Manhunt Underway for Released Murderer

A man serving a life sentence in federal prison for a brutal double-murder is on the run after being mistakenly released from a Miami-Dade jail, prompting a multistate manhunt led by U.S. Marshals.

Miami-Dade Corrections said 60-year-old James Edward Daniels, nicknamed “45,” was freed from the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center because of a procedural error now under internal affairs investigation.

Daniels was convicted last year of kidnapping three men from an Opa-locka truck yard in 2020. Investigators said the victims were bound and tortured during the attack, which left two dead. He was sentenced to life in federal prison earlier this year.

The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office warned that Daniels should be considered armed and dangerous. A $5,000 reward is being offered for tips leading to his capture.

Cities and Counties Sue Over New Law

Twenty-five Florida cities and counties filed a lawsuit Monday challenging a new state law they argue strips local governments of authority to impose stricter land-use and development regulations for the next two years.

A Miami-based law firm filed the suit in Leon County, arguing that parts of Senate Bill 180 are unconstitutional and prevent local governments from regulating development in the aftermath of a hurricane, including the imposition of moratoriums on construction regulations.

The changes took effect June 26, when Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the law, and are retroactive to Aug. 1, 2024. The challenge targets top state officials, including Commerce Secretary Alex Kelly, and seeks to invalidate the law.

Local officials say the moratorium has already nullified growth management proposals in places like Manatee County.

Metroplan Orlando Asks for Input

The metropolitan planning organization for Central Florida, Metroplan Orlando, sought input from residents of Osceola, Orange, and Seminole counties about their top traffic concerns, as the group works to address roadways over the next 25 years.

Metroplan is working to finalize the Metropolitan Transportation Plan for 2050, with a board vote on the first five years of the overall plan scheduled for Dec. 10.

During a Journey to 2050 meeting on Monday, residents expressed that their main concerns are safety and daily traffic delays.

Metroplan reports that 2.4 million people live in the Metro-Orlando area, and predicts 778,000 more people will move into the area, resulting in a 70% increase in freight tonnage over local roads by 2050.

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➤ Statewide: A new law doubles the maximum prison sentence for people convicted of a deadly DUI more than once. Trenton’s Law is named in honor of a Stetson University student who was killed by a drunk driver. (See Photos)

➤ Palm Beach County: Commissioners voted to make West Palm Beach the 12th municipality with speed zone cameras. Those traveling over 10 mph above the speed limit will be fined $100 in 23 school zones across the city. (More)

➤ Pasco County: A Hudson man was charged with aggravated animal cruelty after he told a neighbor that he had killed and eaten two of his own pet peacocks “because she continued feeding them” after he told her not to. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: The first of eight public workshops by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be held on Oct. 6, allowing public input on the state taking control of red snapper fishing in the Atlantic Ocean. (More)

➤ Escambia County: A Molino man is facing new felony charges for stolen property after attempting to sell a stolen boat while in jail. The boat, registered to a deceased man in Pensacola, was found hidden at a relative’s house. (See Photo)

➤ Martin County: Rio, an unincorporated community in the county, was named the number one place to retire on the U.S. East Coast in a new ranking by Niche. Florida dominated the list, with 23 of the top 25 locations. (See List)

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➤ Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill is expected to miss the rest of the season after tearing multiple ligaments in his knee during Monday night’s game. (More)

➤ IMG Academy topped the latest Florida high school football rankings, followed by St. Thomas Aquinas, Chaminade-Madonna, and Miami Northwestern. (More)

➤ Concerns are mounting that Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy could miss the start of the season rehabbing the undisclosed injury he suffered two weeks ago. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NFL | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Eight Starbucks locations in the state have closed since the Seattle-based coffee giant announced last week it will close about 180 coffeehouses in the U.S., Canada, and Europe and eliminate about 900 jobs. (See List)

➤ A new report by Area Development magazine ranks Florida 17th on the list of top states for business in 2025. Across 15 categories, Florida was in the top 10 for corporate tax structure, cost of doing business, and water availability. (More)

➤ Happy Place Yarns, a new retail shop, opened today in Jupiter to build a creative community. The store will offer classes, technique workshops, and knit-alongs with world-renowned designers. (See Photos)

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➤ Volusia County ranked as the world’s top location for shark attacks, with 359 reported to date, according to the Florida Museum of Natural History’s International Shark Attack File. Brevard County ranked No. 4, while Palm Beach County ranked No. 8. (See List)

➤ Today, the Florida State Fair is offering advance one-day-only tickets. The 12-day event, beginning on Feb. 5, will be themed America’s Sunniest Celebration, commemorating 250 years of American history. (See Details)

➤ State archeologists completed a painstaking preservation of an ancient wooden canoe discovered by a resident of Fort Myers during the cleanup from Hurricane Ian in 2022. (See Photo)

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Do you take naps?

1. Every day
2. Sometimes
3. Rarely
4. Never

Tuesday’s Results:

Would your vote be influenced by the crimes of a political candidate’s parent?

1. Depends on the crimes: 27%
2. I’m not sure: 25%
3. No: 25%
4. Yes: 23%

What signature Florida salad was first developed in the 1940s by a waiter named Tony Noriega?

Show me the answer