State Parks in Running for Award

Florida’s state parks have been named a finalist for the 2025 National Gold Medal Award for Excellence in Park and Recreation Management.

The award recognizes the best-managed park systems in the country and is considered one of the highest honors in public land stewardship. Florida remains the only state to have earned the gold medal four times.

This past fiscal year, Florida’s 175 state parks welcomed more than 30 million visitors, generating over $82 million in revenue and contributing an estimated $3.8 billion in statewide economic impact.

The winner will be announced in September.

Heekin Sworn in as U.S. Attorney for Florida

John Heekin was sworn in as the 42nd United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, representing 23 counties from Pensacola to Gainesville.

Heekin was appointed interim U.S. Attorney on May 6 by Attorney General Pam Bondi and later nominated by President Trump for the permanent role. He succeeds Michelle Spaven, who had served as acting U.S. Attorney since February.

Heekin previously served as Deputy Chief of Staff and General Counsel to Sen. Rick Scott when he was Florida’s governor, advising on immigration, law enforcement, criminal justice, and constitutional policy.

Gauff Wins French Open

Delray Beach’s Coco Gauff defeated world No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka to win the French Open on Saturday. She’s the first American to win the championship at Roland-Garros since Serena Williams in 2015.

Two years after winning her first Grand Slam title, the 21-year-old won this one in three sets, 6-7, 6-2, 6-4. The victory came three years after Gauff last made the final, where she fell to Iga Światek in a disappointing loss.

Gauff was overcome with emotion after the championship point. She collapsed on the clay court, then found her parents in the stands and made a heart-shaped gesture with her hands.

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➤ Jacksonville: A Pepsi distributor has recalled over 19,000 cases of Dr. Pepper Zero Sugar in Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina for containing the full-sugar product. (More)

➤ Ocala: Kentucky Derby winner Sovereignty defeated Journalism on Saturday to win the 157th running of the Belmont Stakes in New York. The 3-year-old bay colt did his early training in Florida. (See Photo)

➤ Hillsborough County: The Florida Supreme Court ruled against Tampa-based taxi companies, rejecting arguments that a 2017 decision by the Legislature led to an unconstitutional “taking” of their property. (More)

➤ Miami: A mechanic and his son were arrested in a chop shop bust when nearly $500,000 worth of stolen cars were found on their properties. (More)

➤ St. Petersburg: The city council approved about $5.3 million more for repairs to Tropicana Field, as the city is working toward getting the Tampa Bay Rays’ home ready in time for opening day 2026. (More)

➤ Escambia County: Voting is open until June 11 for the public to choose their favorite potential Pensacola Beach gateway design for an automated tolling system and new arch over the roadway. (Vote Here)

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➤ Florida State men’s baseball lost 14-10 to Oregon State last night in Game 3 of their Super Regional Series in the NCAA tournament, bringing their season to an end. (More)

➤ Likewise, Miami men’s baseball lost 3-2 to Louisville in Game 3 of their Super Regional Series, also eliminating them from the tournament. (More)

➤ Miami Marlins pitcher Ryan Weathers was hit in the head by his teammates’ warmup throw before the first inning of the team’s 11-10 win over the Tampa Bay Rays. Weathers remained in the game and threw a perfect first inning, but was later pulled as a precaution. (Watch Video)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | NASCAR | WNBA | NCAAB | Soccer | PGA | LPGA | Tennis

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➤ Clearwater-based Hooters abruptly closed dozens of its chain restaurant locations across the country, including several in Florida, only a few months after filing for Chapter 11 protection. (See Where)

➤ Lee Health announced a $150 million expansion to its new Fort Myers health care campus, including a four-story, 118,000-square-foot patient tower and a 7,600-square-foot on-site childcare center. (More)

➤ Doral-based Carnival Cruise Line commemorated 35 years of cruises from Port Canaveral with a special celebration aboard its popular Mardi Gras ship. (More)

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The Real Estate Stars Opening $1.3T Doors

Zillow helped millions buy their first home under co-founder Spencer Rascoff and executive Austin Allison.

Now, they’ve left Zillow to reimagine how people buy second homes through Pacaso—unleashing the full potential of a $1.3T market.

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Their model earns fees on every transaction, so it’s no surprise they just surpassed $110M+ in gross profit in their operating history, including 41% year-over-year growth last year. Now, after reserving the Nasdaq ticker PCSO, Pacaso is ready for what’s next.

While most couldn’t invest in Zillow until post-IPO, Pacaso is offering you the chance to invest now. Invest in Pacaso as a private company for $2.90/share today.

➤ Thunder, a two-year-old Paso Fino stallion, who police say was kept in a small stall in a dark barn in Polk County, was recently allowed to run free in the sun for the first time. (See Video)

➤ A Florida Keys charter captain seen stabbing a shark multiple times in a viral video was arrested on a felony count of animal cruelty. (See Video)

➤ SeaWorld Orlando is displaying three life-size Emperor penguin figures throughout Downtown Orlando until June 19 to celebrate that it will soon house Emperor penguins in its Antarctica habitat, a first for the East Coast. (See Photo)

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Would you rather be able to talk with animals or know all the world’s human languages?

1. Talk with animals
2. World’s languages

Sunday’s Results:

Waffles or Pancakes?

1. Pancakes: 40%
2. Waffles: 38%
3. Neither: 22%

What is the oldest professional sports team in Florida?

Show me the answer