Kauai County, HI

Orlando, FL

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Akeena

If you’ve been enjoying the vibrant food scene in Thornton Park, you might have heard some bittersweet news—Graffiti Junktion, the spot known for its top-notch burgers and laid-back vibe, has officially closed. After 16 years of serving up some of the best burgers in Orlando, the eatery has said its goodbyes. Here’s a closer look at why this cherished spot is shutting down and what it means for the community.

Favorite Florida Burger Place Closed Because Wages and Costs Went Up

Florida State

Red Lobster, the popular seafood chain, has confirmed additional closures in Florida, adding to its recent wave of shutdowns following the company’s bankruptcy filing in May. The latest round of closures includes two more Florida locations, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the iconic restaurant chain.

Popular seafood chain announces more closures in Florida

Polk County, FL

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Fort Meade, FL

Uncovering Florida

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has made an arrest after conducting an investigation into a case of credit card fraud involving 28-year-old Burger King employee, Kellyn Miley. The incident was discussed in detail during this morning's briefing with Sheriff Grady Judd.

Burger King Employee Caught Using Customer's Credit Card for Food at Former Job

Valrico, FL

Hey there, Floridians! If you're a fan of fresh produce and a farmer's market vibe, you might have some mixed feelings about the news from Valrico. The Fresh Market, known for its focus on organic options and quality meats and cheeses, is set to close its doors in the Lithia Crossings shopping center.

Grocery chain known for Organic options and quality meats is set to close its doors in Florida

South Carolina State

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Colleton County, SC

Explore Beaufort SC

Some beachgoers were in for a surprise this week when a bizarre looking prehistoric fish washed ashore in Colleton County along Edisto Beach at Edisto Beach State Park. It turned out to be an atlantic sturgeon.

Rare Atlantic sturgeon washes ashore on South Carolina beach

Georgia State

Tallahassee, FL

Daily Coffee Press

The FBI is investigating the disappearance of a now 13-year-old girl who went missing from Florida last year and has ties to Georgia and Tennessee. A $15,000 reward is being offered to anyone with information that can lead to her location.

FBI Investigating Disappearance of 12-Year-Old Girl Who Has Ties to Georgia

Kentucky State

Northern Kentucky Tribune

Gov. Andy Beshear sent a letter to Anne Milgram, administrator for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) on Wednesday, expressing his support of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ recommendation that the DEA ease restrictions on marijuana.

Gov. Andy Beshear pens letter to DEA in support of easing federal restrictions on marijuana

Lake Mary, FL

If you're a fan of hearty breakfasts and brunches in Florida, you might have had Keke’s Cafe on your radar. Known for its generous portions and friendly service, Keke’s has been a go-to spot for many. However, the Lake Mary location recently hit a bump in the road, resulting in a temporary shutdown following a state inspection that uncovered 15 violations.

Breakfast Eatery Closed in Florida for Roaches, Dirty Hands, and Cold Foods Over 41 Degrees

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

Homeowners' Associations (HOAs): many Floridians belong to them and only now are they getting more protections from them. Effective July 1, 2024, House Bill 1203 is requiring HOAs to follow a more strict set of guidelines in favor of homeowners.

New Florida Law Cracks Down On Homeowners’ Associations

Denver, CO

A man peacefully sitting with his son in his car in their church parking lot was assaulted by a Denver police officer in June 2019 and will receive a $75,000 settlement. The payoff appears on the Denver City Council agenda for Monday. The item is on the consent calendar. Items on the consent calendar are considered routine and generally pass in a block vote without discussion.

Man hit in face by Denver police officer to receive $75,000 settlement

New Jersey State

Morristown Minute

A new initiative aims to provide housing for vulnerable Medicaid members, enhancing community wellness and support. MORRIS COUNTY, N.J. - In a significant move to tackle housing instability among Medicaid recipients, New Jersey's Human Services Commissioner Sarah Adelman, along with Community Affairs Commissioner Jacquelyn A. Suárez, today announced the availability of $95 million in funding for developers. This initiative, part of the Healthy Homes program, is designed to create affordable housing opportunities for NJ FamilyCare members who are either homeless, at risk of homelessness, or currently living in institutional settings.

$95 Million for Healthy Homes: Housing for Medicaid Members

Alameda, CA

Alameda Post

The unthinkable has happened. Again. A gunman has taken multiple lives. The difference this time? It happened here, in Alameda. We are an island, both physically and psychologically. I spend a lot of time explaining to people that our focus is Alameda, and Alameda alone, so our coverage doesn’t usually include stories as horrific as this one.

It Happened Again. Here.

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

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

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

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

No, pallet shelters for people experiencing homelessness don’t fold into caskets. It’s a question a reader posed one of the first times I wrote about pallet shelters. I find the pallet shelters to be more palatable than ice fishing tents. The Colorado Village Collaborative operates both micro-communities and the so-called Safe Outdoor Spaces with the tents. We all learned the tents are not safe when a fire roared through a CVC Safe Outdoor Space, destroying the compound quickly. Officials never disclosed a cause of the fire.

Opinion: No, pallet shelters for homeless in Denver, Aurora don’t fold into caskets

Jersey City, NJ

Essex County, NJ

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

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

NewsBreak

Helmsley Charitable Trust awards $10.6 million to Wilcox Medical

The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust has announced a $10.6 million grant to the Wilcox Medical Center in Kauai for diagnostic and radiology...

Helmsley Charitable Trust awards $10.6 million to Wilcox Medical

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