Attorney General Won’t Prevent Immigration Arrests

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier told state and local law enforcement agencies in a letter on Wednesday that he cannot “prevent” them from enforcing a new state immigration law, despite a federal judge ruling otherwise.

At the direction of U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams, Uthmeier sent a memo to law enforcement last Friday, writing that they should not make arrests under the law.

This week’s letter, however, states that he won’t stand in the way of arrests under the law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Feb. 13, which Judge Williams blocked on April 4.

Not all law enforcement agencies support continuing arrests under the new law. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, a member of the State Immigration Enforcement Council established earlier this year, said his deputies won’t arrest anyone under its provisions.

‘Faith’ Bills Find Support

By a vote of 102-7, the House passed legislation Wednesday mandating more prominent displays of the state motto, “In God We Trust.” The law would require the motto to be posted in clearly visible, high-traffic areas in schools and district buildings.

Sponsor Rep. Kim Daniels (D-14) argued the move would ensure that more Floridians know that prayer is legal in schools and would help protect against faith-based discrimination. She stated that many are unaware of existing display laws.

The bill faces an uncertain path as its Senate companion failed to secure a committee hearing, while Sen. Clay Yarborough’s (R-4) measure to codify the Office of Faith and Community in the executive branch is ready for the Senate floor.

Yarborough told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the initiative follows up on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ 2019 launch of the Governor’s Faith and Community Initiative to support faith and community organizations serving vulnerable Floridians.

State Unemployment Rate Steady

Florida’s monthly unemployment rate was 3.6% in March, equating to 403,000 jobless Floridians out of a total labor force of 11 million. The rate has increased slightly this quarter, rising to 3.5% in January and then ticking up to 3.6% in February.

Monroe County had the lowest unemployment rate in the state at 2.4%, followed closely by Miami-Dade at 2.8%.

Fort Lauderdale recorded a 3.3% unemployment rate in March, and Orlando and West Palm Beach each had a 3.4% unemployment rate.

Among larger metropolitan areas, Fort Myers and Pensacola saw a 3.7% jobless rate last month. Jacksonville was just behind those areas at 3.6%, and Tampa was at 3.5%.

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➤ Manatee County: A single-engine plane crashed Wednesday morning at Bald Eagle Airfield in Myakka City, sparking a brush fire. No injuries were reported. (Watch Video)

➤ Hillsborough County: The sheriff’s office says deputies shot and killed a man in Brandon Wednesday who was wearing body armor and armed with a fully loaded rifle while in public. (Watch Video)

➤ Tallahassee: The Florida Legislature declared April 22 to be Florida Wildlife Corridor Day, affirming “its significant environmental, cultural, economic, and tourism value as a unique natural resource.” (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Senate approved a transportation bill but removed language that would have increased highway speed limits with a last-minute amendment. (More)

➤ Tampa: New high-tech buoys in the Hillsborough River are improving drinking water by killing harmful algae and preventing toxic blooms that can kill fish and wildlife. (Watch Video)

➤ Brevard County: School district officials decided Tuesday night not to renew the contract of a teacher who used a student’s chosen name without getting parental permission, in violation of Florida law. (More)

➤ The Florida Panthers beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 2-0 on Thursday night to take a 2-0 lead in their first-round series of the NHL Stanley Cup playoffs. They’ll play again on Saturday. (More)

➤ University of Miami quarterback Cam Ward was selected by the Tennessee Titans with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft last night. Ward joins Vinny Testaverde (1987) and Russell Maryland (1991) as the only Hurricanes ever selected with the first overall pick. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars traded up to select Heisman winner Travis Hunter with the second pick. The Miami Dolphins selected Michigan defensive tackle Kenneth Grant with the thirteenth pick, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Ohio State wide receiver Emeka Egbuka at pick nineteen. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | PGA | LPGA 

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➤ St. Petersburg’s Derby Lane, the iconic former greyhound race track and current home to simulcast racing, has been sold to an investment group. (More)

➤ OnePlanet Solar Recycling, based in Jacksonville, plans a $90 million expansion in Green Cove Springs, operational by 2027. (More)

➤ Gov. Ron DeSantis awarded $4 million from the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund to Indian River State College to build an industrial manufacturing institute. Miami Dade College received $4.9 million for an airplane repair institute. (More)

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➤ Pearl Jam kicked off its Dark Matter Tour in Hollywood on Thursday night. The band hasn’t played in South Florida in nearly a decade. (See Photo)

➤ Oviedo Mall is bringing back the Mall Rat Club, an initiative aimed at teens aged 13-17 that offers a safe and fun way to hang out at the mall. (More)

➤ Best friends Rachel and Abby had dreamed of their children marrying each other since they were in college. Despite Rachel and her family moving to Florida, their dream came true. (See Photos)

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Do you wear glasses or contacts?

1. Yes
2. No
3. Only to read

Thursday’s Results:

Have you ever driven a Tesla?

1. Yes: 20%
2. No: 80%

Where is the only place in Florida where it is legal to swim with wild manatees?

Show me the answer