Alexander Vindman — the retired Army lieutenant colonel whose testimony provided critical evidence in the first impeachment of President Donald Trump — announced Tuesday he is seeking the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate from Florida. Vindman, who now lives in Broward, described Trump in his announcement as a “wannabe tyrant” and painted appointed U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody, the Republican he hopes to replace, as a tool of billionaire special interests. His announcement video... Read More
Dolphins hiring defensive backs coach who was under Hafley in Green Bay
The Miami Dolphins don’t yet have their defensive coordinator in place, but a position coach who was under new coach Jeff Hafley in Green Bay will now be joining the staff. The Dolphins are hiring Ryan Downard as defensive backs coach, according to a league source Monday night. He held the same position with the Packers while Hafley was defensive coordinator with them. Downard had been with Green Bay since 2018, so new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was there his whole tenure with the... Read More
Confessed Hollywood cop killer seeks to vacate guilty plea, saying attorneys ‘coerced’ him
Weeks after a jury rejected the death penalty for Jason Banegas in the murder of Hollywood Police Officer Yandy Chirino, the 23-year-old is asking a judge to vacate his guilty plea on the grounds that he was “coerced” into doing so by his trial attorneys. Banegas, 23, pleaded guilty to shooting Chirino, 28, in the city’s Emerald Hills neighborhood on Oct. 18, 2021, as the two struggled over a gun. Banegas told investigators he was trying to shoot himself when he shot Chirino... Read More
Vaccine exemption for conflict with parents’ ‘conscience’ advances in Florida Senate
TALLAHASSEE — A Senate committee Monday narrowly approved a bill that would create a new path for parents who don’t want their schoolchildren vaccinated, with the proposal’s sponsor saying parents should be in the “driver’s seat” — but opponents warning of public-health consequences. The bill (SB 1756), sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, R-Jacksonville, includes creating an exemption to vaccination requirements for parents who say the shots conflict with their “conscience.”... Read More
Officer fatally shoots an aggressive raccoon on a New York boardwalk
NEW YORK (AP) — A New York police officer who fatally shot a raccoon that aggressively charged toward people has been placed on modified duty while the matter is reviewed. The shooting occurred around 7:45 a.m. Thursday in Rockaway Beach, shortly after someone called 911 to report a vicious animal, a police department spokesperson said in an emailed statement Monday. Officers were trying to usher the racoon from a boardwalk to a safe location when the animal suddenly charged. An officer... Read More
Reeves and Ronningdal Named Players of the Week
Story Links ORLANDO, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference announced its weekly award winners for the week of January 19-25, and two Sharks were highlighted. Ross Reeves and Emilia Ronningdal were named Men’s Basketball Player of the Week and Women’s Swimmer of the Week, respectively. Hailing from Orem, Utah, Reeves powered the Sharks to a 2-0 week with key conference wins over Saint Leo University and No. 4 Palm Beach Atlantic University. On the road against... Read More
Fort Lauderdale boxing coach found dead in canal two days after disappearance
The co-owner and coach at a boxing gym in Fort Lauderdale was found dead Sunday after his car was lifted from a section of the Cypress Creek Canal, a few blocks away from where he was last seen two days earlier. Jonathan Scibica, 35, of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, left the Cheers Restaurant & Bar in the 900 block of East Cypress Creek Road in his grey 2024 Honda Ridgeline about 4 a.m. Friday. The Broward Sheriff’s Office issued a missing person alert on Saturday evening. Scibica was a... Read More
Paralyzing winter storms put a big chill on US economy, but how much?
By SETH BORENSTEIN, Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — The deadly and widespread winter storm paralyzing much of the American East with ice, snow and cold is also taking a multi-billion dollar bite out of the U.S. economy, experts figure. But how much? Economists and meteorologists are trying to get a handle on the disruption costs of winter weather disasters, which aren’t as easy to calculate as buildings destroyed by hurricanes, floods and fires. “Events like this storm highlight just... Read More
DeSantis blames Minnesota officials for immigration turmoil there
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Monday he knows who’s responsible for the turmoil surrounding President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts in Minnesota, which has resulted in the fatal shootings of two American citizens by federal agents. DeSantis pointed a finger of responsibility at Gov. Tim Walz, of Minnesota, and Mayor Jacob Frey, of Minneapolis, for what is happening there. He faulted them for fomenting opposition to federal immigration enforcement efforts there, and contrasted... Read More
Jewish voices rise up with concern following ICE killing of Alex Pretti in Minneapolis
After Alex Pretti was shot and killed on Jan. 24 by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jewish voices were among the many that quickly rose up in condemnation. The voices have included both progressive Jewish groups that regularly inveigh against right-wing policies and, increasingly, mainstream groups that say they represent American Jews from across the political spectrum. The American Jewish Committee, for example, issued an extensive statement... Read More