Florida’s Redistricting Special Session to Begin

Florida’s legislature will convene a special session Tuesday to redraw the state’s congressional map, a mid-decade push by Gov. Ron DeSantis that could reshape control of the U.S. House heading into the 2026 midterms.

Republicans currently hold a 20-8 advantage in Florida’s congressional delegation, and DeSantis is expected to unveil a new map targeting roughly three additional right-leaning districts. 

However, the road is legally complicated: Florida’s Fair Districts amendment limits partisan map-drawing, and any new boundaries must navigate a prior state Supreme Court ruling. 

With Republicans defending a razor-thin House majority, the outcome in Tallahassee could prove decisive for which party controls Congress through the final two years of President Trump’s term.

Nine New Laws Signed

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed nine new laws Thursday covering firearms in places of worship, body cameras, stiffer penalties for unlicensed drivers, and expanded property privacy protections.

House Bill 35 revises the term “habitual traffic offender” to add the offense of driving without a valid license, after which a person can be prosecuted for a third-degree felony for driving a motor vehicle.

Senate Bill 52 allows trained, armed volunteers to provide security at places of worship without holding a professional security license, as long as several conditions are met.

In addition, HB 4037 changes term limits and electoral districts for the governing board of the Pasco County Mosquito Control District.

Honor Flight Brings Veterans Home

Gulf Coast Vietnam and Korean War veterans touched down at Pensacola International Airport on Friday to a welcome they never got the first time—hundreds of cheering supporters, ROTC cadets, the Santa Rosa Marching Band, and a community determined to right a decades-old wrong.

The homecoming was organized by Wiregrass Honor Flight, a nonprofit that flew the veterans to Washington, D.C., free of charge to tour the war memorials built in their honor — many seeing them for the very first time.

Vietnam veteran Chuck Ohm, who spent three years in-country, called it “a real treat.”

Hilliard Means, who endured two tours and came home to slurs and worse, felt the contrast most sharply. “When we came back, people just spit on us,” he said. “But this is totally different.”

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➤ North Florida: A Nassau County volunteer firefighter died battling a brush fire Thursday just south of Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. (More)

➤ Volusia County: Sheriff Mike Chitwood has filed a lawsuit against two social media promoters, alleging their unauthorized takeover events forced the county to spend $800,000 on additional law enforcement to manage the crowds. (More)

➤ Escambia County: Two nonprofits have sued Escambia County Clerk of Court Pam Childers for refusing to pay out commissioner-approved discretionary funds. (More)

➤ Hillsborough County: The county broke ground on a $1.6 billion wastewater treatment plant in Lithia on Friday, part of the One Water Program to serve the fast-growing Riverview, Brandon, and Ruskin corridor through 2050. (More)

➤ Brevard County: SpaceX is targeting Monday for a rare Falcon Heavy launch of the ViaSat-3 F3 mission from Launch Complex 39A, the rocket’s first flight since October 2024. (Details)

➤ Miami: Doral residents are pushing back on overnight parking fees, while the city says the fees are necessary to curb widespread abuse of public parking. (More)

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➤ The NFL Draft wrapped in Pittsburgh on Saturday as the Dolphins, Buccaneers, and Jaguars all added depth in rounds 4-7. (Full Results)

➤ The Tampa Bay Lightning fell 3-2 in overtime against the Montreal Canadiens on Friday night, putting the Bolts in a 2-1 series hole. The game marked the third consecutive game of the series to go to overtime. (More)

➤ Miami Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards flashed the leather on Friday night with a smooth glove flip to initiate a double play during the team’s 9-4 win over the San Francisco Giants. (See Highlight)

➤ The Orlando Magic hosted the Pistons in Game 3 Saturday afternoon at Kia Center with the first-round series knotted 1-1. (Final Score)

➤ No. 13 FSU softball got a complete-game no-hitter Friday past Georgia Tech, while No. 5 Florida pulled away from UCF with a five-run fifth — both Sunshine State squads heading into the postseason on a roll. (Recap)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | MLB | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | NFL Draft | Golf

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➤ Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Washington County on Friday to unveil a new statue of George Washington at the Chipley Historic Train Station. (See Video)

➤ Pensacola Navy Days, slated for May, has released its event schedule, honoring the region’s deep military roots as Naval Air Station Pensacola celebrates its 200th anniversary. (Details)

➤ Saucy! by KFC opened its new flagship location in Carrollwood on Saturday. (See Photo)

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Will you attend a concert this year?

1. Multiple
2. One
3. Maybe
4. No

Saturday’s Results:

Have you ever purchased a meal for a stranger?

1. Yes: 59%
2. No: 41%

Which Florida fort was built using coquina (shell stone) and has never been taken in battle?

Show me the answer