Toyota recalls over 1.1M SUVs for possible seat belt failure

DETROIT (AP) – Toyota is recalling more than 1.1 million small SUVs in the U.S. because the seat belts might fail in a crash. The recall covers RAV4 SUVS from the 2006 through 2012 model years, as well as the RAV4 electric vehicle from 2012 through 2014. Toyota says it’s possible that the belts in […]

CCSO: Missing boater found safe, camping south of Marco Island

EAST NAPLES, Fla. – A missing boater was found safe and camping south of Marco Island in the Everglades National Park late Wednesday, Collier County Sheriff’s Office said. Charles Guarino, 54, didn’t tell family members what island he intended to paddle to or how long he intended to stay out, according to authorities. Once found, he told authorities […]

Planned Parenthood backers protest defunding bill

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Planned Parenthood supporters say a bill moving through the Florida Legislature to defund the organization would leave Florida women without adequate access to reproductive health care. The bill by Sen. Kelli Stargel, R-Lakeland, cleared the second of its three Senate committee hearings Wednesday on a party-line vote. A companion House bill […]

Sunken ship’s owner sent safety alert about earlier storm

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) – The El Faro’s owner sent a company-wide safety alert out about a hurricane last summer, but did not send one before the storm that contributed to the ship’s sinking, company officials testified Wednesday. Phil Greene, CEO and President of Tote Services Inc., told a U.S. Coast Guard investigative panel that safety […]

Arizona House panel OKs bill allowing refusal of refugees

PHOENIX (AP) – Tempers flared Wednesday as an Arizona House panel passed a measure prompted by the Paris terror attacks that would allow the state to refuse to help resettle refugees if it can’t ensure they have been properly screened and vetted for risks. Republicans said they don’t trust the federal government to properly vet […]

Cruz defends his trustworthiness, blasts Trump, Rubio

SENECA, S.C. (AP) – Ted Cruz defended his trustworthiness and aired his grievances against Republican rivals Wednesday, saying Donald Trump’s threatened lawsuit over a campaign ad would be dismissed as frivolous and Marco Rubio has no evidence to back up his claims of untoward campaigning by the Texas senator. “Look, ethics matter,” Cruz told reporters. […]

Judge: Mom of ‘discarded’ newborn held on $50k bail

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) – A judge ordered a 30-year-old Orlando mother accused of discarding her newborn baby girl to be held in jail on $50,000 bail. The Orlando Sentinel (http://bit.ly/20ZjFCf) reports that during her first court appearance Wednesday, Susan Richardson held her head down and stayed quiet, prompting the judge to ask if she was […]

Son accused of fatally stabbing mom on Valentine’s Day

MIAMI (AP) – A 35-year-old Miami man is accused of fatally stabbing, kicking and punching his mother on Valentine’s Day. The Miami Herald (http://hrld.us/1Q1ErtO ) reports police went to Nancy Mesa’s home after getting a report of a naked man beating a woman. When officers arrived they saw a bloodied Manuel Mesa leaving the home. […]

Confidential addresses of Palm Beach County officials posted online

PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Authorities are investigating an information breach after the confidential addresses of more than 3,500 law enforcement officials were released online. News outlets report the addresses of officials including Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office authorities, federal judges and prosecutors have been released. Mike Edmondson, spokesman for Palm Beach County State Attorney […]

Ex-BP rig supervisor: opening arguments in pollution charges

NEW ORLEANS (AP) – A Deepwater Horizon supervisor ignored a clear red flag and should be held partly responsible for the 2010 oil spill that blackened the Gulf of Mexico coast, a federal prosecutor argued Wednesday. Prosecutor Jennifer Saulino said in her opening statement that Robert Kaluza is one of two supervisors who ignored tests […]