Sheriff Arrested in $20M Gambling Scheme

Osceola County Sheriff Marcos Lopez was arrested on charges of racketeering and conspiracy as part of an investigation into an alleged $20 million-plus gambling operation.

Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended Lopez and appointed Christopher Blackmon interim sheriff. Blackmon is the Central Florida regional chief for the Florida Highway Patrol.

The alleged crimes took place between August 2019 and August 2024 at Eclipse Social Club on West Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee.

Two former club managers and two former workers were also charged.

‘Let Floridians fish!’

Gov. Ron DeSantis joined with the governors of Georgia and South Carolina in asking the commerce secretary to give the states more control of the red snapper fishing in the South Atlantic.

DeSantis pointed to the success of state management of red snapper fishing in the Gulf, noting the stock has flourished and Florida’s recreational red snapper fishing season has grown from 3 days to 127 days.

U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Jacksonville, praised the request, saying federal regulators allowed for only one day of red snapper fishing off the Northeast Florida coast last year.

“Let Floridians fish!” Rutherford posted on social media.

Dolly’s Pirate Dinner Show Opens

Dolly Parton’s Pirates Voyage Dinner and Show opened in Panama City Beach, with seating for 1,000 people.

Parton herself kicked off the inaugural show, wearing a pirate costume. 

The show involves audience participation, with visitors picking a favorite from two pirate teams that battle on stage. Captain Blackbeard and Salty the Sea Lion also perform.

The attraction has created 300 jobs and attracted performers from across the world.

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➤ Statewide: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Thursday that seeks to limit standard firefighter shifts to 42 hours per week to reduce burnout. (More)

➤ Statewide: A group of attorneys filed a complaint of professional misconduct against U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. A Department of Justice spokesman said the Florida Bar has twice rejected similar attempts to “weaponize the bar complaint process.” (More)

➤ Orlando: A man sued Universal Studios after he was left suspended and tilted backward midair on the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey rollercoaster in 2023. (Details)

➤ Flagler County: A 1.3-mile seawall is nearly complete, giving State Road A1A the “highest level of protection it’s ever had” from hurricanes. Work remains on a 50-foot section, delayed because of a turtle nest. (More)

➤ Fort Myers Beach: A plan to annex San Carlos Island was shelved due to opposition from islanders. (More)

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➤ The Florida Panthers won Game 2 in double overtime Friday night to even the series with the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Finals. (Game Summary)

➤ The NCAA baseball tournament resumed on Friday, with FSU losing to Oregon State 5-4 in 10 innings and Miami losing to Louisville 8-1 in their opening Super Regional games. (Results)

➤ The Orlando Magic are actively exploring the NBA trade market ahead of the upcoming draft, possibly looking to shed salary and create cap space for free agent acquisitions. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s results: MLB | NHL | WNBA | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | PGA | LPGA | Tennis

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➤ Two men and a dog were rescued after a plane crashed on Thursday, landing upside down in the Indian River near Melbourne Beach. (See Video)

➤ Key West’s most iconic photo spot, the Southernmost Point buoy, will be temporarily unavailable as the surrounding seawall undergoes repairs. (See Video)

➤ Four dolphins are showing off their playful personalities at Clearwater Marine Aquarium after their relocation from Gulf World Marine Park amid an investigation into dolphin deaths. (See Video)

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What do you wish you had more of?

1. Money
2. Free Time
3. Friends
4. Other

Friday’s Results:

Can you play an instrument?

1. Yes: 37%
2. No: 63%

Which city is known as the “Bold New City of the South”?

Show me the answer