Florida State

Tallahassee, FL

Columbus, OH

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Uncovering Florida

With hurricane season posing a consistent threat six months out of the year, who would not like a little help getting their home ready for the harsh weather to come? Senate Bill 7028: My Safe Florida Home Program, approved by Governor DeSantis on April 24, 2024, and effective as of July 1, appropriates a one-time total of $200 million from 2024 to 2025 for the purpose of funding hurricane mitigation grants and inspections, as well as outreach and administration costs, to support homeowners in Florida.

DeSantis Signs New Bill Giving $200 Million To Homeowners

Most people are guilty of doing it at least once in their lives, many people do it by accident, some do it because they find it fun, and others do it for reasons like honoring loved ones. Regardless of the situation, just about everyone has released a balloon. The difference is that intentionally releasing balloons is now illegal by House Bill 321’s standards.

Law Signed By DeSantis Makes It Illegal To Release Balloons In Florida

Tampa, FL

Riverview, FL

USA TODAY

Kim Chambliss and Val Delacruz had just returned home from Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino with $3,300 in winnings when they were ambushed.

A Florida couple won $3,300 at the casino. Two men then followed them home and shot them.

Ohio State

The Lantern

On Tuesday, licensed Ohio dispensaries began legally selling non-medical marijuana to consumers; however, the drug’s possession, growth and/or usage are still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus. Credit: Jefferee Woo/Tampa Bay Times/TNS [Original caption: Four citizen-led petitions with proposals to update Dallas’ charter hit the 20,000 valid signature threshold to make it on the Nov. 5 election ballot, including one that would ban police officers from arresting or citing people carrying less than four ounces of marijuana.] As of Tuesday, students 21 and older can now legally purchase marijuana in Ohio.

Dispensary sales of recreational marijuana began Tuesday; possession and usage still prohibited on Ohio State’s campus

Georgia State

Douglas, GA

Daily Coffee Press

Last week, a 32-year-old was arrested on trafficking charges after allegedly fleeing from a traffic stop and abandoning the vehicle with a child in the passenger seat. The chase resulted in the discovery of 230 grams of methamphetamine, which the suspect allegedly threw out while fleeing on foot. According to local detectives, the vehicle the suspect was driving was registered to NFL football player Tyreek Hill.

Man Driving Vehicle Registered to Tyreek Hill Arrested on Drug Trafficking Charges in Douglas

Virginia State

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Kentucky Vibes.net

Disclaimer: This article was written with the help of A.I. software. On July 28, 2024, a TikTok video posted by Erica W., known as @tasteofmelanin on the platform, garnered significant attention after she exposed disturbing racist decorations in an Airbnb rental. The incident occurred in a rental property that Erica had booked, although the exact location remains unspecified. The video has since gone viral, prompting widespread concern and leading to the removal of the listing from Airbnb's platform.

Airbnb Listing Taken Down After Black Woman Finds Hanging Monkeys and Cotton Used As Decor

Lakeland, FL

The Kitchn

We independently select these products—if you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. If you’re a fan of Aldi but live closer to a Winn-Dixie or Harvey’s Supermarket, then you’re in luck. The discount grocery retailer purchased 400 Winn-Dixie and Harvey’s stores in August 2023, and expects to convert 50 of those stores into Aldi locations by the end of 2024, with most of them reopened and running by the end of 2025.

Aldi Announces Major Store Change That Will Take Place in 2025

Atlanta, GA

A 40-year-old man has been sentenced to over 28 years in prison for distributing significant amounts of fentanyl and other controlled substances to dealers in the Middle Georgia region. Authorities revealed that investigators uncovered evidence linking the drugs provided by the defendant, 40-year-old Lagary Williams, also known as "Frog," from Atlanta, to a fatal overdose.

Atlanta Man Sentenced to 28 Years for Supplying Deadly Fentanyl Linked to Fatal Overdose

Jersey City, NJ

Essex County, NJ

Morristown Minute

NEWARK, N.J. – Efrin Wade, a former correctional officer at Essex County Correctional Facility (ECCF), has admitted to accepting $14,000 in bribes to smuggle contraband, including tobacco and a cell phone, into the facility for inmates. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Correctional Officer Guilty of Smuggling Contraband: $14K in Bribes Accepted

Salem, OH

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Every day, 8-year-old Emma sits in a small garden outside her grandmother’s home in Salem, Ohio, writing letters to her mom and sometimes singing songs her mother used to sing to her.

Thousands of parents die of overdoses; advocates say their kids need more help

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

A permanent marker will be erected to honor the victims of the racist mass shooting nearly a year ago at a Dollar General store in the New Town community. City Council approved the marker 17-0 on Tuesday night.

Marker will honor victims of racist Dollar General shooting

FinanceBuzz

There are still some great hidden gems in the Sunshine State. Consider adding these Florida cities to your list of possible retirement spots.

15 Surprisingly Great Retirement Cities in Florida No One Is Talking About

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Denver, CO

In addition to collecting more than 8,000 used needles in the past year from Denver drug users, the Harm Reduction Action Center passed out 10,000 meth pipes and “snort kits,” according to a newsletter sent to its supporters Thursday. They also connected about 1,700 people to medical, mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Denver group hands out 10K meth pipes, ‘snort kits,’ connects 1,700 to treatment annually

Winder, GA

A 50-year-old former jailer has been charged by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) with cruelty to inmates and violation of oath of office. On Sunday, July 21, the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI to investigate an incident involving one of their jailers, Lolita Lightner of Winder, Georgia.

Former Jailer at Georgia County Jail Arrested

Massachusetts State

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Dianna Carney

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, is still looking for a forever home for an adorable six-year-old French bulldog named Joannie. The local animal rescue explains: “Joannie was found as a stray extremely emaciated and less than half her current weight now. She was missing fur on her body, face and ears. She has been nursed back to health and is doing wonderfully. While her age and exact history is unknown, it is clear she has mothered more than enough litters in her short lifetime.”

Meet The "Extreme Snuggler" French Bulldog Still Looking For Love

Brevard County, FL

Cape Canaveral, FL

The Independent

A 71-year-old Florida man is under arrest after police say he lassoed an alligator, tied it to a fence, and called 911 to report it.The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office arrested Robert Colin on July 31 in Cape Canaveral, Florida, an hour outside of Orlando. Colin told police he arrived at a local canal with plans to capture an alligator he had spotted, according to the arrest affidavit. There, police say Colin used a white nylon rope to “lasso” the alligator. He succeeded, according to the affidavit, capturing the creature by its jaw and tying the rope to a handrail.Afterward, Colin...

Florida man arrested after lassoing an alligator, tying it to a fence and calling 911

Louisiana State

Pensacola, FL

103.3 The G.O.A.T.

This will be another great reason for Louisiana families to head to this popular beach vacation destination.

Florida Beach Town Loved by Louisiana Tourists Getting 'Facelift'

Camden, NJ

Cornelius, NC

CAMDEN, N.J. – Lisa Smith, 61, of Cornelius, North Carolina, has admitted to her role in a fraudulent scheme involving over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today that Smith pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court on July 17, 2024, to a charge of bank fraud conspiracy.

Woman Pleads Guilty to $3.5M COVID Relief Scam

More dangerous substances are entering the Denver drug supply, Harm Reduction Action Center warned in a newsletter this week. “The Iron Law of Prohibition posits that as law enforcement becomes more intense, the potency of prohibited substances increases,” HRAC Executive Director Lisa Raville wrote in the newsletter. That is exactly what is happening, she said.

Dangerous substances entering Denver drug supply

Monticello, FL

Wacissa, FL

Havana, FL

Midway, FL

Lamont, FL

Thomasville, GA

Cairo, GA

Attapulgus, GA

Crawfordville, FL

Whigham, GA

Boston, GA

Quincy, FL

NewsBreak

No plans for special session in Tallahassee to address Florida's 'condo crisis'

TAMPA, Fla. - State leaders in Tallahassee are rejecting calls for a special session to address what critics call a crisis facing condo owners in Florida....

No plans for special session in Tallahassee to address Florida's 'condo crisis'

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