Your daily look at news, upcoming events and the stories that will be talked about today.
HAZING TRIAL STARTS FOR 4 FAMU BAND MEMBERS
The trial of four members of Florida A&M University’s marching band on charges of felony hazing and manslaughter was scheduled to start Monday, nearly three years after drum major Robert Champion died from being beaten. His death has shone a spotlight on a hazing ritual at FAMU known as “crossing Bus C,” and caused the band — which had played at the Super Bowl and before U.S. presidents — to be suspended for over a year. It also contributed to the resignation of the university’s president.
CITRUS SEASON FORECAST FAVORABLE IN FLORIDA
The 2014-15 Florida citrus season could be a good one for both growers and orange juice drinkers. The Lakeland Ledger reports (http://bit.ly/1oC0nR9) that orange growers should see higher farm prices for their fruit in the current season, which began on Oct. 1, but OJ consumers should see lower or stable prices.
WANTED: 2 PINK FLAMINGOS FOR ST. PETE’S OLDEST TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
St. Petersburg’s oldest tourist attraction Sunken Gardens is short of its biggest stars: pink flamingos. The attraction is down to its last two stars: George and Lucy. Two Sunken Garden volunteers started a nonprofit quest called Flamingos Forever about a year ago to replenish the flock. With $30,000 raised, it’s now about halfway to what’s needed to purchase 20 flamingos. Anyone who donates $3,000 buys naming rights of a new bird.
WILDLIFE OFFICIALS SEEK HELP WITH BEARS
Florida wildlife officials are looking to hire two contractors to help reduce the high number of bear-human contacts in the north-central part of the state. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission on Friday posted jobs for two people the agency needs to help in areas with the state’s highest level of reported bear interactions. FWC spokesman Greg Workman says reports are common in Putnam County and northern areas of Marion and Volusia counties near Ocala National Forest, as well as Seminole County.
DOLPHINS BEAT HAPLESS JAGUARS, BUCS LOSE TO VIKINGS
The Miami Dolphins got away with a sluggish start against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday, winning 27-13. The Dolphins returned two interceptions for touchdowns. Meanwhile, in Tampa, the Buccaneers fell 19-13 in overtime to the Minnesota Vikings. South Florida native Teddy Bridgewater threw for 241 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions.
