Florida

Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa arrested on fraud, theft charges: Florida Attorney General to hold press conference

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Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa arrested on fraud, theft charges: Florida Attorney General to hold press conference

Espinosa evaded impeachment proceedings Earlier this year, a special prosecutor determined there was probable cause to initiate impeachment proceedings against Espinosa following an investigation into potential ethics violations. The investigation contended that Espinosa misappropriated public funds designated for a COVID-19 relief program and neglected to reveal conflicts of interest when distributing the funds to enterprises … Read more

Florida is set to carry out 18th execution this year and moving closer to tying record

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Florida is set to carry out 18th execution this year and moving closer to tying record

MIAMI — Florida is set Tuesday to carry out its 18th execution of the year under Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ’ aggressive use of the death penalty in his final term. Florida is set to carry out 18th execution this year and moving closer to tying record William Reaves, 77, was sentenced to death after … Read more

Florida brings more charges against former Cuba president Raul Castro

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Florida brings more charges against former Cuba president Raul Castro

MIAMI — Former Cuban President Raúl Castro is facing more charges in Florida related to the 1996 downing of civilian planes flown by Miami-based exiles after the U.S. government indicted the former leader earlier this year. Florida brings more charges against former Cuba president Raul Castro Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier on Monday accused Castro, … Read more

Florida surpasses California as leading destination for new Green Card holders: Check key details as judge orders reopening of 2027 lottery

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Florida recorded 219,470 new lawful permanent residents in fiscal year 2024, narrowly ahead of California’s 217,420, according to federal data. (X/@unumihaimedia)

A federal judge has mandated that the Trump administration reinstate America’s Green Card Lottery, restoring an avenue to permanent residency that garnered in excess of 20 million applications during its most recent completed registration period. Florida recorded 219,470 new lawful permanent residents in fiscal year 2024, narrowly ahead of California’s 217,420, according to federal data. … Read more

Steven Hamilton, 71-year-old fisherman killed by 12-foot alligator, fished almost every night at Florida pond

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Steven Hamilton, 71, was killed by an alligator while fishing at a pond in Winter Garden, Florida. (Unsplash/ representative image)

Steven Hamilton, loved fishing so much that he visited a pond in Florida almost every night. But on Friday, October 16, a fishing trip at Dr Bradford Memorial Park in Winter Garden turned fatal when an alligator attacked him. Here is what we know about him: Steven Hamilton, 71, was killed by an alligator while … Read more

Florida embraced water hyacinth for its purple flowers in the 1880s; after spreading past 120,000 acres, it was cut it to about 2,000 acres statewide

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What began as a garden favorite ended up clogging rivers and lakes. (AI-generated/ChatGPT)

Some plants look too pretty to cause trouble. Water hyacinth is a good example. The floating plant was introduced to Florida in the 1880s, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. By the early 1960s, it spanned more than 120,000 acres of public lakes and navigable rivers. That’s a lot of water going … Read more

Florida brought in Brazilian pepper as an ornamental shrub; it later infested over 700,000 acres and became one of the states worst invasive plants

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Known for its bright red berries, Brazilian pepper was introduced to Florida as an ornamental plant. (Wikimedia Commons)

A shrub with bright red berries sounds like something nice to plant in a garden. But in Florida, one such bush became a big problem. Brazilian peppertree was introduced into the state as an ornamental plant, according to the USDA Agricultural Research Service. USDA estimates that more than 700,000 acres in Florida are infested with … Read more

Fisherman, 71, killed by 12-foot alligator alongside Florida lake

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Fisherman, 71, killed by 12-foot alligator alongside Florida lake

A 71-year-old man fishing on the shore of a Florida lake was killed Friday by a nearly 12-foot alligator, the second fatal attack reported this year. Fisherman, 71, killed by 12-foot alligator alongside Florida lake Steven Hamilton of Winter Garden was standing on the shore of Lake Apopka at Dr. Bradford Memorial Park, 15 miles … Read more

Leigha Mumby: 5 things to know as Florida woman convicted in high-speed crash that killed boyfriend

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A Florida jury convicted Leigha Mumby of vehicular homicide and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury after a two-day trial over the death of her boyfriend, Daniel Waterman. (Mugshot)

A woman from Florida has been found guilty of vehicular homicide and reckless driving that caused serious bodily injury, resulting in the death of her boyfriend. A Florida jury convicted Leigha Mumby of vehicular homicide and reckless driving causing serious bodily injury after a two-day trial over the death of her boyfriend, Daniel Waterman. (Mugshot) … Read more

SpaceX rocket launch today: Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from Florida carrying supplies to ISS

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SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Florida carrying supplies to the ISS. (REUTERS/Philip Scott Andrews TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) (REUTERS)

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Florida on Tuesday, October 13, carrying a Dragon cargo spacecraft filled with supplies and scientific equipment for astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launches from Florida carrying supplies to the ISS. (REUTERS/Philip Scott Andrews TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) (REUTERS) The rocket lifted … Read more