Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
SURVEY SAYS FLORIDA ADDED MORE JOBS IN OCTOBER
A new employment survey shows that Florida continues to add jobs. Payroll provider ADP reported Wednesday that the state added 20,050 private sector jobs during the month of October. ADP’s survey is separate from the one that is conducted by government agencies. The survey showed that the growth was largely in service jobs.
JURY AWARDS $35M DAMAGES TO FLORIDA SMOKER
A jury in Polk County has awarded $35 million in damages to a former Florida smoker who underwent two lung transplants. The jury’s decision Wednesday on behalf of 61-year-old Richard Boatright of Bartow against Philip Morris USA and the Liggett Group tobacco companies. The cigarette makers routinely appeal all such verdicts. Attorney Sheldon Schlesinger says Boatright started smoking at age 12 and liked the cowboy used in Marlboro ads.
BOY DIES AFTER BEING STRUCK BY FATHER’S PICKUP
A 3-year-old northeast Florida boy died after his father accidentally backed over the child in his truck. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office reports that Christopher Lamer was playing in a plastic toy car on Sunday when his father’s pickup struck him. Authorities say the father was moving materials from his backyard to the front and did not see the boy playing in his vehicle’s path.
4 FLORIDA CITIES GET HIGH MARKS FROM GROUP
When it comes to promotion of equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents, four Florida cities get a perfect score. The Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign three years ago began ranking cities based on LGBT inclusion in local laws and policy. It gave St. Petersburg, Orlando, Wilton Manors and Miami Beach 100 out of 100 points on its 2014 Municipal Equality Index.
2 FROM FLORIDA PANHANDLE ACCUSED OF SELLING FAKE TICKETS TO UPCOMING ALABAMA FOOTBALL GAME
Tuscaloosa police say two people from the Florida Panhandle accused of selling fake tickets to an upcoming University of Alabama football game are being held on $240,000 bond each. Sgt. Brent Blankley says Shannon Stanley Sizemore and Heather Kieatha Sizemore, both of Panama City, Florida, are each charged with 16 counts of possession of a forged instrument and are being held in the county jail.
