New Florida Laws Take Effect Wednesday

About 140 new Florida laws take effect on Wednesday, the start of the fiscal year.

Among them, House Bill 919 renames Palm Beach International Airport for President Donald Trump, and Senate Bill 484 directs regulators to keep data centers’ power and water costs from shifting onto other ratepayers.

Other measures let the state designate groups as “domestic terrorist organizations” and require public schools to display portraits of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln and teach cursive in elementary grades.

The $114.5 billion state budget also takes effect, though Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to trim it with line-item vetoes.

Florida Bakes Through Holiday Week

Dangerous heat is gripping much of Florida and is forecast to hold into the Fourth of July holiday week.

Heat indices are climbing into the 100s statewide, and inland Central Florida is among the hottest, with heat index values past 105 degrees and a major risk of heat-related illness. A ridge of high pressure over the Gulf is driving the pattern, and warm overnight lows are offering little relief.

Forecasters expect only a slight easing through the holiday week. Officials urge residents to limit midday activity, drink plenty of water, and check on elderly neighbors and outdoor workers.

Florida Test Scores Hit New Highs

For the first time, more than 60% of Florida students are testing at or above grade level in reading and math, according to state exam results released for the 2025-26 school year.

Reading proficiency has climbed to 61% and math to 62% since 2022, and science and social studies marks reached record highs. Among the standouts, the Panhandle’s Walton County district finished 4th statewide in subjects from eighth-grade reading to biology, extending its climb from 35th under Superintendent A. Russell Hughes.

Formal school grades, which factor in the results, have not yet been released.

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➤ Statewide: Wildlife officials urge residents to be BearWise as young black bears wander into neighborhoods, reminding people to secure food sources and give the animals plenty of space. (See Details)

➤ Also statewide: State Parks will waive day-use admission July 3-5 to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary, though some parks are excluded, and overnight and rental fees still apply. (See Details)

➤ Hollywood: Florida Republicans rallied behind their candidates at the annual Sunshine State Showdown, where gubernatorial hopefuls, congressional candidates, and party leaders projected confidence ahead of the Aug. 18 primary and Nov. 3 general election. (More)

➤ Panama City Beach: Cleanup crews are removing sargassum from Panama City Beach after forecasts called for a record-breaking season, with workers coordinating with sea turtle monitors and beach police to protect wildlife. (More)

➤ Marion County: A Summerfield woman faces a battery charge after deputies say she bit her boyfriend five times, leaving visible bite marks, during an argument while the couple exchanged belongings following a rocky breakup. (More)

➤ Bay County: A Good Samaritan’s tip led the U.S. Coast Guard to recover a 50-pound bale of suspected marijuana floating about 13 nautical miles off Panama City Beach in the Gulf. (More)

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➤ Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield said contract extension talks are moving in a positive direction as both sides work toward finding common ground on a new deal before training camp begins. (More)

➤ Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold hired high-profile attorney Harvey Steinberg ahead of a Monday detention hearing in Florida, where prosecutors will argue he should remain jailed while awaiting trial on criminal charges. (More)

➤ Former Florida coach Urban Meyer said he believes first-year Gators coach Jon Sumrall is “the right guy in charge,” citing their shared coaching philosophy during a recent interview. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | WNBA | Golf | NASCAR | F1

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➤ A NASA inspector general report warns Kennedy Space Center’s aging infrastructure could reach capacity by 2028 or 2029, estimating the Florida spaceport needs at least $1 billion in upgrades to keep pace with surging government and commercial launches. (More)

➤ Sarasota’s Der Dutchman, known for its made-from-scratch Amish cooking, ranked No. 2 on USA Today’s list of America’s 10 best buffet restaurants, climbing one spot from last year’s rankings. (More) 

➤ Florida unemployment claims fell for a second straight week to 5,981, though the state’s jobless rate remained at 4.8% in May, with about 531,000 Floridians unemployed. (More) 

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➤ A Fort Lauderdale woman faces felony charges after investigators accused her of taking Florida teacher certification exams for other people, helping unqualified applicants obtain or keep teaching licenses. (More) 

➤ Riviera Beach competed in Denver as one of 20 finalists for the 2026 All-America City Award, where officials showcased youth leadership, civic engagement, and neighborhood revitalization programs in pursuit of the national honor. (More) 

➤ Central Florida residents can choose from more than three dozen Fourth of July celebrations, with fireworks, concerts, parades, festivals, and family activities planned from Orlando to the Space Coast. (See List)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. Clicking the links will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A “perfect storm” of falling birth rates and high prices could shrink the U.S. auto market by 2040. (Listen Here)

➤ A mother’s decision to leave her daughter behind after she forgot her passport has sparked a heated online debate. (Episode Available)

➤ The common habit of washing strawberries right after buying them is the main reason they spoil so fast. (Hear Details)

What’s your favorite type of food buffet?

1. Southern comfort food
2. Seafood
3. Breakfast
4. I don’t eat at buffets
5. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever had an alligator turn up near your house?

1. No: 51%
2. Yes: 39%
3. Define “near”: 10%

Where was Florida’s historic Imeson Airport located?

Show me the answer