Florida prisons no longer under lockdown

TALLAHASEE, Fla. (AP) Florida’s 148 prison facilities have returned to normal operations after a statewide partial lockdown and cancellation of visitation. The Florida Department of Corrections announced Monday the restrictions at all of the state’s institutions have been lifted. Last week the FDC announced the lockdown and that visitation was cancelled at all institutions Saturday […]

Judge denies witness chance to view eclipse

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) A federal judge in Florida ruled a trial couldn’t be postponed just because one of the key witnesses – a federal agent – had travel plans to see the solar eclipse. In a droll, three-page ruling issued Friday, Judge Steven Merryday denied the motion filed by an assistant U.S. attorney. Recalling popular […]

Jury awards $417M in lawsuit linking talcum powder to cancer

LOS ANGELES (AP) A Los Angeles jury on Monday ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay $417 million to a woman who claimed in a lawsuit that the talc in its iconic baby powder causes ovarian cancer when applied regularly for feminine hygiene. The lawsuit was brought by a California woman, Eva Echeverria, who alleged Johnson […]

Fort Myers bicyclist, 67, dies from injuries suffered in May crash

SOUTH FORT MYERS, Fla. A 67-year-old bicyclist hit by a van in May has died from his injuries, the Florida Highway Patrol said. Charles James Casey, of Fort Myers, died Friday, more than three months after he was hit along Pine Ridge Road at Lee Mar Lakes Court, the FHP said. He was northbound on […]

Walmart expands grocery service with Uber to 2 more markets

NEW YORK (AP) Walmart is expanding its grocery delivery service with ride-hailing service Uber to two more markets – Dallas and Orlando, Florida. The world’s largest retailer had launched a pilot grocery service with Uber Technologies Inc. last year in Phoenix and then Tampa, Florida, earlier this year. The delivery charge is $9.95 The move, […]

Barcelona fugitive shot dead outside city wearing bomb belt

SUBIRATS, Spain (AP) A man thought to be the driver in the Barcelona van attack was shot dead by Spanish police Monday after authorities announced he also was suspected of killing the owner of a hijacked getaway car. The fugitive was wearing a bomb belt, authorities said. Younes Abouyaaqoub was shot when officers confronted him […]

‘Person of interest’ detained after Bonita bank robbery

BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. A “person of interest” is in custody after a Wells Fargo bank was robbed Monday afternoon, Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers said. A man dressed in a camouflage hoodie with a mask covering his face was seen shortly before 1 p.m. entering the bank at 9150 Bonita Beach Road SE, a few blocks […]

Credit card skimmers found at Naples gas station

NAPLES, Fla,. Two credit card skimmers were discovered at a gas station Friday on Ninth Street North, police said. The skimmers were discovered around 10:10 a.m. at the Anchor Mobil Moorings Station on 3391 9th St. N., according to police. A Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services workers found them. Skimmers are devices criminals […]

Millions of dollars in productivity likely to be lost to eclipse

FORT MYERS, Fla. Monday’s total solar eclipse will cost U.S. companies hundreds of millions of dollars in lost productivity, one firm estimates. American employers will see at least $694 million in missing output, according to the outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. They estimate workers will take roughly 20 minutes to head outside and gaze […]