Teachers Warned about Social Media Comments

Florida’s Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas warned teachers not to make “despicable” comments on social media following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk this week.

“I will be conducting an investigation of every educator who engages in this vile, sanctionable behavior,” Kamoutsas said.

A teacher at Ridgeview Elementary School in Clay County was suspended after posting on Facebook: “This may not be the obituary we were all hoping to wake up to, but this is a close second for me.”

According to Kamoutsas, certified educators in Florida are subject to ethical guidelines, violations of which could result in their teaching certificates being taken away.

UF Confirms Interim President

The Board of Governors approved Dr. Donald W. Landry as the interim president for the University of Florida on Thursday, months after rejecting the trustees’ previous pick, Santa Ono.

“I will be locking in a culture of freedom of academic expression tempered by civility,” Landry said.

Previously, Landry founded the Burch-Lodge Center for Human Longevity, served as chair of the Department of Medicine at Columbia University, and was the Physician-in-Chief of New York Presbyterian/Columbia Medical Center.

Landry’s term will run through Aug. 31, 2026, unless he is selected as the permanent president.

Florida Airports Make Best List

Three Florida airports are in the running for USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Resort Airport.

Key West International, Sarasota Bradenton International, and Northwest Florida Beaches International were among 20 airports nominated by a panel of travel experts and 10BEST editors.

“These 20 airports stand out for their convenience, charm, and ability to make journeys feel effortless—all while connecting passengers to some of the most beautiful places throughout the United States,” USA Today said.

Voting is open now through Oct. 6.

➤ Statewide: Some residents are receiving scam text messages claiming to be from the Florida Department of Revenue reaching out about a refund. (Details)

➤ Lake County: Rapid growth has created a $700 million shortfall in transportation funding, leaving even top-priority projects delayed and unfinished. (More)

➤ Alachua County: A rabies alert has been issued after a stray rabid cat was found south of Hawthorne. (More)

➤ Sarasota: Parents and students rallied outside Wilkinson Elementary after a school board discussion on closing the school due to low enrollment. (See Video)

➤ Palm Beach County: The 2025 Winter Equestrian Festival drew more than 31,000 riders from over 50 countries, generating $536 million in economic impact over its 13 weeks—a 33% jump from last year, according to the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Naples: The Village Shops on Venetian Bay combines fashion, food, and sustainability! Shop boutiques, enjoy waterfront dining, and explore Naples’ newest eco-friendly attraction, an artificial reef made up of 215 concrete reef balls and over 4,300 cubic yards of riprap. By day, watch dolphins play and by night see 50+ underwater lights transform the Bay into a stunning aquarium. (LEARN MORE)

Enjoy reading Flyover Florida? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean had a simple explanation for why he was okay restructuring his contract from $12.5 million in 2025 to $4.5 million: “It’s just really not about the money anymore. I’m not in the mood to try to figure out a whole new team and city…So just to save me a headache.” (More)

➤ No. 7 Florida State women’s soccer beat Louisville 2-0 in their ACC opener—the Seminoles’ fifth shutout in the first six games of the season. (More)

➤ Miami Marlins pitcher Ryan Weathers threw five scoreless innings on Thursday night in his return from the 60-day injured list. Weathers said it was the most nerve-racking of starts he’s had in his career. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NCAAF | MLB | Soccer | Golf | NASCAR

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Tired of getting eaten alive every time you step outside? Protect your family with Pest Pulse Pro—a powerful, eco-friendly zapper offering 360° mosquito protection without chemicals; weatherproof, rechargeable, and safe for kids and pets, so you can enjoy the outdoors bite-free. (LEARN MORE)

Flying together with our sponsor

When your energy tanks and coffee isn’t cutting it, LMNT steps up.

This zero-sugar electrolyte mix gives your body exactly what it’s asking for—and skips everything it’s not. Our team swears by it for those marathon work sessions and early morning deadline sprints. No crash, no junk, just steady focus that lasts.

Because you’re a Flyover reader, you get a free sample pack with any purchase—eight solid flavors, zero sugar, zero regrets.

LMNT. Stay hydrated the smart way. Your afternoon self will thank you.

➤ A Florida manatee was spotted near Belmar, New Jersey, and photos of the rare sight quickly went viral on social media. (See Photos)

➤ Nurses at Memorial Hospital Miramar transformed the NICU into Whoville, dressing babies in Dr. Seuss-inspired costumes, for the annual Read-a-thon. (See Costumes)

➤ St. Johns County Beach Services and St. Augustine Lighthouse have teamed up to preserve two fragments of a 19th-century shipwreck found on Matanzas Beach. (See Video)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Brighten your smile today with Cleaner Smile’s LED Teeth Whitening Kit, which combines a powerful LED mouthpiece with year-supply gel pens and a full shade chart to lift years of stains from wine, coffee, and smoking, while being safe for teeth, gums, braces, veneers––and backed by a 60-day satisfaction guarantee. (LEARN MORE)

Have you ever swum in water you knew had gators nearby?

1. Yes
2. No

Yesterday’s Results:

Have you ever been to the Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City?

1. Yes: 34%
2. No: 66%

What area of Florida is known as the Sport-Fishing Capital of the World?

Show me the answer