Pro-Palestine Protest Grows At USF
(Tampa, FL) --The protest movement seems to be growing at the University of South Florida. Up to 300 people marched from Temple Terrace to MLK Plaza yesterday in a pro-Palestine protest. The crowd was bigger than the one that gathered the day before that drew about a hundred people. That protest ended with police making arrests and using tear gas to disperse protesters.Police were present yesterday, but no arrests were made and no tear gas was used. One protester tells the Tampa Bay Times they'll be back at it again today.
There's concern that pro-Palestine protests will disrupt commencement exercises at USF. Graduation ceremonies begin today and run through Sunday at the Yuengling Center. Over seven thousand degrees will be handed out. Some students arrested during this week's protests say they won't be allowed to graduate. The mother of one student who is graduating says she's definitely worried there'll be protests during the ceremony. She tells 10 Tampa Bay she would hate to have her enjoyment of this tremendous accomplishment ruined or disrupted.
Former Orlando Commissioner Hill Denied Rehearing
(Orlando, FL) --A former Orlando official is dealing with a legal setback. A judge this week denied former City Commissioner Regina Hill's request for a rehearing. Hill wanted the rehearing after a judge last month issued an injunction keeping Hill away from her alleged victim. Hill is accused of exploiting the woman financially, and she's charged with fraud and elder abuse. Hill wanted a rehearing because the alleged victim wasn't at the original hearing. The woman's lawyers, though, say their client didn't know she was supposed to attend, and a rehearing would unfairly burden her witnesses and give Hill more publicity. The judge apparently agreed. Hill's trial is set to start in July.
Florida Ranks Last In Teacher Pay
(Undated) --Florida is at the bottom of a national list when it comes to teacher pay. The largest teachers' union in the country released its newest data on salaries. The National Education Association has put the Sunshine State in 50th place, showing the average educator made just over 53-thousand dollars during the 2022-2023 school year. The number one spot went to California, where teachers made more than 95-thousand dollars. During Florida's last legislative session, a House bill aimed at raising the base salary for teachers to 65-thousand dollars quickly stalled.
College Students Discuss Upcoming Election
(Miami, FL) -- Democrats may have their work cut out for them motivating young people to vote in South Florida. Students at Florida International University recently discussed the upcoming election. The Biden campaign hopes issues like abortion and marijuana legalization will bring out young voters, who traditionally vote Democrat. November's election will come a month before senior Alonso Paredes graduates, and he says he's not satisfied with how things are going right now when he looks at his job prospects. Freshman Andrew Menendez says his main concern is the economy. That's an issue President Biden doesn't poll well on. Paredes also tells CBS News Miami he wishes there were younger candidates that relate to issues younger voters relate to as well.
Search Is On For Parrot Stolen From Palm Beach Zoo
(West Palm Beach, FL)-- West Palm Beach Police are looking for a bird napper. A police spokesman says Catherine, a lorikeet, was stolen from her habitat at the Palm Beach Zoo. It's believed the small and colorful parrot was taken from the zoo's Lorikeet Loft, where visitors walk through and feed the birds. The zoo searched everywhere and even checked to ensure there were no holes in the aviary and didn't find any. Police are watching surveillance video to catch the crook. It's a third-degree felony to steal an animal from a zoo.
Today in History
2022, a leaked draft opinion showed the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe V. Wade.
2019, a kidney used in a transplant was delivered by a drone for the first time.