Friday, October 16, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1962, President Kennedy learned that the Soviets were building nuclear missile sites in Cuba, just 90 miles from the Florida coast, triggering what became known as the Cuban missile crisis.

A $24.5 million facelift is giving one Tampa theater a new lease on life, blending a 1926 experience with 2026 technology. See today’s Et Cetera for more on this century-old landmark.

Peptides are getting a lot of attention these days, but knowing where to start isn’t always easy. A few of us here at The Flyover recently tried today’s sponsor, The Pep Report, and were impressed by how simple the process was and how interesting it is to learn more about your own genetics.

Two Women Sue Gaetz over Trafficking

Two women filed a federal lawsuit accusing former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., and two other men of sex trafficking.

The complaint names former Seminole County Tax Collector Joel Greenberg and former state Rep. Chris Dorworth, alleging the men recruited the women, then 20 and 22, and supplied them with drugs to facilitate sex from 2017 to January 2019. Greenberg is serving an 11-year federal prison sentence for crimes including sex trafficking of a minor.

Gaetz, who resigned from Congress amid a 2024 House Ethics Committee probe, said many of the allegations are false and that the panel didn’t let him confront his accusers.

The women’s attorney, Spencer Kuvin, said text messages support the claims and that he looks forward to deposing Gaetz under oath.

Florida Wins Social Media Ban Appeal

A federal appeals court ruled that Florida can keep enforcing its law barring children under 14 from opening social media accounts and requiring parental consent for 14- and 15-year-olds.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals’ 3-0 opinion overturned a 2025 injunction, finding the law likely survives a First Amendment challenge because it doesn’t burden substantially more speech than needed to protect kids from social media addiction. The case returns to federal court in Tallahassee.

Tech trade groups NetChoice and the Computer & Communications Industry Association criticized the ruling, and NetChoice said it is weighing options so “parents remain in the driver’s seat.”

Mack Says Evolution Stays in Standards

Florida Education Commissioner Henry Mack pushed back on criticism of the state’s proposed K-12 science standards, insisting evolution and climate science aren’t being cut.

Critics say the comprehensive rewrite is vague on evolution and climate change. The National Center for Science Education opposes the draft, and the Florida Education Association said it must follow evidence, “not state politicians’ ideological or religious beliefs.”

Mack, who has said online the effort isn’t about “smuggling a Sunday-school lesson into Biology,” invited residents to a listening session on Oct. 27 at Lake Buena Vista High School.

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Thinking About Peptides? Your DNA Might Be a Good Place to Start.

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➤ Orlando: Police arrested Dale Smith Jr. on a second-degree murder charge on Wednesday in the 2011 disappearance of ex-fiancée Michelle Parker, who vanished hours after they appeared on The People’s Court. (See Details)

➤ Leon County: The school board unanimously approved a $30 million short-term loan to make payroll, and the district’s finance chief warned it will likely need to borrow again next year. (See Details)

➤ Fort Lauderdale: The city opened its $666 million Prospect Lake Clean Water Center on Thursday, replacing the nearly 70-year-old Fiveash plant with a facility built to withstand a Category 5 hurricane. (More)

➤ Winter Haven: Sheriff Grady Judd warned that undercover officers would investigate illegal betting at youth games after adults brawled at an under-8 football game in Winter Haven last weekend. (More)

➤ Bay County: Starting Oct. 26, county crews will make a single roadside pass to collect unbagged vegetative debris from Hurricane Isaias in the hardest-hit unincorporated areas, after residents there complained they’d been left out of the cleanup. (See Details)

➤ Groveland: The Lake County city unveiled Groveland Connect, a text and email alert system, after three September water main breaks left thousands without usable water for days. (More)

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➤ The Tampa Bay Rays fell behind 2-1 in the American League Championship Series after Petey Halpin’s go-ahead two-run homer gave the Cleveland Guardians a 3-2 win yesterday. Game 4 is scheduled for today. (More)

➤ Inter Miami clinched an MLS playoff berth with Wednesday’s 2-0 home win over New York City FC as Germán Berterame scored his first goal since May and Lionel Messi set up Rodrigo De Paul’s goal before halftime. (More)

➤ Amar’e Stoudemire, a six-time NBA All-Star and former Miami Heat player, graduated from a Miami-Dade police academy and will join the county’s school police department. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: MLB | NFL | NCAAF | NHL | NBA | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ Lakeland-Winter Haven property taxes outpaced home values by the widest margin among the nation’s 100 largest metros, rising 28.1% from 2022 to 2024 while values climbed 14.2%. (See Details)

➤ The Clearwater City Council voted 4-0 Wednesday to open negotiations on a $180 million sports complex at the city-owned Landings Golf Course, though nearby residents raised traffic and noise concerns. (See Details)

➤ The Atlantic Beach retirement community is seeking $49 million in incentives over 20 years for a 31-story tower in downtown Jacksonville’s Brooklyn neighborhood. It would become the area’s tallest building. (See Details)

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➤ The Lee County Sheriff’s Office held a funeral on Wednesday for K-9 Dundee, who died of an apparent medical event while assisting deputies in North Fort Myers on Sept. 28. (See Details)

➤ The U.S. Postal Service resumed all mail and retail operations across North Florida after Hurricane Isaias forced it to suspend service at dozens of Panhandle locations. (More)

➤ Tampa Theatre celebrated its 100th birthday on Thursday after a seven-month, $24.5 million restoration that upgraded its sound, lighting, and HVAC systems while reviving the auditorium’s original 1926 look. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes.

➤ France has begun deploying military assets to protect Saudi oil facilities as Houthi attacks escalate around a vital Red Sea export route. (Full Story)

➤ Amazon has launched two always-listening AI devices that turn conversations into to-dos, reviving privacy questions around the tech giant. (See Product)

➤ One common instinct makes stubborn knots in necklaces, cords, and holiday lights even worse. (Hear Story)