News from the South - Florida News Feed
Jacksonville advocacy organization plans rally to ‘demand justice’ in death of Duval County jail inmate
SUMMARY: Summarize this content to 100 words: JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Community advocacy organizations in Jacksonville are voicing concerns after the sheriff announced an unspecified incident this week that led to the death of a Duval County jail inmate.Charles Faggart died on Thursday after suffering critical injuries from the incident. According to his family’s attorney, Belkis Plata, he “was beaten” and had been “brain dead” since Monday.The incident that sent Faggart to the hospital led to the removal of nine corrections staff at the Duval County jail, and Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters has asked the FBI to investigate.Now the Jacksonville Community Action Committee (JCAC) is inviting the public to a rally at 1 pm. on Sunday, on the steps of the JSO Memorial Building at 501 E Bay St., to “demand justice for all victims of police and jail violence.”JCAC said that while Faggart’s family is grieving, “this moment is about more than one tragedy.”Charles Faggart died after an ‘incident’ at the Duval County Jail. (Photo provided by family attorney)The organization wants the sheriff to release the names of the officers involved, along with any video footage of the “incident,” calling the system “corrupt.”JCAC said it also demands:The termination, indictment, and conviction of all officers involved.Civilian oversight and a Public Safety Committee to hold JSO accountable.An end to plans for a $1 billion new jail, with funds redirected to community services and rehabilitation.“We refuse to accept that jail time is a death sentence,” JCAC wrote in a news release about Sunday’s rally.MORE | Sheriff Waters asks FBI to investigate ‘incident’ involving corrections officers that left inmate critically injuredThe release pointed out “repeated scandals” at the jail, including one last year that involved a corrections officer accused of being part of a jail drug smuggling ring.“Yet instead of fixing these systemic failures, city leaders are pushing for a costly new jail—a band-aid solution that won’t stop the violence,” JCAC wrote.The Northside Coalition of Jacksonville also issued a statement on Faggart’s deaths:“The Duval County jail was ‘an incident away from a federal court order’ according to the Chief Judge of Florida’s 4th Circuit, Lance Day, and now it appears we have that incident. The FBI will investigate and the US Department of Justice should be next. The officers responsible must be held accountable, along with the Sheriff who has mismanaged the jail. The taxpayers of Jacksonville again will surely be paying out millions in a settlement due to JSO’s actions. I reiterate that we must not only improve conditions in the jail and prevent further deaths, but also reduce the need for people to be in jail in the first place.”Kelly Frazier, Northside Coalition presidentRELATED: Advocates opposed to new $1B jail in Jacksonville argue money could be better spent on community needsOn Tuesday, Sheriff T.K. Waters announced that eight correctional officers and a correctional sergeant were removed from their positions and stripped of all their corrections authority following the incident, which happened on Monday morning.Waters said he would not give details about the incident or how the inmate was injured because it was still an open investigation.The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office released another statement on Thursday, saying that detectives were “working diligently to gain a complete understanding of the facts and circumstances that led to the brain death” of Faggart.Copyright 2025 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
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News from the South - Florida News Feed
Deadly crash raises new questions about safety of New York’s helicopter tours
SUMMARY: A recent helicopter crash in New York City, which killed a family of five from Spain and their pilot, has raised safety concerns over the popular sightseeing tours that offer dramatic views of the skyline. Since 2005, such flights have experienced several accidents, leading to calls for banning or limiting operations. Mayor Eric Adams supports the tours, highlighting their importance for transportation despite acknowledging the need for safety. The crash’s cause is under investigation, while the helicopter operator has been scrutinized for recent financial issues. Experts suggest improved safety measures for the industry, advocating for better oversight by the FAA.
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News from the South - Florida News Feed
Florida lawmakers seek records as it investigates state agency funding
SUMMARY: Florida’s House Budget Chairman, Lawrence McClure, is conducting a broad probe into the DeSantis administration’s spending, including documents from six state agencies. The investigation targets state-owned vehicles, high salaries, and millions paid for an unbuilt prison. A major issue is a $10 million donation to the Hope Florida Foundation, linked to First Lady Casey DeSantis. McClure’s letters request extensive records to assess government efficiency and accountability as lawmakers prepare the 2025-2026 budget. DeSantis defended the donation, but tensions rise as the House seeks answers to inform budget decisions. Responses are due by May 16, likely after budget talks conclude.
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News from the South - Florida News Feed
Trump reaches deals with 5 law firms, allowing them to avoid prospect of punishing executive orders
SUMMARY: President Donald Trump announced agreements with five law firms, allowing them to avoid punitive executive orders in exchange for providing extensive pro bono legal services that align with his administration’s goals. The firms—Cadwalader, Kirkland & Ellis, Allen Overy Shearman Sterling US, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, and Latham & Watkins—join others like Paul Weiss, which previously made similar deals. Trump’s push against law firms is part of a broader strategy to reshape civil society and extract concessions from those opposing his agenda. Several firms have contested these executive orders, aiming to maintain normal operations amidst escalating pressures.
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