Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
FLORIDA’S NEW UNEMPLOYMENT NUMBERS DUE OUT
New unemployment numbers for Florida are coming out. The May jobless numbers are scheduled to be released on Friday. The rate was 6.2 percent in April, and it has remained the same for all but one month this year. Florida’s unemployment rate is just below the national unemployment rate. The state did gain 34,000 jobs in April.
PATIENT RECRUITER GUILTY IN $205M MEDICARE FRAUD
A South Florida man has pleaded guilty to recruiting patients in exchange for illegal kickbacks as part a $205 million Medicare fraud scheme. Former Network Resource Consultant Inc. chief Michael Mendoza pleaded guilty to health fraud conspiracy Thursday in Miami federal court. Mendoza faces a maximum of 10 years in prison at sentencing in August.
MAN JAILED AFTER COMPETITOR’S FISH BAIT FOUND DEAD
Stiff competition between two Florida fish bait companies has resulted in an arrest. Boynton Beach police say 25-year-old Alexander Ramer of Lake Worth was charged with felony criminal mischief Thursday after killing the live bait of a competing company. Nearly 200 fish were killed, and police say they had a value of about $20,000.
TEEN SUSPECT ACCIDENTALLY RELEASED FROM JAIL
A teenage inmate who was mistakenly released from the Manatee County jail has been recaptured. The State Attorney’s Office reports that the 16-year-old boy was released Monday because of a clerical error and the re-arrested Wednesday afternoon at his home.
FLORIDA WOMAN CHARGED WITH BRANDING CHILDREN
A southwest Florida woman is facing charges after authorities say she branded her two children with a heated stick. The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office says 23-year-old Kayla R. Oxenham of Port Charlotte was arrested and charged with child neglect earlier this week. Officials say Oxenham heated a stick with a lighter and burned her children, ages 5 and 7, in order to mark them as her own.
