Lawsuit Could Halt Oil and Gas Lease Sales in Gulf

Pensacola, FL (Newsradio 92.3) -- Environmental groups are suing over a planned offshore drilling lease in the Gulf. Earthjustice filed the lawsuit challenging a lease sale scheduled for December 10th for 80 million acres. The groups say the government didn't follow environmental laws. They're worried about endangered whales and pollution impacts on coastal communities. The Trump Administration's Department of Interior says it is following the law. It says an environmental study completed in August addressed these concerns and found them negligible. The department says new oil and gas development will support the economy for decades. The lawsuit wants the sale stopped until the government complies with environmental protection laws.

Six Hurt In Tallahassee Fire

(Tallahassee, FL) -- Six people are hurt after a fire in Tallahassee. It started last night at a student apartment complex called The Social Seminole. There's no word on the conditions of those who were hurt, but Tallahassee Police say they'll survive. There's no word on how the fire started. The TPD says one building was destroyed.

Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick Indicted

(Washington, DC) -- A South Florida politician is facing criminal charges. Democratic Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus [[SHER-fill-us]]-McCormick was indicted yesterday in Miami. The US Justice Department says she stole federal disaster funds, laundered the proceeds and used the money to support her 2021 campaign. The charge dates back to four years ago when Cherfilus-McCormick and her brother got a 5-million dollar overpayment in FEMA funds for the family healthcare company. Prosecutors allege they conspired to steal the money, routed it through multiple accounts to disguise its source and claimed much of it was a campaign contribution. If convicted, Cherfilus-McCormick could get over 50 years in prison.