Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
JUSTIN BIEBER PLEADS GUILTY IN DEAL IN FLORIDA
Pop singer Justin Bieber pleaded guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor charges of careless driving and resisting arrest seven months after his arrest in Miami Beach following what police initially called an illegal street drag race. The 20-year-old pop star’s plea deal with prosecutors, detailed at a court hearing, includes a 12-hour anger management course, a $50,000 charitable contribution and a $500 fine. The deal allows Bieber to avoid a driving under the influence conviction.
‘STREET VIEW’ GOES UNDERSEA TO MAP REEFS, WONDERS
U.S. government scientists are learning to use specialized fisheye lenses underwater in the Florida Keys this week in hopes of applying “street view” mapping to research and management plans in marine sanctuaries nationwide. Some of the rotating and panoramic images will be available online as early as this week, including a selection on Google Maps, giving the public a window into ecosystems still difficult and costly to explore for long stretches of time. It will be like scuba diving from your computer. About 400,000 images have been produced so far of reefs off Australia and in the Caribbean, but this is the first time the technology is being used in U.S. waters.
FLORIDA ARTIST GUILTY IN MUSEUM VASE SMASHING
A South Florida artist has pleaded guilty to a criminal mischief charge for smashing a vase that was part of a museum exhibit by noted Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei. Maximo Caminero entered the plea Wednesday. He agreed to 18 months’ probation, payment of $10,000 restitution to an insurance company for the destroyed vase and 100 hours of community service at local art programs.
FLORIDA MEN ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING HOMELESS WISCONSIN MAN
Wisconsin officials have charged two Florida men in connection to the beating and sexual assault of a homeless man. Prosecutors on Tuesday charged 28-year-old Alexsander Mirkovich with substantial battery and party to first-degree sexual assault. They charged 48-year-old Anthony Gomez with first-degree sexual assault and party to substantial battery. Mirkovich said he and Gomez were visiting a relative in Wisconsin. They say they didn’t hurt the 20-year-old man.
GOV. SCOTT APPROVES NEW CONGRESSIONAL MAP
Florida Gov. Rick Scott is signing off on new maps that will alter several congressional districts. Scott on Wednesday signed into law a new map approved by the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature. The map will be presented to a Florida judge who ruled that the state’s current map included districts that were illegally drawn to help the GOP. Judge Terry Lewis had given legislators until Aug. 15 to come up with a valid map.
