Six months ago, The School District of Palm Beach County school officials were very clear: They didn't have the money to finish a long-promised Black history museum on the site of a historic high school. Just two weeks later, they appeared to find $30M for the project. palmbeachpost.com/story/news/edu… via The Palm Beach Post

Two women say a bartender snuck into their room and sexually assaulted them while they slept. In a bid for a shorter prison sentence, the man's attorney called the women's outfits "very scanty" and suggested one "had no desire to escape." palmbeachpost.com/story/news/cri…

Nurses found a man strangled in the bathroom of a Veterans Affairs hospital on Saturday. Investigators say his suspected killer left a Bible on the floor with a hand-written note: "God, I have lived a good life. Take me home." palmbeachpost.com/story/news/loc…

Marcia Thompson said her husband would've killed her if she hadn't pulled the trigger first. Made to defend herself for years from an abusive husband, then again from the fallout of killing him, she faced a lifetime in prison if jurors didn’t believe her. palmbeachpost.com/story/news/cri…

RIP to the Miami Herald Bot? miaminewtimes.com/news/rip-to-th…

Bloomberg reported the news of Evan Gershkovich’s release before anyone else—because they broke an embargo every other outlet had agreed to: nymag.com/intelligencer/…

"There is a bomb I left on the site," warned a voicemail. "Hopefully you will get everyone evacuated, except for Trump." #Florida woman charged with making bomb threats. palmbeachpost.com/story/news/cri… via Hannah Phillips

In his 17-month stint as UF president, Ben Sasse more than tripled his office’s spending, directing millions in university funds into secretive consulting contracts and high-paying positions for his GOP allies. alligator.org/article/2024/0…

unfair that i have to do data journalism when others get to do SEA LION JOURNALISM

A police officer once deemed ethically and emotionally unfit to serve in law enforcement has won back her job at the Palm Beach Gardens Police Department, despite pushback by city officials. palmbeachpost.com/story/news/cri…

There is still time to get out, Tampa Bay. But the clock is ticking. Here’s how to leave without a car or a ton of spare cash. Uber is offering free rides to shelters with the code MILTONRELIEF. Buses are free. Shelters are open. More info: tampabay.com/hurricane/2024…

NEW: We’re outside of our office building right now in downtown St. Petersburg, where dozens have gathered to take pictures of the crane that fell last night. As the sun came up, here’s how it looks Tampa Bay Times:

Within two days, animal lovers across #PalmBeachCounty adopted and fostered 117 cats and 113 dogs, emptying the shelter ahead of Milton's landfall. palmbeachpost.com/story/news/loc…

Two weeks after prosecutors flagged Ryan Routh's desire to contact the media, The Palm Beach Post received a letter from 'Trump Alleged Shooter.' palmbeachpost.com/story/news/tru…

Reporters from Politico, Puck, and Axios get the ax from Trump's Election Night event over critical coverage: nymag.com/intelligencer/…

After DeSantis used state resources to rail against it, 57% of Floridians still voted for abortion rights. In nearly any other state, it would have been a victory. But it fell short of FL's high bar of 60% for amendments. via Romy Ellenbogen Lauren Peace tampabay.com/news/florida-p…

AP lede for the history books:

Rufus Lewis is a retired Tampa cop & civil rights champion. Earlier this year, I wrote about how the city hailed him a hero, but denied him his full pension—leaving him to scrape by. Today, the city council awarded him $250k. Local journalism matters! tampabay.com/news/tampa/202…

Florida looks like a Trump administration staffing agency politi.co/40GUaJR via POLITICO

Happy #FOIAFriday