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LGBTQ+ travel info nixed from state website
Key West, Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors are among several Florida cities that have long been top U.S. destinations for LGBTQ+ tourists. So it came as a surprise this week when travelers learned that Florida’s tourism marketing agency quietly removed the “LGBTQ Travel” section from its website sometime in the past few months. Business owners who cater to Florida’s LGBTQ+ tourists said Wednesday that it was the latest attempt by officials in the state to erase the LGBTQ+ community. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis previously championed legislation to forbid classroom instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in all grades, and supported a ban on gender-affirming care for minors.
‘Lying,’ ‘fraud,’ ‘rude.’ Enemies profess peace after hard-fought primary season that set South Florida congressional races
Outspent by more than 4-to-1. Run for office repeatedly, but never won. Facing multiple opponents, including one who’s repeatedly been elected. Despite the challenges, Joe Kaufman finished 15 points ahead of his main rival on Tuesday to win the Republican nomination for Congress in the Broward-Palm Beach county 23rd District. Kaufman will be his party’s candidate in the November general ...
Owner of closed Polk law firm asks Supreme Court to halt disciplinary cases against him
The owner of a law firm that catered to elderly clients wants the Florida Supreme Court to halt disciplinary action against him over his admitted misuse of company funds. Family Elder Law, based in Lake Wales, shuttered its offices there and in Lakeland and Sebring last month with no warning to clients. The...
Wealthy Floridians Are Buying Up All of N.Y.C.’s Luxury Homes, a New Report Says
It was only a couple of years ago that a record number of high-earning New Yorkers fled the Big Apple. Oh, how the times have changed.Inside the New Southeast Asian N.Y.C. Restaurant From a Korean Fine Dining Pioneer In 2022, approximately 545,000 New York City residents packed their bags and moved to other parts of the country. A whopping 90,000 New Yorkers headed south to Florida, according to census data. As of last month, the state’s population had swelled to over 23 million, and each year has been adding anywhere from 350,000 to 375,000 new residents over the last decade. However, a new report from...
South Florida felon votes for first time in nearly 30 years
MIAMI — Dwight Spencer has been out of prison since 2017, and he's still having trouble finding steady work. Spencer was convicted of felony drug possession charges in Florida in the 1990s. He was also convicted of federal charges and spent 20 years in federal prison before President Barack Obama commuted his sentence. "I was very happy but still a little weary of coming back to society," Spencer said. He also just got back his right to vote. Florida voters passed Amendment 4 in 2018, which restores a felon's right to vote once they complete all terms of their sentence....
Unlicensed driver arrested on DUI charge after overturning truck
An unlicensed driver was arrested on a drunk driving charge after crashing a truck into a guardrail. Hugo Leonel Caal De Los Santos, 36, of Bushnell, was driving a white 2022 Ford F-250 pickup at 10:42 p.m. Wednesday westbound on County Road 48 east of County Road 319 when he failed to navigate a left curve and collided with a guardrail, according to an accident report from the Florida Highway Patrol. The truck rolled onto its right side and then onto its roof. The crash caused the vehicle’s airbag to deploy.
Leesburg father stuck babysitting attacks wife who went out with friends
A Leesburg man was arrested Wednesday on a warrant issued for allegedly punching and strangling his wife for going out with friends while he babysat. On Aug. 11, officers with the Leesburg Police Department responded to an undisclosed Lake County apartment regarding a battery, according to an affidavit of probable cause out of Lake County. They arrived and met with the female victim who advised that 40-year-old James Earl Beasley, her current husband and father to their child, battered her. He became upset that she went out with some friends while he stayed home watching their child.
Jealous man allegedly assaults former co-worker at Walmart in Leesburg
A Leesburg man was arrested last week for assaulting an ex-coworker inside Walmart and damaging his vehicle because of a suspected relationship with his girlfriend. On the evening of May 15, the male victim was shopping at Walmart, located at 2501 Citrus Boulevard in Leesburg, according to an affidavit of probable cause out of Lake County. He reported to the Leesburg Police Department that he was confronted by an ex-coworker, later identified as 37-year-old Jaredd Isaac Pitts.
Pasco County deputies investigating shooting between roommates in Wesley Chapel
PASCO COUNTY, Fla. — Pasco County deputies are now investigating a shooting after an apparent argument between roommates in Wesley Chapel, according to a news release. Deputies responded to the report of the shooting in the Thackery Way area and determined a heated argument might have sparked gunfire between the three men, the release said.
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