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A series of weather alerts have been issued in Florida, including River Flood Warnings in Pasco, Hillsborough, and DeSoto counties, as well as a Rip Current Statement along the coastline. Residents of Pinellas County are receiving assistance following Hurricane Debby, and local officials are raising awareness about flooding dangers as hurricane season progresses.
U.S. stocks concluded their best week of the year, driven by a rally in major technology companies and growing anticipation of an interest rate cut from the Federal Reserve. The S&P 500 and Dow Jones Industrial Average approached their all-time highs, buoyed by easing Treasury yields and optimism in the bond market.
President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met at the White House to discuss the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Gaza, marking their second meeting since Starmer took office. The discussions included the potential use of long-range missiles by Ukraine amid rising tensions with Russia, as well as efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza.
Newsome High School in Lithia was placed on lockdown due to a reported threat, prompting a significant response from law enforcement. After several hours of investigation, students were dismissed on time, with no credible threat found. The incident follows a worrying trend of false threats in the area since a recent school shooting in Georgia.
Pinellas County officials are releasing 911 calls from Hurricane Idalia to raise awareness about the flooding dangers during hurricane season. The recordings aim to emphasize the importance of evacuation orders to protect residents from life-threatening situations. Emergency Management Director Cathie Perkins highlights the risks associated with flooding and the uncertainty of water levels.
A lawsuit filed by Republican candidate Thomas Feiter alleges that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and other GOP officials conspired to run a sham candidate, Seth Hyman, in the Orange-Osceola state attorney's race to benefit DeSantis' appointee, Andrew Bain. The lawsuit claims election fraud and seeks to invalidate the GOP primary results, asserting that Hyman's candidacy was a deliberate ploy to eliminate competition.
Tampa Police have charged Estaban Del Valle, a 35-year-old man, with making a written threat to conduct a mass shooting at Gorrie Elementary School following his child's suspension. The threat was reported promptly, leading to Del Valle's arrest. Chief Lee Bercaw emphasized that such threats will not be tolerated in the community.
Tropical Storm Gordon is being monitored by the National Hurricane Center as it develops in the Atlantic, with no immediate threat to Florida. The storm is expected to slightly strengthen before weakening, while other systems in the Caribbean and near the southeastern U.S. coast are also under observation.
A new law in Florida mandates that all school doors remain locked while students are present, aimed at enhancing school safety. While the law is intended to protect students, some educators, such as third-grade teacher Tracey McConnell, argue that it hinders learning and suggests that reforming gun laws might be a more effective solution.
A Boca Raton-based real estate firm has acquired the Pinellas Business Center in North St. Petersburg for $27.2 million, encompassing 206,275 square feet of flex space. This transaction reflects the ongoing demand for commercial properties in the Tampa Bay area, despite challenging market conditions.