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Friday, December 20, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1879, the first telephone service in the Sunshine State became available. Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company provided service to about 1,200 subscribers across seven states, including Florida.

Still need a present or two? Here’s a list of 30 of the best last-minute gifts. Have an awesome weekend!

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Today's sponsor is the Voice of Martyrs, who are helping provide aid to Christians in hostile territories.

Purple Street Lights Mystery Solved

Streetlights with a blueish-purple hue have been popping up in many Florida neighborhoods. Rumors on social media suggest various explanations, but the lights are, in fact, defective.

According to Duke Energy and Acuity Brands, the maker of the lights, they work as intended. However, a manufacturer defect has been identified.

The effect occurred in a small percentage of American Electric Lighting fixtures with older components, resulting in a “spectral shift caused by phosphor displacement.”

The lights are safe but are being replaced across the state and country. Florida Power & Light said customers can report purple streetlights by calling 1-800-4-OUTAGE. For Duke Energy, customers can visit the street light repair tool.

Florida Delays Children’s Health Insurance Expansion

Florida is delaying the implementation of an expansion of children's health insurance, passed by the Florida legislature in 2023, until President-elect Donald Trump takes office on Jan. 20.

The state sued and lost a case over a federal requirement mandating that Florida cover children even if a family misses a monthly premium payment. The state hopes the Trump administration will support its stance on enforcing penalties for missed monthly premium payments.

Earlier this month, the federal government approved the expansion of subsidized KidCare, the state’s children's health insurance program, to benefit Florida’s most vulnerable families.

State Files to Dismiss Prison Heat Lawsuit

Corrections officials want a federal judge to toss out a class-action lawsuit alleging that the state has violated inmates’ rights by failing to address extreme heat conditions at a Miami-Dade County prison.

Arguing that the “Constitution does not mandate comfortable prisons,” lawyers for the Florida corrections department filed a motion Tuesday seeking dismissal of the lawsuit filed in October.

The lawsuit, which names three Dade Correctional Institution inmates as plaintiffs, alleges violations of the U.S. Constitution’s Eighth Amendment prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment, as well as violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Rehabilitation Act.

Be Inspired by Bold Believers

For 25 years, Todd Nettleton, the host of VOM Radio, has ventured into some of the world’s most hostile and restricted nations.

His mission? To meet the courageous men and women who have faced persecution for their unwavering faith in Christ. Todd has traveled far and wide to hear their powerful stories firsthand and to bring their voices to the world, sharing their extraordinary testimonies of faith and resilience.

In his new book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, Todd invites you to meet these bold believers.

Each stop on this journey will challenge you to reflect on your own walk with Christ along the sometimes-difficult path toward our heavenly home.

Through their incredible stories of courageous faith, we pray you will be inspired to a deeper, bolder walk with Christ.

This compelling book is free for you with any gift—simply request your copy today!

➤ West Palm Beach: The state has filed felony charges against Ryan Routh, the alleged attempted assassin of President-elect Donald Trump. The charges relate to a traffic accident that injured a 6-year-old girl after Routh fled the area where he was seen stalking Trump. (More)

➤ Lee County: The governor’s office is vetting potential replacements for Sheriff Carmine Marceno, pending the outcome of an FBI investigation into alleged money laundering. (See Video)

➤ Jacksonville: A woman has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for supervising an armed drug trafficking operation and laundering over $1 million. (More)

➤ Lee and Collier Counties: The Moving Florida Forward Initiative is allocating $578 million for congestion relief on Interstate 75, from Golden Gate Parkway in Collier County to Corkscrew Road in Lee County. (See Video)

➤ Palm Bay: Former City Manager Suzanne Sherman will receive more than $160,000 in severance pay after being removed by the city council earlier this month. (See Details)

➤ Volusia County: An environmental science expert has raised concerns that a planned affordable housing project near Orange City could cause flooding issues. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield was named the NFC’s Offensive Player of the Week after throwing four touchdowns against the Los Angeles Chargers, one of the NFL’s top defenses. (More)

➤ The Florida Panthers cruised to a 6-1 win over the Minnesota Wild on Wednesday. Matthew Tkachuk led the team with two goals. (More)

➤ The Florida Gators will be featured in an upcoming Netflix documentary that will follow 10 SEC football programs throughout their 2024 seasons. (More)

Yesterday’s results: NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW

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➤ Tampa International Airport broke ground Wednesday on its new state-of-the-art 16-gate Airside D terminal, which is expected to open in 2028. (See Video)

➤ Pornhub, an adult content site, is set to block access in Florida starting in January when an age verification law goes into effect. (See Details)

➤ Red Apple Real Estate, the developer of St. Pete’s tallest condo tower to date, has purchased land in the Mirror Lake neighborhood for $13 million to develop its next project. (More)

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Be Inspired by Bold Believers

For 25 years, Todd Nettleton, the host of VOM Radio, has ventured into some of the world’s most hostile and restricted nations.

In his new book, When Faith Is Forbidden: 40 Days on the Frontlines with Persecuted Christians, Todd invites you to meet these bold believers.

Each stop on this journey will challenge you to reflect on your own walk with Christ along the sometimes-difficult path toward our heavenly home.

Through their incredible stories of courageous faith, we pray you will be inspired to a deeper, bolder walk with Christ.

This compelling book is free for you with any gift—simply request your copy today!

➤ The House Ethics Committee voted earlier this month to release a report on its three-year investigation into former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz. The panel’s findings are expected to be made public after the House’s final votes before their holiday recess. (More)

➤ Following a 2021 Supreme Court ruling favoring Georgia over Florida in a water dispute, Georgia will allow new agricultural wells in southwest regions starting in April. (See Details)

➤ A 36-year Christmas tradition continues this week on Enchanted Place, an aptly named street in North Miami that offers a two-block Christmas light extravaganza. (See Video)

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