SUMMARY: Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma is requesting a $16 million budget increase to address recruiting and retention challenges amid competitive local job markets. Deputies earn the county’s lowest starting salaries, lagging behind neighboring cities and counties offering sizable signing bonuses, such as Pinellas County’s $70,000 bonus. The sheriff’s proposed $196.6 million budget is a 9% rise, driven mainly by personnel costs, making it the first time the request exceeds property tax revenue growth. Lemma emphasized the risks of inadequate funding, including losing experienced staff and declining morale. Commissioners acknowledge budget difficulties amid broader countywide tax considerations. Lemma plans cost-saving measures and ongoing budget negotiations.

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The post ‘Out of balance:’ Seminole County sheriff asks for $16M more as county mulls tax hikes appeared first on www.clickorlando.com

SUMMARY: President Donald Trump signed a third executive order extending TikTok’s operation in the U.S. for 90 more days, aiming to finalize a deal transferring ownership to American hands. Initial bans and deadlines were postponed due to negotiations collapsing after China’s objections. Despite ongoing uncertainty and a lack of clear legal authority for the extensions, TikTok remains accessible to its 170 million U.S. users. Public opinion on banning TikTok has declined, with about one-third supporting a ban, largely over data security concerns. Critics, including Senator Mark Warner, argue the administration ignores legal and national security risks posed by China-owned TikTok.

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The post Trump delays the TikTok ban once again appeared first on www.news4jax.com

SUMMARY: Hurricane Erik, a powerful Category 4 storm with winds peaking at 145 mph, is making historic landfall on Mexico’s Pacific coast near Acapulco. It intensified rapidly—doubling in strength within 18 hours—and is the first major hurricane to hit this region in June. Communities in Oaxaca are experiencing catastrophic flooding and mudslides, with the storm expected to weaken over the Sierra Madre mountains but continue dumping heavy rain. This is the second farthest east Pacific hurricane landfall in Mexico’s history. Meteorologists warn this rare event marks the beginning of an active hurricane season, with Atlantic activity expected soon.

Hurricane Erick continues to rapidly intensify and reached Category 4 strength as the extremely dangerous storm continues to approach the southern coast of Mexico in an area popular with travelers. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) said that Hurricane Erick is expected to make landfall in the western portions of the Mexican state of Oaxaca or the eastern portion of the Mexican state of Gurrero on Thursday morning, and then continue inland over Mexico during the day.

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