Sheriffs All-In on Immigration Enforcement

Gov. Ron DeSantis traveled to the Homestead Air Reserve Base in Miami-Dade County to announce the state’s latest efforts to tackle illegal immigration, including a statewide ICE partnership.

All of Florida’s 67 sheriff’s offices have now agreed to partner with ICE to provide enhanced immigration enforcement at the street level as part of officers’ duties, a first for any state, he said.

“If all the states did this, this problem would go away much quicker,” DeSantis said. “Your communities will be safer. The taxpayers will have less burdens placed on them.”

Federal reimbursements will help fund the effort, and the state has appropriated $250 million to supplement and reimburse municipal and county law enforcement, DeSantis said.

SpaceX Launches Lunar Lander

Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander Athena and NASA’s ride-along orbiter Lunar Trailblazer successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

Athena carries 10 NASA science instruments designed to hunt for water ice on the moon.

The trip will take eight days and, once there, Athena will showcase lunar mobility, explore resources, and analyze volatile materials found beneath the surface.

Following stage separation, the first-stage booster landed on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean. It was the ninth flight of the first-stage booster.

The mission is called IM-2 because it’s Intuitive Machines’ second launch in as many years, part of NASA’s program of commercial partnerships used to deliver science and technology gear to the moon.

Volusia Sheriff’s Office Employs New Technology

The Volusia Sheriff’s Office became the first law enforcement agency in the U.S. to use IBIS ClearCase technology, which enables police to investigate shootings faster than ever.

The system provides fast analysis of shell casings left behind at crime scenes to determine the number and caliber of firearms, with investigators able to analyze up to 20 casings at a time.

The data as well as location information go into a national database, which can reveal other places where the gun has been used.

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➤ Palm Beach: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi released some files from the Jeffrey Epstein case on Thursday after telling Fox News the night before that what Epstein did is “pretty sick.” (More)

➤ Broward County: A sheriff’s office captain was demoted, and an eighth deputy was placed on administrative leave, over the agency’s response to a triple homicide in Tamarac. (See Details)

➤ Orange County: Commissioners turned down a proposed waste treatment plant following nearly two hours of testimony against the project by neighbors. (More)

➤ Ormond Beach: City commissioners criticized Mayor Jason Leslie for allegedly “inaccurate” information in a recent TV segment where he toured city parks and facilities. (More)

➤ Pasco County: Schools are adding walls to 700 open classrooms to help reduce distractions and bolster security. (See Video)

➤ Crystal River: HGTV highlighted the small city as the state’s most charming, appealing to visitors who enjoy boating, diving, fishing, and eco-touring. (See Map)

➤ The Miami Heat scored 42 third-quarter points in a 131-109 win over Atlanta. (More)

➤ Indy NXT race driver Nolan Allaer showed off his Tampa Bay Lightning-themed race suit in a recent social media post. (See Photos)

➤ The Tampa Bay Rays agreed to return $200,000 the team received to promote an alleged Ponzi scheme in 2024. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | PGA | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer

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➤ Cocoa Beach commissioners raised the fees for registering a vacation rental home to the highest in the state amid complaints about Airbnb rentals in neighborhoods. (See Video)

➤ SeaWorld Orlando’s security guards, employed by United Parks & Resorts, petitioned the National Labor Relations Board to unionize. (More)

➤ Holland America’s Eurodam, which set sail from Port Everglades on Feb. 19 for a 10-day Caribbean voyage, reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness consistent with norovirus had made dozens sick. (More)

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➤ The Tamarac community honored a 108-year-old woman as a kickoff to Women’s History Month in March. (See Photos)

➤ Tampa Theatre will host Hollywood Awards Night 2025 on Sunday for those wanting the Academy Awards night experience in Florida. (Details)

➤ Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens announced the birth of a male Eastern bongo calf. The copper-colored, white-striped antelope is a critically endangered species. (See Photo)

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Do you plan to watch the Academy Awards on Sunday?

1. Yes
2. No

Thursday’s Results:

Which is your favorite berry?

1. I don’t like berries: 21%
2. Like them all: 18%
3. Strawberry: 15%
4. Blueberry: 14%
5. Raspberry: 12%
6. Blackberry: 11%
7. Other: 9%

Which Jacksonville-born singer replaced his late brother in a famous Southern rock band?  

Show me the answer