SUMMARY: President Donald Trump has pledged to lead a movement to eliminate mail-in ballots, calling them corrupt and promising an executive order to ban their use. Experts noted that election authority lies with states, not the federal government. Democrats condemned the move as a cheating tactic for 2026. Florida voters expressed concern, highlighting mail-in voting’s importance for seniors and disabled individuals. Over three million Floridians voted by mail in 2024, including Republicans and Trump himself. Florida GOP Chair Evan Power defended the state’s system, while Governor Ron DeSantis said Trump targets states with looser rules. The White House plans further discussions with Congress and states.
SUMMARY: Apopka, Fla., residents may face up to 15.5% increases in water, reclaimed water, sewer, and up to 15% in garbage rates this fall. Mayor Bryan Nelson cited rising costs, including a $12 million upgrade to tap a deeper aquifer requiring costly ozone treatment mandated by the St. Johns Water Management District. The city emphasizes utilities must cover expenses without profit, maintaining funds for aging infrastructure. Despite rapid growth concerns, Nelson stated impact fees are among Central Florida’s highest and growth is managed. A public hearing on the proposal is set for Sept. 3, with new rates effective Oct. 1.
SUMMARY: Florida Republicans are renewing efforts to lower the minimum age for purchasing long guns from 21 to 18, reversing post-Parkland reforms. Florida GOP Chair Evan Power and new Lt. Gov. Jay Collins advocate the change, emphasizing constitutional rights for those eligible for military service at 18. While the bill has passed the Florida House and has Gov. DeSantis’s backing, it faces strong opposition in the Senate, especially from Senate President Ben Albritton. The debate intensifies after a deadly shooting by a 20-year-old at Florida State University. Democrats urge focus on economic issues, but the proposal may reemerge alongside other gun rights measures in 2026.
www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-08-18 15:01:00
A coal train derailment near Enfield, northeastern North Carolina, has disrupted rail services on key routes to Chicago, Miami, and New York. The CSX train, carrying 28 loaded coal cars, derailed on Sunday, leading to cancellations of several Amtrak services including the Floridian, Silver Meteor, Auto Train, Carolinian, and Palmetto. No injuries or environmental damage have been reported, and the cause of the derailment is still unknown. The affected crossing, which handles over two dozen trains daily, is vital for regional rail traffic.
(The Center Square) – Passenger train service involving routes to Chicago, Miami and New York is on hold because of a coal train derailment in northeastern North Carolina on Sunday.
The CSX train pulling 28 loaded cars of coal went off the tracks just outside of Enfield, a small community of about 1,800 not far from Rocky Mount. Freight service is also impacted.
No injuries or environmental concerns have been reported. The cause of the crash has not been given.
According to Amtrak Alerts and Amtrack Northeast, the Floridian scheduled to depart Chicago on Sunday was canceled. The Floridian scheduled to leave Miami on Monday was also canceled.
Other cancellations included the Silver Meteor out of New York and the Auto Train out of Sanford, Fla.; the Carolinian, in both directions, between New York and Raleigh; and the Palmetto, in both directions, between Washington and Savannah, Ga.
More than two dozen trains per day use the crossing where the derailment happened, according to the Federal Railroad Administration.
Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.
Political Bias Rating: Centrist
The article presents a straightforward report on a train derailment incident without expressing any ideological stance or opinion. It focuses on factual information such as the location, impact on passenger and freight services, and the status of train cancellations. The language is neutral and objective, merely conveying the events and their consequences without framing them in a politically charged manner. This adherence to factual reporting without promoting a particular viewpoint indicates a centrist, unbiased approach.
