Mick's Morning News- Thursday

Another Body Found While Looking For Missing South Florida Diver

(Fort Pierce, FL) -- Authorities are trying to identify a man after his body was found while crews were searching for a missing diver in the Treasure Coast. St. Lucie County police say a 39-year-old man went free diving off Jensen Beach to explore a World War Two era shipwreck on Sunday. While rescue crews were looking for him, they came across another body by the Fort Pierce Inlet. The victim appears to be more than 50 years old and doesn't match the description of the missing diver. The Coast Guard and state wildlife officials are investigating both cases.

Attorney For Suspect In Deadly Boating Crash Speaks

(Miami, FL) --The suspect in a deadly boating crash in Miami-Dade County claims he's innocent. The FWC yesterday identified him as Coral Gables', Carlos Guillermo Alonso. The 78-year-old was allegedly driving the boat Saturday in Biscayne Bay that hit and killed 15-year-old Ella Adler while she was in the water. Alonso's attorney, though, said yesterday her client had absolutely no idea of his involvement. Attorney Lauren Field Krasnoff also says Alonso was not drinking that day, he docked his boat in plain sight, and he has been cooperative with law enforcement. Krasnoff adds Alonso is devastated by what happened, and he'll continue to cooperate with law enforcement. No charges have been announced.    

Convicted Felons Drop Florida Lawsuit

(Tallahassee, FL) -- A voting rights group is no longer going after Florida over how it carried out a controversial law impacting convicted felons. The Florida Rights Restoration Coalition has dropped a lawsuit that was filed in Miami last summer after reaching an agreement earlier this month. More than two dozen convicted felons were arrested for voting illegally in 2022, despite many of them thinking they were eligible to cast their ballot. Under a 2018 amendment, voting rights are restored to felons after they serve their sentence and pay legal fees. The Florida Department of State says it will host a workshop in Tallahassee next month to update the process for felons who are trying to find out if they are eligible to vote.  

Flex Lanes Coming To Central Florida

(Orlando, FL) --A change coming to some Central Florida roads could lead to less congestion. The Central Florida Expressway Authority announced last week it'll add flex lanes to SR 417 and SR 429. With flex lanes, you can use the shoulder to get around an accident. The flex lanes, though, are only in effect when indicated by the overhead signs. A CFX spokesman tells the Orlando Sentinel this could lead to the expressway opening flex lanes during rush hours.

Hawaii Ranks Last For Race in List of 'Most Normal' U.S. States

(Honolulu, HI) --Hawaii is the least "normal" U.S. state in terms of race demographics. That's according to an analysis of census data conducted by the Washington Post, which wanted to determine which state best represents America as a whole. That distinction belongs to Illinois. But, the study found Hawaii was the least like every other state and Washington D.C. when it comes to race. The overall study looked at 30 socioeconomic factors. Those include race, religion, income, education, jobs, and social issues.

Today in History

2011, Space Shuttle Endeavour blasted off for its final mission in space. Endeavour and its six-man crew were tasked with delivering a two-billion dollar Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer designed to illuminate dark matter and exotic forms of nature for scientists to get a look at. The mission was led by astronaut Mark Kelly. 

1988, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that trash may be searched without a warrant.

1980, Elvis Presley's personal physician, Dr. George Nickopoulas, was indicted by a grand jury on 14 counts of illegally prescribing drugs to Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis and nine others. He was eventually barred from practicing medicine.

1939, food stamps were introduced in the U.S.A.

1866, pharmacist Charles Elmer Hires invented Root Beer.