Florida Reacts to Bondi Beach Attack

Florida lawmakers spoke out to condemn a deadly shooting in Australia on Sunday that occurred during a Hanukkah celebration on Sydney’s Bondi Beach, killing at least 15 people and injuring dozens.

The Florida Legislative Jewish Caucus, made up of 12 House members and two state Senators, issued a statement denouncing the violence and expressing solidarity with Jewish communities worldwide.

In South Florida, which hosts a significant Jewish population, law enforcement agencies shared their sorrow as well as their dedication to keep U.S. citizens safe with increased patrols.

“As we observe the first night of Hanukkah—a time of light, reflection, and resilience—we encourage everyone to remain vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious or unlawful activity,” Miami Beach police said in a statement.

Chabad of Miami Beach Rabbi Zev Katz mourned the loss of Rabbi Eli Schlanger, a colleague and friend who helped organize the Bondi Beach event and was killed in the attack. South Florida Rabbi Tzvi Dechter, who had known Schlanger for decades, spoke tearfully about the profound loss.

DeSantis Pushes for AI Protections

Gov. Ron DeSantis hosted a roundtable discussion at Florida Atlantic University’s Jupiter campus on Monday to discuss artificial intelligence and how it is being used in crimes, including child sexual abuse. You can see the discussion here.

The governor continues to advocate for an AI bill of rights in Florida, which has created a clash with the Trump administration over states’ rights.

Last week, President Trump issued an executive order directing U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi to create an AI litigation task force to challenge state laws that conflict with a national AI policy.

DeSantis maintains that executive orders cannot preempt state legislation, and he said he believes a lot of what Florida is trying to pass is actually what the Trump administration is “encouraging states to do.”

Missing Child Found after 40 Years

A person missing for more than 40 years has been found and reunited with her father thanks to a Florida Crime Stoppers tip. On April 2, 1983, Michelle Newton disappeared from Louisville, Kentucky, when she was three years old.

Thought to have been abducted by her mother, Debra, the case had gone cold for decades. In 2024, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children released an age-progressed image of Michelle, hoping someone would recognize her.

Debra Newton was subsequently identified and arrested in November in The Villages, where she was living. She was arraigned on Dec. 9 in a Jefferson County, Kentucky, court and has a pretrial conference scheduled for Jan. 23.

“Detectives refused to let the trail go cold. Their work—and the courage of a Crime Stoppers tipster—brought a daughter home to her family after four decades,” Chief Deputy Col. Steve Healey said in a news release.

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➤ Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) experienced a power outage early Sunday morning, affecting operations across the airport and causing 263 flight delays. By afternoon, all four terminals had resumed operations. (More)

➤ Windermere: An appeals court in Lakeland will decide if the town can continue its failed attempts to take ownership of five century-old wooden boathouses. So far, the town has spent $637,000 in litigation. (More)

➤ Tampa: Moez Limayem was officially confirmed as the next president of the University of South Florida, succeeding retiring President Rhea Law. He will be USF’s ninth president with a base salary of $1.25 million. (More)

➤ Lee County: Schools have launched Unplugged, a campaign to limit technology during school hours. Classrooms will focus on learning without the use of phones, tablets, or laptops. (More)

➤ St. Petersburg: The city installed 11 pride-inspired bike racks to replace street murals that were removed earlier this year. (More)

➤ Miami Lakes: Attorney Rodolfo Blanco may lose his law license and his home and risks jail time after being accused by federal prosecutors of misappropriating roughly $1.5 million in client funds. (More)

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➤ The Miami Dolphins lost to the Steelers 28-15 last night as the defense struggled to get stops. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle finished the night with just two catches for 26 yards. (More)

➤ Florida quarterback DJ Lagway entered the transfer portal yesterday and is looking for a “fresh start to harness his talent” with a different team. (More)

➤ The Florida men’s basketball team continued to fall in this week’s Top 25 AP poll, moving down five spots to No. 23. The Gators are the only ranked Florida team. (See Poll)

➤ Miami golf commit Bella Dohvey won a five-person, three-hole playoff to win the high school state title this weekend. (More)

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➤ Sweet Tomatoes, a once-popular self-service eatery, is returning to the Florida market in Fort Myers after all of its restaurants closed nationwide amid the pandemic in 2020. (More)

➤ Boeing will supply its Astrovan vehicles to NASA to transport crew to launch pads for the agency’s associated training exercises and Artemis II launch after Canoo Technologies, which was contracted to supply three EV vans, went bankrupt. (More)

➤ Universal Studios Florida is being sued in federal court by an Alabama woman for $1 million after she said she was hurt riding the Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit in 2021. (More)

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➤ Special Hearts Farm in Winter Garden is expanding its size and programs, including the creation of housing for some of the more than 50 adults with special needs who care for animals on the nonprofit’s land. (See Video)

➤ Inmates at Columbia Correctional Institution in Jacksonville are crafting teddy bears for children. The program is a textile workshop that provides inmates with new job skills and offers them an opportunity to give back to the community. (See Video)

➤ U.S. Sugar’s century-old steam locomotive, the Santa Express, rolled across the Everglades on its fifth annual holiday mission to bring toys donated by the Clewiston-based company and its employees to families in need. (More)

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Do you think phones, tablets, and laptops should be banned from classrooms?

1. Yes
2. Part of the time
3. No, use the tech

Monday’s Results:

Do you listen to over-the-air radio?

1. Yes: 38%
2. Sometimes: 32%
3. No: 30%

Where in Florida was there a contingent of Scottish Highlanders from 1736 to 1742?

Show me the answer