A stray dog caused an eight-vehicle collision on a Florida highway early Friday. The overnight wreck left three people with minor injuries, and shut down all westbound traffic on the I-10 in Jefferson County, Florida Highway Patrol said. The accident began when a sedan hit a dog, rendering the car QUOTE "inoperable" in the middle of the highway, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. A second sedan crashed into that vehicle, then a semi-tractor smashed into both cars and a concrete barrier wall. Debris reportedly scattered across the highway and impacted six other vehicles. A Florida Highway Patrol sergeant said the stray dog was killed in the crash. He did not know its breed.

A stray dog caused an eight-vehicle collision on a Florida highway early Friday. The overnight wreck left three people with minor injuries, and shut down all westbound traffic on the I-10 in Jefferson County, Florida Highway Patrol said. The accident began when a sedan hit a dog, rendering the car QUOTE "inoperable" in the middle of the highway, the Tallahassee Democrat reports. A second sedan crashed into that vehicle, then a semi-tractor smashed into both cars and a concrete barrier wall. Debris reportedly scattered across the highway and impacted six other vehicles. A Florida Highway Patrol sergeant said the stray dog was killed in the crash. He did not know its breed.

Overnight I-10 wreck involving eight vehicles kills dog, injures three people, FHP says

A "security incident" that shut down a Florida county's tax collection office was the result of hacking, Treasure Coast Newspapers reports. Little has been released about what type of breach occurred or whether taxpayers' confidential information was exposed. Officials initially blamed BlackByte for the attack before retracting their statement, TCPalm reports. BlackByte is a new type of ransomware, which is used to encrypt data, demanding payment in order to unlock it. The breach prompted the abrupt closure of the Martin County Tax Collector's Office more than a week ago, and the office is expected to re-open in a limited capacity on Monday. The Martin County Sheriff's Office announced it will suspend writing tickets to local residents for expired driver's licenses and license plates until the tax collector's issue is resolved.

A "security incident" that shut down a Florida county's tax collection office was the result of hacking, Treasure Coast Newspapers reports. Little has been released about what type of breach occurred or whether taxpayers' confidential information was exposed. Officials initially blamed BlackByte for the attack before retracting their statement, TCPalm reports. BlackByte is a new type of ransomware, which is used to encrypt data, demanding payment in order to unlock it. The breach prompted the abrupt closure of the Martin County Tax Collector's Office more than a week ago, and the office is expected to re-open in a limited capacity on Monday. The Martin County Sheriff's Office announced it will suspend writing tickets to local residents for expired driver's licenses and license plates until the tax collector's issue is resolved.

Expert: Ransomware attack on Martin County Tax Collector's Office could inflict data damage

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has reached agreements with five pari-mutuel facilities to help market sports betting. The gambling deal, which was negotiated by Gov. Ron DeSantis (de-SAN-tis) last spring and approved by lawmakers during a May special session, allows the tribe to operate online sports betting available to people throughout the state. The tribe has reached agreements with five facilities, including the Palm Beach Kennel Club, Hialeah Park Casino, and Tampa Bay Downs. The new Florida law will allow gamblers to place sports bets on smartphones or other online devices, with the bets run through servers on Seminole Tribe property. Pari-mutuels that enter contracts with the tribe will market sports betting at their facilities, and will receive a percentage of the profits.

The Seminole Tribe of Florida has reached agreements with five pari-mutuel facilities to help market sports betting. The gambling deal, which was negotiated by Gov. Ron DeSantis (de-SAN-tis) last spring and approved by lawmakers during a May special session, allows the tribe to operate online sports betting available to people throughout the state. The tribe has reached agreements with five facilities, including the Palm Beach Kennel Club, Hialeah Park Casino, and Tampa Bay Downs. The new Florida law will allow gamblers to place sports bets on smartphones or other online devices, with the bets run through servers on Seminole Tribe property. Pari-mutuels that enter contracts with the tribe will market sports betting at their facilities, and will receive a percentage of the profits.

Seminole Tribe of Florida, pari-mutuels reach sports betting agreements

The U.S. Department of Education has filed an administrative complaint against the Florida Department of Education. The complaint, filed Thursday, asked that the state education department be found in violation of federal law, given Florida's ban on COVID-19-related mask mandates. The complaint also objects to the state's hold on federal funds that were issued to replace state funding withheld by the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis (de-SAN-tis) and the Florida education department have withheld state money from salaries of school board members whose districts have defied DeSantis' mask ban. The state has gone after school boards that have adopted stricter mask policies, and docked the pay of school board members. Districts in eight counties have been docked funding: Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Duval, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange and Palm Beach.

The U.S. Department of Education has filed an administrative complaint against the Florida Department of Education. The complaint, filed Thursday, asked that the state education department be found in violation of federal law, given Florida's ban on COVID-19-related mask mandates. The complaint also objects to the state's hold on federal funds that were issued to replace state funding withheld by the state. Gov. Ron DeSantis (de-SAN-tis) and the Florida education department have withheld state money from salaries of school board members whose districts have defied DeSantis' mask ban. The state has gone after school boards that have adopted stricter mask policies, and docked the pay of school board members. Districts in eight counties have been docked funding: Alachua, Brevard, Broward, Duval, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange and Palm Beach.

Federal government files complaint against Florida for withholding school board pay

Gov. Ron DeSantis (de-SAN-tis) made good on plans to call Florida lawmakers into a special session to defy President Biden’s anticipated vaccine requirement rule for large, private businesses. On Friday, DeSantis ordered lawmakers to meet on Nov. 15 for a possible week-long session. No bills have been proposed, but the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports the governor may move to prohibit local governments, schools and universities from instituting vaccines requirements, and would ask lawmakers to set aside state funds for law enforcement and regulatory agencies to investigate any complaints about Florida businesses that require vaccinations. The federal government's Office of Management and Budget is still reviewing the nationwide mandate, which stipulates that all private businesses with more than 100 employees must implement vaccination or weekly testing requirements. The rule has not yet gone into effect.

Gov. Ron DeSantis (de-SAN-tis) made good on plans to call Florida lawmakers into a special session to defy President Biden&rsquo;s anticipated vaccine requirement rule for large, private businesses. On Friday, DeSantis ordered lawmakers to meet on Nov. 15 for a possible week-long session. No bills have been proposed, but the Sarasota Herald-Tribune reports the governor may move to prohibit local governments, schools and universities from instituting vaccines requirements, and would ask lawmakers to set aside state funds for law enforcement and regulatory agencies to investigate any complaints about Florida businesses that require vaccinations. The federal government's Office of Management and Budget is still reviewing the nationwide mandate, which stipulates that all private businesses with more than 100 employees must implement vaccination or weekly testing requirements. The rule has not yet gone into effect.

Florida Gov. DeSantis sets special November session to defy Biden vaccine mandate

The Food and Drug Administration voted on Friday to recommend Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11. The FDA cleared the use of child-sized doses, which contain just a third of the amount given to teens and adults. The FDA's vote paves the way for emergency use authorization, but the CDC will make a more detailed recommendation next week. A final decision is expected shortly after. If approved, nearly 28 million American children could be eligible for vaccinations beginning in November. Earlier this week, Moderna announced its vaccine was safe for children ages six to 11. Neither Moderna nor Johnson & Johnson shots have been approved for children or teens. Adolescents ages 12 to 17 have been eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine since its approval in May.

The Food and Drug Administration voted on Friday to recommend Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine for kids ages 5 to 11. The FDA cleared the use of child-sized doses, which contain just a third of the amount given to teens and adults. The FDA's vote paves the way for emergency use authorization, but the CDC will make a more detailed recommendation next week. A final decision is expected shortly after. If approved, nearly 28 million American children could be eligible for vaccinations beginning in November. Earlier this week, Moderna announced its vaccine was safe for children ages six to 11. Neither Moderna nor Johnson &amp; Johnson shots have been approved for children or teens. Adolescents ages 12 to 17 have been eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine since its approval in May.

FDA authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for kids 5-11; Florida sues Biden administration over vaccines Latest COVID-19 updates

A Florida appeals court Wednesday said a group of parents likely do not have legal standing to challenge an executive order by Governor Ron DeSantis about school mask mandates, and indicated it disagrees with a circuit judge who backed the parents in the case, Tallahassee Democrat reports. The 1st District Court of Appeal issued a five-page document that explained a decision last month to place a stay on a ruling by Tallahassee-based Circuit Judge John Cooper. That ruling, which drew widespread attention, said DeSantis overstepped his legal authority in the July 30th executive order seeking to block mask requirements. The stay has put Cooper’s ruling on hold while an appeal by the DeSantis administration moves forward. The document Wednesday, while not a final decision, indicated the Tallahassee-based appeals court agrees with the DeSantis administration on key issues.

A Florida appeals court Wednesday said a group of parents likely do not have legal standing to challenge an executive order by Governor Ron DeSantis about school mask mandates, and indicated it disagrees with a circuit judge who backed the parents in the case, Tallahassee Democrat reports. The 1st District Court of Appeal issued a five-page document that explained a decision last month to place a stay on a ruling by Tallahassee-based Circuit Judge John Cooper. That ruling, which drew widespread attention, said DeSantis overstepped his legal authority in the July 30th executive order seeking to block mask requirements. The stay has put Cooper&rsquo;s ruling on hold while an appeal by the DeSantis administration moves forward. The document Wednesday, while not a final decision, indicated the Tallahassee-based appeals court agrees with the DeSantis administration on key issues.

Florida appeals court casts doubt on school mask case

Florida Highway Patrol troopers have arrested a 20-year-old man and charged him with two counts of D-U-I manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, and one count of D-U-I with property damage in connection with the June 18th deaths of two young women. Billy George Tomci was also given a ticket because one of the victims, a teenager, was not wearing a seat belt, Ocala Star-Banner reports. Tomci was picked up at his job by troopers on Wednesday morning, and was transported to the Marion County Jail, where he posted bond and was set for release on Thursday. QUOTE "Justice must be served here. I'm relieved he has been charged," said Scott Buttermore, whose 16-year-old daughter, Rachel, was one of the two killed in the wreck.

Florida Highway Patrol troopers have arrested a 20-year-old man and charged him with two counts of D-U-I manslaughter, two counts of vehicular homicide, and one count of D-U-I with property damage in connection with the June 18th deaths of two young women. Billy George Tomci was also given a ticket because one of the victims, a teenager, was not wearing a seat belt, Ocala Star-Banner reports. Tomci was picked up at his job by troopers on Wednesday morning, and was transported to the Marion County Jail, where he posted bond and was set for release on Thursday. QUOTE "Justice must be served here. I'm relieved he has been charged," said Scott Buttermore, whose 16-year-old daughter, Rachel, was one of the two killed in the wreck.

157 mph in a 50 mph zone: Ocala driver charged in June crash that killed two young women

A former New York police officer, who for decades has delayed facing justice over allegations that he repeatedly raped and molested his daughter's 12-year-old friend, was arrested in Florida on charges related to the case, USA Today reports. Law enforcement officials arrested Leonard Forte, who is now 80, at his home in Labelle, Florida, on October 18th. Forte, a former Suffolk County District Attorney's Office detective, faces two felony charges in Florida on accusations of using the I-D of another person without consent and the use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. The arrest warrant was based on a probable cause affidavit submitted by a Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent, who was assigned to assist the Vermont Attorney General's Office on the pending criminal prosecution of Forte.

A former New York police officer, who for decades has delayed facing justice over allegations that he repeatedly raped and molested his daughter's 12-year-old friend, was arrested in Florida on charges related to the case, USA Today reports. Law enforcement officials arrested Leonard Forte, who is now 80, at his home in Labelle, Florida, on October 18th. Forte, a former Suffolk County District Attorney's Office detective, faces two felony charges in Florida on accusations of using the I-D of another person without consent and the use of a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony. The arrest warrant was based on a probable cause affidavit submitted by a Florida Department of Law Enforcement special agent, who was assigned to assist the Vermont Attorney General's Office on the pending criminal prosecution of Forte.

'Dying' ex-NY cop who for decades evaded child sex abuse trial arrested on felony charges

The space industry, a cutting-edge field rife with romanticized goals of exploration, has an ancient problem: sexism and harassment, Florida Today reports. A group of former and current Blue Origin employees published an essay last month calling out sexism at Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company. Dozens have joined a Facebook group dedicated to offering support in dealing with inappropriate behavior on the job, leading some to make their stories public. According to experts and whistleblowers, the idealistic nature of space exploration and sharp focus on QUOTE "the mission" UNQUOTE adds to a dangerous dynamic in which women, already a minority in the high-tech workplace, might be willing to put up with unacceptable behaviors to achieve success. If left unresolved, insiders are concerned this culture could someday extend to astronauts on assignment or deep space colonization efforts.

The space industry, a cutting-edge field rife with romanticized goals of exploration, has an ancient problem: sexism and harassment, Florida Today reports. A group of former and current Blue Origin employees published an essay last month calling out sexism at Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company. Dozens have joined a Facebook group dedicated to offering support in dealing with inappropriate behavior on the job, leading some to make their stories public. According to experts and whistleblowers, the idealistic nature of space exploration and sharp focus on QUOTE "the mission" UNQUOTE adds to a dangerous dynamic in which women, already a minority in the high-tech workplace, might be willing to put up with unacceptable behaviors to achieve success. If left unresolved, insiders are concerned this culture could someday extend to astronauts on assignment or deep space colonization efforts.

From NASA to Blue Origin, the cutting-edge space industry has old problems Sexism and harassment

News briefs from the state of Florida.

Florida News Briefs - Florida Podcast

News Briefs from the state of Florida.

Florida News Briefs - Florida

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