Good Morning! On this day in 1989, 20-year-old Tiffany Sessions, a University of Florida student in Gainesville, disappeared during a walk and has never been found. The case became one of the largest missing-person investigations in Florida history.
Florida’s life expectancy has reached a new high and is a year longer than the national average, according to the CDC’s annual mortality study, which showed that the average American born in 2024 is expected to live to 79, while Floridians are expected to live to 80.
Today’s sponsor is Frontieras, a company aiming to help power America’s energy comeback by transforming coal into high-value fuels in Appalachia—and offering investors a limited window to get in at $7.38 per share.
Daytona Beach 🌤️ 68/46° | Fort Myers 🌤️ 77/49° | Jacksonville 🌤️ 69/42° | Key West 🌤️ 71/63° | Miami 🌤️ 73/60° | Ocala 🌤️ 74/39° | Orlando 🌤️ 74/48° | Pensacola 🌤️ 69/52° | Port St. Lucie 🌤️ 76/50° | Tallahassee 🌤️ 71/41° | Tampa ☀️ 75/46°
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DOJ Reportedly Ends Hope Florida Investigation
According to Gov. Ron DeSantis, an investigation into the Hope Florida Foundation has ended, following a news report that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) closed a review of the foundation’s handling of $10 million from a Medicaid settlement.
Hope Florida came under scrutiny last year after reports that the organization had funneled $10 million from a Medicaid settlement intended for state coffers. Much of that money later flowed to the Keep Florida Clean committee, which opposed the 2024 marijuana legalization effort.
DeSantis called the probe a politically motivated effort, ripping the media for smearing his wife, Casey, and said that the Hope Florida initiative continues to be the most successful conservative anti-poverty initiative of any state in the country.
Casey DeSantis, who was never implicated in wrongdoing, was named in media coverage after promoting Hope Florida as a revolutionary program to wean Floridians off public subsidies and steer them toward faith-based charity.
The DOJ has not confirmed the investigation or its closing.
Uthmeier Forms CHINA Unit
Attorney General James Uthmeier formed a new unit to investigate consumer scams, data privacy concerns, and other alleged deceptive practices involving foreign entities, including those with connections to China.
Uthmeier announced that he is “repurposing” resources in his office to form the unit, called the Consumer Harm from International Nefarious Actors (CHINA) prevention unit.
“This unit will work full-time to investigate companies in all industries. But we see health care as a primary industry right now with personal health data, the most sensitive of human data, being shared with an enemy that wants to do us harm,” Uthmeier said.
The attorney general stated that large quantities of data are being stolen, citing recent investigations his office launched into the security of Lorex, which manufactures indoor cameras, and TP-Link, which provides Wi-Fi services, over their connections to China.
$600M Grant for Farmers Impacted by Hurricanes
Florida farmers can apply for over $600 million in grant assistance through the Florida Block Grant Disaster Relief Program, following over $3 billion in damage and losses from the 2023 and 2024 hurricane seasons.
Florida is the first state in the nation to finalize such an agreement with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The funding comes on top of Agricultural Commissioner Wilton Simpson seeking federal approval to use Florida’s disaster block grant program for farmers hit by the 2026 ice storm.
Beginning Feb. 25, eligible applicants can apply for funds to help offset infrastructure and timber damage, as well as market, citrus, crop, and livestock losses stemming from recent storms.
To streamline the process, the state launched a centralized online hub outlining eligibility criteria, documentation requirements, and application details.
Flying together with our sponsor
3 Days Left: Invest in America’s Trillion-Dollar Energy Comeback at $7.38/share
Under a White House that favors energy production on our home soil, Frontieras North America could unlock up to $2.1 Trillion in energy potential. They have the power to reform coal into high-value commodities like hydrogen and diesel without burning it.
But that’s not even the best part. They’re doing it in what was once the heart of American industry: Appalachia. Their new land purchase in Mason County, West Virginia has earned praise from the state’s Governor Morrisey for its potential to transform the region back into an energy powerhouse.
➤ Tallahassee: Senate President Ben Albritton indicated that insurance reform is not on the agenda as the legislative session reaches its halfway point. The decision comes despite ongoing homeowner frustration with insurance costs. (More)
➤ Statewide: New Justice Department records show convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sought clemency from then-Gov. Charlie Crist in the final months of 2010, but Crist said no conversation ever occurred. (More)
➤ St. Johns County: The school district said it has about $3.5 million in debt, which it expects to balloon to between $10-$15 million by next school year. (More)
➤ Miami Beach: The city announced that regulations for 2026 spring break will include higher parking and towing rates, license-plate readers, and DUI enforcement. Some rules will be less restrictive to attract new visitors. (See Video)
➤ Broward County: Inspector General Carol J. Breece filed a formal complaint against Tax Collector Abiodun “Abbey” Ajayi, accusing her of misusing county resources during her run for office two years ago. (More)
➤ Martin County: Detectives dismantled a major narcotics network after a tip led them to an Indiantown man, 21-year-old Bryan Gomez-Colin, who was said to be distributing cocaine and THC to youth. (More)
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➤ Orlando Magic rookie Jase Richardson and Miami Heat forward Keshad Johnson have both announced they will compete in the 2026 NBA Slam Dunk Contest. (More)
➤ The Miami Dolphins are expected to trade quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason. Miami would likely have to continue paying a portion of Tagovailoa’s $212 million contract to find a willing trade partner. (More)
➤No. 17 Florida men’s basketball blew out Texas A&M 86-67 on Saturday, helping the Gators gain sole possession of first place in the SEC. (More)
➤ Why are hearing aid stores furious? Because Oricle Hearing Aids deliver the same crystal-clear sound as $5,000 prescription models for under $100. Wireless charging. 20-hour battery life. No doctor visit required. Over 150,000 sold. Limited-time discount before stock runs out. (LEARN MORE)
➤ Orange County tourist-tax collections set a new record at $34.3 million in December, up about 8.1% from December 2024. It was the ninth straight month in which receipts were the highest ever for the month. (More)
➤ Strawberry prices could be higher this year, as Florida farmers reported major losses after the recent cold weather. Fancy Farms in Plant City reported on Thursday last week that 85% of its harvest was unsuitable. (More)
➤ Jacksonville University and the Mayo Clinic will offer a first-in-the-region direct-entry master’s in nursing degree, which will allow people with bachelor’s degrees in other fields to transition quickly into nursing. (More)
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Flying together with our sponsor
The Next $435B Energy Empire Is Being Minted
In today’s dollars, John D. Rockefeller would be worth $435 billion. But “oil money” is old news, and what’s next might surprise investors in 2026: a $2.1 Trillion opportunity in “clean” coal.
Now is the “Rockefeller” moment for Frontieras as they reform coal into hydrogen, diesel and other valuable commodities (just like Rockefeller did with oil). With a White House that favors domestic energy, the NASDAQ ticker FASF reserved, and land officially purchased for their flagship coal reformation plant, Frontieras is positioned for potential valuation impact.
This is a paid advertisement for Frontieras’s Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at https://invest.frontieras.com/
Reservation of the ticker symbol is not a guarantee that we will be listed on the NASDAQ. Listing on the NASDAQ is subject to approvals.
Under Regulation A+, a company has the ability to change its share price by up to 20%, without requalifying the offering with the SEC.
➤ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced that sports personality and reporter Erin Andrews will be the keynote speaker at the team’s She is Football Weekend Career Summit on March 6, supporting its mission of developing 50,000 female leaders annually through the power of sport. (More)
➤ The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida invited all Florida students in grades K-12 to participate in the America250FL art and essay contests, with a deadline of March 16. (See Details)
➤ Two thousand people joined the Live Like Bella 5K run at Tropical Park in Miami-Dade on Sunday to support the Childhood Cancer Foundation’s event. (See Video)
DOJ Reportedly Ends Hope Florida Investigation
