Florida: 5 Things To Know For July 11th

Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.

WARDEN SUSPENDED OVER PRISONER’S SCALDING DEATH

The warden of a South Florida prison where an inmate was left in a scalding shower until he died in 2012 has been suspended. Department of Corrections Secretary Michael Crews said Wednesday that Jerry Commings will be on paid administrative leave until the investigation concludes. He added that more sanctions could be forthcoming.

HEARING DELAYED FOR HIJACKER WHO FLEW PLANE TO CUBA

An American awaiting sentencing in the hijacking of a jetliner to Cuba will have to wait a little longer to find out whether the U.S. government will factor in the 13 years he served in prison on the communist island. A defense attorney for William Potts Jr. on Thursday asked to delay sentencing after federal prosecutors filed last-minute classified documents. The hearing was set for next Thursday.

EX-OFFICER CONVICTED IN ATV CRASH SENTENCED

A former Miami Beach police officer has been sentenced to 18 months after striking and seriously injuring two people while joy-riding with a woman on the beach using a police all-terrain vehicle. The judge on Thursday said Derick Kuilan’s actions showed wanton disregard for others’ safety.

FAILED FLORIDA HOUSE CANDIDATE SENTENCED

A judge on Thursday sentenced a failed South Florida congressional candidate to seven months in prison for campaign finance violations in a case linked to former U.S. Rep. David Rivera. U.S. District Judge Cecilia Altonaga ordered Justin Lamar Sternad to serve one year of probation after his release and 100 hours of community service.

FLORIDA HAS AMONG LOWEST RATES OF STEM WORKERS

About 1 in 5 Florida workers are in science and engineering or related fields, placing the Sunshine State near the bottom of the list of states whose workforce is made up of STEM jobs. New figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau show that almost 9 percent of Florida workers between ages 25 and 64 worked in science, technology, engineering and math jobs, also known as STEM jobs. Another 12 percent were in related fields, like architecture or health care management.