Author: Wayne Richardson

January 24, 2023 / 2:50 PM / CW44 Tampa Bay TAMPA BAY, Fla. (Tampa Bay Now) – The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced an online database is now giving survivors of sexual violence the power to know more about the findings in their case. Based on Gail’s Law which passed in 2021, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has implemented an online database for sexual assault evidence collection kits (SAKS) that allows sexual assault survivors to monitor the processing of their case. It’s a web-based tracking system that will allow survivors of sexual violence to follow the path of their…

TAMPA — A Florida man and woman accused of vandalizing several anti-abortion reproductive health services facilities are facing federal charges. A federal grand jury in Tampa returned an indictment last week accusing a 27-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman of spray-painting threatening messages last summer at facilities in Hollywood, Winter Haven and Hialeah. They are charged with conspiring to prevent employees of reproductive health services facilities from providing those services. Prosecutors said the messages included, “If abortions aren’t safe than niether (sic) are you,” “YOUR TIME IS UP!!,” “WE’RE COMING for U,” and “We are everywhere.” The first act of…

CHEYENNE — Wyomingites may see something similar to Florida’s so-called “Don’t Say Gay” law become a reality in Wyoming. Sen. Dan Dockstader, R-Afton, is sponsoring a bill that would bar classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, or “in a manner that is not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate…” The act would take effect in July of this year if it becomes law. Senate File 117, titled “Parental rights in education,” would also require school personnel to report changes in students’ well-being or use of services to parents and guardians under most circumstances, and…

Published Jan. 12|Updated Jan. 12 The big story: Florida’s higher education system has come under increasing scrutiny by Gov. Ron DeSantis and the state’s Republican-dominated Legislature, with several efforts to control curriculum content and conversation on campuses. Critics contend they’ve gone too far, ignoring a federal judge’s order putting some of the more far reaching measures on hold. Most recently, plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the new law that restricts lessons about race asked U.S. District Judge Mark Walker to stop the DeSantis administration from collecting information about college and university expenses tied to diversity, equity and inclusion. The administration…

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis this month appointed six new members to the board of trustees of a public college in his state that describes itself as “a community of free thinkers, risk takers and trailblazers.” Underlying these changes, Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz said, “is our hope that New College of Florida will become Florida’s classical college, more along the lines of a Hillsdale of the South.” Board shake-ups, threats to tenure and money: How conservatives are reshaping colleges Hillsdale College spokesperson Emily Banks Davis said that “with respect to the idea of New College becoming the ‘Hillsdale of the…

ORANGE CITY, Fla. – A man who fought with a deputy after locking three people in a garage he was renting was arrested Tuesday at his home near Orange City, according to the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office. According to Local 10′s Orlando news partner, WKMG, at around 3:41 p.m., deputies were called to the home of Lawrence Cohen, 66, on North Sparkman Avenue responding to a 911 call from a man who said his landlord, had locked him and two others inside of the room he was renting at the home — a refitted garage. Deputies said they had been…

Cogent Bank of Orlando, Florida, has launched a business aircraft lending division. Founded in 2001 as a state-charted business and personal bank, the company will finance business aircraft ranging from turboprops to ultra-long-range business jets with values between $3 million and $25 million. “The development of the business aviation vertical is another strong example of Cogent’s commitment to bringing innovative and forward-thinking solutions to our clients,” said Chirag Bhavsar, the lending institution’s president. Cogent’s new division is headed by industry veterans Jim Crowley, who will serve as managing director, and Margaret Francik, v-p and business aviation finance operations manager. It will provide clients with bank…

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — Starting New Year’s Day, you can still wear bikinis on the beaches of Miami Beach, but forget about showing any butts — cigarette butts, that is. A smoking ban is being implemented Sunday after the stroke of midnight at all Miami Beach municipal parks and public beaches. Under the new measure, a person can be fined $100 and spend up to 60 days in jail for a first-time violation. Miami Beach City Commissioner Alex Fernandez said he sponsored the measure to keep the city’s beaches pristine and protect sea turtles, seabirds, and other wildlife. According to…

When Dr. Joaquín García High School’s athletes hit the field, track or diamond next year, they’ll be announced to the world as the Bulldogs. The school, which opens in August off Lyons Road in the Lake Worth area, announced Thursday that its official mascot will be a fierce looking white bulldog. The school’s colors will be Carolina blue, navy and white. Dr. García High School is the first in the county to be named after a Hispanic community leader. Dr. Joaquín García was a West Palm Beach businessman and co-founder of the Hispanic Education Coalition. He died in 2021. The school that bears his…