‘What were you thinking?’ Parkland families react to jury’s life in prison recommendation
Some families of the 17 people killed in the Parkland school shooting expressed their anger, sadness and shock by the jury’s recommendation Thursday that confessed shooter Nikolas Cruz be sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole instead of death, according to News 6 partner WPLG-TV.
Florida leaders react to jury recommending life in prison for Parkland school shooter
Florida leaders expressed a mixture of emotions Thursday after a jury rejected the death penalty and recommended instead a life sentence without parole for Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz for killing 17 people in 2018.
Florida let them vote. Then DeSantis’s election police arrested them.
Those arrested are all accused of voting in violation of a state law that forbids those convicted or murder or felony sexual offenses from casting ballots. In Florida, the state Division of Elections is responsible for identifying who isn’t qualified to vote and would have been required to flag their applications. AdvertisementIn the months that followed, voting rights organizations poured resources into Florida to spread the word about the new law. Florida law states that prosecutors must show that those arrested knew they weren’t qualified to vote and did so anyway. Democrats and voting rights advocates have decried DeSantis’s actions, accusing the governor of upending lives to advance his own political ambitions.
washingtonpost.comDeSantis appointees replace elected school board members
Four school board members appointed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis in one of Florida’s most Democratic counties were sworn into office on Tuesday. The state's Department of Education on Monday voiced “significant concerns" about the school system's actions before, during and after the shootings of 17 people by Nikolas Cruz, a troubled former student who attacked the high school's campus on Valentine's Day in 2018. In a letter sent to Superintendent Vickie Cartwright, the state cited the grand jury's finding of mismanagement of the $800 million voter-approved bond to renovate schools, the underreporting of criminal activity to the state, the district's “almost fanatical desire to control student data” and use it to manipulate public perception, and the practice of allowing students with serious felonies back on school campuses.
news.yahoo.com‘Evidence of incompetence’: Gov. DeSantis suspends 4 South Florida school board members
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis suspended four Broward County school board members on Friday citing “evidence of incompetence.”In a statement, the governor said he suspended Patricia Good, Donna Korn, Ann Murray and Laurie Rich Levinson following the recommendation of a grand jury reviewing the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. To replace the suspended school board members, DeSantis appointed the following members to the board:Read: ‘They will never be forgotten’: Central Florida remembers Parkland shooting 4 years laterTorey Alston, former commissioner of the Broward County Board of County Commissioners and president of Indelible Solutions;Manual “Nandy” A. Serrano, member of the Florida Sports Foundation board of directors, and CEO and founder of Clubhouse Private Wealth;Ryan Reiter, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and director of government relations for Kaufman Lynn Construction; andKevin Tynan, attorney with Richardson and Tynan, who previously served on the Broward County School Board and South Broward Hospital District. Read: Parkland trial a rare, curtailed look at mass shooting goreParkland School Shooting: What you need to know (NCD)Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. ©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comDeSantis suspends 4 Broward school board members named in grand jury report
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended four Broward school board members after a grand jury report accused them of “deceit, malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty and incompetence” and recommended their removal from office, according to News 6 partner WPLG-TV.
Grand jury wants school board members removed over massacre
A Florida grand jury empaneled after a 2018 school massacre has recommended that Gov. Ron DeSantis remove from office four members of the Broward County school board, saying they and district administrators displayed “deceit, malfeasance, misfeasance, neglect of duty and incompetence” in their handling of a campus safety program. In the 122-page report released Friday, the panel recommended that DeSantis suspend board members Patricia Good, Donna Korn, Ann Murray and Laurie Rich Levinson. A former member, Rosalind Osgood, also was targeted, but she has since been elected to the Florida Senate and taken office.
news.yahoo.comRapper Kodak Black is arrested on drug charges in Florida
Kodak Black-Rapper Arrested This image provided by Broward County, Fla., Sheriff's Office, shows Bill K. Kapri, known as rapper Kodak Black, who was was arrested Friday, July 15, 2022, in South Florida, on charges of trafficking in oxycodone and possession of a controlled substance. (Broward County Sheriff's Office via AP) (Uncredited)MIAMI — (AP) — Rapper Kodak Black was arrested in South Florida on charges of trafficking in oxycodone and possession of a controlled substance. The rapper, whose legal name is Bill Kapri, was booked Friday into jail in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he awaits a bond hearing. Black was also arrested earlier this year in South Florida on trespassing charges. In January 2020, then-President Donald Trump commuted a three-year federal prison sentence the rapper had for falsifying documents used to buy weapons.
wftv.com‘I wanted to go to jail’: Florida man arrested for ramming police cruiser
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida man arrested on charges he intentionally crashed into a state police cruiser allegedly told police that he did it because he wanted to be taken to jail. I wanted to go to jail,’” Florida Highway Patrol Lt. Indiana Miranda told WSVN. In their report, troopers said “(Turner) stated he saw the patrol vehicle and intentional(ly) used his vehicle to strike the patrol vehicle. He stated he wanted to go to jail because he ‘felt like he was already in jail,’” WPLG reported. When officers asked Turner why he felt like he was already in jail, he responded, “It’s a bunch of things,” WPLG reported.
wftv.comAverage US gasoline price jumps 39 cents to $5.10 per gallon
(Joe Cavaretta/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP) (Joe Cavaretta)CAMARILLO, Calif. — (AP) — The average U.S. price of regular-grade gasoline spiked 39 cents over the past three weeks to $5.10 per gallon. Industry analyst Trilby Lundberg of the Lundberg Survey said Sunday that the price jump comes amid higher crude oil costs and tight gasoline supplies. The average price at the pump is $1.97 higher than it was one year ago. Nationwide, the highest average price for regular-grade gas is in the San Francisco Bay Area, at $6.55 per gallon. According to the survey, the average price of diesel rose 20 cents over three weeks, to $5.86 a gallon.
wftv.com‘Pillowcase Rapist’: DNA leads to additional charges in mid-1980s Florida serial rape case
In 2020, Koehler’s DNA tied him to the infamous case of the Pillowcase Rapist, who authorities allege raped up to 45 women in the 1980s. “The investigation shows that Koehler carried out his attacks with diabolical precision,” Broward County Sheriff’s Office officials said. ‘He didn’t kill me … but he did kill me’One victim, identified only as Carolyn, spoke out in a video released by Broward County officials. “Despite intensive work by detectives at the time of the attacks, the trail of the Pillowcase Rapist went cold,” authorities said in a statement. In the Miami-Dade County case, Koehler is charged with sexual battery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping and burglary.
wftv.comMare rescued from South Florida pond
Horses: What you need to know (NCD)SOUTHWEST RANCHES, Fla. — A horse was rescued on Wednesday after falling into a South Florida pond located near the eastern edge of the Everglades. >> Read more trending newsThe mare, named Daisy, was stuck in a pond in the Southwest Ranches area of Broward County, located southwest of Fort Lauderdale. “We noticed the mare in the water was drowning,” Ricardo Alonzo, the owner of the mare, told WSVN-TV. It was a scary sight for Ricardo Alonzo when he arrived at his Southwest Ranches property and saw his mare, Daisy, stuck in a nearby pond. “We tried to throw ropes to get her, and we managed to get her to a corner,” Alonzo told WSVN.
wftv.comMonkeypox: Presumptive case investigated in Washington state’s King County
Monkeypox virus Stock illustration of the monkeypox virus. Health officials in King County, Washington, confirmed Monday, May 23, 2022, that they are investigating a presumptive case of the virus. (Biod/Getty Images/iStockphoto)KING COUNTY, Wash. — Health officials in King County, Washington, confirmed Monday that they are investigating a presumptive case of the monkeypox virus. The suspected King County monkeypox infection was reported less than an hour after health officials in South Florida confirmed they are now investigating Broward County and the state’s second presumptive case in as many days. >> Related: Monkeypox: 2nd presumptive case investigated in Florida’s Broward CountyMeanwhile, health officials in Massachusetts confirmed the first known 2022 U.S. case last week, and health officials in New York began investigating a presumptive case of the virus on Friday.
wftv.comMonkeypox: 2nd presumptive case investigated in Florida’s Broward County
Monkeypox: What you need to know (NCD)FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — South Florida health officials on Monday confirmed they are investigating a second presumptive case of monkeypox in Broward County. >> Related: Monkeypox: South Florida health officials, CDC investigating possible caseMeanwhile, health officials in Massachusetts confirmed the first known 2022 U.S. case last week, and health officials in New York began investigating a presumptive case of the virus on Friday. The individual believed to be the second-known Florida case detected has been isolated, and the risk of exposure remains low, WSVN reported. >> Related: Monkeypox: What is it, how dangerous is it, should you be concerned? The monkeypox virus is a rare but potentially serious illness, WFXT-TV reported.
wftv.comNaked man arrested after allegedly going on a crime spree in Florida that left infant, 2 others dead
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A naked man has been arrested after he allegedly went on a crime spree in Florida that has left an infant and two other people dead over the past weekend. >> Read more trending newsWPLG says Dale Spidle, 35, has been arrested after allegedly going on a crime spree in Broward County, Florida over the weekend. Deputies told WSVN that the suspect got out of the Kia and allegedly shot a man before taking off in a truck. Deputies say that Spidle, then crashed the truck and got out of it naked, according to WSVN. Spidle allegedly tried to steal a woman’s necklace while naked in a Walgreens parking lot but was soon arrested by authorities, according to WPLG.
wftv.comFlorida reports first presumptive monkeypox case in the state
Florida reports first presumptive monkeypox case in the stateBROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — The first presumptive case of monkeypox has been reported in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health. READ: Biden says monkeypox cases something to ‘be concerned about’FDOH officials reported Sunday that the presumptive case was found in an international traveler in Broward County. Health officials said the person is being isolated and people with possible exposure are being notified. READ: New York officials investigate case of suspected monkeypoxOfficials said clusters of monkeypox cases have been reported globally since May 14. ©2022 Cox Media Group
wftv.comMonkeypox: South Florida health officials, CDC investigating possible case
Monkeypox: What you need to know (NCD)FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Health officials in South Florida are investigating after a person was diagnosed with a presumptive case of monkeypox on Sunday, the Miami Herald reported. Florida Department of Health and CDC investigating a monkeypox case in Broward County https://t.co/jY5V57IZJf — Miami Herald (@MiamiHerald) May 22, 2022Because human-to-human transmission generally requires long face-to-face contact or direct contact, the risk of exposure to monkeypox remains low, WFOR-TV reported. The World Health Organization has identified about 80 cases globally, and roughly 50 more suspected cases, according to the AP. Health officials identified more than 200 people who had possibly been exposed to the patient, but after 21 days there were no additional cases identified. >> New York City health officials investigating suspected monkeypox caseAccording to the CDC, monkeypox was first discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks occurred in colonies of monkeys kept for research.
wftv.comFlorida teacher attacked by 5-year-old student at elementary school, police say
Classroom incident: Police said an elementary school teacher was "allegedly battered" by a 5-year-old student. (Sem Van Der Wall/ANP/AFP via Getty Images)PEMBROKE PINES, Fla. — A South Florida teacher was “allegedly” battered by a 5-year-old student at a Broward County elementary school, authorities said. >> Read more trending newsThe incident occurred at about 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday at Pines Lakes Elementary School in Pembroke Pines, the Miami Herald reported. A teacher was transported to the hospital after being attacked by a student at Pines Lakes Elementary School. As other faculty members attempted to restore order, they heard the teacher in the room with the 5-year-old, WSVN reported.
wftv.com2 Men Charged For Beating A Man To Death Who Was Hanging Christmas Lights In Gage Park
Two men have been charged in the brutal beating death of a father of three while he was hanging Christmas lights at his home in Gage Park in December, as part of a violent string of robberies stretching from the North Side to the South Side.
news.yahoo.comDeputies: Driver who killed 2 children, struck 4 others in hit-and-run crash arrested
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — The Broward County Sheriff’s Office said it has arrested a driver who struck six young children in a hit-and-run, killing two of them. Investigators said 27-year-old Sean Greer was traveling southbound on Northwest Ninth Avenue when a bus stopped to drop off a passenger. Greer then veered right, drove off the road and onto the sidewalk and driveway, striking six children, investigators said. After the crash, the investigators said Greer sped away from the area. READ: Police search for driver that killed 2 kids and injured 4 others in hit-and-run crashAndrea Fleming, 6, and Kylie Jones, 5, died at the scene.
wftv.comDisney Cruise Line announces Port Everglades in Broward County as second year-round homeport
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A new gateway to Disney fun is coming to the state. On Tuesday, the Broward County Commission, alongside Disney Cruise Line President Thomas Mazloum and Captain Minnie Mouse announced a new agreement naming Port Everglades as Disney’s second year-round home port. READ: Disney Cruise Line to require children ages 5 and up to be vaccinated for COVID-19In addition, the agreement provides one ship to be docked at Port Everglades year-round beginning next fall and joined by a second seasonal ship in 2025. “Disney is a big name that will bring big business to Broward County,” said Broward County Mayor Michael Udine. “We welcome everyone under the sun, and Disney Cruise Line is an excellent fit for our inclusive, family friendly destination.”READ: Disney Cruise Line unveils newest ship, the Disney WishClick here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
wftv.comFlorida U.S. House candidate sues to get primary loss erased
The Democratic Florida congressional candidate who lost a special election primary by five votes has filed two lawsuits asking that the result be thrown out, alleging his opponent's support of a universal income plan amounted to bribing voters. Dale Holness alleges Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick’s support of a proposal that would pay most U.S. adults $1,000 a month was an attempt to illegally bribe voters. Cherfilus-McCormick, a health-care company executive, won the Nov. 2 primary to replace longtime U.S. Rep. Alcee Hastings, who died of cancer in April.
news.yahoo.com2 of Florida’s largest school districts ease up on mask requirements
ORLANDO, Fla. — (AP) — Two of Florida’s largest school districts are easing up on their masks requirement this week. Orange County Public Schools’ 60-day mask mandate expired Saturday. Eight school districts have defied Gov. Ron DeSantis’ order that only parents should decide if their children wear masks, not school district officials. In response, the Biden administration has sent $420,957 to Broward County Public Schools and $148,000 to Alachua County Public Schools to offset the fines.
wftv.comFlorida dancer falls from stripper’s pole; 2 hours elapse before 911 called
Broward County deputies and paramedics responded to a 911 call after the caller said a woman fell 20 feet from a stripper’s pole, the Miami Herald reported. However, the owner of Scarlett’s Cabaret Miami in the village of Pembroke Park, said the woman fell from a 12-foot pole but was not seriously injured, the newspaper reported. Broward County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Veda Coleman-Wright told the Herald that dispatchers received a 911 call at about 8:25 a.m. EDT. The caller said the woman was dancing and fell from a pole to the dance platform, Coleman-Wright said. “The caller said the injury occurred about two hours before the 911 call,” Coleman-Wright told the newspaper.
wftv.com26 injured in explosion at Florida casino
Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood The entrance sign to the Seminole Classic Casino is seen on June 13, 2019 in Hollywood, Florida. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images, File)BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — An explosion Monday morning at the Seminole Classic Casino Hollywood injured 26 people, officials with the Seminole Tribe and Hollywood Fire Rescue told several news outlets. Gary Bitner, spokesperson for the Seminole Tribe, told WSVN that those injured included employees and customers. The incident happened around 9:50 a.m. as contractors were performing regular service on the casino’s fire suppression system, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reported. The fire suppression system was on the second floor of the building, an area closed to customers, according to the Herald.
wftv.comFDLE issues AMBER Alert for 2 children out of Broward County
BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. — A Florida AMBER Alert has been issued for two children from Deerfield Beach. FDLE said Zaynah Obidy and Zain Obidy were last seen in the area of the 4400 block of Crystal Lake Drive in Deerfield Beach. A Florida AMBER Alert has been issued for 5-year-old Zaynah Obidy and 6-year-old Zain Obidy. pic.twitter.com/fk8MSPaFqD — FDLE (@fdlepio) August 28, 2021Authorities said the children may be in the company of Max Carias-Carrilo and may be traveling in a 2011, black BMW 535 series, FL tag number PJH1B. Officials ask anyone with information on the location of Zaynah and Zain to contact law enforcement immediately.
wftv.com