Florida Drivers Warned Against Customized Plates

The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) issued a warning to Florida drivers against customizing their license plates and advising those with airbrushed, vinyl-wrapped, or otherwise customized plates to return them to their original state.

According to FHP, such alterations violate Florida’s legal tag requirements for reflectivity and safety enhancements, potentially impacting the yellow validation stickers. Drivers can be cited and have their tags seized. 

The citation is classified as a moving violation and includes a $60 fine, three points on your license, and an accompanying fee set by the county where the citation is issued.

If you have altered your Florida tag and cannot return it to its original condition, you will need to get a replacement Florida license plate from your local tax collector’s office.

New Act to Cut Homeowners’ Tax Bills

On Wednesday, Senator Rick Scott of Florida introduced legislation to provide American homeowners with a tax deduction of up to $10,000 on their federal taxes.

The Homeowners Premium Tax Reduction Act would offer an above-the-line tax deduction for premiums paid annually for homeowner’s insurance at a primary residence.

Scott said the cost of everything is hurting families: “I hear heartbreaking stories from families all throughout my state that they are struggling to pay their bills, and they can’t wait much longer for relief from the skyrocketing costs.”

Happenings in Florida this Weekend

After a rough week of storms, it’s a great time to plan some fun for the weekend. We’ve listed a few major events from around the Sunshine State. Stay safe and have fun!

Key West Lobsterfest (Sat.-Sun., Aug. 10-11) The 26th iteration of all things crustacean, celebrating the start of the Florida Keys lobster season. Various locations in Key West. (Details)

International Ballet Festival of Miami (Sat.-Sun., Aug. 10-11) Performances by ballet companies from around the world and modern/contemporary dance ensembles. Various locations. (Details)

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings Birthday Celebration (Sat., Aug. 10) Celebrate the 128th birthday of one of Florida’s most well-known authors with cake and 1940s music. Cross Creek. (Details)

UB40 at St. Augustine Amphitheatre (Sat., Aug. 10) Live outdoor concert at a venue featuring covered seats, tree canopy, and ocean breezes. St. Augustine. (Details)

Tallahassee Beer Festival (Sat., Aug. 10) 6th annual craft brew fest with over 100 brewers offering 300+ samples. Donald L. Tucker Civic Center. (Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

What if there was a natural way to get rid of nail fungus…

Much stronger and way more efficient than any OTC treatment?

It sounds too good to be true, right?

Well, I’m hoping you’ll keep an open mind while watching the short video below.

You’ll see how you can wipe out even the worst infection just by soaking your socks in this purple liquid and putting them on your feet for 1 minute. Before you know it, your nails and skin will be pink and healthy again!

Sounds too good to be true? See for yourself:

WATCH: Soak your socks in this and say goodbye to fungus.

➤ Pembroke Pines: Commissioners on Wednesday voted down a contract to add armed guardians to the public schools; however, school resource officers will remain in elementary schools until the December break. (Watch Video)

➤ The University of Miami used a $5 million donation to launch a new startup accelerator for student entrepreneurs called USTAAR. (More)

➤ Palm Beach County: Federal investigators are looking into a crash that killed six children and three adults in Belle Glade on Monday. (See Details)

➤ Lake County: A panic-button alert system will now activate live cameras in schools. This new integration links the district’s existing system with live security footage, giving first responders exact emergency locations and real-time camera feeds. (More)

➤ Cape Canaveral: NASA officials are evaluating all options for bringing home the crew of the problem-plagued Boeing Starliner from the International Space Station, including competitor SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft. (More)

➤  Daytona Beach International Airport announced the addition of Breeze Airways, its fourth airline, which will start service this year with twice-weekly nonstop routes to New York, Rhode Island, North Carolina, and Connecticut. (More)

➤ Seminole County: A new traffic pilot program uses AI with traffic camera feeds to track real-time signal performance, congestion, and accidents. (More)

➤ Escambia County: Christopher Turney, a former deputy, and his wife, Leandra Turney, were arrested Saturday on charges of child abuse and neglect, according to an arrest report. (See Details)

➤ Pensacola: The county has taken control of the Wedgewood Community Center with plans to reopen it. The center has been closed since July 28, when a mass shooting killed two people and injured five others. (Watch Video)

➤ The Miami Marlins offense exploded for five runs in the first inning in their 6-4 win over the Cincinnati Reds. The scoring was punctuated by this 412-foot grand slam by Derek Hill. (See Home Run)

➤ Miami Dolphins star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle has missed three straight practices with an undisclosed injury. The Dolphins are now practicing without five of their top eight receivers. (More)

➤ The City of Orlando is looking to become a major host city for international events such as the World Cup and the Olympics. This effort will start with an attempt to host the trials for the 2028 Olympic Games. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Tampa-based World of Beer filed for bankruptcy last week. The tavern chain has 34 locations, with 14 in Florida. (See Details)

➤ MiTek purchased the 111-acre North Tampa Bay Industrial Park Ready Site in Zephyrhills. The construction technology company is building a 480,000-square-foot building and will retain 125 jobs and create 25 more. (More)

➤ Maitland-based cybersecurity firm ThreatLocker is set to add more than 1000 jobs and is considering a move to Orlando Magic’s Westcourt for more space. (More)

➤ Lee Vista Promenade shopping center near Orlando Airport sold for $68.5 million to a Toronto-based real estate investor. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Never lose your wallet again. SmartCard is the world’s first tracker designed specifically for your wallet or purse. Even though it recently launched, it’s already going viral across Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. More than 70,000+ people use it already to track their wallets, earning an incredible 97.2% satisfaction rating. (See it here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Latest studies have found that one tiny tweak to your morning routine can eliminate nail fungus permanently.

You just have to use manuka honey like this first thing in the morning, and you will see how the fungus is sucked out of your nails.

While stopping the itching and burning sensation and healing the skin.

It takes less than 10 seconds a day, yet the results are life-changing.

Try This Antifungal Manuka Honey Trick!

➤ Body-cam video shows a Florida deputy rescuing a 5-year-old from a pond in Deltona on Tuesday. The boy has autism and is attracted to water. (Watch Video) 

➤ Florida is the 19th Most Religious State, according to a study by charity directory SmileHub. (See List)

➤ Colorado State University reduced the predicted number of named storms from 25 to 23 on Tuesday, indicating the potential for 19 additional named storms this season. (See Details)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Say goodbye to headaches and migraines in minutes! Aculief is a patented, award-winning acupressure device that relieves your headaches and migraines FAST—and it’s 100% drug-free! (See It Here)

Do you listen to music daily?

1. Yes
2. No

Thursday’s Results:

Do you still use a travel agent?

1. Yes: 28.5%
2. No: 71.5%

In 1955, Elvis Presley played his first Florida concert in Daytona Beach as a member of what band?

Show me the answer