WAFC Local News – May 29, 2026, 8:32 AM
Transcript
I’m Charles Murphy reporting. Henry County unemployment rose slightly in April from 4.9% to 5%. The state says in March 1,099 residents were unemployed with 21,410 employed and 22,509 in the workforce. In April the county had 1,138 unemployed with 21,499 employed and the workforce at 22,637. Around the region, Charlotte County at 5.7%, Collier 4.6%, Glades 5.3%, Lee County 5%, Broward County 4.6% and Palm Beach 4.5%. Glades County had 233 people out of work in March, 242 in April. Their labor force grew by 20 workers between March and April and the number employed increased by 11 to 4,601 workers. The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office announced Operation Sharkbait taking gang members off the street in Belle Glade. A sheriff spokesman says they made a huge dent in the Knoth Way gang. This is a very significant impact into dismantling this gang but as the sheriff said we’re not done, we’re never done. Our commitment is to continually combat gang violence, not only this gang but any other gangs in Palm Beach County. 13 were charged by prosecutors in the Belle Glade operation. They say the group was involved in many shootings, gun thefts, drugs and years of violence that terrorized the community. The niche ranking for Henry County Schools is out. The district earned an overall grade of C. Academics, teachers, clubs and activities and foods earned a C. Sports administration and college prep rates earned a B-. Diversity earned an A-. Resources and facilities earned a C-. Central Elementary earned a B-. Westside a C+, Country Oaks a C, Eastside a C, Up the Grove a C and LaBelle Elementary a C. 39% of students read at grade level and 34% at grade level in math. The average graduation rate was 73%. The average ACT score 21 and the average SAT 1050. 62.4% of students were on free or reduced price lunch. The student teacher ratio for the district was 21 to 1. The average teacher salary 57,330 and 42.1% of the teachers were in their first or second year in the classroom. The expenses per student was $8,565 with the national average more than double that at $17,834. 69% of the budget goes towards instruction and 27% went towards support services. The South Bay Commission gave a $15,000 bonus to city manager LeAndre Camel. Barbara King was opposed. She says she was unable to participate in the evaluation. Going on at the time and I wasn’t able to participate so at this time I’m just requesting that we table this agenda item and until further time until I’m able to take part in this evaluation. Betty Bernard dismissed King saying she shouldn’t be bossing around city employees. That serving as a commissioner, a CBS team player, carries significant responsibility and accountability under our governing documents. Our code should include specific ground under which a commissioner may be removed from office. She says that King is violating the charter and should be removed. King has been critical of the job performance of Camel, even filing an ethics complaint against him. I’m Charles Murphy, WAFC News.
Recorded from the WAFC daily newscast (Glades Media).