David Jolly Launches Governor Bid

On Thursday, former Pinellas County Rep. David Jolly announced he’s running for the Democratic nomination for governor, promising a campaign that will reach voters who don’t traditionally support Democrats.

The former Republican says he’s running to address the state’s affordability crisis. His campaign will focus on relieving the strain from the high cost of living in the state. He believes voters want a change after decades of his former party’s control.

The attorney and former lobbyist experienced a political evolution, leaving the Republican Party in 2018. He first became an independent and then registered as a Democrat. He has built a national profile as an anti-Trump political commentator on MSNBC.

Jolly was a GOP member of Congress from 2014 to 2017. He lost his seat to former Gov. Charlie Crist.

Cocoa Beach Celebrates Centennial 

Yesterday marked 100 years since Cocoa Beach was established by Gus Edwards, a local attorney from Georgia. Known historically as Oceanus, Cocoa Beach was incorporated as a city on June 29, 1957.

The first U.S. human spaceflight occurred on May 5, 1961. Visible from Cocoa Beach, the day is remembered by the crowds that watched the Freedom 7 make Alan Shepard the first American to travel into space.

Cocoa Beach found national fame as the fictional setting of the popular 1960s sitcom I Dream of Jeannie. Embracing the association, the city has an I Dream of Jeannie Lane and a historical marker to honor the show’s legacy.

SpaceX founder Elon Musk plans to build a Gigabay manufacturing facility at Kennedy Space Center to support sending the Starship spacecraft to Mars in 2026, ushering in another first that will be visible from Cocoa Beach.

Top Two Road Trip Spots in Florida

If a road trip this summer is on the agenda, Southern Living has compiled the 25 unforgettable stops it says every Southerner should see, including two in the Sunshine State.

The magazine describes Everglades National Park as having an otherworldly landscape unlike anywhere else in the country. A stroll along the Anhinga Trail, where herons and turtles gather at the water’s edge, is recommended.

Duval Street in Key West, where you can walk from the Atlantic Ocean to the Gulf on a single street, offers live music, art galleries, open-air cafes, and a come-as-you-are vibe. A visit to the Ernest Hemingway Home and Museum is a highlight for literature lovers.

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➤ Palm Beach: A Texas man was arrested for trespassing at President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort. Anthony Reyes told police he had climbed a wall surrounding the property to “spread the gospel” to Trump and “marry Kai,” the president’s 18-year-old granddaughter. (More)

➤ Melbourne Beach: A good Samaritan rescued two people and a dog from a single-engine plane that crashed into the Indian River on Wednesday. The accident is under investigation with no reported injuries. (See Video)

➤ Merritt Island: Two trade contract workers were killed Wednesday when high winds and rain led to a crane collapse at the construction site of the Cape Canaveral Hospital. (See Video)

➤ West Palm Beach: Michelin-rated chef Jacob Bickelhaupt, owner of Konro restaurant, is facing domestic battery charges for allegedly assaulting a woman during an incident at his home. (More)

➤ Pompano Beach: After more than 25 years under the protection of the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the city is considering re-establishing its independent police force. (More)

➤ Port Orange: Phase 1 of the Down Under revamp has started, bringing enhanced lighting for safety, artistic changes, and increased parking to the area under the Dunlawton Bridge. (See Renderings)

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➤ Florida will host nine international soccer teams as they train for the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins later this month. Teams stationed in Florida include Juventus FC, Real Madrid, Manchester City, and more. (More)

➤ The Miami Marlins players are now training with strobe goggles to sharpen their focus and prepare for distractions that they’ll face in games. (More)

➤ Florida State and the ACC have dropped their lawsuits against one another, settling on terms that allow the Seminoles to retain their own TV rights so long as they remain in the conference. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | WNBA | NCAASB | Soccer | PGA | Tennis

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➤ Electric car maker Rivian has opened a new maintenance and warehouse hub in Orlando, fully occupying the Shader Logistics Center. (More)

➤ Florida played a role in the 3% year-over-year drop in investor purchases of U.S. condos in the first quarter of 2025. Investors bought 19% fewer homes in Miami, 13% fewer in Orlando, and 12% fewer in Fort Lauderdale. (More)

➤ Disney is building affordable housing 10 miles north of Walt Disney World outside Orlando. The development of 1,400 apartments will occupy 80 acres in Horizon West. (More)

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➤ GEO-82, the Spaceship Earth lounge only open to guests 21 and older, debuted at EPCOT in Orlando this week. (Video Tour)

➤ Southern Living offered tips for visiting the Webster Swap-O-Rama, Florida’s largest weekly flea market, held every Monday on 35 acres in the small town of Webster. (See Tips)

➤ The Queen of the Night cactus plant dazzled onlookers this week with its one-night-per-year bloom at Marie Selby Botanical Gardens in Sarasota. (See Photos)

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Can you play an instrument?

1. Yes
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Thursday’s Results:

Which superpower would you want?

1. Flight: 28%
2. Mind reading: 25%
3. Invisibility: 24%
4. Other: 23%

Which Florida town is the spring training home of the New York Mets?

Show me the answer