Local News

Florida Lawmakers Consider Sweeping Changes to Taxes, Housing, Teen Labor Laws, and Guns
Florida lawmakers are also revisiting gun legislation passed in the aftermath of the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The Florida House recently approved House Bill 759, which would lower the minimum age to purchase rifles and shotguns from 21 to 18. The vote passed 78-34

Palm Bay Approves ICE 287(g) Agreement, Allowing Local Officers to Enforce Immigration Detainers
The Memorandum of Agreement enrolls Palm Bay in ICE’s 287(g) Task Force model, which allows ICE to deputize local officers after they complete a 40-hour online training certified by the Department of Homeland Security. Once trained, officers may initiate administrative holds for individuals with immigration detainers and transfer them to the appropriate facility, such as the Brevard County Jail, for ICE processing.

Randy Fine Wins Congressional Seat, GOP Sweeps Brevard’s Special Elections
In a post-election poll conducted by Palm Bay Live, just 19% of respondents said they were happy with the outcome of the election, while 34% said they were not. The remaining participants either chose not to answer or selected “other.”

Meet Candidate #7: Gregg Lynk, Former Palm Bay City Manager Returns as Finalist
Despite political headwinds and personal challenges, Lynk has maintained a strong base of support from former colleagues and residents. Several past council members have publicly expressed regret over his 2018 dismissal, and references compiled by the city describe him as innovative, resolute, and deeply committed to the community.

Meet Candidate #6 for Palm Bay City Manager: Howard W. Brown, Jr. Combines Strategic Vision with Ground-Level Results
Brown’s leadership philosophy is rooted in empowering communities through sustainable growth. As City Manager of Muskogee, Oklahoma, he helped broker a land swap that resulted in both a juvenile detention center and over a million square feet of new commercial development. While City Manager of Bell, California, he led the city through its first-ever charter code review and helped stabilize finances despite revenue shortfalls.
News Around The World

Florida Lawmakers Consider Sweeping Changes to Taxes, Housing, Teen Labor Laws, and Guns
Florida lawmakers are also revisiting gun legislation passed in the aftermath of the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The Florida House recently approved House Bill 759, which would lower the minimum age to purchase rifles and shotguns from 21 to 18. The vote passed 78-34

Palm Bay Approves ICE 287(g) Agreement, Allowing Local Officers to Enforce Immigration Detainers
The Memorandum of Agreement enrolls Palm Bay in ICE’s 287(g) Task Force model, which allows ICE to deputize local officers after they complete a 40-hour online training certified by the Department of Homeland Security. Once trained, officers may initiate administrative holds for individuals with immigration detainers and transfer them to the appropriate facility, such as the Brevard County Jail, for ICE processing.
Southwest Airlines Announces Layoffs
Southwest Airlines has announced its first major layoffs in its 53-year history, planning to reduce approximately 1,750 corporate positions, which constitutes about 15% of its corporate workforce.
Brevard County Charter School Operations and Oversight
According to Russell Bruhn, Chief Strategic Communications Officer for Brevard Public Schools, charter schools in Brevard County are financed through a combination of state, local, and federal funds, similar to other public schools. The primary source of funding is the Florida Education Finance Program (FEFP), which allocates funds based on the number of full-time enrolled students. Additionally, charter schools have the opportunity to enhance their funding through federal grants. One notable example is the Charter School Program Grant, which supports the planning and initial implementation of charter schools.