Local Politics
The U.S. House race in Florida's 25th Congressional District, spanning parts of Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties, has shifted from a toss-up to lean Democratic according to major nonpartisan analysts. Republican candidate Scott Singer recently saw $6 million in planned advertising canceled by the Congressional Leadership Fund, though he later secured $6.3 million from a Trump-affiliated super PAC. Incumbent Democrat Jared Moskowitz and Singer debated Tuesday, focusing on Israel policy and antisemitism, while internal polls from both campaigns claim opposing leads. Analysts cite declining national approval for former President Trump and high voter concern over costs as factors influencing the district's political environment.
Local Politics · West Palm Beach, FL
President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump cast their early ballots for the midterm elections on Saturday at the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office in West Palm Beach. The President stated he voted for all Republicans in Florida, where he has endorsed candidates including Rep. Byron Donalds and Sen. Ashley Moody. During the visit, Trump defended a controversial ad by Ohio gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy and discussed his administration's legal challenge to the certification of the U.S. Senate race in Alaska.
Crime · Delray Beach, FL
Casey Anne Smith, 41, of Boynton Beach was booked into Palm Beach County's Main Detention Center on Oct. 22 on 12 felony counts tied to a PBSO investigation into Not Your Bakery LLC, a Delray Beach hemp wholesaler. Investigators allege the company sold THC products exceeding Florida's legal limit while reporting only a fraction of sales to the state, with about $32 million in deposits classified as proceeds of illegal sales over two years. A judge set bond at $20.03 million with GPS house-arrest conditions; hearings are scheduled Nov. 21 and Dec. 17. The charges are allegations and Smith is presumed innocent.
Community News · Palm Beach County
A new quantum-safe network segment linking Florida Atlantic University's Boca Raton campus and Palm Beach State College went live on Oct. 15. The connection uses quantum key distribution over Palm Beach County's dark fiber infrastructure, funded by a $1 million defense grant from FloridaCommerce. This milestone marks the first working piece of a planned statewide quantum-safe network intended to secure sensitive research data against future cyber threats.
Crime · Boca Raton, FL
Andrew Joseph Inserra, 42, of Fort Lauderdale is charged with stalking, trespass in a structure and harassing telephone calls related to a June 2 incident at a Boca Raton woman's apartment, according to Palm Beach County court records. Prosecutors filed misdemeanor counts Oct. 6 despite police recommending felony charges including burglary, aggravated stalking and falsely impersonating a police officer. Inserra pleaded not guilty Oct. 22 after being booked on the warrant Oct. 21; bond was set at $1,000 per count with no-contact orders issued. The case is set for a disposition hearing Nov. 2 at 8:30 a.m. in Palm Beach County Court. Charges are allegations, not convictions.
