Bail is boosted from 75 thousand to 100 thousand dollars for a 26 year old youth minister accused of having sex with an underage girl he met on the job. Sam Sutter of the Openwater Church in Odessa was arrested after the girl’s mother found sexually explicit photos, videos, and text messages between her daughter and Sutter.
Lakeland is the latest bay area city to consider decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana. Instead of jail and a criminal record, those caught with a little pot would get a ticket and pay a fine. The aim is to clear out jails and keep records clean.
New Port Richey is getting rid of nearly half its red light cameras. Officials say the devices just aren’t paying for themselves anymore. 4 cameras have been turned off. 5 more will likely go dark in a year.
50 thousand turn out at Lake Eola in downtown Orlando to honor victims a week after the Pulse nightclub massacre. Among those there, members of the Islamic community who condemned the violence.
Just four of the Orlando nightclub shooting victims remain in critical condition. 14 others are hospitalzed but stable.
Florida Fish and Wildlife commissioners, deciding this week whether to hold another black bear hunt later this year. Last year’s hunt ended with 304 bears killed. The hunt is aimed at reducing the number of dangerous run-ins between bears and humans. Protesters are already demonstrating around the state against the bear hunt.
President Obama endorses Democrat Charlie Crist for the 13th U.S. Congressional Distrist. The support comes days after Republican David Jolly announced he would run for the seat again, and withdrew from the U.S. Senate race.
The search is called off for a missing swimmer in the Gulf of Mexico off Port Charlotte. 21 year old Javier Castro was apparently swept out by a rip current.
Tropical Storm Danielle, churning in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, no threat to Florida.