TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— Florida has a new state record after a blue catfish was caught in the Suwannee River.

The 73.6-pound blue catfish is now the official state record, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists.

Blue catfish were originally found in the Escambia and Yellow rivers in northwest Florida, but they can also be found in the Apalachicola and Suwannee rivers.

According to FWC, blues occur in big rivers and in the lower reaches of major tributaries. The catfish prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and can usually be found over sand, gravel, or rock bottoms.

Young blue catfish eat aquatic insects and small fish, but larger blue catfish eat crayfish, mussels, and other fish.

The previous state record was 69.5 pounds.

• Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two new bills to increase protections for animals at an event in Palm Beach County.
• The legislation introduces harsher penalties for animal cruelty, including for adults who involve minors in such acts.
• And new regulations for pet sales require dealers to disclose financing terms and medical records to buyers.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on May 12 signed a pair of bills aimed at shielding pets and animals from acts of cruelty.

One bill (HB 559) increases penalties for animal cruelty by creating new third-degree felony offenses for adults who involve minors in animal fighting, baiting or in sexual offenses. It also requires children who commit violations to undergo psychological evaluations and, if recommended, treatment.

Also, penalties for violations of city or county animal control and cruelty ordinances are increased, from $500 in current law to $2,500 for a first offense, $5,000 for a second offense and $7,500 for a third offense in the new law. The law takes effect Oct. 1.

Another measure (SB 1004) puts new rules and the sale of pets, including financing terms. It requires pet dealers to disclose financing terms to consumers and allows buyers to end financing agreements if a pet has an illness or disease.

Dealers must also disclose veterinarian records and medical history and provide written notice of rights to potential buyers.

There is also a requirement for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to keep a public website listing people convicted of animal cruelty, including their aliases, date of birth, race, counties of conviction, charges, case numbers, dispositions and descriptions of any identifying marks and tattoos.

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was punched in the face after pulling over a van on Interstate 95 in Brevard County near the Indian River County line, according to FHP.

Traffic cameras showed a large law enforcement presence along I-95 near the 166-mile marker on Monday morning.

According to an FHP report, a trooper was conducting traffic enforcement in the southbound lane when he spotted a white 2007 Ford Transit van weaving in the center lane and nearly clipping a semi-tractor-trailer. When the trooper pulled the van over, all seven occupants bailed out of the passenger side and fled west into the nearby woods on foot.

The trooper made contact with one of the men — later identified as Luis Angel Gomez Lopez, 18, of Orlando — who also tried to run toward the woods, the report states.

After Gomez Lopez ignored repeated verbal commands to stop, the trooper deployed his department-issued Taser, striking Gomez Lopez in the back. Gomez Lopez kept resisting, and the trooper deployed a second Taser cycle. During the struggle, both Gomez Lopez and the trooper tumbled down an embankment, the report states.

While the trooper was trying to handcuff Gomez Lopez, Gomez Lopez struck the trooper with a closed fist on the right side of his face, the report states. The trooper was then able to gain control and place Gomez Lopez in handcuffs. A Brevard County deputy helped secure Gomez Lopez in the patrol unit.

Multiple agencies responded to help search for the six men who got away, including the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission K-9 unit, the BCSO Aviation Unit “STAR,” and the Indian River County Sheriff’s Office drone unit. All six suspects were not located, according to the report.

Gomez Lopez was evaluated on scene by Brevard County Fire Rescue, then transported to the hospital for medical clearance before being booked into Brevard County Jail.

He faces a felony charge of battery on a law enforcement officer and a misdemeanor charge of resisting an officer without violence, the report shows.

Anyone with information on the six suspects on the run is urged to call the Florida Highway Patrol.