Thursday, May 14, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1973, NASA launched Skylab from an unmanned Saturn V rocket. It was America’s first space station that housed humans.

It’s National Buttermilk Biscuit Day, a celebrated Southern treat that emerged in the pre-Civil War era as an inexpensive addition to meals. Here’s a recipe and the history of the biscuit. In today’s Poll, we ask how often you eat biscuits.

Scientists say one small part of the brain holds the key to memory, navigation, and long-term cognitive health, but many Americans are unknowingly letting it weaken. The good news? A few surprisingly enjoyable activities may help protect your brain before real decline begins. Tune in to The Flyover Podcast as Ayla Brown shares three simple habits researchers say could help keep your brain sharper for years to come. Listen here.

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our partner, Incogni, about how data brokers collect and sell personal information and how to remove it from hundreds of sites automatically.

Today’s sponsor, FinanceBuzz, is sharing practical money-saving strategies designed to help retirees cut unnecessary expenses, stretch their monthly budgets further, and focus more on enjoying retirement instead of worrying about rising everyday costs.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

DeSantis Signs Animal Cruelty Laws

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two animal protection bills into law during an event at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee on Tuesday, expanding criminal penalties for animal cruelty and adding new consumer protections for pet buyers.

According to the legislation, the new laws create felony offenses for adults who encourage or involve minors in aggravated animal cruelty, animal fighting, baiting, or sexual abuse involving animals.

HB 559 increases penalties tied to animal fighting and baiting offenses and requires juveniles convicted of animal cruelty crimes to undergo psychological evaluations. In addition, the law expands Florida’s database of animal abuse offenders.

The second measure, SB 1004, focuses on pet sales and financing practices. The law requires pet dealers to disclose financing terms to consumers and allows buyers to cancel agreements without penalty if an animal is later found unfit for purchase due to illness or disease.

Alligator Alcatraz to Close by June

Companies hired by the state of Florida to operate the Alligator Alcatraz detention center in the Everglades were notified Tuesday that the facility is being shut down, with the remaining 1,400 detainees expected to be removed by the end of June.

The closure comes amid escalating operating costs for the facility, now estimated at nearly $1 million per day. The facility, which cost about $250 million to build and was opened on July 1, 2025, will be dismantled over the ⁠following weeks.

The decision to close the facility has been the subject of speculation for the past week. “If we shut the lights out tomorrow, we will be able to say it served its purpose,” Gov. DeSantis said last week during a news conference.

Florida Cities Rank High for Starting a Career

Three Florida cities ranked among the top five places in the nation to start a career, according to personal finance website WalletHub. Orlando placed second overall, while Tampa ranked fourth and Miami came in fifth.

The study evaluated 182 U.S. cities based on factors such as entry-level job availability, starting salaries, housing affordability, commuter friendliness, and quality of life. Atlanta claimed the top spot, with Austin, Texas, ranking third.

Orlando performed especially well because of its low unemployment rate and large number of entry-level job openings per capita. The report also noted strong income growth and high job satisfaction among workers.

Tampa earned high marks for the number of entry-level jobs available and its strong environment for entrepreneurs and young professionals. Miami ranked highly for professional opportunities, though its quality-of-life score was lower due to affordability challenges. See all Florida cities ranked here.

Flying together with our sponsor

Retirement should be about your bucket list, not your grocery list. Finding extra room in your monthly budget doesn’t require a total lifestyle overhaul—just a few strategic moves.

The experts at FinanceBuzz have identified several simple ways to trim the fat and keep your savings where they belong: with you.

Check out this list

➤ Statewide: Gov. DeSantis signed SB 1074 into law, effective immediately, allowing retailers to choose whether to round prices up or down to the nearest nickel in cash transactions. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the governor signed at least nine bills into law this week covering a wide range of issues, including education, insurance, and disability services. (See List)

➤ The Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office House of Worship alert system went into effect on Wednesday, sending instant notifications when one of 40 crimes is reported within a half mile of a house of worship. (More)

➤ Collier County: Voters will be asked in November whether to increase the county’s tourism bed tax by one cent to complete the Paradise Coast Sports Complex and fund tourism and beach renourishment. (More)

➤ West Palm Beach: Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein testified voluntarily at a shadow hearing, described as an unofficial congressional hearing held by the minority party without subpoena power. (More)

➤ South Florida: Beachgoers are seeing and smelling an unusually heavy influx of sargassum washing ashore this season. Experts estimate roughly 10 million metric tons of the brown seaweed is already floating across parts of the Atlantic Ocean. (More)

Enjoy reading Flyover Florida? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier subpoenaed the NFL as part of an investigation into whether the league’s Rooney Rule has contributed to discriminatory hiring practices. (More)

➤ The Jacksonville Jaguars will play back-to-back games in London for the third time in franchise history, facing the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 11 before meeting the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on Oct. 18. (More)

➤ Foreign visitors from countries that qualified for the World Cup won’t be required to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the U.S. if they have purchased tournament tickets, the State Department announced. (More)

➤ In-state rivals Florida and Miami will open the 2026-27 men’s college basketball season Nov. 2 at a neutral site in Tampa. The Gators defeated the Hurricanes 82-68 in last year’s matchup in Jacksonville. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Turn toothbrushing from a daily battle into something kids actually enjoy with the Sonic Glow Tootbrush. Its fun, kid-friendly design and gentle 30-second cleaning help children brush longer and more effectively while encouraging healthier habits, cleaner teeth, and happier smiles — without the constant reminders or struggles from parents. (LEARN MORE)

➤ Florida’s luxury real estate market is making headlines with record-breaking listings across Miami-Dade and the Gulf Coast, including a $237 million Key Biscayne estate and a sprawling tropical farm. (More)

➤ Tampa-based Lonestar Data Holdings signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA to collaborate on lunar data storage and off-world computing systems as commercial space companies race to build infrastructure for future moon missions. (More)

➤ AdventHealth will build its first hospital in The Villages as part of a major mixed-use development planned along Florida’s Turnpike called Legacy Place. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ InvestorPlace is spotlighting what it calls a potential “Black Swan” AI investment opportunity tied to the explosive race for artificial intelligence dominance. As billions pour into AI infrastructure and next-generation technology, early investors could gain exposure to companies positioned to benefit from what some analysts believe may be the market’s next massive disruption. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

You’ve worked hard for your retirement; now make sure your money is working just as hard for you. Stretching your budget doesn’t have to feel like a sacrifice. With a few effortless adjustments from the expert advice of FinanceBuzz, you can breathe easier knowing your finances are optimized for the long haul.

LEARN MORE

➤ Orlando rolled out a $1.5 million incentive program for homeowners to build an accessory dwelling unit, or granny flat, on their property. Under the program, homeowners can be reimbursed $10,000 for construction costs, plus receive rebates for up to another $4,000. (More)

➤ Ocala ranked as the top destination for in-state movers, while Poinciana ranked as the top Florida destination for people moving in from another state, according to a relocation study by MoveBuddha. (More)

➤ Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle and Pro Football Hall of Famer Warren Sapp was ordered by a judge to stay away from Hollywood City Hall after repeated incidents. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Experience all-day comfort with Grounded Footwear’s barefoot-inspired shoes, designed to support natural movement, improve posture, and reduce pressure on your feet, knees, and joints. Lightweight, flexible, and slip-resistant, they help you walk with greater ease and stability — whether you’re running errands, traveling, or staying active throughout the day.