Florida wildfire strands Amtrak passengers for over 24 hours

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

What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
Romans 6:1-2

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1 dead after small plane crashes into Florida yard

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

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children— with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.
Psalm 103:17-18

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

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

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Asian swamp eels are spreading in South Florida

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

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

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

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

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

Recent Abortion News (April 8-15, 2026)

Here’s a concise overview of the main abortion-related developments from the past seven days. Activity focused on medication abortion access (especially mifepristone by mail), federal enforcement disputes, and state-level legislative pushes.…

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

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

For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6

Edgewater firefighters rescue 8 ducklings trapped in storm drain

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

‘And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.
Mark 12:30

Ireland Out of Gas

Things have been dicey for a while on the Emerald Isle. But great googly moogly, do they look just awful right now. Mass protests have broken out across the…

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

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

Sing to God, sing praises to His name; Extol Him who rides on the clouds, By His name Yah, And rejoice before Him. A father of the fatherless, a defender of widows, Is God in His holy habitation.
Psalm 68:4-5

FWC investigating viral video of influencer shooting at alligator in Everglades

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

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

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Florida Farm Bill

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

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
James 5:16

Cuba signals possible compensation for seized U.S. properties, but Cuban Americans remain skeptical

a person on purple jacket touching yellow and black plate number

Havana may pay billions in claims tied to properties seized after the 1959 revolution — but questions remain over who qualifies and whether payments would ever materialize.

Source: Cuba signals possible compensation for seized U.S. properties, but Cuban Americans remain skeptical – CBS Miami

A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

6 SeaWorld Orlando Guests Reportedly Taken to Hospital After Ride Malfunction

teenagers on the roller coaster at europa park theme park in rust germany

Six SeaWorld Orlando guests were reportedly taken to the hospital after a ride paused for seven minutes on Friday, leaving the riders feeling unwell. The incident reportedly occurred on the Manta roller coaster, which brings riders on a “head-first, face-down inverted nosedive,” according to the park’s website.

Source: 6 SeaWorld Orlando Guests Reportedly Taken to Hospital After Ride Malfunction

Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him.
Romans 14:3

FWC investigating viral video of influencer shooting at alligator in Everglades

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…

Governor Ron DeSantis Signs Florida Farm Bill

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…

1 killed, 4 injured in Chile school stabbing

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — A stabbing at a school in northern Chile killed at least one person and injured four others on Friday, police said. The attack occurred at about 10:40 a.m. local time at the Instituto Obispo Silva Lezaeta, located in the city of Calama, in the northern Antofagasta region. A 12th grade student…

China Is About To Lose Its Cuban Military Bases

Friends of Havana blame the U.S., but the Trump administration had to act before China turned the island into a military bastion. Declassified intelligence showed that Chinese signals-intelligence collection facilities had been operating in Cuba since at least 2019. “China and Cuba are negotiating to establish a new joint military training facility on the island,…

No prison time for Rancho Bernardo man who had ‘arsenal’ of firearms and explosives

A San Diego County judge on Friday sentenced a Rancho Bernardo man convicted of possessing an illegal cache of weapons to probation instead of prison. A jury recently found Neal James Anders, 47, guilty on multiple criminal counts, including possession of destructive devices. Prosecutors had sought a four-year state prison sentence. Instead, Judge Lisa Rodriguez…

Arrests; ICE Arrested Murderers, Pedophiles, Rapists, Child Abusers and Gang Members

Over the weekend, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested criminal illegal aliens convicted for murder, aggravated sexual assault of a child and rape.“While Americans enjoyed their weekend, the brave men and women of ICE law enforcement were working hard to remove criminal illegal aliens from our communities, including murderers, pedophiles, rapists, child abusers, gang…

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