Florida executes two prisoners, including an 80-year-old
James Aren Duckett and octogenarian Dominick Anthony Occhicone were put to death in a rare double execution in Florida. Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty described the twin executions as an “unprecedented escalation” of the state’s use of the death penalty.
More people are now eligible for Polk County’s health care plan
Income eligibility has gone up from 200% to 300% of the federal poverty level with Polk raising its income limit to 300% of the federal poverty level. The program is funded by a half-cent sales surtax, not property taxes, and county officials say they do not expect the November homestead tax exemption amendment to directly affect it.
Hillsborough is among the top ten Florida counties in reducing childhood poverty
A new report shows Hillsborough County is among the top 10 Florida counties making the most significant progress in reducing childhood poverty. WMNF’s Chris Young reports there is still more work to be done.
Israeli activists cross the border to settle in Syria
The settlers are part of a group called the Pioneers of Bashan. The Israeli military says it has repeatedly condemned the group for diverting troops’ attention from military operations and compromising their security.
According to the BBC, he died in a motorcycle crash this morning in his home city of Dublin.
The Scoop, produced by Lisa Reuter
WMNF anchors Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Seán Kinane, Lisa Marzilli, Hannah Lau Gleciano, Megan Fair.
WMNF News Director Seán Kinane
WMNF reporters Juanita Hurtado Huérfano, Lisa Marzilli, Seán Kinane, Daria Mironova, Megan Fair, Luiza Medeiros de Campos, Hannah Lau Gleciano, Joeniyah Carter, Jaelin Diehl, and Chris Young.
Special thanks to Taylor Lovejoy and Corey Beltran.
Theme music, Fresh06, by Stian via archive.org – CC-BY-NC-SA 2.5
https://archive.org/details/jamendo-001084/02.mp3
The Scoop logo by Robin Milcowitz / Greener Pixels / greenerpixels.com / WMNF
Information from the News Service of Florida, the Associated Press, and Florida Public Media was used in this report