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Florida's Volusia County Beaches Identified as High Shark Activity Areas

Florida's Volusia County Beaches Identified as High Shark Activity Areas

New Smyrna Beach and Daytona Beach, both located in Volusia County, Florida, have been identified as areas with a high number of shark encounters. According to data compiled from 1642 to 2024, New Smyrna Beach has recorded 277 shark attacks, earning it the moniker 'Shark Bite Capital of the World.' Daytona Beach, situated just 25 minutes away, ranks second with 67 recorded incidents during the same period. Despite these statistics, the article emphasizes that shark incidents are rare when considering the millions of visitors these beaches attract annually. For instance, New Smyrna Beach saw 422,000 visitors in 2021, while Daytona Beach welcomes 10 million visitors to its beach and metro area each year.
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PEN America Challenges Book Bans in Florida Court, Citing Free Speech Violations

PEN America Challenges Book Bans in Florida Court, Citing Free Speech Violations

PEN America, alongside other plaintiffs, challenged the banning of David Levithan's novel 'Two Boys Kissing' in the case of PEN America v. Escambia County School District (2024). The lawsuit argued that the removal of books addressing race and LGBTQIA+ themes constitutes a violation of free speech and equal protection under the law. 'Two Boys Kissing,' published in 2013, has been frequently challenged and banned in several states, including Florida, Texas, and Pennsylvania, primarily due to its LGBTQIA+ content and cover art. Despite its critical acclaim and numerous literary awards, including the Lambda Literary Award, the novel has been a target of censorship efforts. Judge T. Kent Wetherall of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida heard oral arguments in January 2024 but ultimately dismissed the case.
ReutersReuters
Florida Attorney General sues Pfizer and CEO over COVID-19 vaccine claims

Florida Attorney General sues Pfizer and CEO over COVID-19 vaccine claims

Oct 1 (Reuters) - Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Thursday filed a lawsuit against Pfizer and its CEO, Albert Bourla, accusing the drugmaker of misleading consumers about the safety and effectiveness of its COVID-19 vaccine.
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Florida Man and Woman Arrested for Attempted $2,500 Trading Card Theft at Target

Florida Man and Woman Arrested for Attempted $2,500 Trading Card Theft at Target

Andrew Simmons, 27, and Madeline Whaley, 35, were arrested in Palm Coast, Florida, after attempting to steal over $2,500 worth of trading cards from a Target store. Deputies were already at the Target investigating a separate bicycle theft when the store's loss prevention officer alerted them to Simmons, a known shoplifter, entering the store. Simmons was observed filling a plastic storage container with 98 packs of sports trading cards before heading towards a side exit where Whaley was waiting in a black BMW sedan. Deputies intercepted Simmons outside, leading to a "high-risk takedown" and the arrest of both individuals. A search of their vehicle uncovered methamphetamine, fentanyl, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun reported stolen from Jacksonville.
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Upside Foods Faces Legal Setback in Florida Cultivated Meat Ban Challenge

Upside Foods Faces Legal Setback in Florida Cultivated Meat Ban Challenge

Upside Foods Faces Legal Setback in Florida Cultivated Meat Ban Challenge
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ICE Raid in Tallahassee Leads to Food Truck Closure and Community Protest

ICE Raid in Tallahassee Leads to Food Truck Closure and Community Protest

An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Tallahassee, Florida, caused significant disruption at Chile & Chili's Taqueria Tallahassee. Security footage captured workers scrambling to flee federal agents, with one woman reportedly apprehended. The food truck's owner stated that three individuals seen running were Guatemalan nationals who had not finalized their immigration paperwork. Following the raid, the owner decided to close the food truck, citing safety concerns and the resignation of remaining employees. This incident has sparked outrage within the community, leading to plans for an anti-ICE rally at the food truck's location, organized by community groups like the Tallahassee Immigrant Rights Alliance, demanding that Florida law enforcement agencies sever ties with ICE.
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YWCA South Florida Seeks Part-time Childcare Associate for Court House Program in Broward

YWCA South Florida Seeks Part-time Childcare Associate for Court House Program in Broward

The YWCA South Florida is actively seeking a part-time Childcare Associate for its Drop-In Court House Program in Broward, Florida. This role involves assisting the court care site supervisor in the care and development of children, as well as maintaining the classroom environment. Key responsibilities include planning and teaching activities aligned with the YWCA’s developmentally appropriate framework to foster children's cognitive, social/emotional, physical, and creative skills. The associate will also be responsible for recognizing and mitigating health and safety hazards, protecting children, and nurturing them in a clean and safe teaching environment. The position emphasizes encouraging positive self-image through active listening, responding, and promoting independence, utilizing positive, non-punitive discipline techniques. Additionally, the role requires regular cleaning and maintenance of the classroom and equipment, supporting budget controls through proper material use, and completing timely a...
AP NewsAP News
Florida executes 77-year-old man convicted of a deadly hammer attack on a woman

Florida executes 77-year-old man convicted of a deadly hammer attack on a woman

A 77-year-old man convicted of killing a woman with a hammer has become the 16th person executed this year in Florida
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Governor DeSantis Announces Over $20 Billion Investment to Widen Florida's Turnpike and Enhance Service Plazas

Governor DeSantis Announces Over $20 Billion Investment to Widen Florida's Turnpike and Enhance Service Plazas

Governor Ron DeSantis has announced a significant investment exceeding $20 billion aimed at revitalizing Florida’s Turnpike. This initiative focuses on expanding the capacity of the entire 320-mile mainline, stretching from South Florida through Central Florida to I-75 in Wildwood. In addition to the widening efforts, nearly $8.5 million is allocated for new food concepts, amenities, and customer services at Turnpike service plazas. Furthermore, almost $54 million will be dedicated to expanding and improving truck parking facilities across the system. Under Governor DeSantis’s leadership, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has already added 384 lane miles across Florida’s Turnpike System, with 179 of those on the Turnpike Mainline. The Mainline Widening initiative, a key focus of his administration, is currently 55 percent complete and includes major widening projects in Central and South Florida to enhance capacity and travel reliability.
Florida Times-UnionFlorida Times-Union
Florida attorney general launches probe of JTA amid financial crisis

Florida attorney general launches probe of JTA amid financial crisis

Florida Attorney General Office of Statewide Prosecution issued a subpoena Sept. 28 seeking records from the Jacksonville Transportation Authority.
USA TodayUSA Today
The 10 states with the most EV chargers as electric car sales rise

The 10 states with the most EV chargers as electric car sales rise

As high gas prices prompted consumers to take a second look at EVs, the number of public chargers in various states increased in the spring of 2026.
USA TodayUSA Today
Florida's Miami-Dade County led with lowest August unemployment rate

Florida's Miami-Dade County led with lowest August unemployment rate

Florida's unemployment rate dropped for the third month in a row in August, with Miami-Dade County leading the state.