WOKC Local News – April 29, 2026, 7:41 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. The debate over redistricting with WOKC News. I’m Charles Murphy. Republicans and Democrats have different takes on the governor’s proposed congressional districts as the state legislature convenes in special session this week. Okeechobee is currently in District 9, which would be represented currently by Darren Soto. Our Congressman Scott Franklin’s district would be greatly cut into. He would represent mostly Polk County. The Democratic National Committee is welcoming redistricting. Minority leader in the House Akeem Jeffries announced they’re pouring $20 million into Florida races. He thinks Florida has a chance to go blue in the fall. The Republicans are dummy-mandering their way into the minority before a single vote is cast. Okeechobee County trying to work with Glades Electric on some problems trimming trees and leaving stumps damaging county mowers. The attorney Gemma Torcevilla says these trees and the right-of-way do bring with them legal requirements. Right-of-ways are required to be maintained for safe transit and safe use by vehicles, but also safe access for emergency vehicles. There could be some code enforcement violations. Glades Electric says they’re doing everything legal and welcome a meeting with the county. Florida’s ranked dead last for the third year in a row in teacher pay. Broward Teachers Union President Anna Fusco says the student voucher program has changed everything when it comes to public school funding. It’s a money grab for them. They want their friends that are owning charter schools or running charter schools. It’s a way that they can continue to make money and then that group continues to support them to keep them elected. Teacher pay in the state rose to an average of $56,663 during the last academic year. That was a 3 percent increase. It did not keep up with inflation. Florida’s living wage is $63,000. The village of Indiantown Council is getting an earful about data centers. Every time they have a meeting and public comment is on the agenda, there is a host of people speaking out against data centers. Two are rumored to be coming or being interested in coming to Indiantown. Linda Biskel told the council that the data center battle is across the country with small towns as the victim. They’re very destructive. They take a lot of water. Even though this one says it’s closed system, it still can take 350,000 gallons of water. That’s concerning to me because it’s warm down here. Our aquifer is very, very fragile. Okeechobee’s Pet Cemetery is sued in a negligence lawsuit. Graziano Gazi and Renee Gazi sued the Fort Drum facility on Northwest 300th Street. Gazi was visiting the property in December 19, 2024, conducting an air quality inspection At the Pet Cemetery and crematorium, when a 7-foot pipe fell and struck him on the head, he says he suffered permanent injury and damages. The main claim is negligence. They’re seeking damage for medical bills, chiropractic and nursing care, bodily injury and lost income. The jurisdiction of the court is $50,000. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).