Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
GOV. SCOTT TO HONOR STATE’S VETERANS THIS WEEK
Gov. Rick Scott is set to travel around Florida this week to honor the state’s veterans. Officials announced the Florida Veterans Service Award Tour on Sunday. During Scott’s tour he will award veterans from around the state with the Governor’s Veterans Service Award. It will honor Floridians who have served in the U.S. military.
DEMS FOCUSED ON GOVERNOR’S RACE, REBUILDING
There are four statewide offices on November’s ballot, and the Florida Democratic Party is essentially conceding two of them. Acknowledging that the party is at a low point, party officials said during their annual fundraising dinner over the weekend that their main focus will be trying to win the governor’s office, even if it means supporting a former Republican who they’ve fought against in five previous statewide races.
JUDGE RETURNS TO BENCH AFTER ALTERCATION
A Florida judge accused of punching an assistant public defender during an altercation outside the courtroom has issued a public apology as he prepares to return to the bench after a leave of absence. Brevard County Judge John C. Murphy wrote an open letter to the public on Sunday saying his actions may have “tarnished the reputation of the entire judiciary.”
FHP CONTINUES TO INVESTIGATE TODDLER’S DEATH
The Florida Department of Children and Families has taken custody of an Orlando mother’s 2-year-old son a day after the woman’s other child died from what she was says was a hit-and-run accident. A hearing on Sunday found that signs of malnourishment and bruising on both of Maryanne Schwartz’s children. The Florida Highway Patrol is investigating the Friday death of her 3-year-old daughter Yeliani Schwartz-Ojeda outside of an Orlando apartment complex. Authorities say the child died after being admitted to the hospital with injuries that doctors said were consistent with being struck by a car.
POLICE INVESTIGATE DOUBLE STABBING IN PINELLAS PARK
Police say a man stabbed his cousin and then himself on Sunday night during an altercation at their Pinellas Park home. Both were taken to the hospital where they remain on Monday morning. Police say 37-year-old Olin Hess apparently stabbed himself in the chest after stabbing his cousin, Timothy Adams.
