Legal battle over state Senate districts coming to an end

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) – Leaders of Florida’s Republican-controlled state Senate have decided they won’t fight a judge’s ruling that could signal the end of GOP domination in the Legislature. Senate leaders announced Wednesday that they will accept a new map for Florida’s 40 state senate districts approved last month by a circuit judge. Judge George […]

Price-hiking pharma exec Martin Shkreli gets House subpoena

WASHINGTON (AP) – House lawmakers have issued a subpoena to compel former Turing Pharmaceuticals CEO Martin Shkreli, reviled for price-gouging, to appear at a congressional hearing next Tuesday. The House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is investigating several companies for exorbitant drug price increases, including embattled Canadian drugmaker Valeant Pharmaceuticals. Shkreli became notorious after […]

Coast Guard: Migrants fleeing Cuba increasingly violent

MIAMI (AP) – Cuban migrants desperate to reach U.S. shore are increasingly violent and noncompliant with Coast Guard crews who detain them at sea, authorities said Wednesday, citing reports of attempted poisoning and self-inflicted wounds as rumors swirl that the “wet-foot, dry-foot” policy will soon be abandoned. U.S. immigration policies haven’t changed since President Barack […]

US Treasury Sec: Puerto Rico needs congressional action

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) – U.S. Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew stressed on Wednesday during a visit to Puerto Rico that congressional action is the only solution to pulling the U.S. territory out of its worsening economic crisis. He called on Congress to approve a restructuring mechanism to help the island deal with its $72 […]

UN chief alarmed at prospect of rising global unemployment

UNITED NATIONS (AP) – Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon’s spokesman says projections for rising global unemployment over the next two years are “alarming” and the U.N. chief will keep pushing for job opportunities, especially for youth. The comments from deputy spokesman Farhan Haq on Wednesday were in response to a new report from the U.N. labor agency […]

Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office to open doors to drug addicts

PUNTA GORDA, Fla.- The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is working on implementing an open door policy for drug users, where addicts can turn over any drugs in exchange for help and not be charged criminally. “I just see people using officers as a resource, somebody that they can contact and speak to if they have an issue like this […]

Storm damage closes portion of Golden Gate park

NAPLES, Fla.- A portion of the Golden Gate Community Park is currently closed because of damage caused by the strong storms that swept through Collier County on Sunday. County leaders say the storm blew over a 75-foot light pole onto the baseball field, raising concerns that other lights may also fall. The nearby gym and aquatic center will remain closed […]

Man charged with beheading dog, duck outside apartment

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – Authorities say a South Florida man beheaded a dog and duck outside his suburban apartment. Media outlets report that Palm Beach County deputies responded to the home Tuesday evening and found 28-year-old Javier Orelly digging a hole next to a headless dog. An arrest report says a neighbor had […]

Naples man sentenced in 2008 murder

NAPLES, Fla.- A man will spend the next 22 years in prison in connection to a 2008 murder. Rodsheek Williams, 28, entered a no contest plea on Wednesday, one day after the murder trial began. Investigators believe Williams was involved in an armed robbery when they say he killed 63-year-old Jacques Lamothe on Fifth Avenue North in October 2008.

Naples Great Dock Canoe Race celebrating final event in May

NAPLES, Fla.- The Great Dock Canoe Race will celebrate its 40th and final event on May 14. The annual tradition, which began in 1977, draws thousands of spectators each year. “I know as a business owner on Bayfront, it’s one of our busiest days of the year. And not only that, it’s something the locals have something to look […]