherfilus-McCormick’s resignation or expulsion, saying, “You can’t crime your way into legitimate power.“

The allegations focus on millions of dollars she received from her family’s health care business after Florida overpaid roughly $5 million in disaster relief funds. She is accused of using that money to finance her 2022 congressional campaign.

The panel said it would recommend a punishment in the coming weeks.

Flagler County Under Fire for Spending

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia accused Flagler County of wasting over $60 million in tax dollars.

Ingoglia stated, “We take the base budget, we add inflation and population, and that is acceptable budget growth. So anything over what we think is acceptable budget growth, we are deeming as wasteful and excessive, because government should have never had the revenue in the first place.“

The dispute centers around a general fund, with county officials defending the spending.

Ocala Has Biggest Population Boom in U.S.

Ocala had the biggest population boom in America by percentage, with a roughly 3.4% growth rate, according to recent figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Florida and South Carolina dominated the top five, with cities from those states showing the strongest growth.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina came in second, with a 3.2% growth rate.

Rounding out the top five are Spartanburg, South Carolina (2.8%), Lakeland-Winter Haven (2.7%), and Punta Gorda (2.7%).

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➤ Statewide: The U.S. Department of Labor estimated 5,224 initial unemployment applications were filed in Florida last week, down from a revised count of 5,450 for the week ending March 14. (More)

➤ Tampa: The Tampa Bay Rays have filed for a construction permit to build a new $2.3 billion ballpark on the campus of Hillsborough College. They are seeking public funding for half. (Details)

➤ Jacksonville: City Council member Rory Diamond wants 14 baby boxes placed at fire stations citywide to make it easier for people to surrender newborns through Florida’s Safe Haven law. (More)

➤ Miami Beach: President Trump spoke at the FII Priority Miami Summit, a gathering that brings together global leaders, investors, and policymakers to discuss pressing economic and geopolitical issues, at the Faena Hotel on Friday. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday issued a temporary stay of next week’s scheduled execution of James Aren Duckett, a former police officer convicted of the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl in 1987, pending additional DNA testing. (More)

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➤ Tiger Woods was involved in a rollover car crash Friday afternoon near his home on Jupiter Island and is being charged with DUI. (More)

➤ No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 4 Coco Gauff will meet in the Miami Open tennis final today. Sabalenka’s going for the Sunshine Double, while Gauff is chasing her first title at her hometown tournament. (More)

➤ The Marlins are leaning into Miami’s Hispanic food roots this season at loanDepot Park, headlined by the “Machete“: a two-foot griddled tortilla stuffed with carne asada, melted cheeses, and guajillo pepper sauce. (More)

➤ Today’s $1 million Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park is shaping up as one of the year’s best horse races, with nine Kentucky Derby hopefuls entered. Holy Bull Stakes winner Nearly and back-to-back stakes winner Commandment lead the deep field. (More)

➤ Florida basketball’s Boogie Fland announced he’s returning to the Gators for his junior season after averaging 11.3 points this year. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | MLB | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf | Tennis

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➤ The Bay Area Book Crawl will run April 1-25, encouraging residents to visit 13 participating bookstores in honor of Independent Bookstore Day. (Details)

➤ Palm Bay resident Manny Rosado went viral on TikTok for using his own body to hold down a protective tent over his car’s sunroof during a severe hailstorm. He was determined to “go down trying” to save his car. (See Video)

➤ A “looksmaxxing” influencer who goes by Clavicular was arrested in Fort Lauderdale on Friday for battery. He is accused of instigating a fight involving two women at a rental home near Kissimmee and posting it on social media. (Details)

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Are you planning on watching the World Cup this summer?

1. Yes
2. No

Friday’s Results:

Will you add your name to NASA’s moon trip?

1. No: 57%
2. Yes: 22%
3. Already did: 21%

What is the name of the dinner show at Pioneer Hall at Disney’s Fort Wilderness Resort?

Show me the answer