In a Florida courtroom, Ryan Wesley Routh was found guilty of attempting to assassinate Donald Trump and other federal charges. The jury reached its verdict after just two-and-a-half hours of deliberation, with Routh subsequently attempting self-harm in the courtroom. The verdict resulted in Trump expressing gratitude toward the justice system and key figures involved in the case. The 59-year-old Hawaii resident now faces life in prison at sentencing in December, with the trial presided over by U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, whom Trump appointed.
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A new survey by the American Association of Professors reveals that a significant number of professors in Southern states like Texas and Florida are contemplating leaving their positions due to the current political climate’s impact on education. Roughly a quarter of respondents have applied for higher education jobs in other states since 2023. Professors cite the “broad political climate” as the primary motivator, surpassing salary as the top concern. The recent legislation, like Texas’s SB17 banning DEI initiatives, has led to resource cancellations and staff changes, prompting professors to seek alternative employment.
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On Thursday, an altercation at Lake Worth Community High School in South Florida led to the hospitalization of dozens of students and faculty. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue confirmed that 32 individuals were transported to hospitals after pepper spray was deployed during a fight. The school principal reported that school police and administrators intervened, utilizing pepper spray to de-escalate the situation involving multiple students. Despite the incident, the campus remained secure, and classes continued as scheduled.
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The article draws comparisons between the policies of the Trump administration and the Cuban government, citing actions like aggressive immigration checks and attacks on the LGBTQ+ community. These similarities, along with economic concerns, have led some Cuban-Americans in Florida to reconsider their support for the former president. Despite this, polls suggest that many Cuban-Americans still support Trump, even as deportations and restrictions on travel to Cuba impact their community. Ultimately, the community is facing a range of challenges, including fears about deportation, asylum denials, and questions surrounding the Cuban Adjustment Act.
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The Broward County Sheriff’s Office has taken disciplinary action against 17 deputies after an internal investigation revealed failures in their handling of Mary Gingles’ domestic violence reports before her murder. The investigation found that deputies did not adequately address Gingles’ warnings and pleas for help concerning her estranged husband, Nathan Gingles, who later allegedly murdered her, her father, and a neighbor. This failure has led to increased scrutiny regarding the use of Florida’s red flag law. Nathan Gingles, who has pleaded not guilty, could face the death penalty if convicted.
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Florida’s Surgeon General, Dr. Joseph Ladapo, has announced the elimination of vaccine mandates, prioritizing “vibes” and parental rights over scientific analysis. Despite not studying the potential impact, he acknowledged that outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases are likely inevitable, justifying the decision by citing countries without vaccine mandates. This decision has drawn criticism from experts and medical organizations, as well as the public, with childhood vaccination rates already declining in Florida. Concerns center around the increased risk of contagious diseases like measles and polio, and the potential impact on public health.
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Florida’s Surgeon General, Joseph Ladapo, announced plans to end all vaccine mandates, framing the issue as one of parental rights and government overreach. Notably, Ladapo admitted that the state did not study the potential impact of this decision on disease spread, viewing it as a matter of “right and wrong.” Despite Florida law requiring vaccinations for various diseases for public school children, Ladapo, who has a history of promoting misinformation, has been outspoken against mandates, arguing against the government’s authority over individual health choices. This potential policy change, which is likely to face legal challenges, comes as childhood vaccines are credited with saving millions of lives annually, and as the CDC documents the recent measles outbreak.
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Florida has opened a second immigration detention site, “Deportation Depot,” with a capacity of 1,500 detainees, following legal challenges to its “Alligator Alcatraz” facility. The opening comes amid a federal appeals court’s temporary block on shutting down “Alligator Alcatraz,” which is located in the Everglades and faced criticism for its conditions. The state is also planning additional detention sites, mirroring a broader trend of expanded immigration detention facilities, and part of the ongoing push for mass deportations. These facilities are opening as immigration arrests are continuing to increase, and detainees are being sent to locations like Guantanamo Bay.
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Following a protest at a crosswalk memorializing the Pulse nightclub shooting victims, a Florida judge dismissed the case against a man arrested for defacing a traffic device. The arrest occurred after the individual used chalk to create footprints on the crosswalk, which has become a point of contention amid political tensions. The crosswalk has been targeted by the Florida Department of Transportation, which is controlled by Governor Ron DeSantis, who has painted over the rainbow-colored memorial, citing new regulations banning “non-standard surface markings.” The man’s attorney stated the arrest was the first of its kind in this political fight against the LGBTQ community.
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Reports emerged alleging guards at Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz” immigration jail used teargas and beat detainees during a disturbance, following a judge’s order to close the facility. Detainees reported the incident to a Spanish-language news channel, describing indiscriminate beatings and teargas deployment after migrants began shouting for freedom. While the Florida Division of Emergency Management denied the allegations, the incident follows frequent reports of inhumane conditions at the camp, where migrants are held in metal cages. The facility is slated to close within 60 days, and DeSantis has already announced plans for a new immigration jail.
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John Q. Hosedrinker