Good Morning! On this day in 1932, Australian golf trick-shot artist Joe Kirkwood posted an incredible 83 at Belleaire in Pinellas County using only his putter. The round included six pars and one birdie.
A University of Florida fan was the first to hit a half-court shot this season in ESPN’s CollegeGameDay challenge. Blake Cox stepped up to the Gators’ logo and drilled a shot from midcourt, winning $19,000 and the adoration of fans who mobbed him.
Have you ever hit a half-court shot? Hit reply to brag on yourself. We promise to believe you.
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Supreme Court Blocks Redistricting Challenge
The Florida Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge to Gov. Ron DeSantis’ ability to change qualification dates to redraw a congressional district map.
The legal challenge, brought by two Florida voters and supported by the National Redistricting Foundation, was rejected by the court in a unanimous decision.
Chief Justice Carlos Muñiz wrote that the request by the voters to block DeSantis’ call for a special session on redistricting in April and the move by Secretary of State Cord Byrd to push back the qualifying week for congressional elections from April to June were beyond the scope of the petition filed.
A bill banning artificial intelligence data center companies from hiding their plans to locate or expand in Florida unanimously cleared the state Senate last week. The bill aims to protect consumers from utility costs associated with large-scale data centers.
Senate Bill 484 establishes new restrictions on large-scale data centers, including limits on nondisclosure agreements and stricter water-permitting standards. It establishes a comprehensive framework for “large load customers.”
The proposal would require the Florida Public Service Commission to develop minimum tariff and service requirements to ensure that large-load customers bear the full cost of service and that those costs are not shifted to other utility ratepayers.
The House advanced its companion bill, House Bill 1007, despite debate over economic impact, rural tax bases, and national security concerns. The bill has created unusual political alignments, with progressive lawmakers backing restrictions as Florida Republicans diverge from the White House’s pro-expansion stance.
Study: Florida Among ‘Most Sinful’ States
Florida ranked No. 4 overall in a study comparing all 50 states to find the “most sinful.”
According to the WalletHub study, states were compared across 54 key indicators of immoral or illicit behavior to determine the most unethical population. The data ranged from the number of violent crimes per capita to the amount of excessive drinking.
State populations were evaluated across seven categories of “sinful” behavior: anger and hatred, excesses and vices, jealousy, greed, lust, vanity, and laziness.
From the findings, Florida ranked No. 3 in jealousy, No. 2 in lust, and No. 4 in vanity. Nevada (No. 1), California (No. 2), and Louisiana (No. 3) ranked higher than the Sunshine State for overall “sinfulness.” Texas ranked No. 5.
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➤ Statewide: A total lunar eclipse on early Tuesday morning will be visible across much of North America. In Florida, the best view of the phenomenon will take place between 3:44 and 6:33 a.m. (See Schedule)
➤ Palm Beach: As President Trump and other high-level officials spent the weekend at Mar-a-Lago navigating the Iran war, County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw said his office was working with the Secret Service and the FBI to protect the president. (More)
➤ Broward County: Florida’s courts watchdog agency recommended a 30-day suspension, a public reprimand, and a $10,000 fine against Judge Lauren Peffer for actions during her 2024 campaign. (See Details)
➤ Brevard County: A letter of reprimand issued to a Satellite High School teacher—essentially fired by the district because she used a student’s preferred name without parental permission—was rescinded in arbitration. The district has no plans to rehire her. (More)
➤ Lakeland: Michel Ortega Casanova, a Cuban-born U.S. citizen who had been living in the U.S. for decades, was identified as one of the four men killed by Cuban authorities in a Florida-registered speedboat last week. (See Details)
➤ Central and South Florida: Keith Wallis, 39, was arrested for a retail fraud scheme at multiple Target locations from Miami to Orlando, where he stole thousands of dollars’ worth of trading cards by scanning taco seasoning packets at self-checkout instead of the cards. (More)
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➤ The Miami Dolphins will “almost certainly” release quarterback Tua Tagovailoa this offseason, according to ESPN sources. Tagovailoa signed a $212 million contract extension less than two years ago. (More)
➤ Tampa Bay Rays first baseman Xavier Isaac returned to the field on Saturday for the first time since undergoing life-saving brain surgery last July. (More)
➤ Alex Plaou won in dominant fashion at the Firestone Grand Prix in St. Petersburg, Florida, yesterday, kicking off the 2026 IndyCar Series season. Palou is the three-time defending series champion. (More)
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➤ The CEO of Florida cryptocurrency firm Goliath Ventures was arrested last week on charges of wire fraud and money laundering. Christopher Alexander Delgado, 34, of Apopka, is accused of operating a Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of at least $328 million. (More)
➤ Florida’s first non-stop charter flight from the Asia Pacific region touched down Feb. 23 at Orlando International Airport (MCO) from Tokyo on Japanese low-cost airline ZIPAIR. (More)
➤The Lakeland-based Publix grocery chain announced its next two locations to open will be in Clearwater on March 5 and in St. Petersburg on March 12. (More)
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➤ Some Florida pastors are being impersonated in AI-created deepfake videos to scam followers. (See Details)
➤ Florida’s five most scenic beaches for manatee watching were named by travelers. (See List)
➤ Florida A&M men’s basketball coach and former Heisman winner Charlie Ward was invited to the White House by President Trump as he looks to bring together a roundtable to discuss solutions to the issues occurring in college athletics. (More)
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Supreme Court Blocks Redistricting Challenge 
