Good Morning! On this day in 1862, Union troops under Brigadier General Horatio Wright occupied Fernandina Beach, a key stronghold near Jacksonville, during the U.S. Civil War.
Some beautiful sights have unfurled overhead in the Florida sky this week. The blood moon lunar eclipse early Tuesday was followed by a “space jellyfish” early Wednesday morning after a SpaceX rocket launch. Did you see either one? Reply to share your photos with our crew.
These four Social Security changes could affect millions of retirees by shrinking what they can actually spend each month. On today’s The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down higher Medicare premiums and tax rules so you can see what may hit your next deposit before it even arrives. Tune in here!
Later today, keep an eye on your inbox for a dedicated message from our partner Allegiance Gold on how institutions are positioning for 2026 and why gold is part of the shift.
Today’s sponsor, FungaBeam, offers a simple, drug-free light-therapy device designed to target stubborn nail fungus at the source and help restore clearer, healthier nails from the comfort of home.
Daytona Beach 🌤️ 76/65° | Fort Myers 🌦️ 88/68° | Jacksonville 💨 81/64° | Key West 🌤️ 80/74° | Miami 🌤️ 80/74° | Ocala 🌤️ 87/65° | Orlando 🌤️ 85/68° | Pensacola 🌥️ 74/64° | Port St. Lucie 🌥️ 81/69° | Tallahassee 🌤️ 82/61° | Tampa ⛈️ 87/68°
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Florida Mourns Capt. Cody Khork
One of the six U.S. soldiers killed in the Iran conflict was identified as Capt. Cody A. Khork, 35, from Winter Haven in Polk County. Khork served with the 103rd Sustainment Command, responsible for supplying troops with food, fuel, and equipment.
Khork, a 17-year military veteran, was one of the U.S. Army Reserve soldiers killed when a drone struck a command center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, one day after military operations launched in Iran.
Khork enlisted in the National Guard in 2009, then commissioned as a Military Police Officer in the Army Reserve in 2014. He was later deployed to Saudi Arabia in 2018, Cuba in 2021, and Poland in 2024. Khork was decorated with over a dozen medals and awards.
The Pentagon identified three other Army Reserve soldiers as Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens of Bellevue, Nebraska; Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Amor of White Bear Lake, Minnesota; and Sgt. Declan Coady of West Des Moines, Iowa.
Farm Bill Heads to Governor’s Desk
The Florida House voted 94-10 to approve a sweeping Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services bill, sending the measure to Gov. Ron DeSantis for his signature in the next 15 days.
The legislation directs the Department of Environmental Protection to review state-owned lands outside parks, forests, and wildlife management areas that could be sold to farmers under conservation easements.
State Rep. Danny Alvarez, the House sponsor, acknowledged lawmakers’ concerns that environmentally sensitive land remains protected for future generations. He said any land transactions would require approval from the governor and cabinet, ensuring oversight.
The measure bans local restrictions on gasoline-powered leaf blowers, prohibits door-to-door commercial solicitation when posted, and restricts land application of biosolids unless treated to high environmental standards.
The bill reflects the priorities of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson. It has the support of farming and business groups, who say it helps farmers remain competitive while supporting domestic food production and agricultural stability.
Miami Hosts World Baseball Classic
Miami’s loanDepot Park will become an international baseball hotspot tomorrow as the 2026 World Baseball Classic kicks off in South Florida. The city will host five teams for pool play—the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the Netherlands, Israel, and Nicaragua—then host the semifinal and championship games to close out the tournament. See Schedule.
The Dominican Republic’s squad—managed by future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols—features a collection of the MLB’s most talented players. Sluggers like Juan Soto, Vlad Guerrero Jr., and Fernando Tatis Jr. lead a deep team that currently has the third-best oddsto win it all.
A few locals will be playing on their home field. Marlins ace Sandy Alcantaraand catcher Agustín Ramírez suit up for the D.R., and their teammate Javier Sanoja will represent Venezuela. Tampa Bay Rays infielder Junior Caminero will also take the field for the Dominicans, while Rays reliever Yoendrys Gómez will pitch for the Venezuelans.
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➤ Northeast Florida: The St. Johns River Water Management District has upgraded the severity of the ongoing water shortage from moderate to severe. All residents are urged to conserve water as much as possible. (See Map)
➤ Northwest Florida: Gov. DeSantis announced $13 million in grants for infrastructure and job creation projects. The funds will support an aircraft facility in Bay County, a workforce housing project in Port St. Joe, and a dry dock in Gulf County. (More)
➤ Pensacola: Markus E. Hamlett, 46, was indicted in federal court on one count of threat upon the President of the United States after he sent a string of violent emails to numerous agencies about President Trump. (More)
➤ Hillsborough County: The Sheriff’s Office arrested 89 individuals during a multiweek undercover operation targeting suspects seeking to sexually exploit children and purchase sex, resulting in 1,217 felony charges. (More)
➤ Palm Beach: South Ocean Boulevard between South County Road and Southern Boulevard will remain closed until further notice amid the Iran strikes, due to its proximity to Mar-a-Lago. (More)
➤ Pinellas County: A new initiative to safeguard children online and equip families, called Parent ProTech, is now available as an annual free subscription provided by taxpayer dollars. (More)
➤ Volusia County: The county council voted 5-2 on Tuesday to restore $571,926 in arts funding for this year only, ending the cultural grant program process. (More)
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➤ The Miami Dolphins sold a 1% stake in the franchise to Chinese-American billionaire Lin Bin at a $12.5 billion valuation—now an NFL record for a publicly known minority-stake transaction valuation. (More)
➤ Miami-Dade County is expected to receive $1.3 billion in local economic activity as a result of hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup later this year. (More)
➤Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital officially named their sports medicine program after Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov following the Finnish player’s seven-figure donation to the facility. (More)
➤ This doctor-invented tool is giving Seniors their independence back. Millions struggle with weakening grip strength, making everyday tasks harder. The Vital Wrist Ball uses gyroscopic resistance and a built-in counter to help rebuild hand and wrist strength in minutes a day—helping restore confidence, independence, and easier movement without costly therapy. (LEARN MORE)
➤ The House passed a controversial housing bill (HB 399) that reduces local government control over development. Proponents argue it will increase housing supply, while opponents fear it will lead to increased urban sprawl and diminished input on growth. (More)
➤Seacrest Wolf Preserve in Chipley is seeking a stay in the eviction notice ordered by a court on Feb. 23 in the sanctuary’s legal battle against the property owner. The court found the preserve didn’t meet insurance lease requirements. (More)
➤ A Riviera Beach resident has filed a lawsuit challenging the city’s plan to demolish the Barracuda Bay Aquatic Center, arguing officials violated state law when approving a land-use change needed to build a new police headquarters. (More)
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➤ A cemetery in Lutz is attaching QR codes to gravestones, using the technology to honor the lives of people who died decades ago. (See Photo)
➤ America250 has hundreds of events planned across nine time zones, including Florida’s. Here’s a look at what’s in store. (See Events)
➤ A Floridian of 32 years lists her picks for the 12 best state parks in the Sunshine State. (See List)
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Florida Mourns Capt. Cody Khork
