NOAA Declares El Niño for Florida

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared an El Niño on Thursday, with new analysis showing the system is already developing earlier and faster than typical events.

For Florida, the most consequential near-term effect is hurricane suppression. El Niño years historically produce fewer Atlantic storms because elevated wind shear disrupts tropical development, and that pattern is expected to reduce overall storm activity for the rest of the 2026 season.

But forecasters are urging Floridians not to treat El Niño as a hurricane-season hall pass, with the official season running through Nov. 30. Atlantic storms can still form and track toward Florida even in suppressed years, and residents should maintain their preparations.

It also carries a 40% chance of escalating into a rare “super El Niño” capable of disrupting weather patterns statewide through 2027, bringing wetter winters, elevated flood risk, and altered temperatures.

Florida Averages 93 Immigration Arrests Daily

Florida has quietly become one of the most active states in the country for immigration enforcement, averaging 93 arrests per day, second only to Texas’ 239.

The enforcement network was bolstered by $90 million in state immigration enforcement funding announced earlier this month.

Last month, ICE, in collaboration with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, announced the arrest of 230 illegal immigrants who were also convicted sexual predators and offenders that officials say pose significant threats to public safety.

The Swamp Gets a $1.45B Makeover

The University of Florida unveiled a $1.45 billion, multi-phase renovation of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, the most expensive stadium renovation project in college football history.

Everything that makes “The Swamp” legendary is staying put: the distinctive bowl design, the wall of crowd noise that has wilted opposing offenses for decades, and the home-field mystique Gators fans know as their secret weapon. New premium seating and modern amenities will take the game-day experience to another level.

Beyond ticket sales, major sponsorship deals will fund UF’s NIL programs and help the Gators recruit at the highest level in the post-House settlement era. Athletic director Scott Stricklin projected game-day revenue to nearly double once the buildout is complete, a financial leap that would reshape UF’s competitive position.

Construction kicks off after the 2026 season, giving first-year head coach Jon Sumrall a world-class stage to build his program. For Gators fans across Florida, Saturday afternoons at The Swamp just got a whole lot more exciting.

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➤ Statewide: Two former Florida mayors and a nonprofit organization have filed a lawsuit challenging the ballot language for a proposed constitutional amendment that would dramatically expand Florida’s homestead property tax exemption. (Details)

➤ Broward County: An alligator that had eluded state wildlife officials for two years was finally captured early Friday after it was spotted in water surrounding a water main break in Davie. (See Photos)

➤ Hillsborough County: Commissioners voted 5-2 Thursday night to advance plans for a 280-home development on roughly 190 acres near the intersection of Dorman Road and Lithia Pinecrest Road, despite dozens of residents dressing in red and speaking out against the project. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: Staff and the community celebrated the ribbon-cutting of Dorion Family Pediatric Center on Thursday, a first-of-its-kind pediatric hospice center at Community Hospice & Palliative Care in Mandarin, bringing their services under one roof.  (See Photo)

➤ Tallahassee: Lake County Commissioner Anthony Sabatini filed a lawsuit Thursday morning challenging Florida’s resign-to-run law, arguing the statute unconstitutionally forces elected officials to give up their current office when seeking another position. (More)

➤ Gadsden County: Florida Power and Light and Gadsden County Elderly Affairs teamed up to distribute food boxes to residents 60 and older as part of a hurricane-preparedness initiative. (More)

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➤ Tampa Bay Lightning star Nikita Kucherov won the NHL MVP award, edging out Connor McDavid by just 10 points in the closest vote since 2002. Kucherov finished the season with 130 points in 76 games. (More)

➤ The Buccaneers were docked an OTA practice this week after the NFL determined the team was “too physical” during sessions, a violation of the league’s no-contact policy. Coach Todd Bowles said it came down to “three or four plays” that were flagged. (More)

➤ Tampa’s Community Redevelopment Agency board voted to push back its portion of the Tampa Bay Rays’ stadium funding discussion until August, the latest delay in the team’s $2.3 billion ballpark proposal. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: World Cup | MLB | NCAA World Series I WNBA | Golf

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Exxon Has an Unlikely New Competitor

Energy giants like Exxon have been buying land in America’s lithium hotspot. Now they’ve got a new neighbor. 

EnergyX acquired the rights to 35k gross acres of lithium-rich land right next door. It’s not just the acres turning heads, either. Their tech can recover up to 3X more lithium than usual methods.

Now they’re preparing to drill and unlock America’s next major lithium supply. General Motors and 50k+ everyday people already invested. Invest in EnergyX before their July 16 investment deadline.

➤ Itimpi, a weekends-only bookstore focused on Tampa Bay authors and stories, opened its first brick-and-mortar space inside The Paper Seahorse at 213 South Howard Avenue, launched by a mother-daughter team. (More)

➤ The Great Florida Bigfoot Conference returns to Ocala’s World Equestrian Center today for its sixth year, with investigators Cliff Barackman, David Paulides, and Lyle Blackburn presenting on mysterious sightings. (More)

➤ The Pensacola Beach Air Show has announced its full 2026 performer lineup, headlined by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels flying out of their home base at NAS Pensacola. (More)

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Are you excited about the $1.45B Swamp renovation?

1. Yes—it’s going to be legendary!
2. Mixed feelings about the price tag
3. Not a Gators fan, but still excited
4. The money could be spent better
5. Other

Should nonpublic school students pay $400 to play on district sports teams?

1. No, their families pay taxes too: 48%
2. Yes, it’s only fair: 20%
3. No, kids shouldn’t have to pay: 16%
4. Yes, but lower the fee: 11%
5. Other: 5%

What Florida city is known as the “Cradle of Naval Aviation”?

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