SUMMARY: Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood announced the arrest of 26-year-old Keith Merard for orchestrating a fraud scheme involving stolen Starlink satellites. Surveillance footage captured Merard loading stolen equipment into a SUV in South Florida over nearly a year. He created fake email accounts impersonating county officials to fraudulently obtain equipment from local vendors with open credit lines, resulting in $55,000 in purchases. His capture occurred after he activated a stolen Starlink, leading authorities to him. Merard faces charges of organized fraud and identity theft. In response, Volusia County improved cybersecurity and alerted vendors to scam attempts.

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SUMMARY: California has declared a state of emergency due to the rapid spread of bird flu (H5N1) among dairy cows, with the virus detected in at least 866 herds across 16 states. Over 60 people have contracted the virus, primarily experiencing mild symptoms, although one Louisiana patient has been hospitalized with severe illness. Governor Gavin Newsom’s declaration aims to enhance state response and resource allocation. While the general public’s risk remains low, experts emphasize caution as illness severity could increase with more infections. Health officials advise precautions for those in contact with infected animals and discourage the consumption of raw milk, which poses additional risks.

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SUMMARY: Florida’s emergency management team launched “Beacon,” a groundbreaking AI-driven program designed to enhance communication during emergencies. This 24/7 AI-powered radio station leverages official alerts from various government sources to provide timely broadcasts, such as evacuation notices. Initially operating from Gainesville’s public radio station, Beacon aims to eventually expand statewide, offering multilingual updates. While concerns about AI reliability persist, officials assert that Beacon will rely exclusively on trusted data sources for its information. As the program’s future hinges on legislative funding, its operators plan to seek financial support in March for broader implementation across Florida.

Florida’s Emergency Management team rolled out new AI technology in hopes to save lives during future emergencies.

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