Local News
Trump Protests in West Palm Beach: On Presidents Day, two opposing demonstrations took place in West Palm Beach. Supporters of Donald Trump gathered at Trump International Golf Club from noon to 3 p.m., with notable attendees like former Proud Boys chairman Enrique Tarrio and Rocco Talarico from the Born to Ride 45 for Trump motorcycle group. They praised Trump’s promises and actions, including his executive orders. Trump himself waved to the crowd, and his team distributed snacks and MAGA hats. Meanwhile, in downtown West Palm Beach, protesters organized a rally as part of the 50501 Movement, criticizing Trump’s policies. The group voiced concerns over issues like immigration, federal worker layoffs, and the appointment of Elon Musk to head DOGE. Protesters also advocated for trans rights and warned of a potential erosion of democracy, drawing comparisons to Venezuela’s political decline.
Fighter Jet Over Wellington: When Donald Trump returned to Mar-a-Lago after the Daytona 500, a fighter jet caused a stir in Wellington, not Air Force One. A local resident, Claudio Alonso, noticed the jet flying low over his neighborhood and tried to capture footage of it. The jet’s presence was linked to the president’s arrival, and retired Air Force General Richard Newton suggested the jet might have been an F-16 already in the area or scrambled from another base to monitor restricted airspace. The U.S. Air Force did not respond to inquiries about the jet’s flight path.
Boynton Beach Shooting Arrest: A fatal shooting occurred near Boynton Beach on Monday evening, with deputies finding a man, Marc Celian, dead in his car from a gunshot wound. Authorities believe the incident may have been targeted. Emmanuel Athouriste, 38, was arrested in Miami on Tuesday morning by the Aventura Police Department. He is currently held on murder charges at the Miami-Dade Corrections Facility.
State News
Uthmeier Appointed Florida AG: Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed James Uthmeier as Florida’s new attorney general after the vacancy created by Ashley Moody’s appointment to the U.S. Senate. Uthmeier, 37, has served as DeSantis’ chief of staff and general counsel. During his swearing-in, Uthmeier promised to be anti-abortion, pro-police, and promote an “America First” agenda. He also vowed to fight against left-wing activists and defend abortion restrictions and bans. The Florida Democratic Party criticized his appointment, accusing him of using the judicial branch for political gain and warning of a slide toward authoritarianism.
Citations
https://www.wptv.com/news/trump/rallies-held-in-palm-beach-county-to-support-oppose-president-donald-trump
https://www.wptv.com/wptv-investigates/what-was-a-fighter-jet-doing-over-wellington-and-belle-glade
https://www.wptv.com/news/region-s-palm-beach-county/boynton-beach/pbso-investigating-shooting-homicide-in-boynton-beach
https://www.wptv.com/news/state/james-uthmeier-appointed-by-gov-ron-desantis-to-become-floridas-next-attorney-general