Friday, November 15, 2024

Top Stories

Article Icon 1State Investigates FEMA for Anti-Trump Policy

Attorney General Ashley Moody’s Office launched a formal investigation into FEMA on Wednesday.

Following the admission by a FEMA administrator that properties with signs supporting former President Donald Trump were passed over for assistance in Lake Placid, suspicions have surfaced that the alleged discrimination was more widespread. 

According to FEMA, Marn’i Washington, the supervisor who has since been fired, ordered FEMA workers on the ground throughout the state to “avoid” homes with Trump signs after Hurricane Milton and had given similar directives in North Carolina. 

FEMA’s Administrator on Employee Misconduct Deanne Criswell stated that any such policy is “a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles.”

Article Icon 1International Florida Trade Office to Open in Italy

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will open a new international trade development office in Italy next year as part of the SelectFlorida program. SelectFlorida currently operates 18 international trade offices in 16 countries.

In Viareggio, DeSantis and the Florida leadership visited with local leaders and representatives from three of the world’s top shipyards, each with involvement in Pensacola, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami, respectively.

The meetings focused on increasing Italian investments in Florida’s ports and expanding Italian business operations in the state.

Article Icon 1Tropical Storm Sara Could Strengthen and Hit Florida

As a cold front moves through Florida, Tropical Depression Nineteen formed about 280 miles east of Isla Guanaja, Honduras, and is expected to become Tropical Storm Sara.

According to the National Hurricane Center, the system is expected to slow down near the Honduran coast late Friday and through the weekend. Some strengthening is expected by Saturday.

Two projected paths indicate Sara may impact Florida by Wednesday or Thursday. One path follows the system across Central America and the Yucatan peninsula over the weekend, which would result in a weaker storm hitting the Sunshine State.

In a video, The Weather Channel breaks down what Floridians need to know about Sara.

The Flyover

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Around Florida

Seminole County: Commissioners blasted Lynx bus service for inefficiencies before approving a $14 million contract for the upcoming year and committing to explore ways to reduce costs to the county. (More)

➤ Hialeah: The city council appointed Juan Francisco Junco, 86, as its newest member, making him the oldest person in the city’s history to hold the position. (More)

Palm Bay: Over the next few days, residents in the city’s northwest section may hear small explosions and scattered gunfire as Patrick Space Force Base conducts fall training exercises. (See Photos)

The Miami Beach Convention Center reported a record-breaking fiscal year in 2024 and is preparing to host even more events in fiscal 2025, with 64 already booked.  (See Details)

 Orlando: As the city works to reduce violence downtown by diversifying beyond bars, it will lose a theater in the heart of the Church Street entertainment area. Orlando Fringe will close in February. (More

Howey-in-the-Hills: Charlie Woods, son of legendary golfer Tiger Woods, wrapped up his first round of the Class 1A Florida high school state championship this week, shooting a 78—six shots over par—and finishing 55th. (See Photos)

Florida Sports

➤ Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence will miss a second consecutive game due to a shoulder injury. (More)

The Tampa Bay Rays will play their 2025 home games at Steinbrenner Field, the New York Yankees Spring Training facility. (More)

 The Orlando Magic held the Indiana Pacers to just 90 points in an impressive defensive performance on Wednesday night. (More)

 Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAF | NCAAM | NCAAW | PGA | LPGA

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The Business Of Florida

➤ Defense contractor Northrop Grumman secured approval to build an expansion complex for 1,200 employees, including a single-story, 50-foot-high bay at Melbourne Orlando International Airport. (More)

➤ The University of South Florida’s Tampa campus recently broke ground on its new football stadium, a 35,000-seat venue scheduled to open in the fall of 2027. (See Photos)

➤ Disney’s Hollywood Studios is celebrating the holidays with an after-hours event called Jollywood Nights. The five-hour event features entertainment, festive food and beverages, and character meet-and-greets. (More)

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Et Cetera

➤ An off-duty Coral Gables police officer chased a pair of burglars to a southwest Miami-Dade gas station Wednesday after they targeted his home. The suspects were apprehended. (See Video)

➤ Sea turtle nesting season was cut short after hurricanes left beaches and dunes flooded. Still, conservationists documented more nests in Pinellas County than last year. (See Video)

The owner of a Panhandle home has gone viral for displaying large banners in support of President-elect Donald Trump over the years. The homeowner refuses to remove the banners, despite accumulating $63,000 in fines. (See Photos)

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The Polling Station

Are you traveling out-of-state for Thanksgiving?

  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Haven’t decided yet

 

Thursday’s Results:

Who should Gov. DeSantis appoint to Marco Rubio’s Senate seat?

  1. Lara Trump: 23.9%
  2. Ashley Moody: 14.2%
  3. Himself: 13.9%
  4. Someone else: 13.1%
  5. Jose Oliva: 11.7%
  6. Jeanette Nunez: 11.6%
  7. I’d rather keep Rubio: 11.6%
Florida Trivia

Where in the Sunshine State did serial killer Aileen Wuornos drink her last beer?

Show me the answer

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