Rubio, Scott Vote To Acquit Trump
(Washington, DC) -- President Trump can thank Florida's senators for helping him survive the effort to remove him from office. Both Republicans Marco Rubio and Rick Scott voted yesterday to acquit Trump of the two charges against him. Overall, 52 senators voted to acquit Trump on the abuse of power charge, and 53 voted to acquit on the obstruction of Congress charge. After the vote, Scott tweeted he's glad the charade is over, and it's time to get back to work.
FHP Trooper Killed In Shooting
(Stuart, FL) -- The Florida Highway Patrol is dealing with what it calls a tragic, tragic loss. FHP Trooper Joseph Bullock was killed yesterday morning while helping a driver whose car broke down on I-95 in Martin County. The driver allegedly shot Bullock near Palm City, and a Riviera Beach Police officer passing by then shot and killed the suspect. Bullock was a 19-year veteran, and FHP says he was dedicated to selflessly serving and protecting others.
Brevard County Chair Proposes Using Bed Tax Money For Roads
(Titusville, FL) -- A change could be coming in how Brevard County uses some of its bed tax revenue. The County Commission today will discuss using hotel tax money for road and bridge projects. Chairman Bryan Lober proposed the idea for any bed tax revenue that exceeds budget projections. At least one local tourism official opposes the idea, and he tells Florida Today if the county wants more money for roads and bridges, it should raise the gas tax.
Stolen Handgun Found In Student's Backpack
(Ocala, FL) -- A Marion County student is accused of bringing a gun to school. Lake Weir High School's Jacques Brown allegedly had a stolen handgun in his backpack this week. The gun was reported stolen six months ago from an unlocked car, but deputies aren't sure if the 17-year-old is the one who stole it. In addition to gun charges, Brown is also facing a marijuana possession charge.
Video Shows Police Officer Threatening Students
(North Miami, FL) -- A video could cost a police officer in Miami-Dade County her job. The video was recorded during a fight last week at North Miami Senior High School, and it appears to show an SRO threatening to shoot students. She can also be heard swearing at the students, and she's now on leave pending an investigation. Miami-Dade Public Schools says her behavior was inappropriate.
Bystander Thwarts Would-Be Purse Snatcher
(Jacksonville, FL) -- A bystander is credited with stopping a robbery in progress in Jacksonville. The JSO says a woman was in a Walmart parking lot on Atlantic Boulevard recently when a man tried to grab her purse, but another man who saw what was happening came to her aid. The bystander allegedly grabbed the man and took back the woman's purse, but the suspect ran off and has not been found.
Sister Of Murder Victim Addresses HillsCo School Board
(Tampa, FL) -- A Hillsborough County teenager says inaction by school officials is forcing her to leave her school. Fifteen-year-old Ava Hulett's brother was killed in a shooting two months ago, and she told the school board yesterday her brother's killers still attend classes at Newsome High School. The students haven't been charged in her brother's death, which is still under investigation. She says rather than suffer panic attacks from seeing their faces every day, she has decided to continue her education elsewhere.
NASCAR Kicks Off Daytona 500 Week
(Daytona Beach, FL) -- One of the biggest sporting events of the year gets underway today in Volusia County. 'Kickoff to Daytona Speedweeks' marks the beginning of the runup to the Daytona 500 a week from Sunday. Events run from 6:00 to 8:00 tonight at One Daytona. Activities include a chance for fans to take pictures with the Daytona 500 trophy.
Car Crashes Into Panera Bread
(Fort Lauderdale, FL) -- Customers are lucky to have escaped injury after a scary incident in Broward County. An SUV crashed through a Panera Bread in Fort Lauderdale on North Federal Highway this week. No one was hurt, and no charges have been announced. There's no word on how the crash happened, but Fire Rescue tells 7News the driver indicated she hit the gas pedal instead of the brake.
Video Appears To Show Badger And Coyote Traveling Together
(Palo Alto, CA) -- Video is now going viral of a badger and a coyote who appear to be traveling together in the Bay Area. Wildlife camera video next to a highway near Gilroy shows a coyote leaping into the air as a badger gets close. They both end up walking into an underground culvert together in the dark.
Man Burns Cash To Keep It From His Ex
(Canada) -- A failed mayoral candidate from Ottawa says he burned more than one-million dollars to keep it from his ex-wife. Fifty-five-year-old Bruce McConville told a Superior Court justice that he sold several of his properties, gathered the cash and then set fire to it. The justice said McConville was "morally reprehensible" for his actions. He sentenced him to 30 days in jail for failure to pay 300-thousand dollars in spousal and child support. McConville has also been ordered to pay his ex a two-thousand-dollar-per-day fine.
TODAY IN HISTORY:
2019, President Trump made the State of the Union address a week later than usual due to a government shutdown.
2016, Brett Favre was inducted into the pro Football hall of Fame. Favre was joined by wide receiver Marvin Harrison, linebacker Kevin Greene, tackle Orlando Pace, and head coach Tony Dungy in the Pro Football Hall of Fame's Class of 2016.
2014, Jay Leno hosted his final episode of "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno," ending 22 years as host of the late night talk show.
2007, astronaut Lisa Nowak was charged with battery and attempted murder after she allegedly tried to kidnap a woman she considered a romantic rival.
1911, the first old-age home for pioneers opened in Prescott, Arizona.