Multi-year FWC investigation 'Operation Viper' leads to numerous charges for venomous and prohibited snake traffickers

FWC Law EnforcementOn Jan. 12, 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) filed charges against eight individuals, ranging from second degree misdemeanors to third-degree felonies related to the illegal trafficking of venomous and prohibited snakes.

Audit finds Palm Bay has fixed all but eight out of 31 problem areas from 2020 report

By Andrew Powell | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) — A follow-up audit for the city of Palm Bay by the Florida Auditor General found the city of Palm Bay has corrected all but eight of the 31 issues found in the 2020 report.

Palm Bay City Manager Suzanna Sherman responded to the Auditor General and detailed the findings that needed to be addressed, but had not yet been fully corrected.

Gov. Abbott to Biden: These five policies will help secure border

By Bethany Blankley | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Sunday urged President Joe Biden to implement five policies to help secure the U.S. southern border, hand delivering him a letter after the president landed at the El Paso International Airport for his first visit to the border since he took office.

CF receives $17 million to expand nursing

OCALA, Fla. (Jan. 9, 2023) — The College of Central Florida has received $17 million to expand its nursing program, including a $6.7 million Linking Industry to Nursing Education grant funded by the Florida Legislature and a $10.3 million commitment from the Citrus County Hospital Board.

The LINE Fund was created in 2022 by the Florida Legislature to alleviate the statewide nursing shortage by providing matching funds for nursing education programs that partner with health care providers. 

Amtrak has big increase in ridership but still not back to pre-pandemic levels

By Tom Gantert | The Center Square

(The Center Square) - Amtrak saw a big increase in ridership in fiscal year 2022 but is still at 72% of its peak pre-pandemic levels, according to data the transit company released.

The National Railroad Passenger Corporation – Amtrak's official name – is still not close to full recovery in ticket sales and food and beverage revenue.

Florida could lower abortion ban from 15 weeks to 12 weeks

By Andrew Powell | The Center Square contributor

(The Center Square) – Changes could be coming to Florida’s abortion laws after the incoming senate president, Sen. Kathleen Passidomo, said she would like to see Florida’s abortion ban go from 15 weeks’ gestation to 12 weeks’ gestation.