Florida

Read recent news stories and current events about Florida on Newser.com

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Mom Accused of Killing Kids Told Cops 'I Don't Want Them'

Miami woman Odette Lysse Joassaint has been charged with first-degree murder

(Newser) - Police say they found a horrific scene after investigating repeated hang-up calls to 911 from an address in Miami's Little Haiti neighborhood. Two children, a 5-year-old girl and a 3-year-old boy, were unresponsive on a bed with their arms, legs, and necks tied and officers were unable to resuscitate...

Parents, Son Charged in Attack That Blinded Gay Man

All 3 are facing hate crime charges in Florida

(Newser) - Three family members in Florida—and possibly a fourth—are facing potential life sentences over an attack that left a gay man permanently blind. Broward County prosecutors say parents Inna Makarenko, 44, and Yevhen Makarenko, 43, are facing hate crime charges over the Aug. 6, 2021, attack, as is son...

97 Animals Killed When Florida Home Goes Up in Flames

No humans were there at the time

(Newser) - Nearly 100 animals died last week in a Florida house fire in what media reports are describing as a possible animal hoarding situation. None of the Jacksonville home's human residents were there when the fire broke out Friday afternoon, but 91 cats, five dogs, and one bird were, and...

Cops: Teen Killed Friend While Testing Body Armor

2 Florida teens are being charged as adults

(Newser) - One Florida teenager is dead and two more are facing potential long prison sentences after they took turns shooting at each other, relying on an armored vest to protect them, police say. Christopher Vining and Colton Whitler, both 17, are being charged as adults in the death of 16-year-old Christoper...

With One Year Left in Custody, a Hit Man's Puzzling Escape

Dominic Taddeo, contract killer for Rochester crime families, is back in custody

(Newser) - Update: The mob hit man who escaped federal custody has been captured, one week later. Dominic Taddeo was taken back into custody in Florida's Miami-Dade County without incident Monday around 11am, CNN reports. That's about 273 miles south of the halfway house he was assigned to in the...

It's the Deadliest US Mass Shooting to Go to Trial

Jury selection begins in Parkland case to determine whether Nikolas Cruz will be executed

(Newser) - Jury selection in the deadliest US mass shooting ever to go to trial begins Monday, with the panel chosen to determine whether Nikolas Cruz will be put to death for murdering 17 students and staff members at a high school in Parkland, Fla. Court officials say 1,500 candidates or...

'Don't Say Gay' Bill Has Its First Legal Challenge

DeSantis says Florida will defeat federal lawsuit

(Newser) - Three days after Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed restrictions on teaching early elementary students about sexual orientation and gender identity into law, the legislation was challenged in court. A group consisting of advocates for LGBTQ people and parents, students, and a teacher, Politico reports, filed a lawsuit that calls the...

Here's Why You Shouldn't Try to Rob Someone Walking a Dog

Poop stain led cops to suspect in Miami

(Newser) - Trying to rob someone walking their dog might not be the best idea—and not just because the dog might go on the attack. It was actually dog poop that helped lead cops to an armed robbery suspect this week, after he allegedly tried to hold up a woman in...

'I Can Ride,' Teen Exclaimed Moments Before Death

Cousin Shay Johnson recalls her last conversation with Tyre Sampson

(Newser) - Tyre Sampson was turned away from rides during his visit to Orlando's ICON Park, just not the one that killed him. That's according to his cousin, Shay Johnson, who dropped off the 14-year-old at the amusement park on Thursday. She tells Spectrum News 13 that he wanted to...

Boy Killed in Fall From Ride Exceeded Weight Limit

Manual for Orlando ride gives max weight as 287 pounds; Tyre Sampson reportedly weighed 340

(Newser) - The 14-year-old boy who died after a fall from a 430-foot drop tower ride at Orlando's ICON Park "fell right out of the seat" as the plunging 30-seat circular vehicle started braking, according to a 911 call. "The thing went down the drop, and like when it...

DeSantis Signs 'Don't Say Gay' Bill, Takes Swing at Hollywood

It will go into effect July 1

(Newser) - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that forbids instruction on sexual orientation and gender identity in kindergarten through third grade, a policy that has drawn intense national scrutiny from critics who argue it marginalizes LGBTQ people. The legislation has pushed Florida and DeSantis, an ascending Republican, to...

After Boy's Fatal Fall in Fla., Dollywood Closing Its Own Tower Ride

Tennessee theme park's tower drop ride is made by same manufacturer

(Newser) - After the tragic death of a 14-year-old who fell from the OrlandoFreeFall ride at Florida's ICON Park, Dollywood is closing its own tower drop ride temporarily. The Tennessee theme park's 20-story Drop Line was developed by the same manufacturer as the Orlando ride, CNN reports. "Although Dollywood...

Cops: Mosque Attacker Thought It Was Caesar's Home

Slain worker at Florida Islamic center hailed as hero

(Newser) - A man accused of brutally murdering a worker at a Florida mosque Thursday morning was apparently motivated not by Islamophobia, but by a delusional belief that he was defending the property of Julius Caesar, investigators say. Police say the suspect used a propane tank to smash a window at the...

Ron DeSantis Signs Proclamation Denying Lia Thomas Swim Victory

Florida governor says Emma Weyant, a Florida native, is the real winner

(Newser) - Lia Thomas won an NCAA Division I title last week , but not according to Ron DeSantis. The Florida governor on Tuesday signed a proclamation declaring second-place winner Emma Weyant, who grew up and graduated from high school in Florida before going on to swim for the University of Virginia, the...

Thanks to Spring Breakers, Miami Beach Declares Emergency

Midnight curfew will be in effect this weekend following shootings

(Newser) - For the second year in a row, Miami Beach is instituting a curfew in response to spring break violence. Five people were injured in two shootings over the weekend while four of 371 police officers tasked with patrolling the crowds were injured in "a pair of accidents involving golf...

Disney World Under Fire After Performance by 'Indianettes'

Texas high school band and dance team performed at Florida theme park

(Newser) - Disney World is being widely criticized after a Texas high school band and drill team performed in one of the Florida theme park's parades over spring break and was accused of appropriating Native American culture. In video of the Port Neches-Groves High School performance, which went viral, the school'...

Bicyclist Dies After Drawbridge Rises as She Crossed
After Woman's
Death, Bridge
Operator Is
Charged
UPDATED
Mar 18, 2022 9:40 AM CDT

After Woman's Death, Bridge Operator Is Charged

Pedestrian was killed when Florida span was raised

(Newser) - Update: A Florida bridgetender who raised a drawbridge before a 79-year-old woman walking her bicycle reached the other side has been has charged with manslaughter in her death, police said. West Palm Beach police arrested Artissua Lafay Paulk, 43, at her home on Thursday, per the AP and Palm Beach ...

Disney Workers Among 108 Arrested in 'Operation March Sadness 2'

Florida sting operation targeted prostitution, human trafficking

(Newser) - A sheriff's office in Florida says 108 people were arrested, including a retired judge and several Disney employees, during a sting operation to combat human trafficking, prostitution, and child sexual abuse. Most of those busted in "Operation March Sadness 2" were arrested for seeking a prostitute or "...

For the First Time, Bobcat Is Seen Eating Python Eggs
'Man, That's One Brave Bobcat'
Mar 16, 2022 3:08 PM CDT

'Man, That's One Brave Bobcat'

Everglades animal raided invasive python nest, ate eggs

(Newser) - Invasive Burmese pythons have been squeezing the life out of the Florida Everglades for decades—but researchers say one species of native mammal is learning to fight back. Video captured by United States Geological Survey cameras shows a bobcat repeatedly raiding an unguarded python nest to eat eggs and clashing...

School's Swim Team Finds Surprise Competitor in Pool

3-foot-long alligator was discovered swimming at Montverde Academy in central Florida

(Newser) - Members of a Florida prep school's swim team encountered a surprise interloper when they showed up for practice on Friday. ClickOrlando.com reports the swimmers found a 3-foot-long alligator in the eight-lane, 25-meter competition pool at Montverde Academy , located in central Florida, halting the team's practice. Per a...

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