Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about Friday.
REPORT: PILOT WAS TRYING TO AVOID PEOPLE ON FLORIDA BEACH AS PLANE CRASH-LANDED, KILLING 2
In a preliminary report, National Transportation Safety Board investigators say the small plane wasn’t making any engine noise as it descended over groups of people the pilot was trying to avoid. Investigators say the pilot was concerned that his plane would flip over if he landed in deep water, and he aimed for a spot along the beach where he thought there were no people. The crash killed a man from Fort Stewart, Georgia, and his 9-year-old daughter. The pilot and a passenger weren’t injured.
SUSPENDED MIAMI LAKES MAYOR SEEKS REINSTATEMENT TO OFFICE AFTER BEING ACQUITTED OF FEDERAL CORRUPTION CHARGES
Michael Pizzi has been acquitted in a federal corruption case in which he was accused of accepting bribes from undercover FBI agents posing as shady businessmen. Pizzi’s attorneys say he has already asked Gov. Rick Scott to reinstate him as mayor of the Miami suburb. Miami U.S. Attorney Wifredo Ferrer said he was disappointed but respects the jury’s verdict.
A-ROD’S COUSIN PLEADS NOT GUILTY IN BASEBALL DOPING CASE CENTERED AROUND FLORIDA CLINIC
Yuri Sucart, a cousin of suspended New York Yankees star Alex Rodriguez, has pleaded not guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to distribute testosterone and actual distribution of the performance-enhancing substance. Prosecutors say Sucart and others set up meetings between athletes and Biogenesis of America owner Tony Bosch. Some athletes were in high school. Bosch cooperated with prosecutors and intends to plead guilty.
2 FLORIDA-BASED “HURRICANE HUNTER” AIRCRAFT WILL GET $35 MILLION OVERHAUL NEXT YEAR
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration officials say the refurbishing won’t take the two Orion P-3 propeller planes out of service this hurricane season. Most of NOAA’s flights into hurricanes are based at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. The planes based at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida have additional Doppler radar that improves storm track and intensity forecasting. The planes named “Miss Piggy” and “Kermit” have flown into more than 80 hurricanes each. Officials hope to keep them flying at least another 15 years.
JUDGE ACCUSED OF PUNCHING PUBLIC DEFENDER OUTSIDE COURTROOM FACES MISCONDUCT CHARGES
The state Judicial Qualifications Commission filed a probable cause finding Thursday with the Florida Supreme Court. It alleges Brevard County Judge John C. Murphy made belittling remarks from to the bench to an assistant public defender and then challenged him to a fight. Murphy allegedly hit the attorney outside the courtroom. The charges also allege that Murphy later acted on seven cases even though there was no one from the public defender’s office representing the defendants. Murphy could wind up getting disciplined by the state Supreme Court due to the charges.