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The article highlights the financial burden of false threats to schools in Florida, revealing approximately $65 million in response costs and $8 million in lost instructional time due to swatting incidents last year. It underscores the seriousness of these threats and their implications for mental health and safety in educational settings.
The Pasco County Sheriff's Office has settled a lawsuit for $105,000 with individuals who claimed to have been subjected to unconstitutional monitoring under the agency's "prolific offender" program. This settlement comes after allegations that the program unlawfully targeted people, including minors, for crime prediction and monitoring without probable cause. The Sheriff’s Office stated that the decision was primarily a financial one to avoid costly trial expenses.
President-elect Donald Trump claimed he was responsible for pulling Hillsborough Sheriff Chad Chronister's nomination for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) administrator, contrary to Chronister's own reported decision to withdraw. In a post on Truth Social, Trump criticized media coverage of the situation and shared his reasons, though specifics were not provided. Chronister's spokesperson reaffirmed the sheriff's stance on his withdrawal.
Tampa’s Museum of Science and Industry (MOSI) is set to transform its former IMAX theater into the second-largest planetarium in the country, featuring an eight-story dome and cutting-edge 8K projection technology. The new Digital Dome Theatre, expected to open in early 2025, will provide an immersive educational experience powered by a $4 million investment, with total costs potentially reaching $10 million.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has withdrawn his nomination to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) shortly after being selected by President-elect Donald Trump. He cited his commitment to local initiatives as the reason for his decision.
Chad Chronister, nominated by Donald Trump to head the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), has withdrawn from consideration shortly after the announcement of his nomination. This marks the second nominee selected by Trump to quickly withdraw from a position requiring Senate confirmation, raising questions about the administration's vetting process.
Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister has withdrawn his nomination to lead the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) just three days after being nominated by President-elect Donald Trump, citing his commitment to local law enforcement.
A dump truck driver tragically lost his life in a collision with a train in Ruskin, Hillsborough County, on Tuesday afternoon. The crash caused a significant fire that engulfed the truck and several train cars, but firefighters extinguished the flames within thirty minutes. An investigation is currently underway.
A new bill proposed by Florida Senator Gayle Harrell seeks to prohibit the construction of golf courses and hotels in state parks, continuing the backlash against earlier controversial development plans. The legislation, titled the "State Park Preservation Act," emphasizes conservation-based activities within the parks, ensuring they are managed primarily for public enjoyment rather than commercial development.
A 70-year-old man, Robert Beaty, was arrested after intentionally crashing his pickup truck into a financial building in Tampa Palms North. The incident, which caused an estimated $150,000 in damages, occurred after Beaty was denied entry to the USAA office. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, but he faces multiple felony charges.