Florida

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Florida Cops: Teen Driving at 151mph Killed 6 Adults
TikTokker Who Killed 6
in Crash Takes Plea Deal
UPDATED
Jan 9, 2025 10:50 AM CST

TikTokker Who Killed 6 in Crash Takes Plea Deal

Noah Galle, who was 17 at time of Florida crash, avoids possible minimum sentence of 55 years

(Newser) - A 20-year-old Florida man who was driving at 151mph when he killed six farmworkers in a 2022 crash has taken a plea deal, avoiding a possible minimum sentence of 55 years. Noah Galle, who was 17 at the time of the Palm Beach County crash, was sentenced to 12 years...

Matt Gaetz Has His Eye on a New Job

Former rep is considering a gubernatorial run in Florida

(Newser) - With Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis leaving his post in two years due to term limits, some have speculated controversial former lawmaker Matt Gaetz might run to replace him. Now Gaetz himself is stoking that speculation. "I am starting to think about running for governor" in 2026, Gaetz tells the...

Major Citrus Grower Gives Up on Florida

Alico says it will wind down operations after the current crop is harvested

(Newser) - A major grower said this week it was abandoning its citrus growing operations in Florida, reflecting the headwinds the state's signature crops are facing following a series of hurricanes and tree diseases. Alico Inc. announced Monday that it planned to wind down its citrus operations after the current crop...

Plane Arrives in Florida With 2 Dead

Bodies found in JetBlue landing gear during routine check

(Newser) - JetBlue employees made a grim discovery while checking over a plane that landed in Florida on Monday. Two people were found dead in the landing gear compartment during a "routine post-flight maintenance inspection" at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport around 11:30pm, the airline said, per the Miami Herald . "...

Before Death, Ex-Deputy Admits to 1979 Killings

John Greer identified as killer of Jackie Greer, Adele Easterly in Florida

(Newser) - Florida sheriff's deputy John Greer reported his wife's death on Aug. 27, 1979, telling police he heard a "pop" and saw smoke coming from a closet before finding Jackie Greer dead inside. A little more than two months later, he reported finding the body of 25-year-old Adele...

It Was a Tough Year for Florida's Panthers

Vehicle strikes caused 29 of 36 deaths of the endangered species in 2024

(Newser) - Three dozen Florida panthers died in 2024, making it the worst year for deaths of the highly endangered species since 2016. The animals, once found across the Southeast, are now mostly confined to one region along the Gulf of Mexico, per CBS News . They're battling low genetic diversity, illness,...

Train, Fire Engine Collide, Injuring 15

Three firefighters are among those taken to a Florida hospital

(Newser) - A collision between a high-speed passenger train and a fire engine on Saturday in Florida left three firefighters and multiple train passengers injured, authorities said. The crash happened at 10:45am in crowded downtown Delray Beach, multiple news outlets reported. The Brightline train was stopped on the tracks, its front...

Missing Dog Returns Home, Rings Doorbell

Florida family had searched for Athena for a week before she turned back up on Christmas Eve

(Newser) - After a nearly weeklong search, Athena found her way home to her Florida family in time for Christmas Eve and even rang the doorbell. Athena, a 4-year-old German shepherd and husky mix, escaped her home in Green Cove Springs, Florida, on Dec. 15, prompting a search among the community and...

Trump: Bill Gates Asked to Visit Mar-a-Lago

President-elect says so in message that some think was meant to be sent privately to Elon Musk

(Newser) - Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has traveled to Mar-a-Lago in recent weeks to break bread with Donald Trump, as have Meta's Mark Zuckerberg , Apple's Tim Cook, and, of course, X owner and DOGE chief Elon Musk . Now it looks like another tech giant has requested to pay a visit,...

Pregnant Woman Stabbed 14 Times Over $2 Pizza Tip

Police say Florida delivery woman returned to motel to attack customer after shift was over

(Newser) - A pizza delivery woman in yes, Florida, who was upset over a $2 tip on a $33 pizza returned after her shift was over to take revenge, police say. Brianna Alvelo, 22, faces charges including attempted murder for allegedly stabbing the pregnant customer 14 times, CBS News reports. Police say...

Speedy Santa Is on the Lam in Florida

Costumed motorcyclist gets away at speeds reaching 120mph

(Newser) - The Florida Highway Patrol is asking for the public's help on Christmas Eve in tracking down a man in a distinctive red suit with white trim. But if this sounds like one of those warm-hearted Santa police posts, it's not quite that. Instead, authorities are genuinely looking for...

Lara Trump's Bid to Become Senator Gains Momentum
Lara Trump
No Longer
Vying for
Senate Seat
UPDATED
Dec 23, 2024 12:00 AM CST

Lara Trump No Longer Vying for Senate Seat

Daughter-in-law of the president-elect pulls her name from the running for Rubio's seat

(Newser) - So much for that: Lara Trump has withdrawn her name from consideration to replace Marco Rubio when he vacates his US Senate seat to become her father-in-law's secretary of state. "After an incredible amount of thought, contemplation, and encouragement from so many, I have decided to remove my...

Man Who Killed 5 Women in Bank Sentenced to Death

'May God have mercy on your soul,' Florida judge tells Zephen Xaver

(Newser) - A former prison guard trainee who executed five women inside a Florida bank almost six years ago was sentenced to death on Monday as a judge called the slayings calculated, heinous, and cruel. Zephen Xaver, 27, appeared to gulp but otherwise showed no emotion as Circuit Judge Angela Cowden pronounced...

Cops: She Made 'Delay, Deny, Depose' Threat to Insurer

Briana Boston hit with charges in Florida

(Newser) - A Florida woman was arrested this week after allegedly ending a call with her insurance company by saying, "Delay, deny, depose. You people are next." Those first three words, of course, are the ones found on bullet casings at the scene of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO...

Years After 'Outrageous' Stings, County Wants Records Cleared

Broward County Sheriff's Office made the crack, then sold it near schools to increase penalties

(Newser) - A Florida prosecutor wants to vacate as many as 2,600 convictions of people who bought crack cocaine manufactured by the Broward County Sheriff's Office for sting operations between 1988 and 1990. The state Supreme Court ruled in 1993 that people couldn't be charged in cases in which...

Ballerina Hears Her Fate in 'Black Swan' Murder Case


'Black Swan'
Trial Ends With
20-Year Sentence
UPDATED
Dec 3, 2024 2:44 PM CST

'Black Swan' Trial Ends With 20-Year Sentence

Former ballerina Ashley Benefield was convicted in the shooting death of her estranged husband

(Newser) - A woman convicted of killing her estranged husband in a high-profile Florida murder in 2020 has been sentenced to 20 years in prison, reports NBC News . Ashley Benefield, a former ballerina, faced a maximum sentence of 30 years after her manslaughter conviction. She claimed it was self-defense.

Trudeau Shows Up on Trump's Home Turf Over Tariffs

Canadian PM makes unannounced stop at Mar-a-Lago for meeting with incoming president

(Newser) - No one's completely sure if Donald Trump's tariffs proposal is a real, fleshed-out plan or merely a "negotiating ploy" with China, Mexico, and Canada to win some trade concessions. Whatever it turns out to be, Canadian Prime Minister seems to be taking the threat seriously, paying...

Golfer Killed With Own Clubs in 'Random Act of Violence'

Florida man charged with first-degree murder

(Newser) - A Florida man killed a golfer with the man's own golf clubs Monday in what police say appears to have been a "random act of violence" at a Palm Beach Gardens golf course. Junior Boucher, 36, has been charged with first-degree murder in the death of Brian Hiltebeitel,...

Contractor Allegedly Stole $1M in Gold During Treasure Dive

Florida's Eric Schmitt charged with dealing in stolen property

(Newser) - Three dozen gold coins stolen from 18th-century shipwrecks off Florida's Treasure Coast, worth more than $1 million, have been recovered. The 37 stolen gold coins include a so-called "Holy Grail coin," a one-of-a-kind gold piece from 1709 that was incorrectly hammered with a silver coin stamp, per...

Alleged Thief Caught by Her Own TikTok

Florida's Marlena Velez charged over another alleged incident of shoplifting

(Newser) - A content creator in Florida was arrested last week after she was allegedly caught shoplifting in her own video. Cape Coral Police visited a Target location on Nov. 20 in response to an alleged theft that had occurred on Oct. 30. "An unknown female entered the store and selected...

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