Tag: Florida News

Florida man injured climbing California’s Mount Shasta rescued after 2 nights in freezing temps

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A Florida man who became injured while climbing one of the tallest mountains in California was rescued after spending two nights in freezing temperatures, officials said. According to the sheriff’s office in Siskiyou County and the U.S. Forest Service, the 39-year-old climber summited Mount Shasta around 3 p.m. Sunday. Located in the far northern part of the state at an elevation of 14,179 feet, Mount Shasta is the fifth tallest peak in California and the second tallest peak in the Cascade Range. While descending, deputies said the climber ran into trouble after following an erroneous GPS route that led him onto the Whitney Glacier.

At 12,600 feet elevation, the climber fell through a snow bridge, severely injuring his leg. Around 5 p.m., the climber called 911 and the sheriff’s office launched a search and rescue operation. “At the time of his distress call Sunday evening, the injured climber was wearing only sweatpants, a sweatshirt, and running shoes, and was not equipped for an overnight stay on the glacier,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement. U.S. Forest Service officials said the man had a pair of trekking poles and a small amount of food and water. Temperatures on the glacier, known as the coldest part of the mountain, dipped below freezing.

High winds and poor visibility also prevented rescuers from reaching the injured man until late Monday morning. When a pair of climbing rangers from the Forest Service arrived, the man was treated for his injuries, frostbite and the onset of hypothermia. The rangers moved the man off the glacier and made multiple attempts to airlift the man off the mountain, but rescue efforts were impeded by inclement weather. “The USFS Climbing Rangers had to then spend another harrowing night at 12,500 ft with the injured man, as the Siskiyou County Sheriff’s Office mobilized over 30 additional search and rescue personnel to perform a ground extraction,” deputies said.

Additional crews reached the man around 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, who carried him further down the mountain for a helicopter rescue. Deputies said crews had to encounter multiple challenges, including rockfall hazards, 50 to 60 mph winds and freezing conditions, while the man’s condition was “deteriorating rapidly.” During a break in the weather, a California Highway Patrol helicopter reached the rescue team on Shastina Peak and airlifted him to safety. The climber was taken to the hospital, where he is being treated for his injuries, including frostbite to his foot and leg, officials said.

Officials did not release the man’s name or where in Florida he is from. Multiple agencies joined the rescue effort, including search and rescue volunteers from as far as the San Francisco Bay Area and Oregon. The last of the rescuers returned to the trailhead late Tuesday night. “These rescuers demonstrated impressive resolve throughout the entire ordeal, persevering in extreme conditions, and executing the mission with a relentless commitment to the saving of a life,” deputies said. Among those agencies was the Marin County Sheriff’s Office Search and Rescue team, which noted that this rescue “may have been one of the most challenging missions” it has ever been assigned to.

“Our team of 11 made the treacherous, near-vertical climb up Mount Shasta, hauling rescue gear to reach a climber who had fallen into a crevasse and broken his leg,” the sheriff’s office wrote on its Instagram page. “Stranded more than 12,000 feet up the mountain, the climber couldn’t be reached by helicopter on day one because severe weather made a safe landing impossible.” The sheriff’s office said the team used specialized skills and a technical rope system to lower the individual down steep, rocky terrain before getting him to the helicopter. Several members of the SAR team are youths, including 17-year-old Charlie Pledger and Cody Davis.

“We were both at school when it came in, but it happens a lot,” Davis said. “Stuff happens while we are at school.” They have a bag packed and ready to go in their cars just in case of emergencies like this one. According to Chief John Van Hooser, the team got there just in time. “When we got there, it was very clear that he was not going to, he was not likely to be able to survive another night on the mountain,” Chief John Van Hooser said. “So, we needed to get him lower or get him in a helicopter to save his life.” In the end, it was a successful mission.

All the members of the search and rescue team spend hundreds of hours training for these kinds of missions. Pledger and Davis are now back at school, and their parents are relieved to have them back home. “On this particular one, it was definitely out of the ordinary,” Pledger said. “I was texting her a lot because it was fun to keep her in the loop. She really enjoys hearing about all my experiences, but definitely does worry.”

Source: Florida man injured climbing California’s Mount Shasta rescued after 2 nights in freezing temps – CBS San Francisco

Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Hunted for Following Jesus

In some communities, Muslims who leave Islam to follow Christ face rejection, threats, violence, and even death because of their faith. For Muslim-background believers, choosing to…

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Hurricane slams South, leaving outages, 4 deaths

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Hurricane Damage

Post-Tropical Cyclone Isaias was moving northeast through central Alabama near Birmingham on Saturday after roaring ashore as a Category 2 hurricane late Friday evening near Destin, Florida, with winds of about 105 mph, causing at least four deaths. Trees and power lines were down in Alabama and the Florida Panhandle, creating dangerous conditions and forcing road closures late Friday, officials said. Power outages are in the hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across much of Alabama, the Florida Panhandle and western Georgia. At least four people have been reported killed in the storm, two each in Alabama and Florida, authorities said Saturday.

The storm broke a two-year drought of U.S. hurricane landfalls, with the most recent being Hurricane Milton in October 2024, two years to the day before Isaias made landfall. The center of Post-Tropical Cyclone Isaias was moving north over Alabama on Saturday and is expected to reach the Tennessee Valley later in the day and into Sunday, when it will make a northeastward turn. As of 5 p.m. ET Saturday, the center of Isaias was about 5 miles west of Birmingham, Alabama, moving northeast at 15 mph, according to the National Weather Service. The storm is forecast to continue inland and weaken further.

Source: Hurricane slams South, leaving outages, 4 deaths

This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’
Acts 4:11

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Isaias becomes first hurricane of 2026 Atlantic season, threatens northern Gulf Coast. See maps, forecast path.

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Hurricane Isaias was intensifying early Thursday and is expected to make landfall along the U.S. Gulf Coast late Friday or early Saturday, threatening parts of Mississippi, Alabama and the western part of the Florida Panhandle. It became the first hurricane of the 2026 Atlantic season after strengthening from a tropical storm late Wednesday night. A hurricane warning is in effect for the northern Gulf Coast, from Ocean Springs, Mississippi, across Alabama to Florida’s Bay/Gulf County line.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency for more than two dozen counties in his state, and Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey issued a state of emergency for 40 counties.  Maps show hurricane’s path Isaias, pronounced “ees-ah-EE-ahs,” had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph early Thursday and its core was located about 420 miles south-southwest of the mouth of the Mississippi River, according to the National Hurricane Center.  “Additional strengthening is expected through early Friday, and Isaias should remain a strong hurricane as it approaches the northern Gulf Coast on Friday night,” the center said.

“Preparations to protect life and property from storm surge and damaging winds along the warning area of the Gulf Coast should be rushed to completion today,” the Miami-based center stressed. Along with the hurricane warning, a tropical storm warning was issued from Louisiana’s Jefferson/Plaquemines Parish line to west of Ocean Springs, Mississippi and from east of the Bay/Gulf County line to Florida’s Aucilla River. A storm surge warning was issued from the mouth of the Mississippi River to the Steinhatchee River in Florida. The hurricane center forecasts 3 to 7 inches of rain and as much as 10 inches in some places along the coast from southeastern Louisiana to the Florida Panhandle. Much of the Southeast, and as far north as the Tennessee Valley and the Carolinas, could see heavy rainfall.

The latest for a first hurricane since 1905 Isaias’ progression into a hurricane on Wednesday marked the latest date in 121 years for the Atlantic season’s first hurricane to develop, just missing a record set on Oct. 8, 1905, according to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data.  The season, which has been unusually quiet in the Atlantic this year, runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.   An Atlantic hurricane season typically produces, on average, 14 named storms, seven hurricanes and three major hurricanes, according to the hurricane center, which used climate data collected between 1991 and 2020 to calculate those figures. A season’s first named storm normally forms in mid- to late-June, while the first hurricane tends to form in early- to mid-August, and the first major hurricane often comes in late August or early September.

Forecasters predicted there would be less Atlantic storm activity than usual this year, but so far it has been even quieter than anticipated. Meteorologists say that’s largely due to to the onset of a strong El Niño over the summer, which typically correlates with cooler water temperatures and greater fluctuations in wind patterns over the Atlantic, conditions that dampen the growth of tropical systems. The Pacific, meanwhile, has seen an unusually active series of hurricanes.

Source: Isaias becomes first hurricane of 2026 Atlantic season, threatens northern Gulf Coast. See maps, forecast path. – CBS News

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.
Galatians 6:7

Powerful earthquake shakes Panama

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Injured Pelican Knocks on NOAA Fisheries Office Door Looking for Help

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Brown pelican beside a carrier outside a wildlife rescue center

A pelican in Florida came knocking for help, quite literally, using its beak. NOAA Fisheries Service The unusual encounter happened at the NOAA Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Panama City, Florida, when employees heard a distinct tapping sound coming from the door. When they went to investigate, they found a pelican waiting on the stoop with fishing line wrapped around its wing, a deeply embedded fishhook, and cactus spines stuck in its left foot.

Fortunately, the bird had come to the right place. According to NOAA, the pelican had a double-barbed treble hook deeply embedded in its right wing, along with several feet of monofilament fishing line wrapped around it. Luckily, the staff included expert animal handlers who quickly stepped in to help. They carefully snipped the hook’s barb, removed the hook, and unwound the fishing line from the bird’s wing. They also removed the cactus spines from its foot. The entire operation took about 10 minutes, and biologists said the pelican remained surprisingly calm throughout the process. “It must have known it was in good hands!” the organization shared on Facebook.

NOAA Fisheries Service Once the fishing line and hook were removed and the bird received a clean bill of health, the pelican was ready to return to the wild. It took to the sky, finally free from the painful fishing gear that had been weighing it down. Whether the pelican intentionally sought out help or simply happened to find the right doorstep, one thing is certain: It couldn’t have picked a better place to knock.

Source: Injured Pelican Knocks on NOAA Fisheries Office Door Looking for Help

Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.
1 John 3:1

For God so Loved the World

“God loved you enough to send His Son, Jesus loved you enough to give His life, and through faith, you are offered a hope this world can never…

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2 Timothy 3:12 

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted Paul was reminding Timothy that following Christ does not guarantee an easy life. When we…

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John 15:18–20

“If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own;…

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Galatians 1:6-10

“When truth becomes negotiable, faith becomes vulnerable so know the Gospel, stand on God’s Word, and seek His approval above the world’s applause.” “I am astonished that you…

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Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport leaves 5 dead as FAA, NTSB investigate

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Miami International Airport terminal with travelers, taxis, flags, and transportation signs

At least five people were killed and five others were injured when an Amazon cargo plane overran a runway at Miami International Airport and struck several vehicles Sunday, officials said. The crash prompted a roughly 3-hour ground stop at the airport as emergency crews responded to the scene. The Prime Air plane, which was being operated by North Carolina-based 21 Air, overran one of the airport’s runways and came to a rest in an adjacent field, officials said at a Sunday news conference. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue said the plane hit several vehicles near the 2100 block of Northwest 42nd Avenue, and more than 60 of its units responded to the crash. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said it also responded.

21Air says it’s “devastated” by crash at MIA

21Air CEO Keith Winters released a statement on Sunday and said he was “devastated” by what took place at Miami International Airport. “We are devastated by the accident involving one of our aircraft in Miami today. “Our deepest condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives.

Our immediate priorities are supporting those affected, assisting the authorities, and ensuring that accurate information is communicated as it becomes available. We are cooperating fully with the National Transportation Safety Board, the Federal Aviation Administration, and local authorities. The circumstances of the accident are under investigation.”

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue battles fire after plane crash, rescues victims 

Of the five people who were injured, three were taken to a local trauma center in critical condition. Two others were assessed and taken to local hospitals. None of the victims have been identified. MDFR said when crews arrived, the plane was on fire and spewing out heavy smoke.  “What we found was a very complex situation,” MDFR Chief Ray Jadallah said.  Crews used foam and specialized airport firefighting units to combat the flames, MDFR said.

Crews also conducted search and rescue operations, including for the pilot and co-pilot inside the cockpit, while also locating and assessing patients throughout the scene, MDFR said.  Officials did not provide further information on the condition of the plane’s crew. Officials have said it was too early to tell if the people killed were aboard the plane or on the ground. Several people were trapped inside their vehicles and had to be removed using specialized MDFR technical rescue personnel, officials said. 

Fuel leak reported at Amazon plane crash site

MDFR said there was an active fuel leak “occurring off of the aircraft that is being mitigated.” Residents and motorists were urged to avoid the area of 67th Avenue and 25th Street, Commissioner Natalie Milian Orbis said. Officials said there was no ongoing threat to public safety. Amazon responds to cargo plane crash Amazon confirmed one of its planes was involved in the crash. “We’re working closely with local authorities and officials to understand exactly what happened. Right now, our absolute priority is the safety, well-being, and care of everyone involved. We’re doing everything we can to support those affected,” Kelly Nantel, an Amazon spokesperson, said. Nantel said the company was “heartbroken to learn that five people lost their lives in today’s incident at Miami International Airport.

Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, loved ones, and all those affected by this devastating loss.” Amazon will “cooperate fully with any investigation,” Nantel added. Is Miami International Airport still under a ground stop? The Air Traffic Control System Command Center, part of the Federal Aviation Administration, issued the ground stop around 2:30 p.m. ET. Two of the airport’s runways have since been reopened, according to Greg Chin, the communications director for the Miami-Dade Aviation Department. The ground stop was canceled after about three hours, but as of Sunday night, the average delay for a flight into the airport was about six and half hours.

The FAA confirmed that a Boeing 767-300 that departed from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was involved in the crash. The 767 is 32 years old and had originally flown as a passenger plane for several airlines before it was converted into a cargo plane in 2015, according to Flightradar24. Both the FAA and the National Transportation Safety Board are investigating. Sean Duffy, secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation, shared a brief statement on X, advising travelers of possible delays and cancellations.

Source: Amazon cargo plane crash at Miami International Airport leaves 5 dead as FAA, NTSB investigate – CBS Miami

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”
Romans 1:17

Isaiah 45:2

“I will go before you and level the exalted places, I will break in pieces the doors of bronze and cut through the bars of iron, This verse reminds…

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Proverbs 21:23

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. This verse emphasizes that people who carefully watch what they say will protect themselves from serious trouble.…

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Psalm 5:8

Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. In the verse David is praying in the morning while people who…

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Florida Board of Governors bans undocumented students from all 12 public universities starting in 2027

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Florida State University campus

Florida’s State University System Board of Governors voted Thursday unanimously to ban undocumented students from attending the state’s 12 public universities. According to the approved rule, any person “who is present in the United States unlawfully” will not be eligible for enrollment beginning in the 2027-2028 academic year.

The move is the latest in a series of illegal immigration-related rules created by the two policymaking bodies that control the state’s public higher education institutions – the BOG and the Florida Board of Education. After the vote, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins said the rule was “common sense,” in a social media post on X. “Florida’s public universities are for students who are here legally. Period,” said Collins, a former state senator whom Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed as lieutenant governor in August 2025.

“Florida taxpayers should not be expected to subsidize opportunities for people who broke our laws to come here.” Republican lawmakers have attempted several times to restrict the ability of undocumented immigrants from enrolling in higher education institutions in Florida. During the 2026 regular session, legislators filed bills to prohibit all higher education institutions from admitting any non-citizen who wasn’t legally present in the country and to limit the number of enrolled students who are citizens of foreign countries and who are not permanent U.S. residents.

But the measures barely moved through the process and died in committee. Since then, the State University System and the Florida Board of Education have created their own policies to restrict the admission of undocumented students The State University System’s decision on Thursday closely followed the Florida Board of Education’s move in June to bar undocumented students from the state’s 24 public colleges and General Educational Development (GED) programs. Most recently, Education Commissioner Henry Mack approved a rule that would block undocumented students from attending the state’s postsecondary career and technical education (CTE) programs.

The programs train students in a wide variety of career fields and industries, including entry-level and management positions in agriculture, health care, energy, transportation, tourism and construction. That rule will be discussed at a Board of Education meeting on Sept. 16 at Polk State College. The State University System does not currently keep track of students who are not lawfully present in the U.S. In 2025, DeSantis pushed lawmakers to repeal a 2014 law offering qualified undocumented immigrants entering universities in-state tuition rates. The 2014 law had been sponsored by DeSantis’ first lieutenant governor, Jeanette Nuñez, when she was a state House member. 

Source: Florida Board of Governors bans undocumented students from all 12 public universities starting in 2027 – CBS Miami

O my soul, you have said to the LORD, “You are my Lord, My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
Psalm 16:2

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Marijuana seizure: 1,800 pounds intercepted by Butts County sheriff

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Nearly 900 pounds of marijuana headed to Orlando was intercepted in Georgia as part of a larger interstate shipment, according to the Butts County Sheriff’s Office. Sheriff Gary Long said authorities seized approximately 1,800 pounds of marijuana in Butts County on Tuesday, Aug. 25.

The shipment originated in Sacramento, California. Long said approximately half was destined for Atlanta, while the other half was headed to Orlando. The Sheriff’s Office released photos showing law enforcement officers standing behind a large pile of bags containing what authorities identified as marijuana. The agency’s statement did not identify anyone connected with the shipment, announce any arrests or charges or disclose its intended destination in Orlando.

Florida permits medical marijuana for qualified patients, but only state-licensed medical marijuana treatment centers are authorized to cultivate, process and dispense it, according to the Florida Department of Health’s Office of Medical Marijuana Use. Long used the seizure to make a broader argument about marijuana legalization and the continued existence of illegal sales. “The illegal marijuana trade does not stop at the state line,” Long said. The sheriff argued that criminal operations can undercut licensed marijuana businesses because they do not pay taxes, licensing fees or regulatory expenses.

Long also said Mexican drug-trafficking organizations and other criminal groups continue to move marijuana across state lines. However, the Sheriff’s Office did not connect this shipment to a particular cartel or criminal organization. The sheriff urged Georgia lawmakers to examine the experiences of states that have legalized recreational marijuana before expanding the state’s existing medical cannabis program. Georgia allows registered patients to possess certain medical cannabis products, but recreational marijuana remains illegal.

The Georgia Department of Public Health says the state’s medical program does not legalize the possession or sale of other forms of marijuana. “Georgia, let’s get it right the first time,” Long said.

Source: Marijuana seizure: 1,800 pounds intercepted by Butts County sheriff – WDBO

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

A study of the Mesha Stele

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Lee County waives pet adoption fees Saturday for Clear the Shelters

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Lee County residents looking to add a four-legged member to the family can adopt one for free Saturday as part of the 2026 Clear the Shelters campaign. Lee County Domestic Animal Services is waiving all adoption fees Saturday, Aug. 15, during its Clear the Shelters adoption event. The shelter has dogs and cats of different ages available for adoption. Every adopted pet is spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped before going home with its new family. “Clear the Shelters is one of our favorite events of the year because it shines a spotlight on the incredible pets waiting for homes,” Lee County Domestic Animal Services Director Pablo Adorno said.

“Every adoption changes a pet’s life while creating space for another animal in need. We encourage the community to visit the shelter this August — you may just meet your new best friend.” The free adoption event is part of a monthlong effort to find homes for shelter animals. Through Aug. 31, adoption fees are reduced to $40 for dogs and $20 for cats with an approved application. Lee County Domestic Animal Services is joining more than 1,600 shelters and rescue groups nationwide in this year’s Clear the Shelters campaign. Adoptions take place at Lee County Domestic Animal Services at 5600 Banner Drive in Fort Myers. Adoption hours are 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Source: Lee County waives pet adoption fees Saturday for Clear the Shelters

And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.
1 John 2:2

Finding Truth and Life in Jesus

In a world filled with competing voices, confusing paths, and endless distractions, Jesus doesn’t simply show us the way He declares, ‘I am the way.’ When everything around…

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Nearly 30,000 pounds of Argentine beef sold in Texas, Florida recalled by Miami-area company

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Vacuum-sealed Argentine beef ribeye cuts with SENASA inspection labels

Shoppers in Texas and Florida are being asked to check their freezers for beef imported from Argentina that is now being recalled by federal officials. The Food and Drug Administration’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Friday that Corte Argentino – a company based in Aventura, Florida – recalled nearly 30,000 pounds of raw beef products produced in May that have use or freeze-by dates between Sept. 15, 2026, and Sept. 20, 2026. The FSIS said the products were imported without the benefit of import reinspection into the United States. The service said the issue was discovered during routine inspection activities. Five products, all of which are boneless beef products in cardboard boxes of various weights and carry the “FrigorIfico Gorina SAIC” brand, are impacted:

  • “Top Sirloin Butt” (“Cuadril Sin Tapa”)
  • “Eye Round” (“Peceto”)
  • “Topside Cap Off” (“Nalga AD S/Tapa”)
  • “Flat” (“Carnaza Cuadrada”)
  • “Knuckle” (“Bola de Lomo”)

CBS News

Texas The FSIS said the products subject to the recall bear Argentine establishment number “EST. N° OF. 2025” and shipping mark “26644-AA”. While it’s not known which stores may have sold the beef, the service said the products were distributed to distributors and retailers in both states. While no illnesses or injuries have been reported as a result of eating the beef, the FSIS urges anyone with concerns to contact a healthcare provider. The service also said anyone who still has the beef should either throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. Anyone with questions about the recall can email Corte Argentino at info@corteargentinoinc.com.

Recall comes after U.S. ranchers’ opposition The recall of the Corte Argentino beef comes nearly a year after President Donald Trump announced a plan to import more meat from Argentina as part of a deal signed with his counterpart, Argentine President Javier Milei, as part of a plan to cut record beef prices. However, that plan was met with heated opposition from U.S. ranchers and skepticism from experts who said it likely wouldn’t lead to lower prices at grocery stores. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, along with the Ranchers-Cattlemen Action Legal Fund United Stockgrowers of America and other farming groups — who are normally some of the president’s biggest supporters — all criticized Trump’s plan because of what it could do to American ranchers and feedlot operators. And agricultural economists say Argentine beef accounts for such a small slice of beef imports — only about 2% — that even doubling that wouldn’t change prices much.  

Several factors have sent beef prices soaring, starting with continued strong demand combined with the smallest U.S. herd size since 1961. In part, that small herd is due to years of drought and low cattle prices. Further, Kansas State University agricultural economist Glynn Tonsor said Argentina can’t produce enough beef to offset those other losses of imports. “We’re always going to have uncertainty in the world. But the more uncertain something is, the less likely most are to put money on the line,” Tonsor said.

Source: Nearly 30,000 pounds of Argentine beef sold in Texas, Florida recalled by Miami-area company – CBS Texas

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.
Deuteronomy 6:6-7

Hope in the dark

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21-year-old kills man with hammer, leaves note: Florida cops

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Hammer on cracked alley concrete at night

A 21-year-old woman used a hammer to kill a 41-year-old man she accused of grooming her as a child, then she left an accusatory note on his chest, Florida authorities said. Journee McGrew is now charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in a killing described by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office as a “domestic dispute.” McGrew’s father started driving to his daughter’s apartment to check on her after she reached out to his wife at 2 a.m. July 2, according to an arrest report filed in Duval County. On his way there, he spoke with her over the phone about what happened, officers said.

She told him the 41-year-old man came to her apartment and “demanded that she have sex with him,” but she turned him down, according to the sheriff’s office. She told her dad the man grabbed her, and she hit him with a hammer, officers said. The dad told investigators his daughter said, “I think he’s dead, Daddy,” according to the report. Her dad told her to hang up and call the police, then he called 911 himself, the sheriff’s office said. When officers arrived at her apartment, they reported finding the victim with blunt force injuries lying in a pool of blood outside McGrew’s unit. On his chest was a note written with a green highlighter that read “PEDO Touches Children,” the sheriff’s office said. Officers saw “copious amounts of blood” on the wall and the ground in front of the door, according to the report.

They interviewed McGrew, who told them the man had been sexually grooming her since she was 8 and had sexually assaulted her in the past, the sheriff’s office said. A few hours before the incident, she told investigators she sent him a sexual text message, saying she regretted how she had treated him, and invited him over to “spend time with him and have sex,” according to the report. She said he came over, and they went out for a while before going back to her apartment at 1 a.m., then they started to drink, officers said. McGrew told investigators the man brought up sex and pressured her when she turned him down, so she asked him to leave, according to officers. As she was walking him out, she grabbed a metal hammer from her closet and hid it behind her back, then he turned toward her at the door and wrapped his arms around her in an “aggressive” way, she told investigators, according to the report.

She pushed him away and there was a physical altercation during which he ended up the ground, and McGrew killed him, according to officers. When law enforcement got the warrant to search her apartment, they said they followed a trail of bloody footprints leading from the front door to the bathroom, where they found a bloody hammer in the sink. Investigators said they collected blood-stained clothes and other evidence from the bathroom. Officers asked McGrew if she invited the man to her apartment to kill him, but her response is redacted from the arrest report. She was arrested without incident. It appears no formal charges were ever brought against the man in Duval County in connection with the sexual grooming McGrew described.

Source: 21-year-old kills man with hammer, leaves note: Florida cops | Miami Herald

Thoughts to Ponder

This heartbreaking case serves as a reminder of the devastating and long-lasting effects that abuse, exploitation, and unresolved trauma can have on individuals and families. While the legal process must determine the facts surrounding the allegations and the killing, Scripture is clear that God condemns those who exploit or harm the vulnerable. Jesus gave strong warnings against causing harm to children (Matthew 18:6), and believers are called to protect the innocent, seek justice, and care for those who have been wounded. At the same time, the Bible teaches that vengeance belongs to the Lord (Romans 12:19) and that justice should be pursued through righteous means rather than personal retaliation whenever possible.

This tragedy also illustrates humanity’s deep need for healing, accountability, and redemption. Sin leaves scars that can affect generations, but the gospel offers hope for both those who have been deeply hurt and those who have committed grievous wrongs. Psalm 34:18 reminds us that “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted,” while Micah 6:8 calls God’s people to “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly” with Him. Christians should pray for everyone affected by this case, including those grieving the loss of life, anyone who has experienced abuse, and those seeking justice, that truth would come to light, genuine healing would begin, and God’s mercy and righteousness would ultimately prevail.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.
Joshua 1:8

God as Your Ever-Present Help

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7 more women arrested at southwest Miami-Dade massage parlors, accused of prostitution in undercover sting

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Two police officers arresting a person with handcuffs on a wet street at night

Seven more women have been arrested at massage parlors across Miami-Dade, following a wave of arrests in an undercover prostitution sting operation run by the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.  All seven women appeared in bond court facing prostitution charges as well as running a massage business without a license. The arrests come a day after seven other women were arrested at massage parlors in southwest Miami-Dade. Those locations were closed after the first round of arrests.  According to arrest reports, the women would offer sexual acts to an undercover detective after a massage. They would also charge, according to the reports, prices ranging from $50 to $150.  The women’s ages ranged from 46 to 67 years old: 

  • Yaoying Lin, 58 
  • Xiufen Lin, 51 
  • Yan Xi, 48
  • Zixuan Wang, 46 
  • Mei Hui Lin, 49
  • Quirong Xu, 67 
  • Hongli Ren, 63

The seven women were arrested in massage parlors across Miami-Dade, accused of providing services without a license and prostitution by offering undercover detectives sexual acts.  Miami-Dade Corrections

Judge Mindy Glazer presided over the bond court appearances. During the proceedings, she referenced charges of “committing a lascivious act and engaging in prostitution,” according to CBS News Miami’s reporting from the courthouse. Yaoying Lin’s attorney, Paul Petruzzi, persuaded the judge to reduce her charge from a felony to a misdemeanor. “She’s resided in Miami for many years. Married. And has never failed to appear,” Petruzzi said. “They had my client held overnight. She was charged with a felony unfairly. To the point where a judge on her own dismissed it. It’s either real bad, bad, bad police work. Or it’s something else. A little bit more nefarious. I’m afraid the latter,” Petruzzi said. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said that they will not be providing any interviews regarding this undercover sting at this time. 

Source: 7 more women arrested at southwest Miami-Dade massage parlors, accused of prostitution in undercover sting – CBS Miami

Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
Jeremiah 32:17

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Saharan dust to bring drier, hotter conditions to South Florida by midweek

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Another heat advisory will be in effect for Broward and Miami-Dade counties as “feels like” temperatures soar to around 105 Tuesday afternoon. The advisory will be in effect from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. Tuesday as these areas could experience these elevated heat index values for at least two hours. This graphic shows the heat advisories in effect in Broward and Miami-Dade counties on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. CBS News Miami Scattered showers and storms will move across the area late morning through the early afternoon, but the rain isn’t expected to be as widespread across our metro areas like it was on Monday. The CBS News Miami NEXT Weather team will be monitoring a 40% chance through Tuesday afternoon with drier conditions just around the corner for midweek as the next wave of Saharan dust arrives in South Florida.

This graphic shows the arrival of Saharan dust in South Florida by Wednesday, July 8, 2026. CBS News Miami The dust will bring drier, hazier, and hotter conditions for Wednesday and Thursday as highs climb closer to the mid-90s on the thermometer. “Feels like” temperatures will continue to stay in the triple digits for the rest of the workweek and weekend, bringing major heat risk concerns for Broward and Miami-Dade. This graphic shows the “feels-like” temperatures in South Florida on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. CBS News Miami Some forecast models show the potential for a weak disturbance to bring scattered rain chances to South Florida late Friday into early Saturday. There is a lot of uncertainty around these particular rain chances at this time, so our team will continue to monitor the forecast and provide updates throughout the week. This graphic shows the hour-by-hour forecast in South Florida on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. CBS News Miami The weekend forecast will trend drier and hotter by Sunday with highs in the mid-90s and heat index values climbing closer to 110. Unfortunately, no heat relief is in sight as temperatures will continue to climb heading into the upcoming workweek.

Source: Saharan dust to bring drier, hotter conditions to South Florida by midweek – CBS Miami

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.
Genesis 1:1-2

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Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas

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A parasite that causes explosive, watery diarrhea has sickened 145 people across 20 US states, prompting an ongoing investigation by federal and state health officials into the source of the outbreak. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the cases were reported between May and June 16 and involve patients ranging in age from 5 to 86 years old. So far, 20 people have been hospitalized, but no deaths have been reported. Breaking It Down What is Shigella and how does it spread? What are the symptoms of Shigella infection? How are health authorities responding to the outbreak in Wayanad? Created with AI. Health officials believe the illnesses are linked to contaminated food because none of the patients reported recent international travel.

However, investigators have not yet identified the exact source. The parasite, Cyclospora cayetanensis, causes cyclosporiasis, a foodborne illness that commonly leads to explosive, watery diarrhea, severe stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. Symptoms usually appear about a week after infection and mainly affect the intestines, although some infected people may not develop symptoms. The CDC said local, state, and federal public health authorities are investigating several clusters of cases spanning multiple states. Officials also noted that the true number of infections may be higher because some cases may not have been diagnosed.

List of 20 States Affected By The Outbreak The CDC has reported cases in the following states and Washington, DC:

  • New York
  • New Jersey
  • Connecticut
  • Pennsylvania
  • Massachusetts
  • Rhode Island
  • Delaware
  • Maryland
  • Virginia
  • North Carolina
  • Ohio
  • Tennessee
  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois
  • Georgia
  • Florida
  • Texas
  • Louisiana
  • Colorado
  • Alaska
  • Washington DC

Among the affected areas, New York has reported the highest number of cases, with between 31 and 80 infections, followed by Texas and Illinois, which have each recorded between 11 and 30 cases. While cyclosporiasis can resolve on its own, symptoms may last for a month or longer if left untreated, increasing the risk of dehydration. The CDC says the infection is typically treated with the antibiotic trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, also sold under the brand names Bactrim, Septra and Cotrim. The agency also recommends following safe food handling and storage practices. Previous US outbreaks have been linked to imported fresh produce, including cilantro, raspberries, sweet peas, mesclun lettuce and basil.

Source: Explosive Diarrhea Parasite Outbreak Hits 20 States: Full List of Affected Areas | Times Now

So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.
Deuteronomy 8:3

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Miami-Dade teacher to face judge after being accused of having sexual relationship with student

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brown gavel

A South Florida teacher is expected to appear in court on Tuesday after he was arrested for allegedly having a sexual relationship with a student, according to deputies. The Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office said that detectives with the Special Victims Bureau arrested Michael J. Enriquez, a teacher with Miami-Dade Public Schools, for engaging in unlawful sexual activity with a student. Michael J. Enriquez Miami-Dade Corrections Department According to the sheriff’s office, Enriquez, 53, a teacher at American Senior High School in Miami-Dade, began a sexual relationship with the student in May 2025 when the student was 17.

According to the arrest report, Enriquez would caress and hold hands with the student and invited her to lunch near the school. That’s when investigators said lunch turned physical in his car. Investigators said they didn’t have contact over the summer, then in the beginning of the current school year, Enriquez and the student communicated again and continued the sexual relationship. Investigators said that he continued the sexual relationship with the student until May 2026, after the student turned 18. Enriquez is facing charges including unlawful sexual activity with a specified minor, lewd and lascivious touching and offenses against students by authority figures.

Source: Miami-Dade teacher to face judge after being accused of having sexual relationship with student – CBS Miami

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.”
Malachi 3:10

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Florida troopers net 249 in multi-agency immigration sweep

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north carolina state highway patrol car livery

Florida Highway Patrol teamed up with five federal, state and local agencies this month for a three-day immigration enforcement operation along South Florida highways that resulted in 249 arrests and transfers to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to Fox News Digital, which rode along during the sweep.
The operation, dubbed Operation 9 by FHP, assembled more than 100 officers before dawn at a Broward County station. Participating agencies included ICE, U.S. Border Patrol, the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Florida’s Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, and the Florida State Guard.

It was described as the ninth such operation since October, according to Lt. Ramin Sulaiman, assistant commander of the FHP Immigration Enforcement Section.



“We all have the same common goal,” Mr. Sulaiman said, adding that coordination between agencies has grown smoother with each round.
Dave Kerner, executive director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, told Fox News Digital that FHP troopers have arrested more than 10,000 people in the country illegally since March 2025 through routine roadside stops. Officers typically flag potential immigration violations when drivers stopped for traffic infractions are found to be without a license. A review of Florida’s State Board of Immigration Enforcement database published by WLRN in early May recorded more than 6,600 FHP arrests, though that database dates only to August 2025, roughly six months after FHP began operating under its 287(g) agreement with ICE. 

Mr. Sulaiman told Fox News that many of those arrested during Operation 9 had no verifiable records with law enforcement — people with, in his words, “no records for them, no accountability of who they are.” He also said more than 1 million migrants who entered the country illegally during the Biden administration and identified Florida as their destination were subsequently released — a figure that could not be independently verified.
Those detained during the sweep were processed at the FHP station, offered water and snacks, and transferred to ICE custody. ICE public affairs officer Nestor Yglesias said most detainees were then given the option of a voluntary return flight to their home country or remaining in custody pending an immigration hearing. Mr. Yglesias said the U.S. government covers the cost of departure flights on a case-by-case basis, with some individuals receiving payments of up to $2,600 depending on circumstances.

Source: Florida troopers net 249 in multi-agency immigration sweep

Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5

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Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explodes on launch pad in Florida

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dramatic fireball explosion with dark smoke

A powerful New Glenn rocket owned by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin exploded in a spectacular fireball Thursday, sending billowing clouds of fire, smoke and flaming debris into the night sky in a tremendous conflagration visible for miles around. The explosion occurred around 9 p.m. EDT as engineers were counting down to a brief test firing of the New Glenn’s seven methane-fueled BE-4 first stage engines at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Blue Origin was gearing up for a June launch to put a batch of Amazon “Leo” internet satellites into orbit.

As the engines appeared to begin firing, something clearly went wrong at the base of the rocket. The 188-foot-tall first stage became enveloped in a rapidly growing fire and moments later, the 86-foot-tall upper stage could be seen tilting and starting to fall as the first stage apparently began collapsing. Then the vehicle suddenly exploded as its load of methane fuel and liquid oxygen ignited in a roiling fireball.

Source: Blue Origin New Glenn rocket explodes on launch pad in Florida – CBS News

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
James 4:8

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Florida fire map shows live updates on wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade

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vibrant palm leaves in barcelona sunlight

Two wildfires in Broward and Miami-Dade counties are now mostly contained after burning thousands of acres and impacting air quality across parts of South Florida for days, according to the Florida Forest Service and other state and local agencies. The fires are highlighted on Florida’s Active Wildfire Points map, an interactive tool that tracks current wildfires across the state and provides updated information on acreage burned and containment levels. You can check it out here:

Source: Florida fire map shows live updates on wildfires burning in Broward and Miami-Dade – CBS Miami

Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
Hebrews 12:14

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Man arrested at Trump’s Miami golf club for disorderly conduct, Secret Service says

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aerial view of golf course in hilton head

A man was arrested Saturday at President Trump’s Doral National Golf Club just outside of Miami after an alleged disturbance, the U.S. Secret Service said. Mr. Trump was not at the club at the time, Secret Service said. According to Secret Service Miami acting special agent in charge Michael Townsend, a man approached a security area at the golf club at around 4:15 p.m. He then became “disruptive and failed to comply with lawful orders,” Townsend said in a statement. 

The man “made physical contact with a member of the Secret Service and was taken into custody without further incident,” he said. The man, who was not immediately identified, was arrested by the Doral Police Department and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting without violence, Townsend said. “At no point did this situation impact the established security posture for the President’s visit to Trump Doral National Golf Club by Secret Service,” Townsend said. The alleged incident occurred one week after shots were fired during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C., and Mr. Trump was rushed off the dais. A Secret Service agent was hit by a round but was protected by a bulletproof vest. The suspect, Cole Tomas Allen, has been charged with attempting to assassinate the president. 

Source: Man arrested at Trump’s Miami golf club for disorderly conduct, Secret Service says – CBS News

And the LORD shall be King over all the earth. In that day it shall be— “The LORD is one,” And His name one.
Zechariah 14:9

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2 men plea guilty in the 2013 killings of a Miami Gardens pastor and her grandson after over a decade of delays

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man in orange jacket standing beside man in black leather jacket

After 13 years, a case involving the July 2013 killings of a Miami Gardens pastor and her grandson has concluded, with the two convicted men accepting plea deals for two counts of second-degree murder. Reginald Jackson and Roderick Martin stood before Judge Ellen Sue Venzer in a Miami-Dade courtroom on Wednesday and were sentenced to a combined 65 years in state prison. “Mr. Jackson, you’re pleading guilty to two counts of second-degree murder with a firearm along with two counts of robbery with a firearm, deadly weapon,” Judge Venzer said. “Yes, ma’am,” Jackson responded.

Jackson and Martin pleaded guilty to the lesser charges in connection with the deaths of 70-year-old Annette Anderson, a pastor, and her 20-year-old grandson, Tyrone Walker Jr. “Are you pleading guilty to these charges because you are guilty of these charges?” the judge asked Martin. “Yes,” Martin replied. Why the plea deal was delayed  The plea deal was delayed last week after Jackson had an outburst in court when his family was misinformed about the hearing time. Jackson said in court, “I’d rather my mom see me at trial so I can see her one last time,” referencing his grandmother, who he said died months after attending a previous hearing.

Source: 2 men plea guilty in the 2013 killings of a Miami Gardens pastor and her grandson after over a decade of delays – CBS Miami

Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life.
Isaiah 43:4

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Florida teacher Angela Faith Jourdan fired after calling herself ‘million dollar prostitute’ and twerking in class

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A Florida substitute teacher who called herself a “million-dollar prostitute” was fired after she twerked and allegedly grabbed a student in a classroom meltdown. Angela Faith Jourdan was arrested on Monday when she was accused of acting erratically at Lake Minneola High School in Minneola, Fla. The district said her employment was terminated the same day as the incident. “Good afternoon. We are aware of the arrest. Parents have been notified. The substitute teacher was hired 2/4/2025, and employment was terminated today,” the district said in a statement to News 6.

Source: Florida teacher Angela Faith Jourdan fired after calling herself ‘million dollar prostitute’ and twerking in class

Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
Psalm 34:8

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Florida wildfire strands Amtrak passengers for over 24 hours

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blue and gray train on railway track

A massive wildfire in Putnam County in northern Florida left Amtrak passengers stranded on a train for more than 24 hours. One train heading to New York City was forced to turn around, arriving back in Miami Monday night, including one passenger who said he had been on that train for about 38 hours. He says he and other passengers were left uncertain about what was going on. “Angry, confused, uncertain, in the dark,” said John Reardon. Reardon, who lives in New York City, says he boarded the train around 7 a.m. Sunday to go back home. He said around 3 p.m. Sunday, the train stopped near Jacksonville.

“Finally, after about 5 hours, they said we’re not going to New York, we’re going back to Miami,” Reardon said. “One stop at a time.” Amtrak said for the safety of its passengers, the train couldn’t continue going north because of the fire. “Amtrak sends a notification to the phone saying, ‘Hey, there’s an issue with the wildfire, it’s too close to the railway,'” said passenger Katrinia Wheeler. Multiple crews are battling multiple fires in two Florida counties, leaving at least 3,000 acres burned.  “I saw that there was a lot of smoke coming from the woods, and then I saw the fire trucks and emergency services,” Wheeler said. The train that left Miami at 7 a.m. on Sunday returned around 9 p.m. on Monday, leaving passengers frustrated. Amtrak corporate says they made the decision out of safety for their customers and said customers would receive full refunds and vouchers.

Source: Florida wildfire strands Amtrak passengers for over 24 hours – CBS Miami

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.
Ephesians 5:1

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1 dead after small plane crashes into Florida yard

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close up of airplane propeller

A small plane crashed Sunday in the yard of a home near Tampa, Florida, killing one person, authorities said. The crash sparked a fire on the property, and the residence itself “sustained some damage,” said Sarah Andeara, the Pasco County public information officer, in a statement that CBS affiliate WTSP shared with CBS News. Pasco County includes the neighborhood of Wesley Chapel, where the incident happened. A neighbor’s ring camera footage showed a plume of smoke rising up from the yard where the plane crashed. Flames had been extinguished by 10:30 a.m. ET, said Andeara.

Source: 1 dead after small plane crashes into Florida yard – CBS News

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.
Psalm 1:1

Illegal Alien Charged with Killing Florida Father, Leaving Mother of 3 in Critical Condition

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man in orange button up shirt

Illegal Alien Charged with Killing ‘Beloved’ Florida Father, Leaving Mother of Three in Critical Condition Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office/GoFundMe JOHN BINDER17 Apr 202637 2:36 An illegal alien is accused of killing 37-year-old Giovany Negron Talavera, a father, and leaving a mother of three children in critical condition following a hit-and-run in Hillsborough County, Florida. Edwin Rapalo-Lorenzo, a 27-year-old illegal alien, has been arrested by the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office and charged with vehicular homicide, leaving the scene of a crash involving death, leaving the scene of a crash involving serious bodily injury, and driving without a valid driver’s license.

According to police, on April 11, Rapalo-Lorenzo was driving when he crossed into another lane and crashed head-on into a motorcycle with two passengers. The driver of the motorcycle, Giovany Negron Talavera, was pronounced dead at the scene, while the second passenger, a woman named Ana, with whom Talavera worked, was rushed to a nearby hospital and remains in critical condition. Family and friends have created a GoFundMe for Talavera’s funeral expenses as well as helping Ana’s family pay her medical bills. They describe Talavera as an “exceptional father, son, brother, and friend.” “He was also a dedicated mechanic who worked hard every day to provide for his family.

He was known for his kindness, his strong work ethic, and his willingness to always help others,” the GoFundMe reads. “His presence brought comfort, his smile brought light, and his love will forever remain in all of us.” Meanwhile, Ana continues fighting for her life in the hospital. She has three children, including a 15-year-old. “This tragedy has not only taken a loving father, but has also left a mother fighting for her life and children holding on to hope,” the GoFundMe reads.

Source: Illegal Alien Charged with Killing Florida Father, Leaving Mother of 3 in Critical Condition

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy.
1 Timothy 6:17

Asian swamp eels are spreading in South Florida

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green colored long shapes

Burmese pythons, lionfish and iguanas are invasive species spreading through South Florida … now Asian swamp eels? Yes, invasive Asian swamp eels are slithering into the canals of South Florida – and the University of Florida wants the public’s help to track them. According to the U.S. Geological Survey’s (USGS) map of nonindigenous aquatic species, Asian swamp eels – or Monopterus alba – have been sighted all around Miami-Dade County, including in Hialeah, Kendall, North Miami, Homestead and Pembroke Pines. “Public participation is critical to detecting this hard-to-find species before it becomes more widespread,” according to the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences.

Source: Asian swamp eels are spreading in South Florida

For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’
Acts 13:47

Pembroke Pines woman arrested in theft of SNAP benefits from around 200 people, BSO says

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Two police officers escorting a woman in handcuffs during an arrest

A Pembroke Pines woman has been arrested after she was accused in the theft of SNAP benefits from around 200 people, authorities said. Tamica Brown, 43, was arrested on April 7 on charges of criminal use of personal identification information involving over 30 victims and trafficking in counterfeit credit cards involving 50 or more cards, Broward jail records showed. Broward Sheriff’s Office officials said an investigation began in July of 2025 when deputies responded to the Walmart at 4700 S. Flamingo Road for a report of a fraudulent use of an EBT card.

Investigators found Brown was operating an organized fraud scheme where she unlawfully obtained EBT card numbers belonging to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or SNAP recipients, along with the associated PINs and account balances. The card numbers were stolen by unknown means and transmitted to Brown electronically through phones, and after she received the info she conducted unauthorized transactions, authorities said. The purchases included high-demand items like energy drinks and sports drinks, which Brown then resold to corner stores and convenience stores, officials said. Investigators identified about 200 victims who’d suffered a combined loss of over $120,000, but have been able to track down more than 30 victims so far, officials said.

Source: Pembroke Pines woman arrested in theft of SNAP benefits from around 200 people, BSO says – NBC 6 South Florida

For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Hebrews 4:12

Woman arrested after video shows her dumping kittens at Wilton Manors park, cops say

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kittens sitting on rocks

A woman was arrested Thursday after police say she was caught on camera dumping five kittens at a park in Wilton Manors. The suspect, Katherine Luciano, was arrested after the footage recorded on April 5 sparked community outrage. In the video, a woman can be seen “grabbing a taped box” from a red Kia and carrying it into Donn Eisele Park as another person stands and watches from the vehicle’s passenger side, police said.

She then opens the box and tosses out the cats. Both people then left the area, police said. NBC6 spoke to Peter Carey, who said he was walking his dog when he saw the woman dump the kittens. “I didn’t really know what I was watching,” he said. When he realized what had happened, the pair was gone. “I couldn’t go through the rest of my day just even thinking that I just saw what I saw and not do anything about it. So I tied my dog up and went to see in the bushes, and sure enough, I counted them. There was five of them, and they were super scared,” Carey said.

Source: Woman arrested after video shows her dumping kittens at Wilton Manors park, cops say – NBC 6 South Florida

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
1 Thessalonians 5:11

Edgewater firefighters rescue 8 ducklings trapped in storm drain

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selective focus photography of ducks

On April 7, members of the Edgewater Fire and Rescue’s crew 57 received a dispatch call about eight baby ducks trapped in a storm drain in the Florida Shores. When driver engineer Zach Shannon and firefighters Scott Schenke and Aidan Rivero arrived on scene, they saw exactly what the resident had described. “A mother duck was on top of the storm drain, and we heard the duckling in the storm drain,” Shannon said, adding that the incident happened on Fern Palm Drive near 27th Street. After a rescue that involved both scooping some of the ducklings out of the drain and guiding the others out through the drainpipe, they safely rescued all eight of them. Here’s how they did it.

Edgewater firefighters used a hose line to flush ducklings out of storm drain Shannon said that although it is not uncommon for him and his crew to respond to animals rescues, circumstances are often different and require responders to adapt. “With this (storm drain) in particular, it had a couple of access (points) to it, and there was water in the drain and flowing out of each exit and entry,” Shannon said. The team had to lift the drain’s cover to go inside, but they faced a slight complication. “As soon as we would go in, the ducklings would scatter and go into the tubes,” Shannon said. “We had to wait for them to come back into the drain.”

Source: Edgewater firefighters rescue 8 ducklings trapped in storm drain

Who “will render to each one according to his deeds”
Romans 2:6

Justice Department says it has prosecuted $500 million in healthcare, COVID fraud claims in 3 states

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hands in handcuffs holding rolls of money

Article Dig Deeper The Justice Department said this week that it has wrapped up health care fraud investigations in three states which had cost Americans over $500 million among the respective parties. The announcement comes the same week that the Justice Department created its National Fraud Enforcement Division, which is a major step in the Trump administration’s efforts to crack down on misuse of public funds. The Justice Department said it has finished its healthcare fraud investigations in California, Florida and Nevada and secured either guilty pleas, settlements or sentences.

“Thanks to the leadership of President Donald Trump, the department, working closely with the Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, is supercharging efforts to take down every fraudster and bring them to justice,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said. “In one day, the Department prosecuted the theft of a half-billion in taxpayer dollars. All those ripping off the American people are on notice.” The largest haul came from California, where a scheme defrauded American consumers of $269.1 million, according to the Daily Signal. Paul Randall, 66, of Orange, pleaded guilty this week for his role in the pharmacy plot. Two others pleaded guilty in the scheme in 2024 and 2025.

Source: Justice Department says it has prosecuted $500 million in healthcare, COVID fraud claims in 3 states | Just The News

But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.
Acts 20:24

FWC investigating viral video of influencer shooting at alligator in Everglades

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american alligator swimming in florida waters

Florida wildlife officials are investigating a viral video that shows people shooting at an alligator from an airboat in the Everglades. “The FWC is aware of a video depicting individuals in the Everglades on an airboat who appear to be discharging firearms at an alligator,” the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wrote in a post on Thursday. “FWC officers are looking into the in…

Source: FWC investigating viral video of influencer shooting at alligator in Everglades | firstcoastnews.com

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?
Mark 8:36

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Florida Farm Bill

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aerial view of lush greenery in apollo beach florida

SEBRING, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 290, the Florida Farm Bill, legislation that strengthens Florida’s agricultural industry, protects consumers, and reinforces the state’s commitment to food security, public safety, and rural land conservation.  “Today in Sebring, I signed SB 290,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “This important farm bill builds on the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ reforms to protect Florida agriculture, consumers, and rural communities. It also protects the health, security, and freedom of Floridians.” “The Free State of Florida just delivered another major win for the people who feed our state and our nation,” said Commissioner Wilton Simpson. “With the legislative leaders’ hard work this session and Governor DeSantis’ signature, the 2026 Florida Farm Bill is now law – protecting our farmers from government overreach, strengthening public safety, and preserving our natural resources and rural lands. I’m proud to stand alongside strong conservative leaders who understand that when you fight for freedom, family, and farmers, you’re fighting for Florida’s future.” “What a great opportunity to have our Governor sign this bill right here in Florida’s Heartland,” said Senate President Ben Albritton. “Florida’s agriculture industry is the key to thriving families, businesses, and communities across our state. Agriculture matters, and that’s a fact. I’m grateful to Governor DeSantis, Commissioner Simpson, Senator Truenow, Representative Alvarez, and so many others who have prioritized Florida’s agriculture industry and the legacy farm families who dedicate their lives and livelihoods to growing the fresh, wholesome foods Floridians need. This is an exciting time to be involved in Agriculture in the great, free state of Florida. The best is yet to come.”

Source: Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Florida Farm Bill | Executive Office of the Governor

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.
Hebrews 4:15