Prosecutor suspended by DeSantis loses bid to get job back
A Florida prosecutor who Gov. Ron DeSantis had suspended will remain out of office since a federal judge on Friday ruled that he does not have the power to reinstate the prosecutor — despite ruling that the removal violated the First Amendment and Florida Constitution.
Human traffickers force 8 Cuban migrants into prostitution, police say
Human traffickers coerced eight Cuban migrants into prostitution in Florida, so they could each pay their $60,000 debt to the smugglers who helped them to cross the U.S.-Mexico border, according to Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister.
DeSantis seeks dismissal of suit by suspended prosecutor
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wants a federal judge to throw out a free speech lawsuit filed by a Democratic prosecutor he suspended from office over statements about not pursuing criminal charges in abortion, transgender rights and certain low-level cases.
Tampa Bay makes best of Super Bowl week amid sour economy
This year, the Tampa Bay region probably won't generate even half that, said Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Forecasting. “A lot of things you associate with a Super Bowl aren't going to happen,” Snaith said. AdRob Higgins, president and CEO of the Tampa Bay Super Bowl host committee, said the region is looking at the Super Bowl as an unparalleled marketing opportunity. Hotel occupancy in the Tampa area was about 53% during the first three weeks of January this year, said Visit Tampa Bay CEO Santiago Corrada. Same with baseball's Tampa Bay Rays, who lost the World Series to the Los Angeles Dodgers — in Arlington, Texas.
Florida man arrested for tossing golf clubs into highway traffic, punching trooper
(Hillsborough County Sheriff via AP)TAMPA, Fla. – A Florida man was arrested after authorities said he tossed golf clubs into highway traffic and then slugged a trooper who pulled him over. The Florida Highway Patrol said they received a call Wednesday that a motorist was tossing golf clubs on Interstate 75 near Tampa out of his van, which had a “cherry picker” boom and basket attached to the top, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The trooper pulled over the van and its driver, Jonathan Day, confronted the trooper with a golf club, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. Online jail records showed Day was being held at the Hillsborough County Jail Thursday morning. There was no online court docket for Day yet, so it wasn’t known if he had an attorney.
Trump fights headwinds as he and Biden battle over Florida
“So glad this great GDP number came out before November 3rd,” Trump tweeted, predicting a dire reversal if Biden is elected. Biden was forced to wrap his speech up early at a drive-in rally at the Florida State Fairgrounds In Tampa after a brief shower turned into a torrential downpour. Biden's campaign also announced he will visit Minnesota Friday, hours before Trump holds a rally in one of the few Clinton-voting states Trump is hoping to pick up this year. Associated Press writers Tamara Lush in Tampa, Florida, Michelle Price in Bullhead City, Kathleen Ronayne in Phoenix, and Will Weissert and Brian Slodysko in Washington contributed to this report. ___AP’s Advance Voting guide brings you the facts about voting early, by mail or absentee from each state: https://interactives.ap.org/advance-voting-2020/.
DeSantis talks about reopening schools at Tampa area charter school
Ron DeSantis held a roundtable discussion on Monday at Winthrop College Prep Academy, a public charter school in Hillsborough County. DeSantis and his guests focused on the benefits of reopening schools. The school he chose is part of the Charter Schools USA network. The Fort Lauderdale-based for-profit management company runs more than 90 schools in five states. Some university campuses, including Stetson University and the University of Central Florida in Orlando, started classes.
The Latest: Warren won't prosecute peaceful protesters
Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, right, speaks during a news conference Monday, June 15, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. Warren announced his decision not to prosecute dozens of protesters arrested on charges of unlawful assembly during a Black Lives Matter march on June 2. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)TOP OF THE HOUR: Florida state attorney won't prosecute peaceful protesters. State Attorney Andrew Warren in Tampa said that his office wont be filing charges against 67 protesters who were arrested two weeks ago in downtown Tampa. The prosecutors office will also work to expunge the arrest records of the protesters who were taken into custody, he said. In these unlawful assembly cases, there is no value in filing charges, Warren said at a news conference.
Broward’s new COVID-19 patient recently traveled to Tampa, officials say
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – A 70-year-old man became the fifth COVID-19 patient in Broward County, the Florida Department of Health announced on Wednesday night. The man recently traveled to Tampa to attend a conference on emergency medical services. “He is isolated and will continue to remain isolated until cleared by public health officials,” the state agency’s statement said. Public health officials also announced the positive COVID-19 cases in Florida surged to 31, including a new case in Miami-Dade County. The risk of infection did not faze spring breakers who invaded beaches and bars in Fort Lauderdale.
Officers find 3 at-risk girls from Hillsborough County in Alabama
MIAMI – After Florida law enforcement officers issued a Missing Child Alert in the case of three girls who had vanished from Hillsborough County with their mother, authorities found them in Dothan, Alabama on Monday. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement issued the alert after their mother made threats to harm herself and her children when she left early Monday morning from her home in Seffner, a suburban area about 13 miles east of downtown Tampa, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. About 1 p.m., FDLE reported, “the children are safe.” The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office also reported their mother was safe. Hillsborough deputies and officers from the Dothan Police Department were still investigating the case on Monday afternoon.