Volusia Man Dubbed ‘Sovereign Clown’ Arrested Twice in 10 Days Over Bizarre Legal Claims

sovereign citizen license plate
A typical sovereign citizen self-made license plate Photo: OrlDemo /Reddit

They call themselves sovereign citizens. They claim they’re not subject to state or federal laws. And every so often, one of them makes headlines—usually after an encounter with law enforcement. In Florida, these self-proclaimed “freemen” are part of a movement that’s less about organized ideology and more about a tangled mess of internet-fueled legal theories.

Embark on a Cinematic Voyage: You Can Cruise Aboard the Original African Queen in Key Largo

Embark on a Cinematic Voyage: You Can Cruise Aboard the Original African Queen in Key Largo

Screenshot - The African Queen

If you are a fan of classic movies like I am, you’ll love this. You can still step aboard and even take a ride on the original African Queen. While Humphrey Bogart won’t be there to constantly kick the boiler, it’s still a great chance to relive cinematic history. Docked at the Marina Del Mar in Key Largo, Florida, this storied steamboat invites guests to experience in real life the magic of the 1951 film that starred Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn.

Clearwater Condos Evacuated After Structural Crack Found

Clearwater Condos Evacuated After Structural Crack Found

South Beach III condos in Clearwater, Florida
South Beach III condos. Photo: LippyRealEstate.com

Approximately 60 residents were evacuated from the 12-story South Beach III condominium at 1460 Gulf Boulevard in Clearwater on Tuesday, May 6, after construction workers discovered a significant crack in a concrete support column within the building’s ground-level parking garage. The crack, reportedly over two feet wide, raised immediate concerns about the structural integrity of the building.

Man And Dog Killed In Suspected Black Bear Attack

Man And Dog Killed In Suspected Black Bear Attack

Collier County authorities responded to the site of a suspected black bear attack Monday morning. Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Collier County authorities responded to the site of a suspected black bear attack Monday morning. Photo: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

A man and his dog were found dead early Monday morning in what wildlife officials are investigating as a suspected bear attack in rural Collier County, Florida. The incident occurred near the intersection of State Road 29 and U.S. 41, just south of the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) .

Bill To Ban Student Cell Phone Use “Bell To Bell” Passes Florida Legislature

Bill To Ban Student Cell Phone Use “Bell To Bell” Passes Florida Legislature

AI Image - student in Front of School

Less is more – that’s the thinking of the Florida legislature when it comes to the use of cell phones in schools. Last week, Florida lawmakers passed legislation that expands restrictions on student cellphone use in public schools. The new measures, part of Senate Bill 1296, prohibit the use of cellphones throughout the entire school day for elementary and middle school students and initiate a pilot program to test similar restrictions in select high schools.

Florida’s Job Market Stays Steady, But Where You Live Makes a Big Difference

Wikipedia Commons Construction Worker
Trades led the way in new Florida jobs. Photo: Wikipedia Commons

Whether you live here or are considering moving to Florida, you may be wondering how Florida is doing in terms of jobs. The March numbers have just been released, and the news is mixed, depending on which part of the Sunshine State you live in.

From Glamour to Gravity: The Controversy Surrounding NS-31 And The Future of Blue Origin

From Glamour to Gravity: The Controversy Surrounding NS-31 And The Future of Blue Origin

Crew of Blue Origin’s NS-31 mission, clockwise from left: Lauren Sánchez, Amanda Nguyen, Katy Perry, Gayle King, Aisha Bowe and Kerrianne Flynn.

I wasn’t going to even write an article on this because, like many others, I didn’t view the NS-31 flight as newsworthy, at least from a scientific or technological standpoint. But there is a deeper story here – why does Blue Origin seem to be squandering time, money, and resources on this particular program? The real money is in launch contracts, and SpaceX appears to be leaving Blue Origin (aka Blue) behind on the proverbial pad.

EV Boom Leaves Florida’s Transportation Budget Running on Empty

EV Boom Leaves Florida’s Transportation Budget Running on Empty

Florida TaxWatch Report on EV's
Florida TaxWatch Report on Electric Vehicle Usage in the state.

Florida’s roads are getting busier, but the gas tax revenue that pays for their upkeep is heading in the opposite direction—and electric vehicles are at the center of it. According to a new report by Florida TaxWatch, the Sunshine State is losing as much as $78 million a year in fuel tax revenue thanks to the rising popularity of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. And with more Floridians plugging in instead of filling up, lawmakers are grappling with how to replace that lost income.