When can consumers sue if personal data is released in a cyberattack? A Jacksonville lawyer explains
The News4JAX I-TEAM found out what Florida law requires to do after a breach and if you can hold them legally liable for negligence for not adequately protecting your data following a ransomware attack at Beaches Energy in Jacksonville Beach.
โCelebration of his lifeโ: Local childrenโs author shares insight on book written about her late firefighter fiancรฉ
A local childrenโs author had the opportunity to read and share insight on her book โMike The Friendly Firefighterโ during a literacy event at the Jacksonville Public Library on Saturday.
โWe are not gonna stop looking for these boys everโ: Family search for missing Georgia fishermen continues Tuesday
Family members of three missing fishermen who disappeared more than a month ago off the coast of Brunswick are feverishly scouring the coasts of St. Johns County. This after debris from their boat was discovered in the water off the coast of St. Johns County Sunday. Monday, the United Cajun Navy, who found the fish box of the boat, posted a photo of a possible life raft seen in the water.
โHe could have killed usโ: Young mother says Dollar General shooter told her to โrunโ if she wanted to live
A young mother recalls the moment she thought was going to be her last when she was trapped in the Dollar General with her 2-year-old daughter with a 21-year-old shooter who killed three people in a racially-motivated attack.
Jacksonville infrastructure gets a fresh set of eyes as new committee has first meeting
Preparing for a new mayor and administration in Jacksonville--transition teams are starting to meet to discuss how to better the city. Mayor-elect Donna Deegan takes the oath of office on Saturday, taking over for outgoing Mayor Lenny Curry. Wednesday โ we sat in on the first infrastructure committee meeting โ itโs a group that covers everything from potholes to police.
The Ripple Effect: How the impact of the historic St. Augustine โSwim-Inโ still echoes today
When Black and white swimmers jumped in together and integrated the Monson Motor Lodge in St. Augustine, owner James Brock was so enraged he grabbed a bottle of acid and threw it into the pool. The fallout from that act is still being felt today.
Slight uptick in people getting COVID vaccine boosters at Jacksonville sites
News4JAX on Wednesday checked in with local hospitals to see what is happening at those locations and went to several testing and vaccine sites to check if more people are taking precautions now because of the omicron variant.
โThe evidence was thereโ: Ahmaud Arberyโs mother backs federal hate crime charges
Nearly a year after a video surfaced showing 25-year-old Black man Ahmaud Arbery being chased down the street of a South Georgia neighborhood, and eventually shot to death, the three men accused in his murder have been indicted on federal hate crime charges.
Could former Bolles QB Mac Jones be highest drafted player in Jacksonville history?
From his days starring at Bolles where he led the Bulldogs to the state finals, to the top of the college football world at Alabama, where the Mac Jones has had quite the football career already. Thursday, he could become the highest-drafted player from Jacksonville.
โKeeping our faithโ: Family offers $5K reward for information & arrest in deadly shooting
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Months after a Jacksonville man was shot and killed in the back parking lot of a Jacksonville drive-thru, his mother says sheโs not giving up hope an arrest will be made. Jonesโ 21-year-old son, Anthony Graham III, was killed near the Checkers off Kings Road in September. The family said itโs offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest in the murder of their loved one. โI miss talking to him everyday, hearing his voice and seeing his smile,โ Jones said. โYou took a lot away from this family and from me as a mother when you killed him.โ
JTA uses retrofitted buses to bring vaccines to Jacksonville senior facility
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Seniors and people with disabilities in Jacksonville lined up Friday to be vaccinated outside their government high-rise. Two retrofitted city buses acted as mobile vaccination clinics for the residents. But the Jacksonville Housing Authority said its senior housing was not included in the effort. Mia Jones is the CEO of Agape Family Health, a nonprofit health center assisting in running a state vaccination clinic on Jacksonvilleโs Northside. Jones said after seeing reports she offered to vaccinate hundreds of seniors living on JHA properties.
Vaccination clinics scheduled at 2 Jacksonville Housing Authority senior high-rises
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Jacksonville Housing Authority officials said Monday that state contractor Agape Family Health will hold vaccination clinics this month at two of its senior high-rises. Agape Family Health CEO Mia Jones has, for weeks, assisted in running the state vaccination site at Edward Waters College. After seeing News4Jaxโs stories on JHAโs senior housing properties, she offered to vaccinate 500 of the authorityโs residents this week. โI was surprised because I thought that all of the senior housing properties had been taken care of with the corporate pharmacies going out,โ Jones said. Otis Bess Jr., 71, is a Vietnam veteran and a resident of JHA senior high-rise Centennial Towers.
Ineligible residents, out-of-staters vie for COVID-19 shots at EWC vaccination site
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Just after 3 p.m. Tuesday, a line started to develop outside of the state vaccination clinic at Edward Waters College in Jacksonville. This line consisted of people who wanted a shot but did not meet any of the governorโs criteria to get one. In the last 5 mins, a worker at EWC said they had 9 shots they need to put in an arm. Ron DeSantis announced in late February that the gym on the historically Black collegeโs campus would become a vaccination clinic. The site started at an allocation of 200 doses a day, but this week, it was increased to 500 a day, according to the CEO of Agape whose company assists in operating the site.
Access to COVID-19 vaccine gives teachers, officers peace of mind
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ K-12 school employees, law enforcement officers and firefighters age 50 and older will be able to get COVID-19 vaccine shots starting Wednesday, according to an executive order signed Monday by Florida Gov. AdโI also do car duty and bus duty after school, so Iโm at the facility, Iโm in the classroom,โ Jones said. โEvery week we get a new email saying weโve got a new case in our school,โ McGurr said. When am I going to get it?โMcGurr said she had been waiting for a while to finally get her COVID-19 vaccine until Sunday when she saw a social media post. According to the public information officer for the Sheriffโs Office, 58 people at the agency qualify for the COVID-19 vaccine now.
Ahmaud Arberyโs mother working to keep promise to son one year after his death
SATILLA SHORES, Ga. โ One year after Ahmaud Arbery, 25, was chased and fatally shot while running in a Southeast Georgia neighborhood, his mother is still working to keep a promise she made to her son at his funeral. McMichael told investigators he went into his house to get his son, Travis McMichael. Within a day of taking over, the GBI announced the arrest of Travis and Greg McMichael for the murder of Ahmaud Arbery. In May 2020, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr requested the GBI open an investigation into the prosecutors who first handled the Arbery case. AdSince the arrests, the Georgia attorney general has appointed the Cobb County District Attorneyโs Office to take over the prosecution of the case.
Ahmaud Arberyโs mom โoverwhelmedโ by Kempโs call to change Georgia law
BRUNSWICK, Ga. โ Ahmaud Arberyโs mother, Wanda Jones, is praising Georgia Gov. Despite losing her son, when she heard what Kemp said, โI was happy.โGeorgiaโs citizenโs arrest law has been in place since 1863. A father and son, Gregory and Travis McMichael, were pursuing Ahmaud and shot him to death. Unfortunately, we lost Ahmaud, but Ahmaud is implementing change,โ Jones said. Jones said sheโs holding a candlelight vigil Tuesday in Waynesboro, Georgia, where her son is laid to rest.
Ex-coronavirus data analyst drops civil lawsuit
Rebekah Jones says she was fired from the Florida Department of Health after she refused to "manipulate" COVID-19 data (Photo: Courtesy photo)TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ Former Florida Department of Health data analyst Rebekah Jones is dropping a civil lawsuit alleging that state law-enforcement agents violated her rights when they searched her home and hauled away computer equipment in December. Jonesโ attorneys filed a notice last week in federal court in Tallahassee that said she was dismissing the lawsuit โwithout prejudice,โ which means it could be filed again. Ron DeSantisโ administration has manipulated data about the COVID-19 pandemic. She was fired last year and set up a competing COVID-19 online dashboard to display data about the virus. The civil lawsuit contended that FDLE agents violated Jonesโ First Amendment rights and due-process rights and conducted an unlawful search and seizure when they searched her home.
NFL draft early entry list has 3 national title-winning QBs
National champion Alabama has five players leaving early after beating Ohio State in the CFP title game on Jan. 11, with All-America quarterback Jones and linebacker Dylan Moses both early graduates. The 30 players with college eligibility remaining after completing their degree requirements had to notify the NFL of their intentions for the draft. Players less than four years removed from high school who have not completed a degree need to be granted special entry to the draft by the NFL. Southern California has the most players leaving early for NFL draft eligibility with six. Stanford and Ohio State matched Alabama with five each.
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 โto 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.
Ex-Florida data scientist Rebekah Jones turns herself in
Be a hero.โFDLE agents raided her home in December, seizing her computers and other data equipment. Ron DeSantis on social media and questioned the validity of the state's COVID data, said in a Twitter statement Saturday that she would surrender shortly. Jones said on Twitter that โthe warrant was based on a lieโ and noted a state agent told her the arrest warrant is unrelated to the December raid. Jones was fired from her post in May after she raised questions about Floridaโs COVID-19 data. After the December raid, Jones filed a complaint in Leon County Circuit Court alleging state police violated her rights to free speech and due process.
Mac Jones wins Davey OโBrien award at College Football Awards
Heisman Trophy winner DeVonta Smith of Alabama is winner of the Maxwell Award as the college football player of the year. Four other Alabama players won awards during the College Football Awards Show. Four other Alabama players received awards during the College Football Awards Show. _ Offensive lineman Alex Leatherwood became the sixth Alabama player to win the Outland Trophy as the outstanding interior lineman. ___More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25
Alabama WR DeVonta Smith wins Heisman Trophy
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)Alabama quarterback Mac Jones didnโt win the Heisman Trophy on Tuesday night, but he had a big hand in helping the player who did. Jonesโ teammate, receiver DeVonta Smith, earned the annual award, given to college footballโs top player. Tebow was a three-time Heisman finalist. Those passing totals rank second in college football, trailing only Floridaโs Kyle Trask (4,283 yards, 43 TDs), a fellow Heisman finalist. Another Alabama alum, running back Derrick Henry, is the only other area player to earn a Heisman finalist spot.
One Good Thing: Theft leads to community giving in Miami
Sherina Jones poses with one of her community refrigerators, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020, in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami. Jones offers free food for the community from a stocked community refrigerator called the Village Freedge. Worried that children were missing meals after COVID-19 closed schools, the 36-year-old cancer survivor used her meager savings to buy her first community refrigerator in August. When one of the refrigerators was stolen just before the Thanksgiving Day turkey giveaway, it was more than a theft. Jones introduced her to a single mom who feeds her kids breakfast from one of the community refrigerators.
Roll Tide! No. 1 Alabama beats Notre Dame 31-14 in Rose Bowl
(AP Photo/Michael Ainsworth)ARLINGTON, Texas โ A truly untraditional Rose Bowl setting, a very common result for Alabama in the College Football Playoff. 4 Notre Dame in a CFP semifinal Rose Bowl played inside about 1,400 miles from Pasadena, California. โI don't think thereโs anything quite like the Rose Bowl, the tradition, the setting, the mountains. 3 Ohio State, which beat Clemson 49-28 in the other CFP semifinal at the Sugar Bowl on Friday night. PERFECT AT COWS HOMEAlabama is 5-0 at AT&T Stadium, with a pair of convincing CFP semifinal wins there.
Boston Celtics Hall of Famer K.C. Jones dies at 88
FILE - In this Jan. 15, 1988, file photo, former Boston Celtics teammates Bill Russell, Sacramento Kings coach, left, and K.C. Jones, Celtics coach, meet before the start of the Kings-Celtics NBA basketball game at the Boston Garden in Boston. Only Russell and fellow Celtics teammate Sam Jones won more NBA championships as players. Jones went, winning was sure to follow,โ the Celtics said in a statement before their Christmas Day game against the Brooklyn Nets. Jones reunited with Russell in Boston to win eight straight NBA titles from 1959-66.
Former Bolles Star Mac Jones named Heisman finalist
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)Alabama teammates Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith along with Clemsonโs Trevor Lawrence and Floridaโs Kyle Trask have been named finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Jones, a former Bolles star and Jacksonville native, and Smith are the eighth set of teammates to be finalists together since the tradition started in 1982. Jones leads the nation in efficiency rating (202.34), completion percentage (76.5) and yards per pass (11.4), with 32 touchdown passes. Jones or Smith would become Alabamaโs third Heisman winner, but first that is not a running back. Iowa State running back Breece Hall was sixth, followed by Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.
Heisman finalists: Tide teammates plus Lawrence and Trask
(AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)Alabama teammates Mac Jones and DeVonta Smith along with Clemsonโs Trevor Lawrence and Floridaโs Kyle Trask have been named finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Jones and Smith are the eighth set of teammates to be finalists together since the tradition started in 1982. Smith is trying to become the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since Michigan's Desmond Howard in 1991. Jones or Smith would become Alabama's third Heisman winner, but first that is not a running back. Iowa State running back Breece Hall was sixth, followed by Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields, BYU quarterback Zach Wilson, Notre Dame quarterback Ian Book and Florida tight end Kyle Pitts.
Florida data scientist sues FDLE after home raided
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ The former state data scientist whose home was recently searched by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement is now suing the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for damages. In the lawsuit, Rebekah Jones denies sending a message from a Florida Department of Health emergency alert system and instead suggests she was targeted by state law enforcement for political reasons. FDLE executed a search warrant on Jonesโ home earlier this month and took her computer, hard drives and cell phone. Johnson said his clientโs IP address could have easily been spoofed and the login credentials for the alert system were available online. The lawsuit also suggests FDLE had an incentive to target Jones because of disparaging comments Gov.
Harris scores 5 TDs, No. 1 Bama escapes No. 11 Florida 52-46
11 Florida in a 52-46 shootout for the Southeastern Conference championship Saturday night. โThe resiliency this team has shown this season to win 11 games is pretty phenomenal.โAfter falling behind 35-17 by halftime, Florida (8-3, No. Alabama had won every game in the pandemic-affected season by at least 15 points until Florida gave the Tide a scare. Florida: The Gators mightโve pulled off the upset if not for some crucial mistakes in the first half. But Florida also had two silly penalties on apparent third-down stops, extending a pair of drives that turned into touchdowns.
FDLE commissioner defends agentsโ actions in raid at home of ousted COVID-19 data curator
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ The commissioner of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement defended his agentsโ actions last week when they served a search warrant at the home of a woman fired earlier this year from her job as COVID-19 data curator. FDLE said its agents waited for more than 20 minutes before Rebekah Jones, suspected of sending an unauthorized message on a state platform, opened the door for officers to serve a search warrant. โDuring that 23 minutes, every hard drive in that apartment could have been wiped,โ said Swearingen.โThey could have been arming themselves. Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who oversees FDLE as a Cabinet member, has doubts. FDLE would not comment on the specifics of the case, saying only the investigation is ongoing.
DeSantis: Florida to receive nearly 180,000 of Pfizerโs vaccines
TALLAHASSEE โ Florida will receive 179,400 doses of Pfizer Inc.โs vaccine in its first shipment from the federal government, Gov. More than half of the vaccines --- 97,500 doses --- will be sent to five Florida hospitals to be administered to high-contact and high-exposure health care personnel, DeSantis said. Thursdayโs video was the first time DeSantis publicly said how many vaccines the state will receive. DeSantisโ office released the video about the vaccines hours after Florida Senate Democrats criticized his handling of the coronavirus. Jonesโ video shows officers brandishing guns and telling Jones to exit the house.
Bodycam shows raid at home of ousted Florida COVID-19 data curator
TALLAHASSEE โ The Florida Department of Law Enforcement released the full body camera footage from the raid at the home of the stateโs former COVID-19 data curator, Rebekah Jones. LINKS: Bodycam video 1 | Bodycam video 2Just after the 8 minute mark of the second video, an officer knocks on the door, while another announces theyโre with the police department. Open the door,โ one officer yells repeatedly while knocking on the door and holding a sledge hammer. After 15 minutes and 23 seconds into the video, Jones opens the door and comes outside with her hands above her head. โDo not point that gun at my children,โ Jones yells.
DeSantis appointee quits over raid on ex-state workerโs home
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) โ A man appointed to a commission that recommends judicial appointments to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has resigned citing the search warrant served on a former Department of Health employee who has criticized the stateโs COVID-19 data. Ron Filipowski announced his resignation from the 12th Circuit Judicial Nomination Commission on Twitter on Tuesday, saying a raid at the home of Rebekah Jones was unconscionable. Agents with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement served the search warrant Monday, saying a computer at Jones's home was used to hack the Department of Health. RELATED: Florida agents raid home of ousted COVID-19 data curatorWhen she did open the door, a camera set up inside Jones's home filmed the agents as they entered.
Alabama QB Mac Jones encourages local Pop Warner team to win it all
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Mac Jones has a message for the Forestview Outlaws. The Alabama quarterback and former Bolles star sent well wishes to the Outlawsโ mitey mite Pop Warner team on Tuesday morning. Go Outlaws and Roll Tide,โ Jones said. Jones was a standout in Pop Warner football at Mandarin Athletic Association before moving on to Bolles and becoming a highly recruited quarterback. The redshirt junior is one of the top players in the country this season for the top-ranked Crimson Tide.
Florida agents raid home of ousted COVID-19 data curator
TALLAHASSEE โ Florida authorities investigating an alleged hack into the stateโs emergency response system raided the home Monday of a woman fired earlier this year from her job as COVID-19 data curator. Jones was fired from her post in May after she raised questions about Floridaโs COVID-19 data. She said Health Department managers urged her to manipulate information to paint a rosier picture and that she pushed back. Agents knocked and called Ms. Jones both announcing the search warrant and encouraging her to cooperate. Ms. Jones refused to come to the door for 20 minutes and hung-up on agents.
Rashida Jones replaces Phil Griffin as MSNBC president
NEW YORK โ Phil Griffin is stepping down as the longtime president of MSNBC, to be replaced early next year by rising NBC News executive Rashida Jones. Griffin, 64, has worked at NBC News for 35 years and has been president of MSNBC since 2008. Jones, who has been with NBC News for the past seven years, is currently chief of breaking news and major events at the network. She just led the network's coverage of the 2020 presidential election and the team preparing Kristen Welker as moderator of the third presidential debate. Cesar Conde, the new chairman of the NBC Universal News Group, has made diversity one of his top priorities.
Jones bolsters Heisman case; No. 1 Alabama beats LSU 55-17
1 Alabama used a slew of explosive plays to run away from LSU 55-17 on Saturday night. Jones threw three of his touchdown passes to Louisiana native DeVonta Smith, who went to the same high school as Louisiana Gov. Smith's first two touchdowns went for 65 and 61 yards to cap three-play, 75-yard drives for Alabama (9-0, 9-0 SEC). Each score pulled LSU as close as two touchdowns, but the Tide answered each with the two deep connections between Jones and Smith. LSU: Visits sixth-ranked Florida in a game rescheduled from Oct. 17 because of a COVID-19 outbreak affecting the Gators.
Black Lives Matter faces test of its influence in election
โBlack Lives Matter saved us, because we had nobody,โ said Jones. Now, BLMโs influence faces a test, as voters in Tuesdayโs election consider candidates who endorsed or denounced the BLM movement amid a national reckoning on race. Enter Black Lives Matter. Across social media platforms, the Black Lives Matter movement boasts a following of millions. โBlack Lives Matter,โ as a slogan, elicited โAll Lives Matterโ and โBlue Lives Matterโ responses from foes.
No. 2 Alabama roars back for 41-24 win over No. 3 Georgia
3 Georgia in the second half of a 41-24 victory Saturday night. โThe goal was just to win the game,โ Jones said. The Tide has won the last six meetings with Georgia, including a 3-0 record against Saban's former defensive coordinator, Kirby Smart. The first two came in the January 2018 national championship game and the SEC championship game the following season. POLL IMPLICATIONClemson hasn't done anything to weaken its claim to the top spot, but perhaps Alabama's decisive win will close the gap some.
Jones throws deep, No. 2 Alabama tops No. 13 Texas A&M 52-24
Briefly threatened early, Jones and the Crimson Tide (2-0) flexed their considerable big-play muscle in the passing game to put away the Aggies (1-1). โOur guys stayed the course and kept competing in the game,โ Alabama coach Nick Saban said. โWe won, so it's a good game,โ Jones said, when asked if it was his best performance. Smith, a converted receiver, emerged as another needed threat in the passing game. Alabama: Any questions about production of the Tide's passing game after Tua Tagovailoa, Jerry Jeudy and Henry Ruggs III have been answered.
Mnuchin: Another round of stimulus payments could hit bank accounts this month if deal is reached
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. โ Another round of $1,200 stimulus payments, federal unemployment relief and protection against evictions are some of the issues lawmakers are negotiating as part of the next federal stimulus package. Lydia Jones said every dollar from the unemployment checks she has received since losing her job in March has been accounted for. That extra $600 that she relied on from the federal government has ended. But studies show between 40% and 68% of people receiving unemployment benefits were making more with the extra $600 every two weeks than they were previously at work. Mnuchin has said another round of $1,200 stimulus payments could hit peopleโs bank accounts this month if a deal is reached.
Fired Florida coronavirus data scientist now publishes her own dashboard
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. โ The woman who raised questions about Floridaโs COVID-19 data after being ousted as the dataโs curator has not stopped publishing statistics related to the novel coronavirus in the state. The Washington Post reported Saturday that Rebekah Jones, who was fired in May, launched a COVID-19 dashboard of her own on Thursday โ Floridaโs Community Coronavirus Dashboard. For example, Jonesโs dashboard shows that more than 85,000 people in Florida have tested positive for COVID-19 since March 1, while the Department of Health Dashboard is reporting more than 77,000 cases as of Monday. On Jonesโs dashboard, the number of people tested is also significantly lower than the official figure. She has, however, suggested Health Department managers wanted her to manipulate information to paint a rosier picture and that she pushed back.