South Florida Rushes Aid to Venezuela

Venezuelan families across South Florida are packing donation boxes in Doral to send relief home after two earthquakes killed at least 235 people in Venezuela this week.

The back-to-back quakes hit northern Venezuela on Wednesday, injuring over 4,300 and toppling buildings around Caracas. For Doral’s large Venezuelan community, the disaster is personal: many residents spent hours unable to reach relatives back home.

In Doral, Mayor Christi Fraga partnered with the nonprofit Global Empowerment Mission, where volunteers spent Thursday boxing first-aid kits, flashlights, batteries, and diapers for shipment. At least four drop-off sites are open across the city.

At Sabor Venezolano, a Doral restaurant, residents gathered clothing and food for shipment. “Our hearts are there,” one volunteer said.

DeSantis Vetoes E-Bike Rules, Signs 15 Bills

Gov. Ron DeSantis issued his first veto of the 2026 session Thursday, rejecting a statewide e-bike bill he warned would bring “enhanced surveillance” of riders.

Senate Bill 382 would have barred e-bikes from exceeding 10 mph within 50 feet of a pedestrian and set up a micromobility safety task force. It cleared both chambers unanimously.

In his veto letter, DeSantis wrote that the speed limit would be hard for a rider to judge and objected to forming a task force while imposing rules first. Violations would have carried fines topping $100.

DeSantis also signed 15 bills, most effective July 1. They include new road designations, an expansion of a veterans’ dental-grant program, and a requirement that local governments accept electronic payments.

Florida Moves To Bar Illegal-Immigrant Enrollment

Florida’s Board of Governors voted Thursday to advance a rule barring students in the country illegally from enrolling at the state’s most selective public universities. 

The rule would take effect in the 2027-28 school year and apply to universities that recently rejected academically qualified applicants—the state’s competitive campuses.

Gov. Ron DeSantis backs the rule. “I am fully supportive of it,” he said, arguing the state should put legal Florida residents first.

Immigration attorney Madhurima Paturi said the change could force Florida-raised students to abandon their studies, costing the state talent and tax revenue.

The proposal now enters a 14-day public comment period before a final board vote scheduled for September.

➤ Jacksonville: The midyear homicide total in the city has fallen by nearly half compared to previous years, with the sheriff saying a focus on gang violence and crime prevention is working. (More)

➤ Gadsden County: The school district’s fund balance is at 3.5%, nearing the 2% mark that would trigger state oversight. (Details)

➤ Orlando: A major renovation was completed at the John H. Jackson Neighborhood Center playground in Parramore, part of a plan to upgrade 11 playgrounds over the next two years. (See Video)

➤ Tampa: Customers were surprised to discover that restaurants, including RO in Hyde Park, are now adding venue fee surcharges to the bill. (More)

➤ Fort Myers: Downtown visitors can now experience slightly longer free parking after the city council voted to raise the free parking time from one hour to two at three garage locations. (More)

➤ Miami-Dade County: Mayor Daniella Levine Cava on Thursday announced the county’s intent to sell the land used for “Alligator Alcatraz” to the National Park Service. (More)

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➤ Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi was nominated for best male athlete at the 2026 ESPYS, joining a field that includes NBA champion Jalen Brunson, MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, and NFL MVP Matthew Stafford. (More)

➤ Former NFL wide receiver Sammy Watkins is returning to his home state to coach wide receivers at Ocoee High School. A Fort Myers native, Watkins had a nine-year NFL career and won a Super Bowl with the Kansas City Chiefs in 2020. (More) 

➤ The Miami Heat signed former University of Miami guard Tre Donaldson to a two-way contract after he went undrafted this week. Donaldson averaged 16.4 points and 5.7 assists for the Hurricanes last season and earned All-ACC Second Team honors. (More)

➤ The NHL Draft continues today with Rounds 2-7 from Buffalo, where both the Tampa Bay Lightning and Florida Panthers hold six picks each. (More)

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

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Big Money Gets In Pre-IPO in AI

AI stocks now make up about 45% of the S&P 500. But the biggest breakout gains often happen because investors got in before companies went public.

In AI, big money increasingly moves sooner. In 2025, 67% of private-stage investments were in AI companies, up from 9% in 2022. But those opportunities are almost always reserved for the 1%.

Restaurant robotics pioneer Miso Robotics isn’t, and 44K+ everyday folks like you have already joined big money players like Ecolab as investors.

Miso’s Flippy Fry Station AI restaurant kitchen robot has logged 200K+ hours in kitchens across the $1T fast-food industry. Its tech is used by big-name customers like White Castle, Jersey Mike’s, Cinnabon, and more. And Miso just acquired 300+ patents from a food robotics early-mover that raised $450 million.

Flippy alone represents a $4B/year revenue opportunity in the US. Invest before Miso hits its $2.5M raise target for June. Hurry for bonus shares.

➤ A 3-year-old boy from Estero launched a disc golf disc 121 feet on Wednesday, breaking the previous World Flying Disc Federation mark of 117 feet for the longest distance thrown by a person under 4 years old. (See Video)

➤ A new heart-shaped snorkel reef is planned for St. Andrews Bay near Panama City. It’s expected to be completed in May 2027. (See Video)

➤ Jonah, the dog who went viral for eyeing a hot dog at a Marlins game, got his own happy ending after the team tracked him down. (See Video)

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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, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A new study found one specific diet could lower dementia risk by up to 30%, even for those with early Alzheimer’s markers. Learn which foods are the most helpful. (Hear More)

➤ A new note sent to TMZ claims to have video of a suspect with Savannah Guthrie’s missing mother, Nancy, on what the sender called “probably her last” day alive. (Tune in here)

➤  The prosecutor in the Charlie Kirk murder case was found in contempt for violating a judge’s gag order. (Podcast Available)

Florida Flyover reader Chris W. James took this amazing shot of Comet C/2025 R3 (PANSTARRS) from his backyard in Citrus Springs. The image was later selected for publication in the July 2026 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine.

Congratulations Chris!

How would you feel about a venue fee being added to your restaurant bill?

1. Absolutely not
2. I’m indifferent
3. It’s okay if they need it to be profitable
4. Other

Yesterday’s Results:

Is your pet microchipped?

1. Yes: 40%
2. I don’t have a pet: 37%
3. No: 16%
4. Planning on it: 7%

When did Alligator Alcatraz first open?

Show me the answer