Florida has executed 57-year-old Loran Cole for the 1994 murder of Florida State University student John Edwards. He was just 18 when he went camping in the Ocala National Forest with his sister, who was raped and left tied to a tree. She was able to free herself. A portion of the statement written by the victims’ parents was read by Florida Department of Corrections spokesman Ted Veerman:
Florida’s death penalty process is in the spotlight, as the state’s first execution in eight months took place last evening. State law allows death sentences to be imposed based on the recommendations of eight out of twelve jurors. That’s an easier threshold than the previous unanimous jury requirement. It also gives Florida the lowest death-penalty jury standard in the nation. The change was prompted by Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz receiving a life sentence after three jurors voted against death. On the Deeper Dive with Dara Kam podcast from the News Service of Florida, we hear from Maria DeLiberato (Deh-lib-er-AH-to), executive director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty.
That was Maria DeLiberato of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty – speaking on the Deeper Dive with Dara Kam podcast. Hear the full episode wherever you get your podcasts.
Governor Ron DeSantis says he’s pulling the plug on a state Department of Environmental Protection plan to build golf courses, hotels and other amenities in Florida’s much-loved state parks. As Margie Menzel reports, the bipartisan outrage that greeted the plan could become legislation to prevent another such episode – and to move the parks forward.
Florida’s law makes it illegal for doctors to provide gender affirming care like puberty blockers and hormone therapy to most kids. It also puts barriers in place that make it harder for adults to access that care.
Governor DeSantis’s office declined to pursue significant federal money this year that would have provided more food to needy families over the summer. Tom Flanigan spoke with an advocate who says there’s still time for the state to qualify for next summer’s program.
It’s the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Idalia. For the past year, local officials and some.businesses have been trying to rebuild what’s been lost. As Adrian Andrews reports from Perry, that work is ongoing.
Less than a quarter of Florida’s registered voters cast ballots in last week’s primary elections. Tristan Wood reports such low turnout didn’t surprise political watchers.