Online Portal to Report Extremist Threats

Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Monday the launch of an online portal to combat violent extremism. The portal will allow anyone to report threats of political violence directly to the state.

“Lately, we’ve seen political violence more than ever,” Uthmeier said. “If you see something, say something. If there’s chatter out there that looks like a real threat, let us know, let us investigate, and let us try to save lives.“

The tipline, which accepts anonymous submissions, was created following social media responses to the assassination of Christian conservative activist Charlie Kirk. 

The portal can be accessed on the attorney general’s website, where videos, images, or text messages can be uploaded. Floridians in urgent situations should call 911, as the tipline is not for immediate threats.

Uthmeier dismissed criticism that the portal could be used as a government tool to crack down on free speech.

FHP Trooper Escapes 5-Car Crash

A Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) trooper narrowly escaped being killed in a five-car crash when his cruiser was crushed in a pileup on Friday on Florida’s Turnpike near State Road 417 in Orange County.

The crash occurred when a semi-truck sideswiped a car, causing a pickup truck to swerve and collide with both the car and the semi. The pickup then overturned and struck the parked FHP cruiser, pushing it into the path of a fifth vehicle. You can see photos here.

The trooper was not inside the cruiser when it crashed, and the trooper managed to get out of the way. Both the trooper and the driver of the pickup truck sustained minor injuries and were treated at the scene.

No other injuries were reported among the other drivers involved in the crash.

Jumbo Shrimp Baseball Team Hosts Playoff Series

The Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp are hosting the International League Championship Series this week at VyStar Ballpark, with a best-of-three matchup against the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Yankees.

This marks the team’s first postseason appearance since 2017 and the city’s first time hosting a Triple-A playoff series since 1968. The Shrimp are the Miami Marlins’ Triple-A affiliate.

Last night’s game was the first time in 11 years the Shrimp hosted a postseason game at their home stadium. Game 2 will be played tonight, with a potential Game 3 on Thursday. If the Shrimp win, they’ll head to Las Vegas for the Triple-A national championship.

The Shrimp finished the regular season on Sunday at the top of Minor League Baseball’s International League standings with 89 wins and 61 losses. 

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➤ Miami-Dade County: Gov. Ron DeSantis proposed allocating land adjacent to the Freedom Tower for the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library. (See Details)

➤ Fort Pierce: A federal jury found Ryan Routh guilty on all five charges, including the attempted assassination of then-candidate Donald Trump. After the closing arguments on Tuesday, the jury returned a verdict after about two hours of deliberation. Routh attempted to hurt himself with a pen as the verdict was read. (More)

➤ Tampa: Major League Baseball owners unanimously approved the sale of the Tampa Bay Rays to a Jacksonville group led by real estate developer Patrick Zalupski. The $1.7 billion deal is expected to close this week. (See Video)

➤ Charlotte County: A person of interest has been identified in the fire at Chabad of Charlotte County synagogue in what Punta Gorda police are now calling an arson and a hate crime. (See Photo)

➤ Nassau County: Beach driving has returned to American Beach after the county settled with a group that sued to try to end the practice. (More)

➤ Martin County: The plan to build a $60 million Brightline station in Stuart is delayed about nine months, as the county has to reapply for much of the grant money needed, following a U.S. Department of Transportation decision. (More)

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➤ Florida football’s three permanent SEC opponents were announced this week: Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina. The Gators will play each school every year for the next four years. (More)

➤ UCF assistant football coach Shawn Clark passed away this week after suffering a medical emergency, per the school. Clark was hired as one of Scott Frost’s handpicked assistants earlier this year after a successful five-year stint as head coach of Appalachian State. (More)

➤ Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck is currently tied for the third-best Heisman odds in the country, trailing only Oklahoma’s John Mateer and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NHL | MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ The parent company of Office Depot, a Boca Raton-based office supplies store, was sold to Atlas Holdings in a deal valued at close to $1 billion. (More)

➤ JetBlue will significantly expand its service to Kingston’s Norman Manley International Airport starting Dec. 4, adding multiple new daily flights from Broward County’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (More)

➤ Serious Simulations, a defense firm in Oviedo, made a $28 million deal with the U.S. Army to supply simulated grenades and land mines for combat training. The contract is expected to double the company’s workforce. (More)

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➤ The U.S. Air Force’s second Melbourne-developed B-21 Raider stealth bomber entered flight testing. Northrop Grumman is contracted to produce at least 100 of the long-range strike aircraft. (More)

➤ A 26-story apartment tower called ArtHaus won unanimous approval in Fort Lauderdale. It will include 265 rental units, with 43 units designated for workforce housing. (More)

➤ The Humane Society of St. Lucie County announced a free pet adoption period. From Oct. 1-15, adoption fees for all cats and dogs will be waived as part of the Empty Shelters initiative. (See Photos)

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Would you use the new Florida “Combat Violent Extremism” tipline to report a threat?

1. Absolutely
2. Depends on the threat
3. Probably not
4. No, threatens free speech

Tuesday’s Results:

Have you ever eaten at a Señor Frog’s Mexican restaurant?

1. Yes: 42%
2. No: 58%

Which Florida town was declared a bird sanctuary by its founders at its incorporation?

Show me the answer