‘They failed me that day’: Parkland families sue over school massacre

The Broward School Board undermined the families of the victims of last year’s mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, attorneys and family members said Wednesday. School officials made a public show of promising to do what’s right for those killed and injured, but in private they dragged their feet in negotiations and working against the families in Tallahassee, the attorneys said. Announcing a slew of lawsuits against the Broward School District, Broward Sheriff’s... Read More

Burning odor evacuated 911 call center in Sunrise, police say

A strong odor in the 911 call center in the Sunrise Public Safety building prompted a brief evacuation, Wednesday, but firefighters found no smoke or flames, police aid. “They’re investigating whether a sewage line backup might have created a type of smoke smell,” said Officer Justin Yarborough. Only a portion of the building at 10440 W. Oakland Park Blvd. was evacuated about 8 a.m., he said. “There were no actual signs of any kind of burning, no fire alarm went off,” he said.... Read More

Mary’s Perfume Points us Toward the Cross

Her extravagant gesture exemplifies utter devotion. “Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:3). In a scene of generous hospitality and intimate fellowship, Jesus, Mary, Martha, and Lazarus have gathered in the afterglow of Lazarus’ return to life (John 12:1-11). Lazarus is reclining at the table with Jesus.... Read More

Suffering and Submission in Gethsemane

Even as Jesus struggled, he was resolute about what he wanted most of all. “He fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will’” (Matt. 26:39). When we sing the old hymn “I Am Thine, O Lord,” Fanny Crosby provides us with words to express what we want to say to God on our best days: Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,And my will be lost in Thine. Certainly... Read More

Three adults, three kids escape burning apartment, fire officials say

Three adults and three children escaped the flames but they are looking for a new place to stay following an apartment fire in Plantation, officials said. It happened about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday in a unit at 491 NW 46th Ave., said Plantation Fire Rescue spokesman Joel Gordon. “The cause has not yet been determined,” he said. “It’s under investigation.” The fire was out by 8:55 a.m. and there were no injuries, he said. Neighboring apartments appeared unaffected by the flames, but had... Read More

Bills to create a Parkland victims fund fail in Florida Legislature

Families who lost loved ones in the Parkland school shooting likely won’t find monetary relief from the Florida Legislature this year. Bills seeking to avert litigation by creating a taxpayer-backed assistance fund haven’t gotten a hearing, and they aren’t likely to pass this session, which ends on May 3. One of the measures — sponsored by Democratic state Sen. Lauren Book — would have created a $160 million compensation fund that families of the 34 people killed and wounded in the... Read More

Florida House ready to consider controversial scooter regulation bill

With the industry described by one lobbyist as being in its “infancy,” the full House could take up a controversial bill that would limit the ability of cities and counties to regulate scooter sharing services. The House State Affairs Committee on Wednesday approved a bill (HB 453), sponsored by Rep. Jackie Toledo, R-Tampa, that would set up a statewide regulatory framework for the industry, which involves riders using apps to hop on motorized scooters that can be left in various... Read More

Waiting Time Isn’t Wasted Time

As technology makes the world go faster, life’s little delays feel increasingly intolerable. Why we shouldn’t be in such a rush to get rid of them. I have been known to voice-text at stop lights, add reminders and calendar items during a 10-minute commute, and fill up silence with podcasts or at least an intentional discussion time with my children. Like so many others, I’m resourceful about turning wait times into productive times. It’s the American way. Nowadays, it’s... Read More

Woman steals truck with child inside and crashes multiple times, cops say

One woman is facing charges and another is hospitalized with critical injuries following a carjacking, a kidnapping, and a couple of collisions, police said. It began about midnight Tuesday when a woman’s car broke down on Interstate 95 near the exit to Ives Dairy Road in Miami-Dade County, investigators said. When another motorist stopped to help, the woman whose car broke down jumped in their truck and drove off with two passengers inside: a grandmother and her 11-month-old... Read More