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  • Father and son recount ordeal they faced after boat capsized

    CLEARWATER, Fla. — On Thanksgiving Day, a Polk County father and son said they were thankful to be alive after a 20-hour ordeal that left them stranded in the gulf. It happened after their boat capsized Monday. 

    “You’re thinking, ‘Is this it?’” said Cris Harding, Sr. “And to have your son on the boat with you is the worst feeling in the world.”

    What You Need To Know

    •  Cris Harding, Sr. and Jr. were two of the men rescued by the Coast Guard from a capsized boat this week

    •  Eighteen-year-old Cris Jr. was released from the hospital Wednesday, one day after his father. They say the two other family members on the boat, Clarence Woods, 90, and Dennis Woods, 70, were still hospitalized but expected to be okay.

    •  The Hardings said enduring wind, waves, and the cold overnight was the hardest part of the ordeal, with both questioning if they would survive

    • Father and son praised the Coast Guard and said they were grateful they all made it back to land


    Eighteen-year-old Cris Harding, Jr. was released from the hospital Wednesday. He and his father said they were doing well and that two other family members on the boat, great uncle Clarence Woods, 90, and father-in-law and grandfather Dennis Woods, 70, were still hospitalized but expected to be okay.

    Cris Sr. said Monday started out as the perfect day, not unlike many of his family’s past fishing trips.

    “We got out there, started catching some big fish,” he said. “I caught a shark. I landed the shark, and literally not even ten, 15 minutes after, the boat flipped.

    The Hardings said by the time they noticed the boat was taking on water, it was too late. They tried using a pump, but the boat ended up capsizing. The four men climbed on top of the overturned boat, surrounded by water, with no land in sight.

    “I was never put in a position like that before, so it didn’t really feel real because I’d never been in a life-threatening situation like that where I was alive but had no way to actually know that I was gonna live,” said Cris Jr.

     


     

    But father and son said they weren’t thinking about that at first. In fact, they told Spectrum News that after they all climbed on top of the boat, Cris Jr. joked about it happening on a big day for his grandfather, Dennis Woods.

    “I think my son said something about, ‘And it’s your birthday,’ and he said, ‘I didn’t get no birthday cake or nobody sing me happy birthday.’ So, we all just started singing him happy birthday on the boat,” said Cris Sr.

    They said the hard part came after dark.

    “It was pretty brutal,” said Cris Jr. “I mean, right before the sun started setting, the water was really calm, and then night came. It just got really rough.”

    “It was freezing, and the waves were just knocking us all over. We kept slipping and falling and trying to hold on,” said Cris Sr. 

     


    They said it was a huge relief to see that a Coast Guard plane spotted them the next morning.

     

    “It was like, ‘Thank you, God.’ Happy to know you’re going home to see your loved ones again, and you know your son and your father-in-law and everybody’s gonna be okay,” said Cris Sr.

    “I felt unbelievable relief,” said Cris Jr. “I was really happy. I kind of enjoyed it for a second, being out on the boat. It was refreshing to realize that I was going to be home, safe, with my family.”

    The men were hospitalized, with Cris Sr. telling Spectrum News he and his son suffered from injuries and hypothermia. He said an experience like theirs puts things into perspective.

    “You tend to forget about the little things until something like that happens. You appreciate everything – especially land,” he said.

    The Coast Guard ended up finding the men 26 miles offshore from Clearwater. They credit their faith with helping them make it through, saying they talked about their favorite Bible verses. Cris Jr. said as he searched the sky for a plane or helicopter searching for them, he saw something else that gave him hope.

    “I saw a perfect cloud, shaped like an angel. It was amazing. I don’t know if that was God trying to tell me that I’m going to be fine, we’re all gonna make it through,” he said.

    Cris Sr. said he’s not sure what went wrong with the boat but is grateful that it didn’t sink after capsizing. He said that’s something that could’ve led to a different outcome for his family. 

    Sarah Blazonis

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  • Higher Fees for Foreigners Visiting US National Parks Stokes Tourism Concerns

    BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — A $100-per-person charge for foreigners entering Yellowstone, Grand Canyon and other popular national parks is stoking apprehension among some tourist-oriented businesses that it could discourage travelers, but supporters say the change will generate money for cash-strapped parks.

    The new fee was announced Tuesday by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and takes effects Jan. 1. Foreign tourists also will see a sharp price increase for an annual parks pass, to $250 per vehicle. U.S. residents will continue to be charged $80 for an annual pass.

    The change in policy puts the U.S. in line with other countries that charge foreigners more to see popular attractions.

    At the Whistling Swan Motel just outside Glacier National Park in northwestern Montana, owner Mark Howser estimates that about 15% of his customers are foreigners. They come from Canada, China, India, Spain, France, Germany and elsewhere, said Howser, who also runs a bakery and general store.

    Those visitors already pay up to $35 per vehicle to enter the park. Adding the $100-per-person charge for foreigners, Howser said, “is a sure-fire way of discouraging people from visiting Glacier.”

    “It’s going to hurt local businesses that cater to foreign travelers, like myself,” he said. “You’re discouraging them from seeing something in the country by attaching a fee to that experience.”

    A Yellowstone tour operator, Bryan Batchelder with Let’s Go Adventure Tours and Transportation, said the charge represents “a pretty big hike” for the roughly 30% of his clientele that are foreigners. That percentage has been going up in recent years after Batchelder switched to a new booking service.

    Next summer, he said, will reveal how the new charge plays out among foreign visitors. “They’ll probably still come to the country, but will they visit national parks?” Batchelder asked.

    The charge also will apply at Acadia, Bryce Canyon, Everglades, Grand Teton, Rocky Mountain, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yosemite and Zion national parks.

    Interior officials described the new fee structure as “America-first pricing” that will ensure international visitors contribute to maintaining parks.

    For Yellowstone park alone, the $100 charge could generate $55 million annually to help fix deteriorating trails and aging bridges, said Brian Yablonski with the Property and Environment Research Center, a free market research group based in Bozeman, Montana.

    If the charges for foreigners were extended to park sites nationwide, Yablonski said it could generate more than $1 billion from an estimated 14 million international visitors annually.

    “Americans are already paying more than international visitors because they are paying taxes,” Yablonski said. “For international visitors, this is kind of a no-brainer, common sense approach.”

    Many other countries charge international visitors an extra fee to visit public sites, said Melissa Weddell, director of the University of Montana’s Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research. Foreign visitors to Ecuador’s Galapagos Islands, for example, pay $200 per adult, while Ecuadorian nationals pay only $30, according to tourist websites for the islands.

    A coalition of current and former employees park service denounced the new charge.

    “In a year where national park staff have already been cut by nearly 25%, we worry this will be yet another burden for already overworked employees,″ said Emily Thompson, executive director of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks.

    “National parks should be available and accessible to all, or America’s best idea will become America’s greatest shakedown,″ she said.

    Gerry Seavo James, deputy campaign director for Sierra Club’s Outdoors for All campaign, said Trump and his administration have worked for nearly a year to undermine the park service, slashing its budget and firing thousands of staff.

    “Gouging foreign tourists at the entrance gate won’t provide the financial support these crown jewels of our public lands need,” he said. “Without that support, we run the risk of our true common grounds becoming nothing more than playgrounds for the super-rich.”

    Interior Department spokesperson Elizabeth Peace said the agency previously did not collect data on international visitors but will start doing so in January.

    Republican lawmakers in July introduced a bill in Congress that would codify the surcharge for foreign visitors to national parks. It’s sponsored by West Virginia Rep. Riley Moore and Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke, who served as interior secretary during Trump’s firs term.

    “President Trump and Secretary Burgum are putting Americans first by asking foreign visitors to pay their fair share while holding entrance fees steady for the American people,” Zinke and Moore said in a statement Wednesday.

    Daly reported from Washington, D.C.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • Trump Says He’s Barring South Africa From Participating in Next Year’s G20 Summit in Miami

    WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he is barring South Africa from participating in the Group of 20 summit next year in Miami and will “stop all payments and subsidies” to the country over its treatment of a U.S. government representative at this year’s global meeting.

    Trump chose not to have an American delegation attend the recent summit hosted by South Africa, saying he did so because white Afrikaners were being violently persecuted. It is claim that South Africa, which was mired for decades in racial apartheid, has rejected as baseless.

    The Republican president, in a social media post, said South Africa had refused to hand over its G20 hosting responsibilities to a senior representative of the U.S. Embassy when the summit ended over the weekend.

    “Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

    “South Africa has demonstrated to the World they are not a country worthy of Membership anywhere,” he said, “and we are going to stop all payments and subsidies to them, effective immediately.”

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • Gratitude and Doubt: the Effects of the Shutdown Linger as Families Prepare for Thanksgiving

    She had it figured down to the last dollar. The looming insurance payment, balanced against the hard-earned paycheck. The cost of keeping her children fed, covered mostly with government SNAP assistance. And when Shelby Williams reviewed the family budget for November, she told herself that this month would truly be one for giving thanks.

    After living with her parents for more than two years, Williams and her two children were finally moving into an apartment of their own in her hometown of Reeds Spring, Missouri. They would celebrate with a Thanksgiving meal made by the kids, the grandparents joining them at the table.

    The funds for the needed groceries were all lined up — until the federal government shut down on Oct. 1.

    Now Washington is running again. But as Americans prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday, the relieved gratitude of families in Williams’ community, and the many others still recovering from the suspension of government paychecks and food assistance during the 43-day shutdown, is tempered by lingering stress and economic insecurity.

    “I’m thankful for my children and my job, and I’m thankful for SNAP because it supplies food,” said Williams, 32, who works as a paraprofessional in an elementary school. “But … with the way the world is, with the financial strain, it is hard to be thankful.”

    The anxiety stirred by the shutdown persists in the lines at food pantries in this southwestern Missouri county and echoes through households nationwide.


    Dealing with the shutdown’s fallout

    In South Florida, Darlene Castillo is still struggling to prop up her family’s fragile finances after working without pay for seven weeks at the U.S. Customs Service.

    To get by, she lined up at a mobile food bank, a first for her. She held off paying bills and canceled subscriptions. Family members sent money, and when one extended an invitation for Thanksgiving, she and her husband gratefully accepted, knowing that they’d be hard-pressed to host the holiday meal.

    “It’s a thankful time,” Castillo said last week. “I’ll bring a dish because hopefully this week we’ll get paid. And then we’ll worry about Jan. 30.”

    That’s when the funds just approved by Congress to reopen the government are set to run out, threatening yet another shutdown.

    During the shutdown, McNeil said he got by on the modest stipend he receives as a trainee in a culinary program run by the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen. But attending classes meant missing the hours food pantries were open. His wife, who is disabled and counts on him to bring home SNAP-funded groceries, grew distraught.

    “If it was any longer, I don’t know what I would’ve done,” said McNeil, whose relief is compounded by news that after months of radiation treatment, his prostate cancer is in remission. “I got a lot to be thankful for right now.”


    Community support for stretched resources

    In Williams’ Missouri community, a haven for retirees on modest fixed incomes, the lapse in SNAP funds has added to the pressures on families who stretch to buy daily necessities.

    In early November, a startling 428 families lined up at a drive-through food pantry run by Carrie Padilla and church volunteers, in a county with about 32,000 residents. About 12% of households in the county rely on SNAP benefits, but it is closer to 17% in rural areas.

    Though SNAP has been restored, many families registering for a Christmas toy drive run by Padilla’s nonprofit indicate that they are entering the holiday season without enough food.

    “Almost everybody is antsy,” Padilla said. “Just because the government reopened, it doesn’t mean that somebody has waved a wand and suddenly everything’s all hunky-dory.”

    That uncertainty has figured into Shirley Mease’s planning, as she prepares to host a free Thanksgiving feast at Reeds Spring High School. Mease and her family anticipate serving and delivering 700 meals, up from about 625 last year, to account for food insecurity worsened by the shutdown.

    “I know (SNAP) is back in working order, but it will take time for that to really help people out,” said Mease, 73, a semi-retired school cafeteria worker who has been providing the feast since 2009, drawing on community donations and volunteers.

    “Especially in this area, the food banks are being hit very hard, so I just feel like this is a time to step it up a little bit,” she said.


    Feeling the pressure without SNAP

    The pressure of trying to get through November without SNAP weighed on Williams in the weeks leading up to the holiday.

    She had planned the move to the new apartment for months, carefully balancing income and expenses to account for the $600 rent. The math worked thanks in no small part to $450 in monthly benefits her family receives from SNAP. That covers their food bill after the two free meals served each school day.

    As the shutdown stretched on, the Trump administration announced it would suspend November SNAP payments, despite judges’ orders to use available emergency funds. With her move days away, Williams started November with just $25 left in her SNAP account.

    She used the funds to buy bread, peanut butter, jelly and milk, and a friend with chickens gave her eggs. The fixings lasted through four nights of sandwich dinners. Then her parents stepped in to help.

    Williams tried to keep her stress hidden from her 11-year-old son and 8-year-old daughter. But it was hard to avoid tearing up or getting angry.

    “What bills do I not pay so I can feed my children, because that’s the priority,” she said.


    Faced with a difficult choice

    There were other factors to consider, too. Williams said she loves her job, working with students in a special education classroom. In her off-hours she is studying to become a teacher, a pursuit that required taking out a student loan.

    The suspension of SNAP confronted her with a difficult choice. She knew she could earn more at Walmart than doing the classroom job she treasures.

    “But then I’m giving up a part of my dream,” she said.

    It never came to that. Three days after the shutdown ended, Missouri officials sent $217 to Williams’ SNAP account, just under half what she receives in an ordinary month.

    That helped refill her family’s refrigerator, but it was not enough to afford the luxury of a Thanksgiving celebration. Williams held off paying a bill for car insurance, due at month’s end, reserving the money in case it was needed for food.

    Then, last Friday morning, the remainder of the SNAP funds for November showed up in Williams’ account. Finally, she could exhale. She paid the insurance bill. Then she treated her children to ice cream.

    The anxiety that had weighed on Williams for weeks lingered. But it was still November and her family had so much to be thankful for.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • Burn bans issued for multiple Polk County communities

    POLK COUNTY, Fla. – A burn ban has been issued for multiple communities in Polk County.

    On Tuesday, Polk officials issued burn bans for Auburndale, Bartow, Davenport, Dundee, Fort Meade, Frostproof, Haines City, Lake Alfred, Lake Wales, Lakeland and Winter Haven.

    The burn ban prohibits:

    • Campfires 
    • Bonfires
    • Unpermitted controlled burns
    • Burning of yard and household trash
    • Burning of organic debris
    • Igniting of fireworks
    • Noncommercial burning of materials, other than for religious or ceremonial purposes, which is not contained in a barbecue grill or barbecue pit, and the total fuel area cannot exceed 3 feet in diameter and 2 feet in height.

    The burn ban is determined using the Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI). The KBDI is a continuous reference scale, ranging from 0 to 800. It assesses the moisture content from no moisture deficiency (0) to maximum drought conditions (800) of the soil. This helps predict the potential for wildfires.

    Utilizing the KBDI, the process of a burn ban begins once more than 50% of the county reaches over 500 on the index. Polk County’s current daily reading is 53% over the 500 benchmark with a countywide average of 507.

    ”After examining the latest KBDI data, we are issuing a burn ban. This ban is a preventative measure to make sure we can keep the community and our members as safe as possible,” said Fire Chief Shawn Smith. “This is an unusual time of the year for a burn ban, but due to the abnormal lack of rainfall this summer and fall, it is necessary. PCFR asks for your help in keeping Polk County safe by not burning until the end of the ban.”

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Menu at Walt Disney World Swan hotel features Mina’s truffle treat

    ORLANDO, Fla. — Orlando’s only resort with a pair of restaurants featuring two celebrity chefs — Todd English and Michael Mina — is the Walt Disney World Dolphin and Swan hotels.

    Mina’s Bourbon Steak is brand new, replacing Shula’s Steakhouse at the Walt Disney World Dolphin hotel.

    “I’m a big believer in you throw a party!” Mina said during the Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic. “You throw a party every night, and that’s what your restaurant is. And that’s why I love steakhouses.”

    Bourbon Steak’s senior sous chef, Johnathan Hall, demonstrated the unforgettable truffle treat and his homemade pasta process.

    “It’s about the love you put to the food to make someone’s day special, right?” Hall said.

    Hungry? Let’s cook!

    An adaptation of Michael Mina’s recipe:

    Black Truffle Agnolotti with Stracciatella (adaptation)

    Ingredients for the pasta dough (store-bought or homemade):

    • 1 pound fresh pasta dough (egg dough works best)

    Ingredients for the filling:

    • 1 cup stracciatella cheese (or torn fresh burrata)
    • 2 tablespoons finely chopped black truffle (fresh is best)
    • Pinch of salt and freshly ground black pepper

    Ingredients for the sauce and finish:

    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
    • 1 teaspoon high-quality black truffle oil
    • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, plus extra for finishing
    • Freshly shaved black truffle (optional, for garnish)
    • Salt to taste

    Instructions

    Prepare the filling:

    1. In a small bowl, gently mix the stracciatella (or burrata) cheese with the finely chopped black truffle, salt and pepper. Do not overmix.
    2. Place the mixture in a piping bag or a plastic bag with a corner snipped off, and chill in the refrigerator until ready to use.

    Roll the pasta:

    1. Divide the pasta dough into manageable portions.
    2. Using a pasta machine, roll the dough into long, thin sheets (about 1 millimeter thick, or to your machine’s thinnest setting, per general agnolotti methods).
    3. Keep the unused dough covered with a damp cloth to prevent drying.

    Fill and form the agnolotti:

     

    1. Lay a pasta sheet on a lightly floured surface.
    2. Pipe a line of filling along one edge of the sheet, leaving a small border.
    3. Gently fold the dough over the filling to create a log shape, pressing out any air pockets around the filling.
    4. Using your fingers, pinch the dough at 1-inch intervals to create the individual pillow shapes.
    5. Use a knife or a fluted pastry wheel to cut along the pinched lines and the edges to separate the agnolotti.
    6. Place the finished agnolotti on a parchment-lined, lightly floured tray, ensuring they do not touch.

    Cook the agnolotti:

    1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
    2. Carefully drop the agnolotti into the water, and cook for approximately 2-3 minutes (fresh pasta cooks quickly).

    Make the truffle butter sauce:

    1. While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
    2. Cook until the butter is foaming and starts to turn golden brown (brown butter/beurre noisette).
    3. Remove from heat, and stir in the truffle oil.

    Combine and serve:

    1. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the cooked agnolotti directly into the skillet with the brown truffle butter, allowing some starchy pasta water to cling to them.
    2. Toss gently to coat, adding the 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
    3. Plate the agnolotti, and garnish with extra Parmesan cheese and fresh black truffle shavings, if using.
    4. Serve immediately.

    Allison Walker

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  • James Fishback talks run for governor; Florida can kick kids off social media

    Investor James Fishback sits down with Spectrum News to discuss his run for governor, and a federal appeals court allows Florida to enforce its social media law.


    James Fishback has been a vocal advocate for Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and an opponent to Rep. Byron Donalds, who is also running for the governor’s seat.

    He wants to eliminate property taxes, stop foreign investment companies from buying up property in Florida, and stop American companies from hiring foreign employees through the H-1B visa program.

    Now, he sits down with Spectrum News’ Holly Gregory to talk about his campaign plan and his governing goals. Watch the interview above ⬆️

    Florida will start enforcing its social media law

    Children under 14 years old will be blocked from creating accounts on some social media platforms in Florida.

    Fourteen- and 15-year-olds will need parental consent to create those accounts.

    That’s the result of a federal appeals court ruling. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit put on hold a lower court’s injunction, which would have prevented the enforcement of HB-3.

    “Rather than blocking children from accessing social media altogether, HB-3 simply prevents them from creating accounts on platforms that employ addictive features,” Judge Elizabeth Branch wrote in her decision.

    The ruling allows the state to enforce the law, for now, while further legal proceedings play out.

    Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier responded to the ruling.

    “HB-3 is now the law of the state and will be enforced. We’re putting all big tech companies on notice: endanger our kids, and find out what happens!” he wrote.

    Ybeth Bruzual, Holly Gregory, Jason Delgado, Spectrum News Staff

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  • Judge Gives Justice Department a Day to Detail Ghislaine Maxwell Trial Materials to Be Released

    NEW YORK (AP) — A federal judge in Manhattan is demanding more information from the Justice Department as he weighs its request to unseal records from the sex trafficking case against Jeffrey Epstein’s longtime confidante Ghislaine Maxwell.

    Judge Paul A. Engelmayer on Tuesday ordered the Justice Department to tell him what materials it plans to publicly release that were subject to secrecy orders in the British socialite’s case.

    The deadline: Noon on Wednesday.

    Engelmayer’s order came after the Justice Department on Monday asked for his permission to release grand jury records, exhibits and discovery materials in the Maxwell case.

    Engelmayer said government lawyers must file a letter on the case docket describing materials it wants to release “in sufficient detail to meaningfully inform victims” what it plans to make public.

    Epstein, a millionaire money manager known for socializing with celebrities, politicians, billionaires and the academic elite, killed himself in jail a month after his 2019 arrest.

    Engelmayer had already notified victims and Maxwell that they can respond next month to Justice Department’s request to release materials before he decides whether to grant it.

    The Justice Department said it was seeking the court’s approval to release materials to comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, passed by Congress and signed into law last week by President Donald Trump. It calls for the release of grand jury and discovery materials in the case.

    The request, along with an identical one for grand jury transcripts from Epstein’s case, was among the first public indications that the Justice Department was trying to comply with the transparency act, which requires it to release Epstein-related files in a searchable format by Dec. 19.

    Engelmayer did not preside over the trial, but was assigned to the case after the trial judge, Alison J. Nathan, was elevated to the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

    Discovery materials subject to secrecy orders are likely to include victim interviews and other materials that previously would have been only viewed by lawyers or Maxwell prior to her trial.

    Engelmayer said in an order Monday that Maxwell and victims of Maxwell and Epstein can respond by Dec. 3 to the government’s request to make materials public. The government must respond to their filings by Dec. 10. The judge said he will rule “promptly thereafter.”

    Lawyers for victims did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment. A spokesperson for federal prosecutors declined to comment.

    Judge Richard M. Berman, who presided over the Epstein case before his death, issued an order on Tuesday allowing victims and Epstein’s estate to respond to the Justice Department’s unsealing request by Dec. 3. He said the government can respond to any submissions by Dec. 8.

    Berman said he would make his “best efforts to resolve this motion promptly.”

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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  • Florida AG Asks Lawmakers to Elevate Illegal Gambling Penalties

    Posted on: November 25, 2025, 08:09h. 

    Last updated on: November 25, 2025, 08:10h.

    • Florida AG Uthmeier wants the state to increase penalties for running an illegal gambling business
    • Florida currently only levies misdemeanor charges against unlicensed gambling enterprises

    The attorney general of Florida enforces the law but cannot make it. He’s pleading with state lawmakers in Tallahassee to update penalties related to illegal gambling convictions.

    Florida gambling illegal casino arcade
    The Triple Cherry Arcade in Fort Myers is an illegal gambling outfit disguised as an arcade. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is calling on state lawmakers to increase penalties for running an illegal gambling operation from misdemeanors to felonies. (Image: Google Maps)

    On Monday, following yet another high-profile case involving an illegal gambling business, this one involving a county sheriff and his wife who were allegedly involved in the criminal enterprise, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier “encouraged” the legislature to elevate penalties against those convicted of operating unlicensed gambling houses from misdemeanors to felonies.

    Not only does it violate our state’s rule of law and put our consumers at risk, but it often breeds other illicit acts, like human and drug trafficking, money laundering, and racketeering. Right now, people can stand to make millions off unlawful gambling operations and just end up with a slap on the wrist,” Uthmeier said.

    “This is not sending the right message,” Uthmeier continued. “It is not enough of a deterrent. I encourage the Florida Legislature to pursue heightened criminal penalties and increase the current misdemeanor charge to a felony.”

    Sun Setting on Illegal Gambling? 

    Florida has the highest concentration of retirees in the country. About 21% of the Sunshine State’s population is aged 65 and older.

    Many older adults enjoy playing slot machines. But with Las Vegas-like slots limited in Florida to the Seminole Tribe’s six land-based casinos and slot machines within Miami-Dade and Broward counties, many illegal gambling “arcades” have popped up from the Everglades to the Panhandle.

    The unregulated businesses commonly offer newer slot terminals found in casinos across the nation. But unlike legal gambling enterprises, the games are not monitored for fair play.

    In Florida, slot machines are required to have a minimum payout rate of 85%. At unregulated gambling arcades, some machines have been set to as low as 18%.

    Unregulated gambling businesses often lack responsible gaming safeguards, and the venues typically have lax security protocols.

    The possible financial gain, with many of the illegal businesses reportedly raking in millions of dollars a year, outweighs the possible misdemeanor penalties, says Uthmeier.

    It’s time to ensure that the consequences for this illicit behavior correspond with the dangers it brings into our communities,” Uthmeier said.

    The attorney general said law enforcement has taken down numerous large-scale illegal gambling operations that have spanned in the “tens of millions of dollars.” However, much law enforcement work regarding illegal gambling remains, as many of the bad actors open new illegal gambling arcades following their misdemeanor convictions.

    Bill Introduced

    Legislation to increase illegal gambling convictions in Florida to felonies died in the state House of Representatives earlier this year. When the legislature convenes for its 2026 session in January, the discussion will continue.

    State Sen. Jennifer Bradley (R-Union) and Rep. Dana Trabulsy (R-St. Lucie) have pre-filed gaming bills in their respective chambers to levy felony charges in the third degree against persons found to be running an illegal gambling business. A person found guilty of a third-degree felony in Florida faces “a term of imprisonment not exceeding five years.”

    Devin O’Connor

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  • Florida redistricting committee to meet in 2 weeks

    FLORIDA — Florida is one of several states looking at potentially redrawing its congressional districts for partisan advantage ahead of next year’s elections.

    The Florida House Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting has 11 members — 8 Republicans and 3 Democrats.

    The committee will meet next month on Dec. 4 and 10 after Gov. Ron DeSantis posted on social media to “stay tuned” on the matter.

    Florida’s congressional district boundaries already favor the GOP, with 20 Florida Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives and only 8 Florida Democrats.

    “The question I think that may be in front of DeSantis or anybody who’s thinking about doing this is the sort of friction that this creates. Is this political friction? Is this really worth it? How many more seats are we going to get?” Florida Atlantic University professor Craig Burnett asked.

    While the redistricting committee has withheld any proposed maps, Democrats have vowed to “push back hard” against GOP efforts to do so.

    “We need to stop the cheating and just keep the map we already had from redistricting. Florida doesn’t do mid-decade redistricting. And, make the case to the voters rather than cheating to try to screw up the map,” U.S. Rep. Darren Soto, D-Florida, said.

    Florida still has time to implement a new congressional map.

    The state will not hold primary elections until the middle of next August. 

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Impaired drivers can get free tow over Thanksgiving weekend, AAA says

    FLORIDA — AAA is once again offering its Tow to Go program to help keep impaired drivers off the road over the holiday weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • AAA’s free Tow to Go service is available again over the Thanksgiving weekend

    • It is open to members and non-members from 6 p.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1

    • AAA urges drivers to plan ahead and designate a sober driver or use a rideshare, if possible

    • The service will tow the driver and vehicle within 10 miles of pickup

    The service provides a free, confidential ride and tow for impaired drivers and their vehicles to a safe location within 10 miles of where they are picked up. It is open to AAA members and non-members as a safety net when other options, like a designated driver or a rideshare service, fall through and cannot be scheduled in advance.

    Tow to Go will be available starting at 6 p.m. Wednesday through 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 1 across specific states, including Florida. Those needing the service can call 855-2-TOW-2-GO.

    “Since holiday celebrations can lead to risky choices, AAA offers Tow to Go to prevent those choices from turning into tragedies,” AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins said. “If you find yourself without a safe ride, call AAA and we’ll help get you and your vehicle to a safe place.”

    He urged everyone to plan ahead, however, and designate a sober driver, use a rideshare service or stay overnight, if needed.

    Nearly 4.65 million Floridians and a record 8.1 million Americans are expected to travel at least 50 miles from home during the Thanksgiving holiday period, and nearly 90% of drivers will choose to drive, according to AAA.

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Lakeland nonprofit trains coaches in youth mental health

    LAKELAND, Fla. — A local nonprofit teamed up with a Bay area hospital to help coaches and guardians better address youth mental health.

    What You Need To Know

    • R2Cares partnered with a local hospital to train coaches and guardians in Youth Mental Health First Aid

    • Coach Antwan Brown says the training is personal, sharing that his own experience with depression shaped how he supports young athletes

    • Participants left with a mental-health first aid certification, which R2Cares founder Ronnie Richardson says equips adults with tools and resources that can make a difference

    R2Cares hosted a series of trainings and events over the weekend. Its first was a Youth Mental Health First Aid class with Orlando Health Watson Clinic Lakeland Highlands Hospital.

    For attendee Antwan Brown, the true impact goes far beyond winning a game.

    “Winning is important, but if you’re not reaching the person, what good is it to be a coach?” he said.

    Brown recently started as the assistant baseball coach for Edward Waters University. While his coaching career stretches back nearly 11 years, he says the role didn’t become more than just a title until his own battle with depression.

    “It’s very, very dear to my heart to be the person that I needed and give back to the kids because I’m with them every single day,” he said. “And my role as a coach is to be the person they can come to about anything, no judgment, and help them overcome adversity.”

    Learning how to better support youth is why Brown decided to attend the Youth Mental Health First Aid class. The goal was to teach adults who are routinely around children to recognize warning signs.

    “And if there’s anything going on, giving them the resources to help find the help that they need,” Ronnie Richardson, founder of R2Cares, said.

    Richardson, who’s also a coach for the Tampa Bay Rays’ minor league, says equipping adults with these tools can make all the difference. Each participant left with a first aid certification, which Brown says does more than just fill a spot on a résumé.

    “It’s good to be amongst people and see their side and different stories, you know? So that’s why I have to be here to continue to learn because I’m a student of the game,” he said.

    If you would like to join R2Cares’ future events or trainings, visit the organization’s website.

    Alexis Jones

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  • Campbell Soup executive called its products food for

    A lawsuit filed in Michigan last week alleges that a Campbell Soup Company executive made offensive comments about Indian workers and said the company’s products were for “poor people” during a conversation with a former employee.

    The suit was filed by Robert Garza, who was hired by Campbell’s as a cybersecurity analyst in September 2024. 

    Garza alleges that Campbell’s executive Martin Bally made the offensive remarks during a meeting in November 2024, which was intended to discuss his salary. According to the lawsuit, Bally made several comments about Indian workers and said that Campbell’s is “highly [processed] food” for “poor people.” 

    Garza said he informed his manager, J.D. Aupperle, about the comments on Jan. 10 and claims Aupperle did not encourage him to report the incident to human resources. 

    Garza was then “abruptly terminated from employment” just weeks later, the lawsuit says. The discussion between Garza and Bally was recorded, according to Detroit television station WDIV.

    James Regan, a Campbell’s spokesperson, said the company was not aware of the recording before it aired on WDIV on Thursday and doesn’t know if it’s legitimate. 

    Bally is one of many vice presidents at Campbell’s, according to Regan. His LinkedIn lists his title as vice president and chief information security officer.

    Campbell’s said in a statement to CBS News that Bally is temporarily on leave while the company conducts an investigation. 

    “If the comments were in fact made, they are unacceptable,” the company said. “The comments heard on the recording about our food are not only inaccurate — they are patently absurd.”

    Campbell’s also defended the quality of its food products. “The person alleged to be speaking on the recording works in IT and has nothing to do with how we make our food,” Campbell’s said in its statement.

    On Monday, James Uthmeier, the Attorney General of Florida, said in a social media post that the state’s Consumer Protection division is investigating the quality of Campbell’s products.

    Runyan Law Group, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of Garza, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Garza is seeking compensation for emotional, reputational and economic harm, as well as attorneys’ fees.

    Edited by

    Aimee Picchi

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  • Locksmith Dies After Being Shot During Eviction in Florida; a Deputy and the Shooter Also Died

    VERO BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A locksmith who was shot while assisting sheriff’s deputies serving an an eviction notice in Vero Beach, Florida, has died from injuries, increasing the death toll in the shooting last week to three, the sheriff’s office said.

    The civilian locksmith, 76-year-old David Long, was known for his “dedicated service and kind demeanor,” Sheriff Eric Flowers said in a social media post Sunday.

    Indian River County Sheriff’s Deputy Terri Sweeting-Mashkow — a 25-year veteran of the agency — was killed when the man they were trying to evict opened fire Friday morning. That man, Michael Halberstam, died from his wounds on Saturday, Flowers said.

    Another deputy, Florentino Arizpe, who was shot in the shoulder, was released from the hospital over the weekend, the sheriff said.

    The sheriff’s office had received seven calls from the home over the past month, “almost all” of which were from the mother calling about her son, the sheriff said during a news conference on Friday. Even so, he said, deputies weren’t expecting any trouble when they arrived to evict Halberstam.

    Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

    Photos You Should See – Nov. 2025

    Associated Press

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  • Marc Rimes appears as the ‘Hulk’ to support children

    POLK COUNTY, Fla. — A Polk County man is devoting a lot of his time to appearing as “The Incredible Hulk” at local events. Most of the appearances are for charities. Underneath that huge Hulk outfit is a man with a big heart for kids. Marc Rimes has a couple of reasons for that big heart.

    What You Need To Know

    • Marc Rimes appears as the “Hulk” at Bay area charity events. He also works to promote autism awareness

    • Rimes’s son Chance, who is on the autism spectrum, appears with Rimes as Groot from “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies

    • Rimes often appears at events with Superheroes for Hire characters

    • Rimes grew up in foster care and boys’ homes and has a special heart for children who need to feel loved


    On a recent Saturday evening, Rimes appeared as the “Hulk” at the Auburndale Speedway. Lots of small children wanted to give his massive Hulk character a hug. Rimes said he loves seeing the smiles and children’s faces when they see him.

    “I don’t do it to get recognized. I don’t do this for recognition,” said Rimes. “I do this to put a smile on someone’s face.”

    Rimes’ girlfriend Candice Holiday is a big believer in Rimes’ efforts. “It’s mostly the lower-class kids who need that extra boost in life,” she said. “That’s what we do. We come out and put smiles on faces.”

    Rimes said he grew up in boys’ homes and foster care, so he is sensitive to a child needing to feel love. “I grew up in a life where I fought to be loved. And I want to be there for a kid who needs a smile or a hug. I want to be there to give hope,” he said.

    Rimes has a son named Chance who is on the autism spectrum. Chance appears with Rimes at events dressed as the character Groot from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” movies. Rimes is dedicated to autism awareness. “Everybody needs the awareness. Everybody needs to know we can include our children. Not one child is the same on the spectrum. But they don’t have to be treated differently,” he said.

    Rimes has a sports car decked out with superhero logos and autism awareness messages that he takes to his events. “When you see it come down the road you can’t miss it. It also has my son dressed up as one of the superheroes on the side of the car.” Rimes said his car is part of the Cars Racing for the Dream organization.

    Rimes often appears with other local residents who dress up superheroes. They are called Superheroes for Hire. The group held parades for a terminally ill boy named Braxton Criss. Braxton passed away. At the Auburndale Speedway event, Chance dressed as Groot presented Braxton’s mom Jessica Criss with one of his previous Groot outfits.

    Criss is thankful for what all the superheroes did for her son before he died. “Honored that they gave us memories that we wouldn’t have had otherwise, and they made Braxton’s last moments incredibly special,” she said.

    Rimes was also hailed as a hero recently for running to a neighbor’s home that was on fire and using a garden hose to fight the flames before firefighters got there.

    Rick Elmhorst

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  • 4.2 million Floridians to hit the road this Thanksgiving

    SANFORD, Fla. — Millions across the country are gearing up for the busiest travel period of the year.

    This year, AAA is projecting that there will be 4.2 million Floridians traveling by car for Thanksgiving, which is up by 2% compared to last year.

    Florida Highway Patrol officials say this is because people are changing their plans following recent airline disruptions caused by the government shutdown.

    As officials brace for the upcoming travel period, safety remains top of mind.

    What You Need To Know

    • 4.2 million Floridians expected to hit the road during busy Thanksgiving travel period this year

    • FDOT and FHP officials are reminding drivers to keep safety top of mind this next week

    • Busiest travel days are Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday after Thanksgiving


    FDOT officials are reminding drivers to avoid any distractions and to be prepared.

    “Buckle up every time you get behind the wheel. Make sure that you are avoiding distractions. You don’t need to look at your text messages while you’re driving. You can wait until you stop, until you pull over at the next rest area,” FDOT District 5 Public Information Director Cindi Lane said.

    Lane said distracted driving attributed to 43% of last year’s road fatalities.

    In the event of a roadside emergency, whether it’s an accident or a flat-tire, drivers are being reminded to call the *FHP or *347 number for roadside assistance.

    Road Ranger Program Manager Garrett Popovich warned, “Be prepared. You’re going to encounter traffic. There’s no way around that. Plan your trip. Make sure your vehicle has plenty of fuel — your tires are properly inflated.”

    Meanwhile, the Florida Highway Patrol will increase the number of state troopers on the roads to keep an eye out for reckless drivers.

    “The number one cause of crashes and fatalities here in Florida is reckless driving, so that’s making sure that you put that GPS in before you start driving. Give yourself plenty of time before you hit the road so that you have that extra buffer of time so you’re not tailgating, you’re not speeding,” FHP Public Affairs Officer Lt. Tara Crescenzi explained.

    Crescenzi also urges drivers to call *347 if they see reckless driving on the road.

    AAA expects the busiest road travel days to be Tuesday, Wednesday, and the Sunday after Thanksgiving.

    Sasha Teman

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  • Investor James Fishback announces run for governor’s office

    An investor who founded the firm Azoria announced Monday he will run for governor as a Republican in the 2026 election.

    James Fishback has been a vocal advocate for Gov. Ron DeSantis and an opponent to Rep. Byron Donalds, who is also running for the governor’s seat.

    Fishback, 30, said he is running to defend DeSantis’ legacy and create a more affordable Florida.

    He wants to eliminate property taxes, stop foreign investment companies from buying up property in our state, and stop American companies from hiring foreign employees through the H-1B visa program.

    Fishback has made it clear he is going to attack his fellow Republican, Donalds, the Florida congressman who got an early endorsement from President Trump.

    “Byron Donalds is a slave. I’m sorry, he’s a slave,” he said of Donalds. “He is a slave to his donors, he is a slave to his corporate interest, to the tech bros that want to turn our state into, in his own words, a financial capital.”

    The campaign for Donalds sent out this statement before noon Monday: “Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next governor because he is the proven conservative fighter endorsed by President Trump. Anyone running against him is an anti-Trump RINO and will get crushed in the Republican primary.”

    RINO stands for Republican In Name Only.

    Fishback is facing a lawsuit from his former employer, Greenlight Captial. He is accused of inflating his resume with them after leaving the company.

    He joins a list of people running for governor that also includes Florida House speaker Paul Renner, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and former Republican congressman David Jolly.

    The primary for the governor’s race is next August.

    Spectrum News Staff

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  • James Fishback runs for governor, and Florida bear advocates take FWC to court

    A vocal advocate for Gov. Ron DeSantis announces his campaign to replace him, and Florida’s upcoming bear hunt survives a legal challenge.

    Previous Episodes:

     

     

     

    An investor who founded the firm Azoria announced Monday he will run for governor as a Republican in the 2026 election.

    James Fishback has been a vocal advocate for Gov. Ron DeSantis and an opponent to Rep. Byron Donalds, who is also running for the governor’s seat.

    Fishback, 30, said he is running to defend DeSantis’ legacy and create a more affordable Florida.

    He wants to eliminate property taxes, stop foreign investment companies from buying up property in our state, and stop American companies from hiring foreign employees through the H-1B visa program.

    Fishback has made it clear he is going to attack his fellow Republican, Donalds, the Florida congressman who got an early endorsement from President Trump.

    “Byron Donalds is a slave. I’m sorry, he’s a slave,” he said of Donalds. “He is a slave to his donors, he is a slave to his corporate interest, to the tech bros that want to turn our state into, in his own words, a financial capital.”

    The campaign for Donalds sent out this statement before noon Monday: “Byron Donalds will be Florida’s next governor because he is the proven conservative fighter endorsed by President Trump. Anyone running against him is an anti-Trump RINO and will get crushed in the Republican primary.”

    RINO stands for Republican In Name Only.

    Fishback is facing a lawsuit from his former employer, Greenlight Captial. He is accused of inflating his resume with them after leaving the company.

    He joins a list of people running for governor that also includes Florida House speaker Paul Renner, Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings and former Republican congressman David Jolly.

    The primary for the governor’s race is next August.

    Florida bear advocates take FWC to court

    As the state’s first bear hunt in 10 years approaches, a conservation group’s lawsuit against the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission went before a judge.

    Bear Warriors United asked on Monday for an injuction to stop the hunt before it starts. 

    The judge sided with the state, so the hunt will go on as scheduled on Dec. 6.

    FWC in August approved a proposal to allow 187 bears to be removed from the state in four designated “bear harvest zones.”

    A total of 172 permits statewide were made available through a random lottery system, and the recipients of those permits had to pay $100 for them.

    Ybeth Bruzual, Holly Gregory, Jason Delgado, Spectrum News Staff

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  • UAB football player accused of stabbing 2 teammates before game

    BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — A University of Alabama at Birmingham football player stabbed two teammates Saturday morning hours before the team’s game against the University of South Florida, the university said in a statement.

    The two wounded players were in stable condition, interim head coach Alex Mortensen said at the postgame news conference. He said the team decided to play to honor graduating seniors in the last home game of the season, though several players opted to sit it out due to the incident.

    The teammate suspected in the stabbing was in custody, the university said. The school did not release the names of the players involved.

    Daniel Mincey, an offensive lineman who transferred to UAB in May, was arrested and booked on charges of aggravated assault and attempted murder in the afternoon, according to Jefferson County Jail records. He was in custody in Birmingham and appeared to be the only UAB player who was arrested Saturday.

    It was not immediately clear if Mincey had legal representation. Attempts to reach family members for comment were not immediately successful.

    UAB officials would not confirm that Mincey was involved in the stabbing.

    The team’s online roster lists Mincey as a 6-foot-4 redshirt freshman from Pompano Beach, Florida, who was previously at the University of Kentucky.

    Mortensen said that once the team decided to play, it focused on its normal game-day routines. He also said counseling was being made available for players who want it.

    The coach declined to share further details about the incident, citing the ongoing investigation.

    The stabbing occurred on campus at the Football Operations Building.

    The Blazers lost 48-18 to South Florida to fall to 3-8 on the season and 1-6 in the American Conference. Their last game is Nov. 29 at Tulsa.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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  • Florida announces major Urban Meyer news after denied coaching rumors

    The Florida Gators are searching for their next head football coach following the dismissal of Billy Napier earlier this season.

    Soon after the program fired Napier, several big college football names emerged as potential candidates to take over in Gainesville: including legendary former Florida coach Urban Meyer.

    Meyer led the Gators for six seasons from 2005-10, winning national championships in 2006 and 2008.

    Meyer responded to the swirling rumors about his potential interest in returning to Gainesville last week, shutting them down completely.

    “That ship has sailed,” Meyer said on ‘The Triple Option’ podcast. “And I want that program to do well so bad. I know so many people there. Gave a big part of our life to that program, but that ship has sailed.”

    While Meyer won’t be back as head coach for the Florida program, his presence will be immortalized at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

    During the first half of Saturday’s loss to the Tennessee Volunteers, the school announced Meyer as the seventh inductee into the Florida Ring of Honor — joining program legends Wilber Marshall, Emmitt Smith, Steve Spurrier, Tim Tebow, Danny Wuerffel and Jack Youngblood.

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    More Football: Florida Suffers Major Setback in Pursuit of Lane Kiffin

    “I am truly honored and humbled to be selected for the Florida Football Ring of Honor,” Meyer said after the announcement. “My time at Florida holds so many special memories for me and my family. Everything we accomplished was the result of an extraordinary coaching staff who recruited exceptional players and were supported every day by the University, the Athletic Department, and the entire Gator Nation. I want to thank Dr. Bernie Machen and Jeremy Foley for bringing us to Gainesville and for embracing our family and our staff from the very beginning. There is nothing like game day in The Swamp—the energy of 90,000 fans behind you, pushing and willing you to victory.

    More Football: LSU Coaching Drama Escalates as Brian Kelly’s Son Sends Bold Message

    “The championships were certainly special, but the bonds forged with our players, staff, and countless members of Gator Nation will last a lifetime. I am grateful to have been part of Florida’s storied football tradition, and I want to thank Gator Nation for the passion and pride you continue to bring to this program. This recognition means more to me and my family than words can express. Go Gators.”

    Florida is currently locked in a bidding war for the top coaching option in this year’s carousel: Ole Miss head coach Lane Kiffin. Ole Miss, LSU and Florida are all reportedly prepared to offer Kiffin a contract worth more than $90 million.

    Under interim head coach Billy Gonzales, Florida will close out its 2025 regular-season schedule with a matchup against the Florida State Seminoles next Saturday.

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