News from the South - Florida News Feed
Family mourns death of 10-year-old Xavier Williams

SUMMARY: The family of 10-year-old Xavier Williams is mourning his death after he was reportedly tortured and beaten by his mother, Kimberly Mills, and her boyfriend, Andre Walker. Xavier’s aunt, Camille Williams, shared the unimaginable pain of watching her nephew pass away after a month in the hospital. Investigators revealed disturbing evidence, including a six-foot ladder and duct tape, used in the abuse. Both Mills and Walker face second-degree murder charges. Xavier’s father, Conneal, had joint custody but lived in Connecticut. A candlelight vigil for Xavier is planned for Saturday evening in Tveris.

Authorities say 10-year-old Xavier Williams was tortured and beaten to death by his mother and her boyfriend. FOX 35 spoke with the boy’s aunt, Cameil Williams, who said the family is devastated.
Subscribe to FOX 35 Orlando: https://bit.ly/3ACagaO
Watch FOX 35 Orlando LIVE newscasts: https://www.FOX35Orlando.com/live
Download FOX 35 news & weather apps: https://www.fox35orlando.com/apps
FOX 35 Orlando delivers breaking news, live events and press conferences, investigations, politics, entertainment, business news and local news stories and updates from Orlando, Orlando metro, and across Florida.
Watch more from FOX 35 on YouTube
Newest videos: https://www.youtube.com/myfoxorlando/videos
Most viewed/viral videos: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgNn6rfByAM&list=PLzmRitN2dDZvlKw0C1IH3nLFGlbqgvp5C
We Love Florida: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzmRitN2dDZuWecugac4QebPGp5-HZ5XP
Central Florida’s True Crime Files: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QAxwHLIeahA&list=PLzmRitN2dDZvk9zWypuHs9n38zuwnUSpx
More news stories: http://www.FOX35Orlando.com
Watch FOX 35 News live: https://fox35orlando.com/live
FOX 35 News newsletter: https://www.fox35orlando.com/email
Follow FOX 35 Orlando on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FOX35Orlando
Follow FOX 35 Orlando on Twitter: https://twitter.com/fox35orlando
Follow FOX 35 Orlando on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fox35orlando
News from the South - Florida News Feed
U.S. small manufacturers hope to benefit from tariffs, but some worry about uncertainty

SUMMARY: Drew Greenblatt, president of Marlin Steel Wire Products, supports the Trump administration’s tariffs aimed at rebalancing trade in favor of U.S. manufacturers. He believes overseas competitors have unfair advantages, creating an uneven playing field for American workers. The administration seeks to revitalize U.S. manufacturing, which has declined by 35% since 1979, by imposing tariffs to encourage local production. However, some small manufacturers, like Corry Blanc and Michael Lyons, express concerns about the resulting economic uncertainty and potential recession. In contrast, Bayard Winthrop of American Giant remains hopeful that tariffs will lead to a resurgence of American-made products.
The post U.S. small manufacturers hope to benefit from tariffs, but some worry about uncertainty appeared first on www.clickorlando.com
News from the South - Florida News Feed
JD Vance goes to the Vatican following remarkable papal rebuke over Trump crackdown on migrants

SUMMARY: U.S. Vice President JD Vance is meeting Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin after a papal rebuke of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. Vance, a Catholic convert, has defended these policies through medieval Catholic theology concepts, which Pope Francis directly criticized. The Pope advocates for broader compassion toward migrants, contrasting Vance’s more hierarchical view of care. While in Rome for Easter, Vance attended Good Friday services at St. Peter’s Basilica with his family. He has previously criticized Francis but recently expressed prayers for the Pope’s recovery, highlighting the complex relationship between them on issues of social justice and migration.
The post JD Vance goes to the Vatican following remarkable papal rebuke over Trump crackdown on migrants appeared first on www.news4jax.com
News from the South - Florida News Feed
Federal judge extends block on Florida immigration law that led to arrest of a U.S. citizen

by Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
April 18, 2025
A federal judge brought up the arrest in Leon County of Juan Carlos Lopez-Gomez, a U.S. citizen born in Georgia, during a hearing Friday in which she extended her block of the new Florida immigration law until April 29.
U.S. District Court Judge Kathleen Williams expressed frustration about the arrests of Lopez-Gomez and others, said an attorney representing the immigrants and groups suing the state.
At issue is Williams’ April 4 order temporarily barring enforcement of a law passed during a special session earlier this year making it a first-degree misdemeanor to illegally enter the state as an “unauthorized alien.”
A Florida Highway Patrol trooper’s arrest of Lopez-Gomez on Wednesday prompted national attention following Florida Phoenix’s reports that he was set to remain in jail because U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had placed a 48-hour hold on him — even after a Leon County judge determined there had been no probable cause for the arrest.
Lopez-Gomez was released from Leon County jail on Thursday evening. The 20-year-old held his mother in a tight embrace and wept when they reunited.
“We appreciate that the federal courts have seen through this blatantly unconstitutional law, but the reality is that, without enforcement, it seems that local law enforcement and Florida Highway Patrol are continuing to ignore the judge and order,” said Miriam Fahsi Haskell, an attorney for Community Justice Project representing the plaintiffs, in a phone interview with the Phoenix. “The reality is that once a person is arrested under SB 4C and booked into jail, that person risks then having an ICE hold on them.”
Community Justice Project, the ACLU of Florida, Americans for Immigrant Justice, and Florida Legal Services attorneys are representing the plaintiffs: the Florida Immigrant Coalition, Farmworker Association of Florida Inc., and two women without permanent legal status.
David Matthew Costello, lead attorney representing Attorney General James Uthmeier, declined to comment, and a spokesperson for the attorney general’s office did not respond to the Phoenix’s questions. The other defendants are the statewide prosecutor and state attorneys.
Binding?
During the hearing at the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida in Miami, attorneys representing the state argued that law enforcement is not bound by Williams’ order, Fahsi Haskell said. Another hearing is set for April 29.
“The Court enters a [temporary restraining order] prohibiting Defendants and their officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and any person who are in active concert or participation with them from enforcing SB 4-C,” Williams’ order states.
Two other men were with Lopez-Gomez when the trooper stopped the car because the driver was going 78 mph in a 65 mph zone, according to the arrest report. The driver, Estiven Sales-Perez, and another passenger, Ismael Sales-Luis, were also charged with illegal entry as “unauthorized aliens.” The driver was also charged with driving without a license.
ICE has taken custody of Sales-Perez and is holding him in a Tallahassee field office, according to the online detainee locator system.
“Florida Highway Patrol will continue to work willingly with our federal partners to engage in interior enforcement of immigration law,” a spokesperson for the agency wrote in a statement to the Phoenix.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried called the arrest a kidnapping.
“Where does the lawlessness of this administration stop? If this can happen to an American-born citizen, it can happen to any of us,” she said in a statement.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Florida Phoenix maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com.
The post Federal judge extends block on Florida immigration law that led to arrest of a U.S. citizen appeared first on floridaphoenix.com
-
Mississippi Today6 days ago
Lawmakers used to fail passing a budget over policy disagreement. This year, they failed over childish bickering.
-
Mississippi Today6 days ago
On this day in 1873, La. courthouse scene of racial carnage
-
Local News6 days ago
Southern Miss Professor Inducted into U.S. Hydrographer Hall of Fame
-
News from the South - Alabama News Feed5 days ago
Foley man wins Race to the Finish as Kyle Larson gets first win of 2025 Xfinity Series at Bristol
-
News from the South - Alabama News Feed5 days ago
Federal appeals court upholds ruling against Alabama panhandling laws
-
News from the South - Alabama News Feed7 days ago
Bellingrath Gardens previews its first Chinese Lantern Festival
-
News from the South - Florida News Feed7 days ago
Severe weather has come and gone for Central Florida, but the rain went with it
-
News from the South - Texas News Feed6 days ago
1 dead after 7 people shot during large gathering at Crosby gas station, HCSO says