Lawmakers Seek Trump’s Support Over Imports

Florida’s congressional delegation is urging President Donald Trump to protect the state’s farmers from low-priced imports, arguing current trade policies under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) disadvantage domestic growers.

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody (R) and U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan (R-Riverview) led a bipartisan letter calling for action during the upcoming USMCA review, warning that unfair trade practices are harming Florida agriculture and threatening the U.S. food supply.

Data shows a shift in the agricultural landscape. According to a 2025 report from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida’s market share in the produce sector has dropped by nearly 50% over the last twenty years.

The letter said that a surge of cheaper imports is squeezing local producers, while industry leaders are pushing for seasonal tariff-rate quotas to limit competition. The effort has the support of agricultural groups, which say stronger safeguards are needed to ensure farmers can compete fairly.

Flamingo Fails to Fly as State Bird

A proposal to designate the American flamingo as Florida’s state bird failed in the Legislature for the second consecutive year. The House voted 112-1 in favor of the bill (HB 11), but the measure lost momentum in the Senate. 

The Senate bill (SB 150) cleared its first committee unanimously but was never brought to a full Senate floor vote. Sponsored by Doral Republican Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez, the measure would have also made the Florida scrub-jay the state’s songbird.

The northern mockingbird remains Florida’s official state bird, a designation in place since 1927 and shared with four other states: Arkansas, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Texas.

The proposal generated interest from academic corners, including Popular Science, which published in favor of supporting the change.

Best Classic Restaurants in Florida

Southern Living’s newest list of the South’s best classic restaurants highlights three Florida favorites in the top 10, each emphasizing fresh seafood, waterfront views, and a laid-back atmosphere.

Chosen through a survey of more than 17,000 readers, the annual rankings celebrate restaurants that have built loyal followings over decades by maintaining quality, tradition, and a strong sense of place.

Cap’s on the Water (No. 5) in St. Augustine offers a dining experience rooted in history and scenery. The site dates back to a 1947 fish camp and remains a premier waterfront restaurant known for its outdoor seating and sunset views.

In the Florida Keys, The Fish House Restaurant and Seafood Market (No. 8) focuses on freshness and local sourcing. Since opening in 1982, the restaurant has emphasized whole fish purchased directly from area fishermen.

The Red Bar (No. 9) is an iconic destination in Santa Rosa Beach. Known for its lively atmosphere and live music, the restaurant has been a staple since the mid-1990s and remains beloved even after rebuilding from a devastating 2019 fire.

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➤ Statewide: U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds said a long-standing federal rule requiring a 25% down payment for Florida condominium buyers will end in August, a move he called a boost for housing affordability. (See Details)

➤ Polk County: An endowed ROTC scholarship created in the name of fallen Army Maj. Cody A. Khork at his alma mater, Florida Southern College, received $75,000 in donations within days. Khork was killed in action in Kuwait earlier this month. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: CFO Blaise Ingoglia distributed $14 million in grants to fire departments and first responder programs across Florida, emphasizing support for firefighter safety and mental health. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: The city launched a new affordable housing program to increase home ownership among people who earn less than 50% of the area median income, which is $51,250 a year for a family of four. (More)

➤ St. Augustine: A state black history museum slated to be built in the city is facing an uncertain timeline after a bill that would have finalized some necessary steps failed to pass the state Legislature for the second year in a row. (More)

➤ South Florida: Cuban Americans gathered at Lummus Park in Miami to demand the right to return to Cuba and deliver humanitarian aid directly, questioning why only certain organizations are authorized to do so. The protest followed a group’s departure from Miami International Airport carrying supplies to the island, where citizens face dire conditions. (More)

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➤ Top-seeded Florida men’s basketball was upset 73-72 by No. 9 Iowa last night in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Gators erased a double-digit second-half deficit to lead by two points with eight seconds left, but a last-second three-pointer doomed their chances of advancing to the Sweet 16. (More)

➤ Miami men’s basketball fell 79-69 to No. 2 seed Purdue yesterday in the second round of the NCAA tournament. The Hurricanes held a two-point lead going into halftime, but were unable to close out the Boilermakers. (More)

➤ USF men’s basketball head coach Bryan Hodgson has announced he is leaving to become the next head coach of Providence. Hodgson led the Bulls to their first NCAA tournament appearance since the 2011-2012 season. (More)

➤ Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov recorded two goals and two assists in a 5-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday to retake the NHL points lead from Oilers star Connor McDavid. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf | Tennis | NASCAR

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➤ Florida Power & Light (FPL) collected the highest profit margin from its customers last year, compared to other utilities nationwide, according to a new analysis by a utility watchdog group. (More)

➤ Jacksonville city council member Rory Diamond, a critic of the autonomous NAVI transit system, is pushing for the city to roll out Waymo, an autonomous taxi service, instead. He says it would save the city millions of dollars. (More)

➤ A new Florida Small Business Economic Trends report shows Sunshine State small business owners are more optimistic about the direction of the economy, but also expressed other concerns, such as hesitancy to hire. (More)

➤ Three weeks after the JEA board rejected board member Rick Morales’ request for an outside review of toxic workplace allegations at the utility’s headquarters, JEA announced it will launch an independent examination by an outside law firm. (More)

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Scientists at Washington University discovered that doing this simple couch-yoga pose fixes constipation, bloating, and embarrassing gassy moments.

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This couch-yoga pose clears your gut fast

➤ The Miami area is now home to four of the world’s five richest people, who all own waterfront estates. (More)

➤ Odessa’s volunteer-run nonprofit, Owl’s Nest Sanctuary for Wildlife, rescued, rehabbed, and then released two newborn bobcats, Orion and Electra, into Upper Tampa Bay Park in Hillsborough County. (See Video)

➤ Galleria Fort Lauderdale’s new exhibit, Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel: The Exhibition, produced by Los Angeles-based SEE Global Entertainment, showcases 34 life-size scale masterpieces through June 14. (More)

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Have you ever visited the Sistine Chapel in Italy?

1. Yes
2. No
3. On my bucket list!

Sunday’s Results:

What’s your favorite film era?

1. New Hollywood (70s-80s): 34%
2. Golden (30s-60s): 30%
3. Modern (90s-present): 22%
4. Silent (pre 1920s): 14%

Where in Florida could you once find Webb’s City, described as the world’s most unusual drug store, where you could see mermaids and dancing chickens?

Show me the answer