SUNRISE, Fla. – Florida Panthers President of Hockey Ops. & General Manager Bill Zito announced today that the club has agreed to terms with defenseman Nate Schmidt on a one-year contract.

“Nate is a veteran puck-moving defenseman who we expect to seamlessly integrate with our style of play,” said Zito. “We are excited to welcome him to our club in 2024-25.”

Schmidt, 32, skated in 63 games with the Winnipeg Jets in 2023-24, producing 14 points (2-12-14) and a plus-10 rating.

The 6-foot, 192-pound native of St. Cloud, Minn., has competed in 661 career games across 11 NHL seasons between the Washington Capitals (2013-14 to 2016-17), Vegas Golden Knights (2017-18 to 2019-20), Vancouver Canucks (2020-21) and Winnipeg (2021-22 to 2023-24), amassing 220 points (47-173-220) and a plus-102 rating.

In the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Schmidt has compiled 28 points (7-21-28) over 76 career contests, helping Vegas reach the 2018 Stanley Cup Final and 2020 Western Conference Finals.

Schmidt also skated in 65 American Hockey League (AHL) games with Washington’s affiliate, the Hershey Bears, from 2012-13 to 2014-15. He led all AHL blueliners with four goals in the 2015 Calder Cup playoffs.

Undrafted, Schmidt played three seasons (2010-11 to 2012-13) with the University of Minnesota Golden Gophers (NCAA), producing 74 points (12-62-74) in 96 games. He was named to the WCHA First All-Star Team in 2012-13 and WCHA Second All-Star Team in 2011-12, leading Gophers blueliners in points in each of his final two campaigns.

The Florida Panthers are 2024 Stanley Cup Champions! 2024-25 Florida Panthers Territory Memberships are on sale now! Territory Members receive exclusive benefits, savings and access to special events as a Season Ticket Territory Member. Visit FloridaPanthers.com/Memberships to learn more, call the PUCK line (954.835.PUCK) or fill out this interest form to be contacted by a dedicated member of our team.

Burglars are targeting firefighters in Central Florida. According to officials, criminals are breaking into firefighter’s cars while they are on shift.

“It’s unconscionable, it’s criminal and it’s preying on folks that are literally taking an oath and willing to give their life to help serve the community,” John Westmoreland of Orange County Fire Rescue said. “The thought of their vehicles being broken into it’s sickening, and it’s maddening.”

Three fire stations in Orange County were targeted between June 30 and July 1: OCFRD Station 34 (4000 Winter Garden Vineland Road), OCFRD Station 44 (14230 Reams Road), and OCFRD Station 33 (1700 S. Apopka Vineland Road).

According to the Seminole County Fire Department, two of their stations (Stations 12 & 14) were hit on July 1.

“These crimes have been happening after midnight,” Westmoreland said. “There’s some indication that we’ve had some false calls and then the break-ins occurring afterwards.”

It’s a trend nationwide, according to Westmoreland. Over the last six months, a rash of similar incidents have been reported in Tennessee, South Carolina, Georgia, Missouri, and Colorado.

Last year, FOX 35 reported half a dozen other instances of car burglaries targeting firefighters again in Orange and Seminole counties. That was when Seminole County firefighter John Baker had a gun stolen from his truck.

Now, stations in Seminole and Orange counties are taking steps to improve or reinforce security measures.

Most fire stations do have security cameras. There is no word yet on whether any of the burglaries were caught on camera.

FOX 35 was told no guns were reported stolen from the Seminole County stations. We’re still waiting to hear back from Orange County regarding the same question. 

MICANOPY, Fla. (WCJB) -The state of Florida now requires strippers to be at least 21 years of age.

A lawsuit filed by Serenity Bushey, “Cafe Risque”, and two other adult establishments claims the new law violates their First Amendment and equal protection rights.

Bushay’s attorney, Gary Edinger, says the law is unconstitutional.

“The idea that adult residents of the state of Florida don’t have the same rights as people who are a couple of years older than them… it doesn’t make any sense under the constitution.”

The federal suit claims at least nine women under the age of 21 perform at “Cafe Risque” and have since lost their jobs.

Edinger says the law doesn’t only apply to strippers at adult entertainment clubs.

“So whether they are performers, or cooks, or DJs, or security, they can no longer be employed,” he stated. “And that affects what you might think of as strip clubs, it affects adult theaters, and also adult retail stores.”

He also tells TV20 that the consequences are high stakes.

“If someone slips by with a particularly good fake ID that club is strictly liable,” he added. “If it’s a nude club such as ‘Cafe Risque’ in Micanopy that’s a third-degree felony, that means someone’s going to jail for that…”.

Edinger and Bushey are asking for attorney fees and calling for a permanent injunction on the law.

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