What Jacksonville can learn from Nashville about fighting climate change
Nashville Mayor John Cooper took office in September 2019 and agreed with activists that Tennessee’s largest city take should action on climate change. Two years later, the city has a new sustainability and climate action plan, including a pledge to cut citywide carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.
Flooding leaves at least 7 dead in Tennessee
The deadly flash flooding that swept through Tennessee with little warning has killed at least seven people, authorities said Monday. Five weather-related fatalities were reported in Davidson County, one in Cheatham County and another in Hawkins County, according to the Tennessee Department of Health. Police found the bodies of a 64-year-old man and a 46-year-old woman near a homeless camp that had flooded. The body of a 70-year-old man was recovered from a vehicle that had been submerged in water near a Walmart. The historic storm comes after tornadoes tore through west Tennessee this weekend.
cbsnews.comRecord rains cause flash flooding in Tennessee; 4 dead
Heavy rain across Tennessee flooded homes and roads as a line of severe storms crossed the state. (AP Photo/Mark Humphrey)Torrential rains across Tennessee flooded homes and at least one church and left roads impassable, prompting dozens of people to be rescued in the Nashville area. Juliet said on Facebook that knee-deep water flooded the building, busted out the glass of its front entrance and sent chairs through a hallway. AdMany rivers and creeks were at or near their highest level since 2010, according to the National Weather Service. While there was no longer any precipitation falling, flooding remained a threat, Brittney Whitehead, a weather service meteorologist in Nashville, said Sunday afternoon.
Judge rejects lawsuit over Florida’s unemployment system
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Leon County circuit judge on Monday dismissed a potential class-action lawsuit against the state and Deloitte Consulting stemming from problems with Florida’s online unemployment compensation system during the COVID-19 pandemic. After dismissing the case in September, Cooper allowed the plaintiffs to file a revised version. It sought damages and raised several arguments, including that the department and Deloitte were negligent and breached a fiduciary duty. This document is critically important for the court’s consideration of the pending motions to dismiss.”AdBut in a pair of orders dismissing the case, Cooper flatly denied the plaintiffs’ arguments. “After more than nine months and multiple rounds of pleading, plaintiffs are still unable to demonstrate their entitlement to relief,” he wrote.
Judge to weigh lawsuit on unemployment problems
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Nearly a year after the COVID-19 pandemic began tossing people out of work, a circuit judge is again poised to consider a potential class-action lawsuit stemming from major problems in Florida’s unemployment compensation system. The case seeks damages and raises several arguments, including that the department and Deloitte were negligent and breached a fiduciary duty. Ron DeSantis even describing the system as a “jalopy.”AdThe plaintiffs filed the potential class-action lawsuit in April. Cooper in May rejected a preliminary injunction that plaintiffs sought to force the Department of Economic Opportunity to “fix” the system. During a June hearing, Department of Economic Opportunity attorney Daniel Nordby argued, in part, that the lawsuit should be dismissed because of the constitutional separation of powers.
Ex-Florida data scientist turns herself in after arrest warrant issued
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement announced the arrest of Rebekah Jones, 31, on Monday morning. The agency said she is charged with one count of offenses against users of computers, computer systems, computer networks and electronic devices. Court records show that Jones posted a $2,500 bond following an initial appearance hearing in Tallahassee on Monday morning. The message that led to the search warrant implored employees still at the Health Department “to speak up before another 17,000 people are dead. But the agency threatened to arrest her in Maryland if she did not turn herself in by Monday night, Dobson said.
Nashville assessing building damage from Christmas bombing
Buildings that were damaged in a Christmas Day explosion are seen, Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020 in Nashville, Tenn. Officials are continuing to assess building damage caused by the Christmas Day explosion as law enforcement officials on Thursday allowed media outlets the first opportunity to survey the bomb site. (Andrew Nelles/The Tennessean via AP, Pool)NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Officials are continuing to assess building damage caused by the Christmas Day bombing as law enforcement officials on Thursday allowed media outlets the first opportunity to survey the downtown Nashville explosion site. City officials hoped to finish their assessment of the structural damage of the 41 affected buildings by Thursday. Bill Lee has asked the White House for an emergency declaration to free up money and resources to impacted business owners. Federal officials are continuing to investigate the motive of the man they identified as the bomber, 63-year-old Anthony Quinn Warner,
Full transcript of "Face the Nation" on December 27, 2020
On this final weekend of the year on FACE THE NATION, it wouldn't be 2020 without last-minute breaking news. And I think right now we're all waiting for DNA results of that tissue that we all heard has been found in and around the scene. And I think we've done-- done a lot of it together. MARGARET BRENNAN: Governor DeWine? We're not just going to wake up one day and it's all going to be some--MARGARET BRENNAN: Right.
cbsnews.comNashville mayor sees "a lot of momentum" in investigation into downtown bombing
Washington — Nashville Mayor John Cooper said Sunday he believes there is a "lot of momentum" in the ongoing investigation into the bombing that rocked a section of Nashville on Christmas Day. "Everybody feels like there is a lot of momentum behind the investigation," Cooper said in an interview with "Face the Nation." "It's so shocking that on Christmas morning, this time of greatest hope, you have a bombing, a deliberate bombing, how can this be?" The explosion occurred early Christmas morning, after police responded to calls of shots fired near an AT&T building in downtown Nashville. Cooper said the city and scores of affected businesses, which are still weathering the coronavirus pandemic, will need help to rebuild.
cbsnews.comTranscript: Mayor John Cooper on "Face the Nation," December 27, 2020
The following is a transcript of an interview with Nashville Mayor John Cooper that aired Sunday, December 27, 2020, on "Face the Nation." We want to go now to the mayor of Nashville, John Cooper. MAYOR COOPER: Well, I- I know what you know, what the authorities are reporting to the public. MAYOR COOPER: Well, I know AT&T is working very hard and sent a lot of trucks to Nashville to get this back online. In Nashville, we've dealt with it reasonably well.
cbsnews.com6 officers who first responded to Nashville explosion hailed for bravery: "They saved lives"
The police officers who first responded to the scene of the explosion in downtown Nashville on Christmas morning "saved lives" with their quick actions, the city's police chief said, as federal investigators continue to search for clues. Six officers initially responded to a report of shots fired Friday when they encountered a recreational vehicle blaring a recorded warning that a bomb would detonate in 15 minutes, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake said. "They immediately began knocking on doors, not knowing when the bomb would go off," Drake said at a press conference Friday night. CBS affiliate WTVF-TV reports police identified the six officers as: Officer Brenna Hosey, Officer James Luellen, Officer Michael Sipos, Officer Amanda Topping, Officer James Wells and Sergeant Timothy Miller. The blast knocked an officer to the ground, the paper said, and gave another officer hearing loss.
cbsnews.comNashville mayor says there is "determination" to solve Christmas bombing believed to be intentional
Nashville Mayor John Cooper said Friday that there is a "determination" to find who was behind a massive blast on Christmas morning that authorities called "an intentional act." A law enforcement member walks past damage from an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, on Dec. 25, 2020. Nashville Mayor John Cooper said he toured the destruction zone and that "we are very lucky" there weren't more injuries. Metro Police and highway patrol officers were "conducting a shutdown" of the downtown area "while we assess this entire situation," the police spokesman said. Emergency personnel work at the scene of an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, on Dec. 25, 2020.
cbsnews.comNashville officials give update on Christmas blast
Nashville officials give update on Christmas blast Nashville Mayor John Cooper, police chief John Drake and fire chief William Swann updated reporters Friday evening about 12 hours after a massive blast wounded three in the city's downtown area. Drake said tissue that is believed to be human remains was found at the scene. Watch the briefing.
cbsnews.comExplosion in downtown Nashville believed to be "an intentional act," police say
Nashville, Tenn. — A large explosion in downtown Nashville Friday morning is under investigation by police and federal officials including the FBI and ATF. A law enforcement member walks past damage from an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, on Dec. 25, 2020. Police said the blast early Christmas morning was believed to be "an intentional act." Metro Police and highway patrol officers were "conducting a shutdown" of the downtown area "while we assess this entire situation," the police spokesman said. Emergency personnel work at the scene of an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, on Dec. 25, 2020.
cbsnews.comNashville mayor says there is "determination" to solve Christmas bombing believed to be intentional
Nashville's mayor said Friday that there is a "determination" to find who was behind a massive blast on Christmas morning that authorities called "an intentional act." A law enforcement member walks past damage from an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, on Dec. 25, 2020. Nashville Mayor John Cooper said he toured the destruction zone and that "we are very lucky" there weren't more injuries. Metro Police and highway patrol officers were "conducting a shutdown" of the downtown area "while we assess this entire situation," the police spokesman said. Emergency personnel work at the scene of an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tennessee, on Dec. 25, 2020.
cbsnews.comDowntown Nashville explosion knocks communications offline
Emergency personnel work near the scene of an explosion in downtown Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Dec. 25, 2020. The blast sent black smoke and flames billowing from the heart of downtown Nashville’s tourist scene, an area packed with honky-tonks, restaurants and shops. Buildings shook and windows shattered streets away from the explosion near a building owned by AT&T that lies one block from the company's office tower, a landmark in downtown. The Federal Aviation Administration temporarily halted flights out of Nashville International Airport because of telecommunications issues associated with the explosion. Buck McCoy, who lives near the area, posted videos on Facebook that show water pouring down the ceiling of his home.
This week on "Face the Nation," December 27, 2020: Cooper, Figliuzzi, DeWine, Whitmer, Gottlieb
"Face the Nation" Guest Lineup:Mayor John Cooper, D-NashvilleD-Nashville Frank Figliuzzi, Former Assistant Director for Counterintelligence, FBIFormer Assistant Director for Counterintelligence, FBI Governor Mike DeWine , R-Ohio, R-Ohio Governor Gretchen Whitmer , D-Michigan, D-Michigan Dr. Scott Gottlieb, Former FDA CommissionerFormer FDA Commissioner Authors Panel: Susan Glasser, Peter Baker, Jon Meacham, Isabel WilkersonHow to watch "Face the Nation"Date: Sunday, December 27, 2020TV: "Face the Nation" airs Sunday mornings on CBS. Click here for your local listingsRadio: Subscribe to "Face the Nation" from CBS Radio News to listen on-the-goFree online stream: Watch the show on CBS' streaming network CBSN at 10:30 a.m., 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. With the latest news and analysis from Washington, don't miss Margaret Brennan (@margbrennan) this Sunday on "Face the Nation" (@FaceTheNation). And for the latest from America's premier public affairs program, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
cbsnews.comJudge gives more time in unemployment case
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Rejecting arguments by the state and Deloitte Consulting LLP, a circuit judge has given more time to plaintiffs to file a revised class-action lawsuit stemming from problems in Florida’s unemployment-compensation system. Leon County Circuit Judge John Cooper issued an order this week that gives plaintiffs' attorneys until Monday to file an amended complaint. But Cooper gave plaintiffs' attorneys 30 days to file an amended complaint, which would refuel the legal fight. The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in April after hundreds of thousands of coronavirus-caused unemployment claims overwhelmed the state’s online CONNECT system. The Department of Economic Opportunity runs the unemployment system, while Deloitte was a contractor that helped put CONNECT in place in 2013.
State, Deloitte fight extension in unemployment case
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Deloitte Consulting LLP are fighting a request by plaintiffs' attorneys for an extension of time to file a revised class-action lawsuit related to problems in the state unemployment-compensation system. But Cooper gave plaintiffs' attorneys 30 days to file an amended complaint, which would refuel the legal fight. The state cited a June 22 hearing that went into detail about issues in the lawsuit. The plaintiffs filed the lawsuit in April after hundreds of thousands of coronavirus-caused unemployment claims overwhelmed the state’s online CONNECT system. The Department of Economic Opportunity runs the unemployment system, while Deloitte was a contractor that helped put CONNECT in place in 2013.
State, Deloitte get win in pandemic unemployment lawsuit
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – In at least an initial win for the state and Deloitte Consulting, a Leon County circuit judge has dismissed a potential class-action lawsuit stemming from major problems with Florida’s unemployment-compensation system amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The Department of Economic Opportunity runs the unemployment system, while Deloitte was a contractor that helped put CONNECT in place in 2013. During the June hearing, Cooper indicated he expected the dispute to eventually be appealed to the 1st District Court of Appeal. Cooper wrote in this week’s order that the plaintiffs' attorneys had requested an opportunity to file an amended complaint if he dismissed the lawsuit. “But this lawsuit is not the right place to address those concerns.”But when Cooper asked whether the state or Deloitte was at fault for the problems, Mattox quickly responded, “It’s both.”
Jaguars’ 1st road game in 2020 will be played in front of no fans
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Jaguars’ first road trip to the season, a visit to AFC South rival Tennessee, will be played with no fans in the stands. "Across the United States, there's a wide range of approaches to in-person attendance for professional sports based on a wide range of public health policies and the prevalence of the coronavirus in those locations," Cooper said. The Jaguars have already announced plans to reduce stadium capacity to 25% at home games in 2020 due to the coronavirus. The Jaguars split with the Titans last season, winning 20-7 at home on Thursday night football and getting routed 42-20 at Tennessee. Jacksonville is 9-16 all-time on the road against the Titans, with a 2-0 mark against the former Houston Oilers factored in.
Fight over face mask mandate goes to appeals court
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A battle about the constitutionality of a Leon County ordinance that requires people to wear face masks to try to curb the spread of COVID-19 is headed to a state appeals court. The Leon County case is one of several playing out across the state after local governments passed face-mask requirements to try to address the pandemic. The notice of appeal, as is common, does not detail the arguments that Power and his attorney, Sabatini, will make at the Tallahassee-based appeals court. E.g., motorcycle helmet laws, seatbelt laws and prohibitions against smoking in public buildings,” Cooper wrote. Leon County and other local governments have passed such ordinances as Gov.
Challenge to mask requirement in Florida county rejected
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. A circuit judge Friday rejected a challenge to the constitutionality of a Leon County ordinance that requires people to wear face masks in businesses to try to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. The ruling came as many local governments across Florida have passed mask mandates --- and as controversy has swirled around Gov. The Leon County Commission passed the ordinance June 23 amid a surge of coronavirus cases in the state. As of Friday morning, Florida reported 244,151 cases since the pandemic began, with 2,161 cases in Leon County. Leon County is home to Florida State University, Florida A&M University and Tallahassee Community College.
Judge weighs battle over Florida unemployment system
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. After four hours of arguments Monday, a Leon County circuit judge will decide whether to move forward with a potential class-action lawsuit stemming from massive problems in Floridas unemployment-compensation system. Attorneys for the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and Deloitte Consulting, a contractor that helped put the online system in place in 2013, argued that Judge John Cooper should dismiss the lawsuit, which was filed after a crush of coronavirus-caused unemployment claims overwhelmed the system this spring. Cooper last month rejected a preliminary injunction that plaintiffs sought to force the Department of Economic Opportunity to fix the system. Department of Economic Opportunity attorney Daniel Nordby argued Monday, in part, that the lawsuit should be dismissed because of the constitutional separation of powers between judges and the executive branch. The plaintiffs attorneys filed the lawsuit in April after major problems with Floridas CONNECT online unemployment system, which even Gov.
Judge rejects ordering fixes to Florida unemployment system
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Pointing to the constitutional separation of powers, a Leon County circuit judge Thursday refused to order the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity to take steps to fix the states much-maligned unemployment compensation system to process and pay claims. The judge acknowledged that the decision is going to make a lot of people unhappy with me but said he also hadnt seen evidence about how the unemployment system could be fixed. Daniel Nordby, an attorney for the Department of Economic Opportunity, said the agency has sympathy for people who are out of work and have faced challenges in getting unemployment benefits. Cooper pointed to a crush of unemployment claims that the system was not previously designed to handle. The Department of Economic Opportunity received more than 2.21 million unemployment claims from March 15 to Wednesday, according to numbers it posted online.
Mortgage rates are at a 3-year lowhere are 3 questions to ask before you refinance
Mortgage rates hit a three-year low on Friday, August 2, when the average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage hit 3.70%, the lowest they've been since November 2016, according to Mortgage News Daily. If you're considering refinancing your home, your first step should be to figure out if it will actually save you money. Say you took out a $400,000 30-year mortgage 10 years ago with a 4.5% interest rate and have already paid down $80,000 of your balance. If you're able to refinance with a 3.75% interest rate on a 20-year mortgage, your monthly payment would drop to $1,897, saving you around $130 per month. On a deeply seasoned loan, refinancing might result in the borrower owing a significant amount in interest.
cnbc.comYou could save hundreds of dollars per month by refinancing your homehere's how to do it
Decide if it makes sense to refinanceAlthough many homeowners could save money by refinancing, it isn't the right choice for everyone. In order to secure a lower interest rate, you'll end up paying closing costs again, which can include bank fees, appraisal fees and attorney fees, among other things. On a deeply seasoned loan, refinancing might mean that you owe a significant amount in interest. Check your credit scoreYour credit score will help determine how favorable of an interest rate you'll be able to lock down. Decide how to use your savingsDon't let the money you're saving by refinancing go toward lifestyle inflation.
cnbc.comSchool boards try to speed up education law fight
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – School boards and the state are sparring about whether a challenge to a controversial 2017 education law should move quickly to the Florida Supreme Court. Cooper’s ruling led 11 school boards to appeal to the 1st District Court of Appeal. It also set the stage for adding new charter schools -- dubbed “schools of hope” -- that will serve students whose traditional public schools have been considered low-performing. The school boards contend in the legal challenge that the law usurps their constitutional authority to operate public schools. In the filing last week seeking to move quickly to the Supreme Court, the school boards said they need to make decisions about issues such as their budgets.