Tax Holiday Expands to Guns and Ammo

Florida’s new sales tax holiday began Monday, and for the first time, firearms and ammunition are included in the list of tax-free items.

The tax holiday on hunting, fishing, and camping gear now extends to firearms and ammunition through Dec. 31.

State economists say shoppers will save $44.8 million, while state and local governments will lose more than $34 million in tax revenue.

Gov. Ron DeSantis also announced half-price passes at public shooting ranges through the end of the year, tied to America’s 250th birthday and the Second Amendment.

School Vaccine Mandate Details

The Florida Department of Health announced details about a plan to drop school vaccine mandates announced by Florida’s surgeon general last week. The plan includes a 90-day delay before changes take effect and a list of vaccines for which requirements will be lifted.

Mandates for vaccines for hepatitis B, chickenpox, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and pneumococcal diseases, such as meningitis, are scheduled to be lifted.

Officials said that vaccine mandates for measles, polio, mumps, diphtheria, pertussis, and tetanus will remain in place unless updated through legislation.

President Trump questioned the move, saying, “Look, you have vaccines that work… They are not controversial at all. And I think those vaccines should be used; otherwise, some people are going to catch it, and they are going to endanger other people.“

Bystander Shoots 7-Eleven Robbers

A robbery at a 7-Eleven in Dania Beach Saturday night ended when a bystander shot two masked men, killing one and injuring the other.

Cellphone video captured the chaos outside the store as the suspects fled with the cash register in hand before the bystander opened fire—first hitting one robber, then shooting again when the second tried to run him over with an SUV.

Deputies detained the bystander but have not filed charges. The incident has fueled debate over armed civilian intervention and Florida’s self-defense laws.

“In certain situations, I do think you need to leave it alone, especially in a robbery situation,” said area resident Trey Brown. “To hear something like that happened is kind of sad.”

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➤ St. Lucie County: Officials intercepted three vessels off Fort Pierce, seizing 168 kilograms of cocaine and halting a human smuggling attempt with eight Bahamians arrested and 30 Chinese nationals detained. (See Details)

➤ Southwest Florida: Following a joint investigation in Collier and Charlotte counties, the sheriffs’ offices dismantled a theft ring accused of stealing $2 million worth of construction equipment since 2021, with seven suspects arrested and nearly $1.1 million in stolen property recovered. (See Details)

➤ Aripeka: A man fishing with his grandson discovered a mystery shipwreck that he believes to be a rum-runner used for smuggling liquor during Prohibition. The scene is now under investigation by archaeologists. (See Details)

➤ Jacksonville: Firefighters saved a family from a burning home Monday morning. The mother and child are in critical condition, and two others are in stable condition. (More)

➤ Plantation: A doorbell camera caught four gunmen in a stolen Mercedes opening fire on a home. No injuries were reported. The motive remains unclear, and the suspects are still at large. (See Video)

➤ Statewide: NFL and college football seasons are fueling 20–30% sales jumps for sports bars on football Sundays, with Florida’s own Duffy’s Sports Grill drawing crowds to its 28 locations on game days. (More)

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➤  South Florida reportedly tried to recruit a 3-star Florida commit following their upset win over the Gators on Saturday. The prospect rebuffed the Bulls’ offer. (More)

➤ Miami Heat owner Micky Arison was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame this weekend, delivering a playful jab at former Heat player LeBron James during his speech that went viral on social media. (More)

➤ South Florida is now the No. 18 football team in the country per the latest AP poll. Florida State came in at No. 10, and Miami is No. 5. The University of Florida dropped out of the rankings entirely after losing to USF on Saturday. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ NASA awarded a $1.8 billion contract to Florida-based Ascend Aerospace & Technology for Artemis mission support, with contract work set to begin in December at Houston’s Johnson Space Center. (See Details)

➤ St. Petersburg planned a $51 million project to merge the Enoch D. Davis Center and Johnson Library into a 53,000-square-foot complex. The city is seeking a qualified construction manager to oversee the project. (See Details)

➤ Naples Republican Rep. Lauren Melo secured the Associated Industries of Florida’s endorsement in her Senate District 28 race, where she is running unopposed, strengthening her bid to succeed term-limited Sen. Kathleen Passidomo. (More)

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Former Zillow Exec Opens Door to $1.3T Market

Austin Allison sold his first company for $120M. He later served as an executive for Zillow. Both companies reached massive valuations before everyday investors could get in.

“I always wished everyday investors could have shared in their early success,” Allison later said. So he built Pacaso differently. 

Pacaso brings co-ownership to the $1.3T vacation home market, earning $110M+ in gross profit in under five years. No wonder the same early investors who backed Uber, Venmo, and eBay already invested in Pacaso.

Now, after adding 10 new international destinations, Pacaso is hitting its stride. It even reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

And unlike his previous ventures, you can invest in Pacaso as a private company. But you don’t have time to waste. Invest before Pacaso’s opportunity ends on Sept. 18.

➤ Hillsborough County puppies Hope and Spirit, rescued after severe neglect in an animal cruelty case, have fully recovered and are now available for adoption at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay. (See Pups)

➤ Season two of The Golden Bachelor will feature Miami’s Alexandra Tovar, 67, and Miami Beach’s Nicolle Kate, 64, alongside 21 other women as the reality series premieres Sept. 24 on ABC. (More)

➤ King tides are expected to return to Fort Lauderdale this week, bringing the risk of flooding in low-lying coastal areas and along major roads. Officials are urging residents to report hazardous conditions. (More)

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How would you rather watch sports?

1. At home
2. At a bar
3. At the game
4. I don’t watch sports

Thursday’s Results:

What is the best age to retire?

1. Age 50-65: 37%
2. Age 65-70: 24%
3. ASAP: 15%
4. Never: 14%

Where in Florida is the famous Coral Castle located?

Show me the answer