Florida
Florida teacher’s job status on hold for using student’s “preferred name”
A teacher in Florida has been told she won’t have her contract extended “until the issue is resolved with the state” after she referred to a child be their preferred name, rather than legal their legal name, without parental consent.
In response, more than 10,000 people have signed a petition calling for Melissa Calhoun, a teacher with more than a decade of experience, to keep her job at Satellite High School.
Newsweek contacted Satellite High School via email and Brevard Public Schools by phone for comment on Thursday.
Why It Matters
In July 2023, the Florida Legislature passed House Bill 1069, aimed at “woke gender ideology,” which among other things banned public school employees from referring to a student by a “personal title or pronouns that do not align with the person’s sex.”
In response, the Florida State Board of Education introduced a rule requiring parental consent for parents to use any name for a student other than their legal name.
AP Photo/Lynne Sladky
What To Know
In a statement, Brevard Public Schools chief strategic communications officer Janet Murnaghan said they had been contacted by a parent who complained that their child was being referred to “by a name other than their legal name” by Calhoun.
In response, it launched an investigation, with Calhoun admitting to the district that she “knowingly did not comply” with the rule on needing parental consent to change names in response to which she “received a letter of reprimand.”
Calhoun is on a 10-month contract that ends in May, and the district decided not to renew it “until the issue is resolved with the state.”
Prior to joining Satellite High School, Calhoun taught at neighboring DeLaura Middle School for 11 years.
As of 10:47 a.m. ET on Thursday, some 10,242 people had signed a petition on the Change.org website calling on Brevard Public Schools to “Reinstate Ms. Calhoun.”
The petition said Calhoun was being “punished merely for showing respect to a student’s choices,” adding that she “is an embodiment of what proper education should be: inclusive, understanding, and respectful of individuality.”
Florida House Bill 1069 also resulted in a number of books being removed from school libraries in the state because they allegedly contained inappropriate content for children, sparking condemnation from author Stephen King.
What People Are Saying
Kristine Staniec, another Satellite High School employee, at a school board meeting on Tuesday: “The teacher made a difference in her classroom and in the lives of our students, including my own child. She deserved more than a quiet exit. She deserved fairness, context and compassion.
“There was no harm, no threat to safety, no malicious intent, just a teacher trying to connect with a student.”
Joanna, one of those who signed the Change.org petition in support of Calhoun, wrote: “I extend my strongest recommendation for the reinstatement of Melissa Calhoun at Satellite High School. I have known her since she was 16 as a student in my classroom, and I have watched her flourish as a teacher in her adulthood, from her work at DeLaura Middle School where she inspired so many young people including our son, to her work at Satellite High School where she has not only poured her heart into teaching but also to developing strong bonds with students and their families. She truly is the best of the best. Please reinstate her. It is unquestionably the right thing to do.”
Brevard Public Schools chief strategic communications officer Janet Murnaghan, i “Brevard Public Schools (BPS) was made aware that a teacher at Satellite High School had been referring to a student by a name other than their legal name, without parental permission when the parent reached out to us. This directly violates state law and the district’s standardized process for written parental consent…
“After the accusation was made, the district conducted a detailed investigation. Based on the teacher’s own admission that she knowingly did not comply with state statute she received a letter of reprimand. Teachers, like all employees, are expected to follow the law.
“The teacher is working under a ten-month contract that expires in May 2025. Since the state will be reviewing her teaching certificate based on these actions, the district decided not to renew the annual contract until the issue is resolved with the state.”
What Happens Next
Considering the support Calhoun has attracted, Brevard Public Schools will come under significant pressure to extend her contract at Satellite High School.
Fishback is among 42 candidates running to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis.
VERO BEACH — Over 100 people, mostly young men, packed a conference room the evening of April 11 at the Ocean Breeze Inn on Ocean Drive to hear James Fishback speak.
The 31-year-old who has never held political office is one of 42 candidates running to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who cannot seek reelection because of term limits.
As soon as he took the podium, the Republican gubernatorial hopeful took jabs at the leading Republican candidate, Byron Donalds, who has the support of President Donald Trump.
He rattled off nicknames for Donalds, who is Black, including “By’rone Donalds” and “AIPAC Shakur” — a play on the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and rapper Tupac Shakur.
Many in the mostly White crowd responded in laughter.
“If you want a data center in Vero Beach, Byron Donalds is your guy. If you want to stand up for cattle ranchers and citrus growers, I’d like to think I’m your man,” he said.
Emerson College polling shows Fishback is trailing with 5% support among Florida Republicans. He is getting national attention from young conservatives and far-right groups, including his January appearance on conservative political activist and commentator Tucker Carlson’s podcast. Carlson endorsed him.
Candidate qualifying in Florida begins June 8. The primary election is Aug. 18.
Florida’s affordability crisis
Audience members most frequently asked Fishback about the state’s affordability crisis, given Florida’s rising cost of living and some of the lowest wages in the country.
Fishback said his primary strategy would be to ban private equity firms from buying single-family homes.
If elected governor, he said he would not prioritize growth over quality of life, harkening back to the 1980s, when Florida was less developed.
“I will never worship GDP (gross domestic product),” he said. “But as a Christian, I will worship G-O-D.”
Education, abortion and guns
As for teachers, Fishback proposed an increase in pay but wanted to limit classroom discussions of race and gender identity.
Fishback said abortion laws in Florida were too lax, and he pledged to provide paid maternity leave for every woman in Florida as a way to reduce the procedure.
On firearms, he said he would lower the minimum purchasing age from 21 to 18.
“The tragedy of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Feb. 14, 2018, and the killing of 17 souls by a sick, depraved man should have never been used as a pretext to disarm millions of 18-, 19- and 20-year-olds.”
The crowd erupted in its loudest applause of the evening.
Fishback’s thoughts on Israel
When an audience member asked about his thoughts on Israel, some members of the audience chuckled.
He said he does not “hate Israel or any country in the world.”
“Right now, our cup is not full, and we should not be in the business of filling up the cup for anyone else,” he said.
Who is James Fishback?
Fishback was born in Davie, a town in western Broward County.
His mother immigrated from Colombia, and his father owned a landscaping business and later became a bus driver. Fishback attended Georgetown University to study international economics, but dropped out sophomore year.
Before entering politics, Fishback worked at the hedge fund Greenlight Capital from 2021 to 2023. He said he had been the “head of macro,” but the firm said the highest role he obtained was a research analyst.
After Greenlight disputed Fishback’s title and accused him of sharing confidential portfolio information, the hedge fund sought to fire Fishback for low productivity, but he abruptly resigned, court records show.
He founded an investment management firm called Azoria Partners in 2023, which ran into legal trouble last year when a judge ordered him to turn over company stock and a list of luxury purchases.
Fishback also claimed to be an advisor for the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), but its officials denied he had any role, Katie Miller, a spokesperson for DOGE head Elon Musk told ABC News.
Most recently, a viral video shows Fishback telling a Black man he “should be lynched” during an argument at the University of North Florida.
Jack Lemnus is a TCPalm enterprise reporter. Contact him at jack.lemnus@tcpalm.com, 772-409-1345, or follow him on X @JackLemnus.
The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.
Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Saturday, April 11, 2026.
Winning Powerball numbers from April 11 drawing
06-47-49-53-60, Powerball: 06, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from April 11 drawing
01-04-22-36-48, Powerball: 17
Winning Florida Lotto numbers from April 11 drawing
03-06-09-20-29-35
Check Florida Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from April 11 drawing
07-29-36-39-42-50
Check Lotto Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 11 drawing
Midday: 22-25-27-31-34
Evening: 10-12-16-17-26
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 11 drawing
Morning: 02
Matinee: 04
Afternoon: 01
Evening: 08
Late Night: 14
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 11 drawing
Midday: 1-4, FB: 9
Evening: 6-2, FB: 1
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 11 drawing
Midday: 9-3-6, FB: 9
Evening: 0-5-3, FB: 1
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 11 drawing
Midday: 2-6-8-9, FB: 9
Evening: 3-0-2-7, FB: 1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 11 drawing
Midday: 2-5-4-2-9, FB: 9
Evening: 2-3-5-3-4, FB: 1
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
- Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
- Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
Florida law requires public disclosure of winners
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
- Full name
- City of residence
- Game won
- Date won
- Amount won
- Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.
When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.
Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Friday, April 10, 2026.
Winning Mega Millions numbers from April 10 drawing
03-18-36-42-49, Mega Ball: 06
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Jackpot Triple Play numbers from April 10 drawing
13-18-21-28-35-38
Check Jackpot Triple Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 10 drawing
Midday: 11-16-27-31-35
Evening: 12-13-14-19-24
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 10 drawing
Morning: 12
Matinee: 04
Afternoon: 02
Evening: 03
Late Night: 05
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 10 drawing
Midday: 7-8, FB: 0
Evening: 1-6, FB: 7
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 10 drawing
Midday: 8-0-6, FB: 0
Evening: 5-1-8, FB: 7
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 10 drawing
Midday: 6-7-1-2, FB: 0
Evening: 4-3-9-0, FB: 7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 10 drawing
Midday: 7-5-1-2-1, FB: 0
Evening: 1-7-9-4-3, FB: 7
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
- Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
- Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
Florida law requires public disclosure of winners
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
- Full name
- City of residence
- Game won
- Date won
- Amount won
- Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.
When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
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