Kathy Laskowski

Fort Lauderdale

Director of Content, Politics and Health News at South Florida Sun Sentinel

Long-time South Florida journalist. Interested in the world, from a local point of view. I want to know your story. Mine? Beach bum. Avid reader.

Articles

Here are the 2025 winners of the Sun Sentinel’s annual high school journalism contest

1 month ago | sun-sentinel.com | Kathy Laskowski

For about 30 years, the South Florida Sun Sentinel has honored the best high school journalists. Students from 15 schools in Broward and Palm Beach counties entered the annual contest with material published in the 2024-25 school year. Congratulations to the young journalists of tomorrow.
FSU issues ‘shelter in place’ notice on Tallahassee campus after active shooter report

1 month ago | sun-sentinel.com | Kathy Laskowski

TALLAHASSEE — Police are responding to Florida State University early Thursday afternoon after reports of an active shooter on campus. A shelter-in-place notice was issued by the university while an investigation was underway. The school sent this message at 12:19 p.m. to staff and students: “This is a Emergency Message for Florida State University Tallahassee Campus. Continue to shelter in place. Police have responded to an active shooter call at the Student Union.
Man accused of killing mother, 3 children at Pembroke Park apartment has died

2 months ago | sun-sentinel.com | Kathy Laskowski

PEMBROKE PARK — The man accused of killing a mother and her three children, gravely injuring a fourth child, before turning the gun on himself has died. On Monday, the Broward Sheriff’s Office issued a statement saying Stephen McKenzie, 34, of Hallendale Beach, was prounounced dead in a local hospital on Thursday. McKenzie is accused of killing Julie Cruz, 32, and the children Xion Solomon, 11; Nova McKenzie, 2; and Emery McKenzie, 2, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
DeSantis wants to stop ‘unwarranted’ inspections of Florida boaters

Feb 12, 2025 | sun-sentinel.com | Kathy Laskowski

Gov. Ron DeSantis wants the Legislature to halt law-enforcement officers from using boat-safety inspections as a pretense for “intrusive” checks of “people that are acting responsibly” on Florida waters. DeSantis’ proposal would require a change in a state law that allows law-enforcement officers to pull over boaters for safety inspections when no probable cause or suspected violations have occurred.
South Florida Sun Sentinel is looking for 2025 summer interns

Oct 29, 2024 | sun-sentinel.com | Kathy Laskowski

Real-world experience from Day 1 is what interns can expect when they join the award-winning South Florida Sun Sentinel newsroom staff. Interns instantly become valued staff members in one of the nation’s most competitive news markets, covering breaking news stories like appearances of former President and current candidate Donald Trump, Florida hurricanes or the increasing threat of urban flooding, or the Florida Panthers’ first Stanley Cup.
U.S. Supreme Court won’t hear Florida cop killer’s appeal

Oct 11, 2024 | flcourier.com | Kathy Laskowski

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to take up an appeal by a man sentenced to death for killing an Orlando police officer in 2017. The Supreme Court, as is common, did not explain its decision for turning down a petition filed by an attorney for Markeith Loyd, who was convicted in the murder of police Lt. Debra Clayton. Loyd shot Clayton after she spotted him in a Walmart store while he faced an arrest warrant in the murder of Sade Dixon, who had been pregnant with his child.
US Supreme Court won't hear Florida cop killer's appeal

Oct 7, 2024 | sun-sentinel.com | Kathy Laskowski

Florida voters are about to choose whether to expand abortion access. What does Amendment 4 really say and do?
US Supreme Court won’t hear Florida cop killer’s appeal

Oct 6, 2024 | gazettextra.com | Kathy Laskowski

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to take up an appeal by a man sentenced to death for killing an Orlando police officer in 2017. The Supreme Court, as is common, did not explain its decision for turning down a petition filed by an attorney for Markeith Loyd, who was convicted in the murder of police Lt. Debra Clayton. Loyd shot Clayton after she spotted him in a Walmart store while he faced an arrest warrant in the murder of Sade Dixon, who had been pregnant with his child. kAm%96 A6E:E:@?
US Supreme Court won’t hear Florida cop killer’s appeal

Oct 6, 2024 | union-bulletin.com | Kathy Laskowski

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday refused to take up an appeal by a man sentenced to death for killing an Orlando police officer in 2017. The Supreme Court, as is common, did not explain its decision for turning down a petition filed by an attorney for Markeith Loyd, who was convicted in the murder of police Lt. Debra Clayton. Loyd shot Clayton after she spotted him in a Walmart store while he faced an arrest warrant in the murder of Sade Dixon, who had been pregnant with his child.
Tropical Storm Joyce forms, joins Hurricane Isaac in the open Atlantic

Sep 25, 2024 | sun-sentinel.com | David Schutz |Angie DiMichele |Kathy Laskowski

As Florida and the southeast U.S. assess the destruction from Hurricane Helene, Tropical Storm Joyce has formed and joins Hurricane Isaac in the open Atlantic. As of 11 a.m. Friday, Joyce formed with 40 mph winds in the open Atlantic, posing no hazards to land. It’s about 1,300 miles east of the Northern Leeward Islands, moving northwest at 13 mph. Tropical storm force winds extend up to 70 miles from the center.