While you were sleeping, we compiled the biggest stories of the day in one place. Each story has a quick and easy summary, so you're prepared for whatever the day brings. Just click on the links if you want to know more!
1. "The time is always right to do what is right:" Local volunteer projects honor Martin Luther King Jr.
In honor of the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, several groups around the Treasure Coast and South Florida will spend the day performing acts of service.
More than 500 Local volunteers will help those in need during a massive day-long outreach event by the Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County. Riviera Beach will be hosting a community clean-up in observance of MLK Day.
Palm Beach Outlets and Feeding South Florida continue their efforts to feed the hungry and those in need. They will distribute food to those in need this morning.
2. Former FDOH analyst Rebekah Jones turned herself in
Rebekah Jones has been an outspoken critic of Gov. Ron DeSantis and his state agencies on social media since she was fired from her post in May after she questioned Florida's COVID-19 data.
Florida authorities investigating an alleged hack into the state's emergency response system raided her home Dec. 8.
"The agent told my lawyer there would be only one charge, but emphasized that speaking out or going to the media may result in police 'stacking' additional charges," Jones said Saturday on Twitter. "All of this just to silence a critic of a governor who failed to do his job and got thousands killed as a result."
Saying goodbye to my family just now is the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.
— Rebekah Jones (@GeoRebekah) January 16, 2021
3. Man accused of kidnapping Pembroke Pines teen arrested in Virginia
According to the PBSO, Jaddier T. Sanchez forced a man, a woman and their 18-year-old daughter Nicole Martinez into a pickup truck and drove them to various banks to withdraw money from the ATMs.
Investigators said Sanchez then drove to Belle Glade, where he left the man and woman on the side of the road. He then left in the stolen truck without releasing Nicole Martinez, who was being held against her will.
Officials say Sanchez has been arrested in Virginia, but haven't released any information about Martinez's condition.
4. The latest on Inauguration: FBI to vet all National Guard troops, VP-elect Harris to resign her Senate seat today
U.S. defense officials say they are worried about an insider attack or other threat from service members involved in securing President-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration.
That concern is prompting the FBI to vet all 25,000 National Guard troops coming into Washington for the event.
Vice President-elect Kamala Harris will resign her Senate seat today. Gov. Gavin Newsom will appoint fellow Democrat Alex Padilla, now California’s secretary of state, to serve the final two years of Harris’ term.
5. Guatemalan soldiers clash with caravan from Honduras
Guatemalan soldiers clashed with migrants from Honduras on Sunday after part of a caravan of as many as 9,000 people was held by authorities near where it had entered the country.
The latest clashes come after two groups of more than 3,000 Honduran migrants each pushed their way into Guatemala without registering on Friday, January 15.
The migrants are trying to cross Guatemala to reach Mexico, driven by deepening poverty and the hope of a warmer reception if they can reach the United States border. However, several previous attempts at forming caravans have been broken up by Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras.
Today's Forecast
Pleasant looking forecast over next week:
Get your complete hour-by-hour forecast here.
On This Day In History
On January 18, 1958, hockey player Willie O’Ree of the Boston Bruins takes to the ice for a game against the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first Black to play in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Remember, you can join Mike Trim and Ashleigh Walters every weekday on WPTV NewsChannel 5 beginning at 4:30 a.m. And you can always watch the latest news from WPTV anytime on your favorite streaming device. Just search for "WPTV."
