Kissimmee Mayor Arrested in Grant Case

State agents arrested Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa on Wednesday on charges of grand theft and an organized scheme to defraud. Prosecutors say she helped create a pandemic-era city grant program, then applied with family members for $50,000 for three businesses they owned or controlled.

The city attorney warned her in December 2025 that the money created a prohibited conflict of interest, but investigators say she declined to return it.

Espinosa’s attorney says she maintains her innocence and will fight the charges “vigorously in court.” City commissioners voted against impeachment in August, and she remains mayor for now.

Florida Fentanyl Deaths Drop Nearly 60%

Fentanyl-caused deaths in Florida have fallen nearly 60% since 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) said Tuesday in Orlando, citing new state data.

The Florida Medical Examiners Commission recorded nearly 5,000 fentanyl-caused deaths in 2023 and about 2,000 last year. Total drug-related deaths fell 12% from 2024 to 2025, while opioid-caused deaths dropped 33%.

DeSantis credited the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication program, a grant created in 2023 to fund large-scale trafficking investigations. Agencies using the money have made nearly 3,000 arrests and seized more than 600 pounds of fentanyl and 65,000 pills. Officials have not said how much the program will receive in future grant cycles.

Rays Parade Plans Split Tampa Bay

Both sides of the bay are planning a possible Rays victory parade, with St. Petersburg Mayor Ken Welch calling for a waterfront celebration while Tampa eyes a boat parade like those held for the Bucs and Lightning.

The split mirrors the team’s future. The Rays still call St. Petersburg home but are set to move to a new stadium in Tampa in the coming years.

First comes the World Series. The Rays open on Friday in Milwaukee after beating Cleveland 7-3 on Monday to clinch their third American League pennant. Tropicana Field hosts at least two games next week, each worth an estimated $5 million to $7 million to the local economy.

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➤ Fort Lauderdale: Florida’s DOGE team says Fort Lauderdale could save $6 million to $11 million by reviewing staffing and eliminating positions, while Mayor Dean Trantalis says the city is “short-staffed.” (See Details) 

➤ Southwest Miami-Dade: Deputies arrested two men on felony animal fighting and cruelty charges after finding hundreds of roosters, training rings, and a cockfighting arena while executing a search warrant. (More)

➤ Orlando: The Orange County School Board postponed Wednesday’s teacher contract vote after the district rejected health insurance recommendations it says would cost $105.1 million, while the union calls the district’s plan a pay cut. (See Details) 

➤ Lakeland: Florida Polytechnic University police unveiled Astro, an aerial patrol vehicle for campus monitoring and emergency response, saying the department is the nation’s first law enforcement agency to deploy one. (More)

➤ Lauderhill: Police officer Brian Sguros received a $25,000 bond on Wednesday on charges he moved into a man’s home after finding him dead during a welfare check and used his identity on a building permit. (See Details) 

➤ Jacksonville: The sheriff’s office unveiled its new 346,000-square-foot headquarters Tuesday in Brooklyn’s former Florida Blue building, doubling its space and replacing the 52-year-old Police Memorial Building. (Read Story)

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➤ Nikita Kucherov tied Steven Stamkos for the most points in Tampa Bay Lightning history, reaching 1,137 with a goal and two assists in Tuesday’s 6-2 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. (More)

➤ Florida’s basketball roster is valued at more than $25 million, among the richest in the sport. Coach Todd Golden credited alumni and donors for helping assemble the preseason No. 1 Gators. (See Rankings)

➤ Inter Miami star Lionel Messi’s “Final Farewell” card pack drew a Topps-record 664,325 orders in one week, honoring the end of his international career. (More)

➤ Florida Atlantic will sell draft beer for $3 from pregame through the first quarter of Saturday’s game against Rice, then $2 through halftime and $1 in the third quarter before alcohol sales close. (See Deal)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | NBA | WNBA | NHL | Soccer

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➤ St. Johns County commissioners approved two developments on nearly 250 acres of farmland under Florida’s new agricultural enclave law, despite county leaders’ pledge to challenge it in court. (See Details)

➤ Miami-based Carnival Cruise Line will begin pricing beverage packages and Wi-Fi plans by sailing length, itinerary, and season on Dec. 1, replacing its flat daily rates. (More)

➤ Jacksonville’s Downtown Investment Authority board on Wednesday approved $400,000 in incentives for an Oak Steakhouse planned for downtown’s Greenleaf building. (More)

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➤ Florida’s humidity sealed a Brandon couple’s mail-in ballot envelopes before they could vote, prompting them to request replacements after an elections office’s suggested knife fix began tearing the paper. (More)

➤ A bear slipped through an unlocked gate at a Naples home, opened the patio refrigerator, and took the owner’s alcohol before raiding her trash cans. (See Video)

➤ Casselberry leaders are reconsidering peacock protections as Lost Lake neighbors remain divided, with some citing noise and property damage and others calling for the birds to be left alone. (See Details)

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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. 

➤ Expiration dates on your groceries are mostly guesses, except for the one you should never ignore. (Listen Now)

➤ An Australian lawmaker lost both of her legs after a car was deliberately driven into her outside her office. (Hear Story)

➤ Passengers began vomiting mid-flight, forcing a priority landing and a hazmat response in Germany. (Hear Details)

How closely do you follow expiration dates on food?

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Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to a live mermaid show?

1. No: 56%
2. Yes: 39%
3. I wish!: 5%
4. I was in one!: 0%

Where in Florida can you find the largest bronze equine statue in the world, Pegasus and Dragon?

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