Former Florida Senate President Don Gaetz opposes the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s proposal to build golf courses and hotels in state parks. He questions the ethics behind the idea. “Years ago,…
Category: State & National News
DeSantis Says Park Plans Need Another Look
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — Trying to quell a bipartisan uproar, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday that “half-baked” plans to bring golf courses, resort-style lodges and pickleball…
Former deputy denied pre-trial release
The former Okaloosa County deputy who shot and killed decorated Sr. Airman Robert Fortson was denied pre-trial release today. Eddie Duran was arrested yesterday after State Attorney Ginger Madden filed one count…
Daily Outtakes: Park Golf Course plan blasted
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s Great Outdoors Initiative is getting blasted by Republicans. It would build a 350-room park lodge at nearby Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Matt Gaetz on X:…
Okaloosa deputy charged airman shooting
State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden announced today that a direct information has been filed charging former Okaloosa County Deputy Sheriff Eddie Lee Duran, Jr., with one count of Manslaughter with a Firearm….
Daily Outtakes: FDEP plan for hotels and golf in state parks criticized
On Monday, the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) announced the launch of its 2024-25 Great Outdoors Initiative. In addition to increasing the number of cabins and lodges on park property, the…
FDOH notices public of June breach
We received this public notice yesterday. PUBLIC NOTICE: FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH Tallahassee, Fla. – Following a recent cybersecurity incident impacting the Florida Department of Health (Department), the Department has begun direct…
LaRuby May at DNC
Attorney LaRuby May, daughter of Mary May and the late Theophalis May, led roundtable discussions at the Democratic National Convention. On “Real News with Rick Outzen” today, we discussed her week and…
Santa Rosa voters end Calkins Era
Commissioner James Calkins saw his power grab fall apart in the Santa Rosa County primary yesterday. He not only lost his race, but his attempt to get in his spouse on the…
Dozier compensation ‘time sensitive’
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida Physical abuse. Mental abuse. Sexual Abuse. Corporal punishment. Excessive force. Dismissive safety controls. Rehabilitative negligence. The categories of “victimization” — and “other” — are…
Calkins PAC backs Calkins wife
I received another text from America First Alliance, the PAC run by Santa Rosa County Commissioner James Lee Calkins’s grandmother. Granny Sorenson likes Moms for Liberty candidate Mariya Calkins, James’s wife. Richard,…
Daily Outtakes: PAC interference, Calkins, Salzman
Escambia County voters finally have something over on Santa Rosa County. Escambia doesn’t have to deal with James Calkins and weird political action committees. However, both counties share interference from the Committee…
Scott meets with local veterans
U.S. Sen. Rick Scott made a campaign stop in southwest Escambia County yesterday at Warrior Beer Company. The theme was supporting our military veterans, which made the brewery the ideal spot for…
Blackface mailer architect paid $50K in defamation case
The architect of the mailer that attacked Walker Wilson for having a “trusted” Black friend last year settled a defamation suit filed by a Santa Rosa County Commissioner over a mailer for…
Daily Outtakes: Florida ‘hostile’ toward covering kids’ health insurance
Roadblocks to health persist for kids in FL By Eric Tegethoff, Florida News Connection Health insurance prospects for Florida kids are not improving, despite pushes to increase coverage rates in the state….
Thank you, Fred Levin
This week the News Service of Florida provided the list of future payments from Big Tobacco to the state of Florida. Fred Levin was the mastermind of the historic 1997 settlement. From…
Death Penalty Appeal cites Dozier abuse
By Dara Kam, The News Service of Florida TALLAHASSEE — A Death Row inmate who spent time at the notorious Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys and is the first prisoner scheduled…
JD Vance vs. Tim Walz
On “Real News with Rick Outzen,” Lincoln Project chief of staff Ryan Wiggins discusses how Sen. JD Vance and Gov. Tim Walz may impact the 2024 presidential race. “Trump, I think, thought…
Daily Outtakes: Hurricane Debbie
Last night the Florida Division of Emergency Management issued its voluminous report that listed the pre-landfall and post-landfall work of all the state agencies. I’ve hit the highlights below: State Response Efforts…
Bergosh pledges to honor OLF-8 master plan
On WCOA’s “Real News with Rick Outzen” this morning, Escambia County Commissioner Jeff Bergosh repeated his commitment to the OLF-8 master plan. “I’m not going to vote for anything that violates the…
