HOV Lanes Eliminated

As part of a statewide transportation overhaul, all designated HOV lanes will function as standard travel lanes for all vehicles. This shift makes Florida one of only a few states that do not adhere to federal regulations defining high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes.

Florida repealed the state law overseeing HOV lanes effective July 1. Vehicles with multiple passengers are no longer required to drive in the specially marked lanes during weekday morning and evening rush hours, facing a $158 fine.

Changes include eliminating which vehicles can use these lanes. Before July, single drivers with hybrids and electric cars could use the HOV lanes and bypass the carpool rules with a special decal. Decals will no longer be issued.

2024 Crash Report Reveals Safest/Deadliest Counties

The Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles recorded over 380,000 collisions last year, marking a modest decline for the third consecutive year. Despite the best seat belt usage numbers in a decade, fatal wrecks totaled 2,979.

Florida’s 2024 crash report reveals Jefferson County had the highest fatal crash rate per capita, while Liberty County earned the title of safest, with zero traffic deaths.

Miami-Dade County saw the most deadly crashes, but Jefferson County proved deadliest when population is considered, posting 7.27 fatal collisions for every 10,000 residents.

In 2025, more than 173,000 crashes and 1,312 fatalities have been recorded thus far.

Florida No Longer a Retirement Mecca

Based on a June analysis of Census data from 2013 to 2023, Florida does not rank among the top 10 states with the highest move-in rates for seniors. Wyoming, South Carolina, and Idaho secured the top three spots.

Traditional retirement states are unpopular with Baby Boomers, sometimes called the “Me Generation.” More Boomers are said to be building retirement playgrounds instead of helping to raise the next generation. Three times as many wealthy Boomers (45%) as Millennials (15%) say they want to enjoy their wealth rather than pass it to the next generation.

The report concludes that today’s retirees want “fewer neighbors and more nature.” Several popular retirement states have populations and population densities that are below the national average.

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➤ Okaloosa County: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a death warrant for Edward J. Zakrzewski II, convicted of murdering his wife and two children in 1994. Zakrzewski’s execution is scheduled for July 31, marking the ninth Florida death warrant this year. (See Video)

➤ Sanford: A lightning strike during Friday’s thunderstorms destroyed the firework equipment ahead of the city’s Star Spangled Banner Fourth of July celebration, igniting all of the explosives. (See Video)

➤ Pinellas County: A family of three was struck by lightning while under an umbrella at the beach on Friday. A 17-year-old girl was taken to Tampa General Hospital. (More)

➤ Escambia County: The animal shelter is offering free cat and dog adoptions through July 19 for cats and dogs one year or older. Puppies are available for $50, and kittens are $25. An $11 licensing fee will be applied to all adoptions. (More)

➤ Volusia County: Fifty-five people were evacuated from a bus after it caught fire Saturday on I-95. (See Photos)

➤ Hillsborough County: Hillsborough Community College rebranded to Hillsborough College, including a refreshed visual identity, updated signage across campuses, and new digital assets. (More)

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➤ Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Brandon Lowe tied the team’s franchise record for longest hitting streak after reaching 20 games on Saturday. (More)

➤ Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa was ranked No. 91 on the NFL’s list of the top 100 players, voted on by the players themselves. (More)

➤ The Orlando Magic have hired veteran NBA coaches Joe Prunty and God Shammgod. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | WNBA | Soccer | Wimbledon | PGA | F1 | NASCAR | INDY

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➤ Chuck E. Cheese launched an adult-focused Chuck’s Arcade in St. Petersburg as part of a national expansion of 10 nostalgic arcades. (See Video)

➤ Eastern Shipbuilding Group, based in Panama, will build three new hybrid electric ferries for Washington State. It’s the first time in over 50 years that Washington is contracting with an out-of-state shipyard to build new vessels. (More)

➤ A JetBlue flight deplaned after traveling off the taxiway at Orlando International Airport on Friday. (More)

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➤ Venice’s Tom Luciano was crowned champion at the 13th annual July 4th Key Lime Pie Eating Championship in Key West. (See Video)

➤ Miss Florida 2025 was crowned recently. Ribault High School alum and recent University of Florida graduate Paris Richardson, competing as Miss Gainesville, took home the crown. (See Photo)

➤ Indian River County celebrated its centennial with a time capsule to be opened in 2125, including a letter from the governor, memorabilia to honor the county’s first sheriff, and more. (See Details)

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Have you read the Declaration of Independence?

1. Parts of it
2. All of it
3. No
4. Can’t remember

Sunday’s Results:

Which MLB team do you follow?

1. Not a baseball fan: 25%
2. Other: 20%
3. Tampa Bay Rays: 16%
4. NY Yankees: 14%
5. Atlanta Braves: 13%
6. Miami Marlins: 12%

What movie set during the space race of the 1960s highlights a fake moon landing at Kennedy Space Center?

Show me the answer