Good Morning! On this day in 1968, the Florida legislature approved the revised state constitution. It’s been amended more than 100 times since then.
At a press conference in Ochopee on Tuesday, President Trump told Gov. DeSantis they would always be friends. Read more about their tour of Alligator Alcatraz in today’s Top Stories.
Yesterday, we let you know about our editor-in-chief, David, who underwent surgery on Monday, and your response was unbelievable. So many of you responded with prayers, hugs, and heartfelt messages. That outpouring of love must’ve helped: David was released from the hospital last night and is resting at home now. We will be sharing your wishes with David when he is better. We’re so grateful for your kindness, and so lucky you are a part of The Flyover Florida family.
Daytona Beach ⛈️ 84/74° | Ft. Myers 🌩️ 83/76° | Jacksonville ⛈️ 89/75° | Key West ☁️ 86/80° | Miami ⛈️ 86/78° | Ocala ⛈️ 85/73° | Orlando ⛈️ 85/75° | Pensacola 🌤️ 94/74° | Port St. Lucie ⛈️ 86/73° | Tallahassee 🌤️ 95/74° | Tampa 🌩️ 84/76°
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Alligator Alcatraz Makes Friends of Once Rivals
The opening of Alligator Alcatraz migrant detention center in the Everglades on Tuesday served as a high-profile setting for a public reconciliation between President Donald Trump and Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The former political rivals came together in a display of political unity, with Trump praising DeSantis and their renewed personal connection, alongside Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The guest list included several Republicans who had sided with Trump over DeSantis, including candidate for governor U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds and Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson.
The facility was toured in advance of the thousands of criminal illegal immigrants being moved there later that day. Constructed in eight days at the largely unused Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, it is the largest detention facility in the country.
President Trump said he would approve Florida’s plan to expedite deportations by having qualified National Guard members work as immigration judges.
Camp Blanding Detention Center in the Works
A planned immigrant detention center at Camp Blanding in Starke, southwest of Jacksonville, will hold 2,000 people awaiting deportation.
According to a state administrator, construction at Camp Blanding, the Florida National Guard’s training center in Clay County, could start next week after the Independence Day holiday.
Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Director Kevin Guthrie told reporters his agency closed vendor approvals and bidding yesterday.
Because the National Guard is under executive control, the state may be able to proceed without legislative approval, unless new funding is required.
Best Ice Cream in Florida
Coral Springs’ Let’s Chill Homemade Ice Cream was named No. 2 on Yelp’s list of the Top 100 Ice Cream Shops of 2025. It received high ratings for friendly service and fresh, simple ingredients. You can see the full list here.
From donut ice cream sandwiches to scoops topped with shaved ice and boba balls, the list celebrates July as National Ice Cream Month, with Florida having the most top 10 locations of any state.
Plant Love Ice Cream (No. 9) in St. Petersburg features a coconut milk base and 50 rotating flavors to choose from. The Magic Cow (No. 10) in Davie and (No. 96) in Coral Springs is known for its “creamy and rich” handcrafted ice cream.
Other Florida locations on the list include Ice Dreammm Shop in Lutz, Jake’s Ice Cream on Siesta Key in Sarasota, Sampaguita in Orlando, Bright Ice in St. Petes, and Cherry Hill Ice Cream Cafe in Daytona Beach.
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➤Tallahassee: Gov. Ron DeSantis approved 19 more laws dealing with boating crimes, wrongful incarceration, and housing support for in-need students. The governor also vetoed four bills. (See List)
➤ Meanwhile, a new law prohibits Floridians convicted of certain crimes involving illegal marijuana possession or distribution from getting a medical marijuana card. (See Details)
➤Nature Coast: On Tuesday, bay scallop season began in Hernando, Citrus, and Levy counties and runs through Sept. 24. (See Video)
➤Palm Beach: U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said the FBI is reviewing “tens of thousands of videos” that contain “children or child porn” in the former wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein case. (See Video)
➤Pasco County: A Canadian man was arrested for flying to Florida to stalk WWE star Liv Morgan at her home and for leaving threatening messages. (See Video)
➤Central Florida: St. Cloud was named the safest small town in Florida, and the 37th in the nation, by security company Vivint. (See Details)
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➤ Juventus coach Igor Tudor cited the blistering Florida heat as one of the reasons his club lost to Real Madrid on Tuesday. The temperature in Miami was 86 degrees at kickoff, with 70% humidity. (More)
➤Florida State’s new revenue-share contracts have “many issues” according to sports lawyer Darren Heitner, one of which relieves the school’s responsibility to pay student-athletes if they get injured. (More)
➤The Florida High School Athletic Association awarded 12 schools with this year’s Fred E. Rozelle Sportsmanship Award—a distinction given to schools whose athletic teams demonstrated exemplary sportsmanship during the 2024-2025 season. (More)
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➤ Floridians are becoming more optimistic about the current economic situation, according to the latest statewide survey by the University of Florida. (More)
➤ AdventHealth named Abel Biri its new leader for its flagship facility in Orlando, with executive oversight of AdventHealth for Children. He succeeds Rob Deininger, who was appointed president/CEO for the company’s East Florida Division. (More)
➤The Florida Talent Center Data Hub, a new platform developed by the Florida Chamber Foundation, is a tool that gives businesses of all sizes a clearer view of the talent pipeline available. (More)
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➤ A black bear was climbing the I-4 express lanes in Orlando on Tuesday morning. Florida Highway Patrol is looking for the potentially injured bear. (See Video)
➤ An airborne shark knocked a surfer off his board in New Smyrna Beach. (See Photo)
➤ Panama City and Panama City Beach will host Real. Fun. Fourth. for three consecutive nights, July 3-5, to celebrate the Independence Day holiday. (See Details)
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Alligator Alcatraz Makes Friends of Once Rivals
