WOKC Local News – March 05, 2026, 7:40 AM
Transcript
WOKC News. Food stamps at risk? With WOKC News, I’m Charles Murphy. The state error rate of 16% among SNAP benefits last year could cost the state one billion. Currently 2.6 million Floridians and a one and a half million households in Florida receive benefits. The USDA will not pay 50% anymore on food stamps. Instead, 25% will be funded by the USDA for administrative costs for the state. That means an additional $51 million cost for the state. The quality control payment error rate of between 6% and 7.9% would be 5%. If the state error rate is below 5%, there would be no state payment. The state will be on the hook for errors made by those that receive SNAP. Jamie Titole gave out the stats on SNAP in Florida today. Florida has more than 2.6 million individuals, which includes more than 1.5 million households participating in SNAP. In federal fiscal year 2025, Florida issued more than $6.7 billion in SNAP benefits. The Florida legislature may make it easier to expunge misdemeanor criminal records. Representative Tracy Koster proposed House Bill 745, making individuals with prior adjudications for certain misdemeanors eligible to petition the court for sealing records. Jessica Baker doesn’t want to give criminals another chance. We already have second chances. You can already seal one thing. We now have automatic sealings. You know, I think we’re giving third, fourth, fifth chances and beyond, and I just don’t think it’s necessary. At some point, we’ve got to say you’re responsible for your actions. Martin County got an update to the Western Lands Study done by the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council. They want to have an acreage target for conservation and add new acres to the Florida Wildlife Corridor. Tom Lanahan says they’re trying to protect agriculture in Martin County. Facilitating agricultural activity to continue supporting that, having a good framework to make them welcome and make them continue to be productive. Three Okachobee teens were charged with illegal hunting. Tristan Arnold reportedly posted a video of the hunting at night on Instagram, which is illegal. Apparently it was hunting from the roadway with a light. One individual was recorded dancing and there was video of an eight-point buck dead in the bed of the truck. Florida Fish and Wildlife investigated and charged the trio with trespass and illegal taking of game. Florida executed Billy Kears last night. He killed Fort Pierce police officer Danny Parrish during a traffic stop back in 1991. Parrish’s widow, Mertha Busbin, says it’s been a long time to get justice. I’ve lived it for 35 years like it happened yesterday. And all I can say is fight, keep fighting. If this happens to a loved one of yours or you have a family member that’s gone through something like this, keep fighting. There will be justice served. And just like this, it’s been long, long, long overdue. And the Florida House approved a bill that would give land to the Okachobee Utility Authority at the former Okachobee School for Boys. I’m Charles Murphy, WOKC News.
Recorded from the WOKC daily newscast (Glades Media).