Aviation Company Coming to Jacksonville

While at the Florida pavilion at the Paris Air Show, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that Otto Aviation is relocating its global headquarters from Fort Worth, Texas, to Cecil Airport in Jacksonville.

The company will invest $430 million to establish a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to produce planes that can travel farther on less fuel than rival aircraft. The move is projected to create 389 high-skilled and high-wage jobs by 2027.

“This new facility will become more than a manufacturing site—it’s the launchpad for the future of sustainable aviation,” Paul Touw, CEO of Otto Aviation, said. “Jacksonville stood out as a city that shares our long-term vision.”

The workforce could expand to 1,200 jobs by 2040 as the company aims to advance production of its Phantom 3500 business jets.

New Hemp Rules in Effect

New rules took effect this week for hemp products sold in Florida, with retailers facing fines and possible shutdowns for noncompliance. The packaging will look different to prevent marketing that may appeal to children.

The Florida Department of Agriculture said it will now enforce packaging, labeling, and marketing standards based on requirements passed by lawmakers in March.

Products must now have child-resistant packaging, no cartoons or images appealing to children, show serving sizes in household measurements, and have a scannable QR code with the product’s testing information.

The law affects online sellers, convenience stores, and smoke shops. Specific color additives are now also prohibited in hemp extract products.

Budget Turkey Watch Report Released

In its annual Budget Turkey Watch Report, Florida TaxWatch has identified 238 questionable spending items totaling $416.1 million in the state’s $115.1 billion 2025-2026 budget.

The Tallahassee nonprofit is urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to scrutinize the earmarks for possible vetoes. It defines “Budget Turkeys” as appropriations that circumvent normal review procedures, bypass public scrutiny, or are added late in the budget process.

The 20-page report lists $799.5 million in projects that merit “extra scrutiny.” One of the largest targets involves 18 projects totaling $134.3 million for university construction.

Lawmakers finalized the state’s budget Friday in an extended session and passed it late Monday after a requisite 72-hour cooling-off period.

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➤ Statewide: On Tuesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office facilitated rescues of Floridians from Israel in a 13-hour operation that evacuated about 1,500 people, mostly Jewish-Americans. (More)

➤ Palm Beach County: On Tuesday, commissioners voted to make Joseph Abruzzo the new county administrator to replace the recently retired Verdenia Baker. (More)

➤ Martin County: A boy who had gone missing while swimming was found clinging to a boogie board about a mile away after being swept out to sea. First responders called it a miracle recovery. (More)

➤ Lee County: After two months of requests for information from the school board, the school district revealed its plans to cut $15.9 million from its budget by making a 5% cut to every department in the district. (More)

➤ Daytona Beach: A man with 12 prior arrests and convictions was taken into custody this week by ICE after his social media posts went viral, criticizing Gov. Ron DeSantis and wishing death to “Trumpers.” (See Photos)

➤ Palm Bay: One week after 3 million gallons of wastewater spilled from a water main break, the city says immediate recovery is complete. About 1.19 million gallons were released into the environment. (See Video)

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➤ Tampa Bay Sun FC wants to build a 15,000-seat waterfront soccer stadium in the city to serve as their home field, the United Soccer League’s headquarters, and a primetime destination for Team USA soccer matches. (More)

➤ The Florida Panthers announced that their Stanley Cup Final victory parade will run through Fort Lauderdale on Sunday. (More)

➤ Jaguars General Manager James Gladstone clarified Travis Hunter’s role for next season, dismissing rumors he would play only offense during his rookie year. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | WNBA | NCAAB | Soccer

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➤ WSP, a Fort Lauderdale engineering and design firm, unveiled its plan to revamp the Southwest 10th Street exit on I-95, which now has drivers going directly from the expressway into local traffic. (More)

➤ Bojangles, a fast-food chain known for its fried chicken, is returning to Tampa Bay for the first time since the 1980s with a new location in Pinellas Park. (More)

➤ Commerce Bank is acquiring Fort Myers-based FineMark Bank in an all-stock transaction worth about $585 million. (More)

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NASA Turns to Hydrogen Fuel Cells for Deep Space Power

Batteries can’t survive the 14+ day lunar night or keep underwater drones running for weeks. That’s why NASA and the U.S. Navy are turning to Infinity Fuel.

Infinity’s regenerative hydrogen fuel cells are designed to deliver long-duration power where traditional systems fail—in areas without oxygen, too cold for normal batteries to survive. These fuel cells have already flown aboard Blue Origin (Jeff Bezos’ company) and are now being built for critical lunar and underwater missions.

With $50M+ in awarded contracts and a new Plug Power partnership targeting terrestrial markets, Infinity is scaling fast. Become an Infinity Fuel shareholder now.

➤ Fort Lauderdale is buzzing with anticipation for the championship celebration for the Florida Panthers. Mayor Dean Trantalis says the parade will most likely occur on Sunday near A1A and Riomar Street, as it did last year. (See Video)

➤ Disney World announced that the Test Track ride at EPCOT will reopen on July 22, after being closed since last year for refurbishment. (More)

➤ The Turtle Hospital, which has been open for about four decades in Marathon, uses ecotourism to help endangered sea turtles in the Florida Keys. (See Video)

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Wednesday’s Results:

Do you like surprises?

1. Only good ones: 44%
2. No: 30%
3. Yes: 26%

What is known as the rock that saved St. Augustine?

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