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Below is the official statement from the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida regarding the gun trafficking conspiracy. TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. District Judge Stephen Merryday sentenced Jonathan Rafael Ortega Martinez, 42, to 10 years in federal prison for gun trafficking and conspiracy to commit gun trafficking. Ortega-Martinez had previously pleaded guilty. According to the plea agreement, Ortega-Martinez participated in a large-scale gun trafficking operation from 2023 to April 2024. Specifically, he and members of his conspiracy recruited individuals known as “straw buyers” to illegally purchase firearms, including Glocks, rifles, and AK-47s, from licensed federal firearms…
For athletes, there’s nothing like the thrill of stepping onto the field, hearing the crowd cheer, and feeling the intensity of the competition. Sport is more than just a job or a hobby, it’s a passion and a way of life. But no matter how talented an athlete is, they will eventually play their last game. Retirement may occur sooner than expected due to injury, change in performance, or personal decisions. That moment can feel like the end of the identity you’ve built all your life. But your connection to the game doesn’t have to stop just because you hang…
Orlando really is your home for the holidays with special events for family dining, New Year’s Eve extravaganzas, special menus (solid and liquid) and lots of family-friendly fun and activities. Check out this roster of Rudolph-ready, metrowide merriment! Boxi Park: Happenings are happening in Lake Nona with themed weekends filled with holiday spirit. Dec. 12-14, bring Rover for Paws & Claus, a pet-friendly celebration perfect for families and furry companions. Dec. 18-21, hit ’em up for Jingle Jam offering music-filled nights and plenty of seasonal flair. And Dec. 25-28 it’s Holiday Fiesta, a Latin-themed celebration. More info: boxiparklakenona.com. BRIO Italian…
Gregor said of the goal: “It was amazing.” “It’s always good to score a goal because I haven’t scored for a long time.” With the Avalanche leading 2-1 late in the period, Brock Nelson tucked in the spilled puck at 18:30. They traded chances throughout the first period, with both teams totaling 32 shots (20 to 12 col). Gavin Brindley converted a backhander off a rebound to extend Colorado’s lead to 3-1 at 5:05 of the second period. Nathan MacKinnon made a wrist shot to make it 4-1 at 7:18. Artturi Lehkonen scored on a breakaway at 12:31 to give…
PENSACOLA, Fla. — The WSRE-TV Foundation today filed the nation’s first federal lawsuit to prevent Pensacola State University from controlling millions of dollars donated by local residents to support WSRE’s popular community programming. For nearly 60 years, WSRE has been a trusted presence in northwest Florida and south Alabama, educating generations of children, supporting classrooms, honoring military families, documenting Gulf Coast history and providing trusted information during hurricane threats. A nonprofit organization supported by neighbors, families, veterans, and local businesses, the WSRE-TV Foundation has long been the driving force behind its service and sustained the station through private philanthropic donations…
Florida’s push to bring sweepstakes casinos under a codified set of rules has taken on a different tone this year. Instead of reacting to a legal battle, the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance is trying to move the conversation forward sooner rather than later. The group represents well-known sweepstakes platforms such as Chumba Casino, McLuck, and Pulsz. These companies have dealt with many disruptions in other states, and that experience appears to have convinced SGLA that Florida needs attention before the situation worsens. With so many residents already playing in these locations, the state became an obvious focus for them. In…
It may not happen in 2026, but in the future Florida voters will likely see more people running for district court seats. Last month, the Florida Supreme Court upheld a plan to add 25 new trial court judges to the state. Thirteen cases will be added at the circuit court level and 12 cases will be added at the county court level. “Depending on the schedule, it will probably be appointed by the governor and then at the end of the six-year term, judicial districts and counties will be decided by voters,” said Lindsey Bullock, an election lawyer and analyst.…
What started as a simple stop at a slot machine turned into a much bigger moment than anyone around him expected. One visitor to the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Tampa put an 88-cent bet into a Jade Wind machine, watched the reels line up, and then saw a payout of $84,758.24 appear across the screen. It wasn’t a scene that slowly built up. The numbers flashed, several nearby players instinctively leaned forward, and the winner stood there absorbing the shock, after which the casino shared the story on its social pages. When this post was posted, I…
Florida has long been known for its sunshine, outdoor living, and relaxed coastal lifestyle. But in recent years, new trends have entered the conversation about home comfort and personal well-being. More homeowners across the state are converting unused nooks, spare rooms, and even patio spaces into Scandinavian-style wellness retreats inspired by Scandinavian simplicity, warmth, and balance. At first glance, this trend may seem unexpected for a state with a warm climate. But Scandinavian wellness isn’t just about temperature. This speaks to Floridians’ changing priorities, a desire for meaningful self-care, and a growing interest in creating a home that feels more…
Nearly one in five young people (20%) in a poll of nearly 1,500 Americans believe physical violence is sometimes justified to stop someone from making “harmful” public statements, according to a new national survey released by Florida State University’s Institute for Governance and Civics (IGC). Key findings: 20% of young people (18-29) say violence is sometimes justified to stop ‘harmful’ speech, almost twice as many as adults overall (11%). 59% of Americans think some speech can be as harmful as physical violence Americans are nearly evenly divided on whether freedom of speech should be sacrificed for the sake of social…