Your Florida Daily: Revamped social media ban bill clears Senate, cases of injured pelicans doubles

Plus, it’s been decades since hurricane-force sustained winds hit Cocoa Beach

Officials at the Florida Wildlife Hospital posted on social media saying that they have seen a huge influx of injured pelicans recently. (Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved.)

ORLANDO, Fla. – Just days after a veto by the governor, a revamped bill to ban minors from social media has now cleared the Florida Senate.

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It still looks to prevent anyone under 16 from having accounts on social media, but it adds a provision that would allow 14 and 15-year-olds to have accounts if their parents give consent.

Critics still say the restrictions are an overreach of government. The revised bill now goes to the House for a vote.

Is someone breaking pelicans’ wings in Brevard County? Number of injuries increasing

There are more reports of injured pelicans along Florida’s east coast.

A local nonprofit says cases have doubled the past few days.

News 6 first reported last week about pelicans with fractured wings being treated at Florida Wildlife Hospital in Brevard County.

At the time, there were about 20 known cases but that number has since jumped to 42. The organization’s director says all injuries are similar raising concerns someone may be hurting pelicans on purpose.

FWC says it’s investigating.

Florida lawmakers vote for new state license plates. Here’s what they are

You could see some new license plates on the road later this year.

Florida lawmakers are about to sign off on some new designs including plates for “Margaritaville”, The Villages, boating, aviation and “Universal Orlando.”

Fees collected from each plate would support a different worthy cause.

See the full list here.

Random Florida Fact

Despite Florida’s status as a hurricane hotspot, Jacksonville has only been directly hit by one hurricane since 1871.

Same for people living in Brevard County, Hurricane David struck on Labor Day in 1979.

That’s that last time Titusville, Cocoa Beach or Melbourne have experienced hurricane-force sustained winds.


About the Author

Katrina Scales is a producer for the News 6+ Takeover at 3:30 p.m. She also writes and voices the podcast Your Florida Daily. Katrina was born and raised in Brevard County and started her journalism career in radio before joining News 6 in June 2021.

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