Byron Repeats as Daytona 500 Champ

William Byron won his second straight Daytona 500 on Sunday, avoiding a last-lap crash in a race that finished under the lights after several hours of rain delays.

President Donald Trump attended, taking a pre-race lap inside his limousine dubbed “The Beast” and delivering a message of encouragement to the drivers.

The first event of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series and the 67th edition of The Great American Race, the event offered a total prize purse of $30.3 million, the most in motorsports history.

Veteran driver Ross Chastain, who lives in Alva, failed to finish after his car was caught up in a 10-car crash on lap 71.

State Sen. Geraldine Thompson Dies

Geraldine Thompson, who represented Orange County in the Florida House and Senate for almost 20 years, died Thursday following complications from knee replacement surgery.

“Senator Geraldine Thompson was so much more than a dedicated public servant and visionary leader,” her family said in a statement. “She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose love, wisdom, and compassion shaped their lives and the lives of so many in their community and across the state.”

Thompson taught for six years in Orange County Public Schools and was an administrator at Valencia Community College for 24 years.

In 2018, she made history by being the first female Democrat and person of color elected to House District 44.

Florida Leads in Shark Attacks

Despite an overall drop in shark attacks last year, Florida was again the No. 1 spot for unprovoked shark bites, with 14 of the nation’s 28 attacks happening around the state. Hawaii was next with four.

Globally, an annual report by the International Shark Attack File shows 47 confirmed unprovoked shark bites, below the yearly average of 64 over the previous five years.

Four of the attacks globally were fatal, including one in the U.S., which claimed the life of actor and surfer Tamayo Perry, who was killed while surfing near the north shore of the Hawaiian island of Oahu on June 23.

Swimmers and waders accounted for most of the unprovoked bites, representing 50% of the incidents. Surfers accounted for 34% and snorkelers/free divers accounted for 8%.

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➤ Parkland: Seven years after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the 17 who died were remembered during ceremonies and service projects Friday. (See Video)

➤ Tallahassee: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed what Florida leaders call “the nation’s most aggressive immigration legislation” into law on Thursday, creating a state board for immigration enforcement and imposing stricter penalties on undocumented immigrants. (See Video)

➤ Statewide: Florida lawmakers voted Thursday to repeal a 2014 law allowing undocumented students in-state tuition. (See Details)

➤ Flagler County: A pilot was killed when a skydiving plane crashed after losing contact with the Palatka Municipal Airport. (See Video)

➤ Lake County: State Sen. Keith Truenow, R-Tavares, filed a bill that would bar public water systems from adding fluoride to water. (More)

➤ Palm Beach County: The school district is under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education over a complaint about how alleged discrimination against a Jewish student was handled. (More)

➤ Miami: The city commission voted to spend a developer’s $20 million contribution exclusively on Miami Freedom Park’s 58 acres, reversing a prior agreement to split funds with other city parks. (More)

➤ Orlando Magic guard Mac McClung became the first player in NBA history to three-peat as NBA Slam Dunk Contest champion. (Watch) 

➤ Miami Heat star Tyler Herro became the fifth-ever Heat player to win the NBA’s three-point contest. (More)

➤ Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk sparked an opening fight that set the tone for the U.S.’s win over Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off. (Watch)

➤ The Jacksonville Jaguars announced five finalists for the team’s vacant general manager position. (See List) 

Yesterday’s Results: NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAASB | NASCAR | Soccer | Tennis | PGA

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➤ Tallahassee-based international lobbying firm Ballard Partners signed a contract with Blue Origin to handle issues related to commercial spaceflight. (More)

➤ Blue Origin plans to lay off 10% of its workforce, or more than 1,000 employees, including some who work on the Space Coast. (More)

➤ Sanford-based contractor Wharton-Smith pledged $1.5 million to the University of Central Florida’s Hagle Football Gateway project. (See Details)

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➤ UniverSoul Circus’ Rhythm of the World will bring stunts and global music in a state-of-the-art big top tent to Miramar from Feb. 27-March 16. (More) 

➤ Cypress Point Oyster Co. owner Dewey Houck discusses how intelligence is impacting Florida oyster farming. (More)

➤ The heaviest Florida panther ever recorded was captured and collared last week, weighing 166 pounds. (See Photo)

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Did you travel over Presidents’ Day Weekend?

1. Yes
2. No

Friday’s Results:

Have you ever attended the Daytona 500?

1. Yes: 27%
2. No: 73%

Where was Tarzan’s Secret Treasure, starring Johnny Weissmuller, filmed in 1941?

Show me the answer