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FL Sen. Rick Scott letter demands answers from CFP committee over FSU playoff snub: ‘Shocking decision’

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FL Sen. Rick Scott letter demands answers from CFP committee over FSU playoff snub: ‘Shocking decision’

Florida Sen. Rick Scott is demanding answers from the NCAA College Football Playoff Committee after the Florida State Seminoles were left out of the playoffs despite an undefeated 13-0 season.

“Yesterday, for the first time in its 10 year history, the College Football Playoff (CFP) Selection Committee (the “Committee”) made the shocking decision behind closed doors to exclude an undefeated, Power Five conference champion from the playoffs,” Scott wrote in a letter to CFB Playoff Chairman Boo Corrigan after Florida State defeated Louisville 16-6 on Saturday to win the ACC Championship only to fall from 4th place in the playoff standings to 5th thus missing the playoff despite being undefeated.

“The Committee’s decision to drop the 13-0 Florida State University (FSU) Seminoles from its previous 4th-place ranking, and thereby exclude the team from the upcoming playoffs altogether, mere hours after they won the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) Championship game has rightly raised questions among millions of Americans about the integrity of the process employed by this 13-member body, which consists of just five (38%) individuals with relevant experience in coaching or playing football at the collegiate level or higher,” Scott continued. 

“Today, I write to demand total transparency from the Committee regarding how this decision was reached and what factors may have been at play in reaching this outcome.”

FLORIDA STATE’S JORDAN TRAVIS WRITES HEARTBREAKING MESSAGE AS UNBEATEN SEMINOLES SNUBBED FROM CFP

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Sen. Rick Scott (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

The college football world erupted into a fierce debate on Sunday when the top 4 teams who earned playoff berths were announced and Florida State was left out while Texas and Alabama, both who finished the season 12-1, made the playoffs.

Corrigan defended the committee’s decision to leave Florida State out by pointing to the fact that the team lost its star quarterback, Jordan Travis, due to a season-ending leg injury in late November that changed the complexion of the team. 

“Florida State is a different team than they were through the first 11 weeks,” Corrigan said about the committee’s decision. “It was an incredible season. But as you look at who they are as a team right now without Jordan Travis and without the offensive dynamic that he brings to it, they are a different team, and the committee voted Alabama No. 4 and Florida State No. 5.”

FLORIDA LAWMAKERS BLAST CFP OFFICIALS OVER SEMINOLES SNUB: ‘CORRUPT DECISION’

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Florida State Head Coach Mike Norvell issued a statement blasting the committee saying he was “disgusted” and “infuriated” with their decision.

“What is the point of playing games?” Norvell said. “Do you tell players it is okay to quit if someone goes down? Do you not play a senior on Senior Day for fear of injury? Where is the motivation to schedule challenging non-conference games? We are not only an undefeated P5 conference champion, but we also played two P5 non-conference games away from home and won both of them.”

Travis posted on X that he was “devastated” and “heartbroken.”

FLORIDA STATE AD RIPS CFP OFFICIALS AFTER BEING LEFT OUT: ‘THE COMMITTEE FAILED COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY’

Jordan Travis vs Miami

Florida State Quarterback Jordan Travis ( James Gilbert/Getty Images)

“In so much disbelief rn, I wish my leg broke earlier in the season so y’all could see this team is much more than the quarterback,” Travis posted. “I thought results matter. 13-0 and this roster matches up across any team in those top 4 rankings. I am so sorry. Go Noles!”

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The college football playoff criteria used by the committee contains a section stating that “other relevant factors such as unavailability of key players and coaches that may have affected a team’s performance during the season or likely will affect its playoff performance” are considered in the selection process. 

In his letter, Scott wrote that the Atlantic Coast Conference and FSU “have been denied $2 million of revenue distribution” as a result of the decision which is “just a fraction of the total economic impact that playoff contention would have created for FSU.”

“There are countless other concerns and arguments that could be voiced here, but the main issue is the justified perception of an unfair system that has wrongly disregarded the known strengths of an undefeated team over the speculated impact of losing a single player,” Scott wrote. 

“While I doubt the Committee’s decision will be reversed to rightly reward FSU for its hard-fought, undefeated season as the Committee has done for other undefeated Power Five conference champions in recent years, I do believe that total transparency regarding how this decision was reached would do tremendous good for the Committee, the CFP as a whole, and the college football community.”

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Scott provided a list of 10 pieces of information he wants the committee to review and address including written communications between committee members leading up to the decision, notes, recordings, and other information related to the announcement.

Fox News Digital reached out to Corrigan but did not immediately receive a response.

Florida State will square off against Georgia, who many believe also deserved a playoff berth, on December 30. 

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Apalachee High School student arrested for allegedly bringing gun to campus months after deadly mass shooting

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Apalachee High School student arrested for allegedly bringing gun to campus months after deadly mass shooting

The Barrow County Sheriff’s Office said a 14-year-old student was arrested Wednesday after he allegedly brought a gun to Apalachee High School, the same Georgia school where two students and two teachers were killed in a mass shooting in September.

At approximately 2:02 p.m., school resource officers arrested the student without incident.

“The student was cooperative and compliant when encountered by law enforcement officers, and there have been no reports of the student threatening anyone with the gun,” the sheriff’s office said.

The boy, who was not named due to his age, has since been transported to a youth detention center.

GEORGIA SCHOOL SHOOTING SUSPECT ON FBI RADAR SINCE 2023 AS POSSIBLE THREAT AFTER ONLINE REMARKS

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Law enforcement responded to Apalachee High School in Winder, Ga., Sept. 4, 2024, after a mass shooting. (Christian Monterrosa/AFP)

The boy was charged with theft, being a minor in possession of a gun and possessing a weapon on school grounds. 

Officials didn’t say what type of gun was seized or how the child acquired the gun.

BODYCAM FOOTAGE RELEASED OF 2023 INTERVIEW WITH COLIN GRAY 

A memorial to the shooting victims at Apalachee High School entry

A memorial is placed at Apalachee High School to commemorate the school’s shooting victims Sept. 7, 2024, in Winder, Ga. (The Washington Post/Contributor)

In response to the incident, the Barrow County School System canceled Thursday’s classes at the high school and called for a meeting to discuss immediate safety enhancement options.

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“We understand this brings up many different feelings in each of us,” the school system said. “We will update you all following the board meeting tomorrow with any changes regarding school procedures.” 

COLT GRAY PLEADS NOT GUILTY, DEMANDS JURY TRIAL 

Colin Gray (L) and Colt Gray (R)

A Barrow County grand jury indicted 14-year-old Colt Gray and his father, Colin Gray.  (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson/Barrow County Sheriff’s Office)

On Sept. 4, 14-year-old student Colt Gray allegedly opened fire at Apalachee High School, killing two teachers and two students.

Teachers Richard Aspinwall, 39, and Cristina Irimie, 53, and students Mason Schermerhorn and Christian Angulo, both 14, were killed.

Gray has since been indicted on 55 counts as an adult, including 25 counts of aggravated assault. He has pleaded not guilty and faces a maximum penalty of life in prison without parole or life with the possibility of parole if convicted.

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His father, Colin Gray, who was arrested and charged with buying the semiautomatic AR-15-style rifle used in the shooting and giving it to Colt for Christmas, is facing 29 counts, including two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of involuntary manslaughter. He has also pleaded not guilty. 

Georgia is one of 42 states in the U.S. that holds parents criminally responsible for their children.

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I know Pam Bondi personally and she will make an amazing attorney general 

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I know Pam Bondi personally and she will make an amazing attorney general 

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As someone deeply invested in the safety of our communities – as someone who’s lost a baby brother to senseless murder – I’m asking you to join me in full support of Pam Bondi as our next attorney general of the United States. 

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For the past four years, the U.S. Attorney General’s Office has been plagued by partisanship, inconsistent justice enforcement and prioritizing political agendas over public good. From selective prosecutions to eroding public trust, its failure to act independently has undermined the rule of law, creating a perception of bias and deepening divisions within the country. 

With Bondi at the helm, I have no doubt the Department of Justice will usher in a new period of genuine integrity and rise to meet our time’s challenges. Admittedly, one of the reasons I’m so enthusiastic about Bondi’s potential as our next attorney general is her work with the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety.   

DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE SPENT OVER $100 MILLION ON DEI EDUCATION PROGRAMS OVER LAST FOUR YEARS: REPORT

Bondi, who’s been on our advisory board since our launch, has been an active mentor and ally of mine. So, I’ve gotten a front-row seat to how she’ll handle the challenges America faces in combating violent crime and gang violence, addressing the opioid epidemic and safeguarding victims of human trafficking.  

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi speaks during a press conference outside President Trump’s hush money trial at Manhattan Criminal Court on May 21, 2024. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

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Our organization is focused on reducing violent crime through innovative strategies and evidence-based policies, and Bondi’s expertise and commitment to real solutions, and real justice, have made her an invaluable advisor in this effort.  

Bondi’s record speaks for itself. During her tenure as Florida’s attorney general from 2011 to 2019, she transformed the office into a powerhouse for consumer protection, crime prevention and justice reform. She took on powerful interests, negotiating billions of dollars for the economic damages suffered by the State of Florida due to the BP oil spill, including lost tax revenues. In addition, she negotiated settlements to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for the opioid crisis and worked tirelessly to dismantle human trafficking networks. 

For example, Bondi’s leadership in holding pharmaceutical companies accountable was groundbreaking as she secured significant financial settlements that funded treatment and prevention programs, saving lives and giving hope to those struggling with addiction. Bondi also pushed for stronger laws to curb the spread of synthetic opioids, ensuring that Florida was at the forefront of the fight against this deadly scourge. Imagine what she could achieve on a national level with the resources of the Department of Justice at her disposal. 

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She’s been a relentless advocate for crime victims, championing measures like Marsy’s Law to ensure their voices are heard, and their rights are protected. And under her leadership, Florida became a national leader in anti-trafficking efforts, setting an example for other states to follow. Her experience tackling complex issues — from gang violence to synthetic drugs — aligns perfectly with our mission to address the root causes of crime and foster safer communities. 

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With Bondi at the helm, I have no doubt the Department of Justice will usher in a new period of genuine integrity and rise to meet our time’s challenges. Admittedly, one of the reasons I’m so enthusiastic about Bondi’s potential as our next attorney general is her work with the Caldwell Institute for Public Safety.   

What really sets Bondi apart may be her ability to now lead on a national stage. As a former president of the National Association of Attorneys General, she’s already demonstrated her skill in building coalitions and working across state lines to address pressing issues like cybercrime and drug trafficking. She has consistently defended state sovereignty while respecting the balance of power between state and federal governments. This collaborative approach to governance is exactly what we need in an attorney general. 

As someone who has worked closely with her through the Caldwell Institute, I can attest to her passion for justice and her relentless drive to make our communities safer. 

America stands at a crossroads. The challenges we face are immense, but they are not insurmountable. We need leaders who are not only qualified but who also possess the moral clarity and determination to guide us forward. The Honorable Pam Bondi is such a leader. 

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Join me in urging the Senate to confirm Bondi without delay. Our nation needs her leadership, experience and unwavering commitment to the principles of justice. We deserve, and clearly require, no less.  

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Neighborhood rocked by homeless camp triple murder as former police officer calls for government to intervene

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Neighborhood rocked by homeless camp triple murder as former police officer calls for government to intervene

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A triple homicide at a Louisiana homeless camp, allegedly spurred by a stolen bicycle, emphasizes the inherent dangers of these encampments – not just for their inhabitants, but for those in surrounding communities, an expert told Fox News Digital. 

On April 3, 44-year-old Mindy Ann Robert, 33-year-old Marcey Vincent and 53-year-old Warren Fairley were found dead, all shot multiple times, in a makeshift campsite, hidden from view by brush on a vacant lot in Jefferson Parish, the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office said. 

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Crime in these camps is a growing concern across the country, which has seen an 18.1% increase in homelessness in 2024, according to a December report from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Federal officials cited a rising number of asylum seekers, lack of affordable housing and natural disasters as reasons for the increase in homelessness.

“These homeless encampments pose a health threat and a safety threat to the general public,” Mark Powell, a former reserve police officer in San Diego who oversaw the city’s Monarch School for Homeless Youth while on the city’s school board, told Fox News Digital. “It’s the duty, it’s the obligation of our city leaders, our elected politicians, to do everything they can within the law to eradicate these camps and provide the people living in the camps with the dignity they deserve through some type of shelter program.”

LOS ANGELES OFFICIALS STILL ON ‘PROGRESSIVE WARPATH’ DESPITE OVERWHELMING VOTER REBUKE OF LEFTIST POLICIES

Noel Marine faces three counts of first-degree murder and one count of obstruction of justice. (Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office)

In the Louisiana case, Noel Marine, who was known to visit the victims at the campsite, was arrested and faces three counts of first-degree murder and obstruction of justice in their deaths. He is currently being held on $100,000 bail, according to court records.

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Investigators believe Vincent and Robert were homeless and lived at the campsite, while Fairley lived in a home nearby. Robert’s family assumed that she was living in the area because they recently saw her panhandling at a nearby street corner, NOLA.com reported.

“Periodically, other people would stay [at the campsite] and use narcotics,” Det. Ryan Vaught testified during a Nov. 19 hearing in Jefferson Parish Magistrate Court. 

A man who was dating one of the female victims allegedly dialed 911 around 9:40 a.m. when he found the three bodies.

People living in a homeless encampment

People living in a homeless encampment pick up belongings after Louisiana State Police gave instructions for them to move to a different pre-designated location as they perform a sweep in advance of a Taylor Swift concert in New Orleans on Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Marine, 55, became the prime suspect after his fingerprint was also found on a metal folding chair at the site. His fingerprints were in the national Combined DNA Index System due to previous convictions, including four counts of possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute and other drug charges.

He was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty in April 2005, court records show. At the time of the shooting, he was wanted for missing court in a misdemeanor theft case after allegedly stealing from a Walmart in February of this year, according to court records.

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Marine allegedly claimed that he was staying at a friend’s house in Metairie at the time of the shooting, but his alibi was torn open after the friend told detectives that Marine was not there. 

MAYOR ADAMS CALLS FOR THE ‘INVOLUNTARY REMOVAL’ OF PEOPLE WHO ARE ‘A DANGER TO OTHERS’ ON THE STREETS

Mindy Ann Robert

Mindy Ann Robert, 44, was one of the victims of the triple homicide. (Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office)

Although a gunshot was heard in the area around 1 or 2 a.m., according to Vaught, no one saw the killings take place. However, Marine’s friend gave a statement to police after he allegedly confessed to the killings, Vaught testified. 

After he was brought in for a second round of questioning, Marine claimed that another man shot the three victims. He said that he was talking to the man who confronted him at the encampment after Marine stole his bicycle. The other man brandished a gun, and Marine walked into the campsite to retrieve the stolen property, according to Marine, who said he then heard gunfire. 

However, police have not named the man Marine accused, and no one else has been arrested in the homicides. 

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WASHINGTON STATE DEMOCRAT PUSHES TO GIVE HOMELESS SPECIAL CIVIL RIGHTS

Marcey Vincent

Marcey Vincent, 33, was shot on April 3 at the Old Jefferson homeless encampment where she lived. (Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office)

Powell said that the incident is the latest example of why the government has an obligation to regulate homeless encampments. 

“In this instance, three people were murdered. That’s not to say somebody jogging through the park or jogging near the homeless encampment could also become a victim just as easily as this,” Powell told Fox News Digital. 

“It’s the duty of the city. If they’re going to allow homeless camps like this, it’s their duty to make sure that they’re cleaned, that they’re regulated, that there’s some type of law enforcement presence that frequents that homeless camp on a regular basis,” Powell said. 

Warren Fairley

Warren Fairley, 53, worked at a nearby restaurant as a cook, his family told The Times-Picayune. He regularly visited the homeless encampment before he was shot there on April 3, police said. (Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office)

“Not once a month or when they get a call, but they have to have some type of security in there,” he continued. “[Otherwise] you’re going to end up with more of these incidences where there are rapes, murders, there’s assault, there are batteries, there’s a theft, there’s rampant drug dealing – this is what you’ll find in these homeless encampments.”

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“Many people don’t even want to jog through the park because they know there’s a homeless encampment in there, and they’re scared – the people who are committing the crimes are the ones who are controlling the property,” Powell said. “They’re not paying taxes, they’re not doing anything yet. [But] the people who do pay the taxes who do not commit crimes, they’re the ones who are impacted.” 

Fox News Digital’s Alexandra Koch contributed to this report.

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