Good Morning! On this day in 1947, President Harry S. Truman dedicated Everglades National Park, saying, “Here is land, tranquil in its quiet beauty, serving not as the source of water, but as the last receiver of it.”
San Marco drivers have been stuck in traffic by trains stopping on the tracks during rush hour recently. Some of the commuters have gotten creative, doing their Christmas shopping online and even ordering food from Panera during their hour plus wait. Learn more in Around Florida.
You’ve probably heard of LMNT—maybe even tried it before. But their Lemonade Salt flavor has become a full-blown favorite around our office, and if you haven’t tasted it yet, now’s the time. AND they make great stocking stuffers!
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Jewelry Store Explodes in Eustis
A jewelry and gemstone business blew up in downtown Eustis on Thursday after crews repaired a gas leak outside the store.
The store’s owner, described by a neighbor as an “older woman,” was airlifted to the hospital, and the building was a “total loss.” Officials are not sure yet what caused the explosion.
“The building actually doesn’t have gas service to it that we know of… What we do know is that there everything in the building is electric, and we’re not finding any gas shut offs remains on the building,” Fire Chief Michael Swanson said.
A federal judge in Florida has granted the Trump administration’s motion to unseal grand jury transcripts from the initial federal investigation of Jeffrey Epstein in the mid-2000s.
U.S. District Judge Rodney Smith said a recently passed federal law ordering the release of records related to the cases overrode a federal rule prohibiting the release of matters before a grand jury.
Federal prosecutors in the Southern District of Florida used two separate grand juries during their initial probes in the mid-2000s of Epstein’s alleged sex-trafficking of minors.
In 2005, police in Palm Beach, where Epstein had a mansion, began interviewing teenage girls who told of being hired to give the financier sexualized massages. The FBI later joined the investigation, though it did not result in a criminal prosecution.
Satellite Beach Shuts Down Nativity Display
A couple in Satellite Beach in Brevard County have been forced to shut down their nativity display at their business, Immersive Beach, after city officials informed them that code prohibited any outdoor illumination.
The city cited rules designed to protect sea turtles during nesting season, but owner Emily Verrelli noted that they only began projecting on the building after Thanksgiving, and the images are still rather than flashing bright lights.
“We believe Christmas to be about Jesus, so it was very disappointing when (my husband) found out that he needed to take it down,” Verrelli said. “…We want to work with the city… but perhaps we have an outdated ordinance on our hands.“
Cold weather doesn’t mean you stop needing electrolytes. In fact, winter is when most people quietly under-hydrate, while heaters, dry air, and long work days all take a toll. That’s why our team has been leaning hard on LMNT’s best-selling Lemonade Salt. It’s light, refreshing, and somehow hits even better this time of year.
LMNT gives you everything you need and nothing you don’t: no sugar, no artificial ingredients, no filler. Just a clean, smart balance of sodium, potassium, and magnesium that actually makes you feel better throughout the day.
➤Leon County: The burn ban has been extended through Dec. 10 due to extreme drought conditions. (More)
➤Miami Gardens:Two Florida Memorial University football players were arrested after allegedly violently attacking another student during a dorm room robbery on Wednesday evening. (Details)
➤Jacksonville:City Council Member Joe Carlucci is investigating reports that a train has frequently stopped on the tracks in the San Marco neighborhood during rush hour, blocking roads and causing traffic snarls. (More)
➤ Dade City:Neighbors said bullets from the Dade City Gun Club are landing on their property, endangering their families. “You don’t mistake the sound of a ricocheting bullet,” resident Steven Hobbs said. (See Video)
➤ Statewide: Gov. Ron DeSantis downplayed a potential presidential run on Friday, telling an interviewer, “I’ve got my hands full, man. I’m good.” (More)
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➤The Florida Gators hired Georgia Tech’s Buster Faulkner as their newest offensive coordinator and Kentucky’s Brad White as their defensive coordinator. Both were signed to three-year contracts. (More)
➤Meanwhile, former Florida head coach Billy Napier is signing with James Madison University in Virginia to become their next football coach. (More)
➤ Inter Miami takes on the Vancouver Whitecaps today at 2:30 p.m. in the MLS Cup Final. (More)
➤ Orlando Magic forwards Paolo Banchero and Tristan da Silva took local Orlando kids on a holiday shopping spree in the city. (More)
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Lemonade in winter might sound odd, but trust us—this is the flavor that converted half The Flyover office into LMNT loyalists. It’s crisp, balanced, and makes staying hydrated effortless whether you’re working, traveling, or trying to dodge that mid-day slump.
LMNT keeps it simple: real electrolytes, no sugar, no junk. And Lemonade Salt is a best-seller for a reason. If you’re looking for a clean hydration boost as the weather dries out, this is the one to start with.
➤Universal Orlando is celebrating 25 years of Grinchmas at Islands of Adventure with elaborate Christmas decor and the Magic of Christmas projection show at Hogwarts Castle. (See Decorations)
➤High wire artist Lijana Wallenda is performing in her native Sarasota for the first time since her 2017 fall that broke almost every bone in her face. “Wonderland: Believe” runs at the University Town Center until Jan. 4. (See Video)
➤ Florida Youth SHINE—a group led by people who grew up in foster care and are dedicated to advocating for those who come after them—recently visited the White House for the signing of the “Fostering the Future” bill as they celebrate 20 years of advocacy. (See Video)
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Jewelry Store Explodes in Eustis
