Good Morning! On this day in 1961, the U.S. launched the failed Bay of Pigs invasion in Cuba, using a CIA-sponsored force of 1,400 Cuban exiles, most of whom were recruited and trained in Florida.
Dry conditions around the state continue to spur fires. Here’s a source for more information on active burn bans, active wildfires, and the fire danger index.
Big Announcement: The Flyover Podcast is launching on April 28th, and we need your help! Before we make episodes available to the public, we’re inviting our readers to join our focus group. You’ll get an exclusive first look (and listen) at episodes on YouTube starting this Monday, April 21, and you’ll have the chance to help shape the podcast by giving feedback to our hosts, Ayla and Amy, regarding content, format, delivery, and new ideas.
Your voice will be essential in helping shape the future of The Flyover Podcast. To help, just click HERE and click the subscribe button on the Flyover YouTube page (bottom left-hand corner). We’ll email you a private episode link starting Monday. Thanks for your help!
We’re sponsored today by RYSE, offering an opportunity in new smart home technology.
Daytona Beach ☀️ 78/66° | Ft. Myers ☀️ 88/63° | Jacksonville ☀️ 82/62° | Key West ☀️ 81/73° | Miami ☀️ 81/72° | Ocala ☀️ 86/58° | Orlando ☀️ 85/64° | Pensacola ☀️ 78/64° | Port St. Lucie ☀️ 81/65° | Tallahassee ☀️ 84/54° | Tampa ☀️ 88/63°
Hope Florida Scrutiny Intensifies
The Hope Florida Foundation, First Lady Casey DeSantis’ signature welfare assistance program, faces intense scrutiny following revelations of governance failures.
Florida lawmakers are threatening to subpoena top DeSantis administration officials over the handling of a $10 million donation after Hope Florida Board Chair Joshua Hay admitted to a House committee Tuesday that “mistakes were made.”
The $10 million donation originated from a legal settlement with Medicaid contractor Centene. Hope Florida then made two $5 million grants to nonprofits supporting the fight against last year’s marijuana legalization amendment.
Gov. Ron DeSantis has defended Hope Florida and accused House GOP leaders of unfairly attacking his wife’s organization, calling it a “manufactured hoax.”
Officer Arrest Connected to Failed Bombing
A St. Petersburg police officer was arrested Tuesday for sharing confidential information with the man who placed two explosive devices at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino last year.
Officer Brandon Klaiber was charged with two counts of offenses against intellectual property after investigators found that he had given information—including vehicle tag numbers and driver’s license information—from a restricted database at work.
Investigators discovered text messages between Klaiber and the suspect, Bryan Eckley of Tampa, who are described as friends. Eckley was arrested in October 2024 for placing two explosive devices at the Hard Rock.
It’s unclear if any of the information Klaiber shared with Eckley was connected to the explosives case. Klaiber is on administrative leave without pay.
Boat Locks Closed on Lake Okeechobee
The South Florida Water Management District closed multiple navigation locks on the north shore of Lake Okeechobee Tuesday night because low water levels made boating conditions unsafe.
The lake is currently at a depth of 12 feet, which is two feet below usual for this time of the year. In addition to safety concerns, the closures were prompted by ongoing dry weather conditions.
Imagine skipping out on Ring before its $1.2B buyout by Amazon.
That’s exactly what happened to all the sharks, including Kevin O’Leary, missing a 66,756% return.
By the time we hear about industry-changing companies, it’s usually too late. But right now, there’s a smart home startup making their way to homes in America.
➤Statewide:U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody has raised more than $1.6 million in contributions in her first six weeks in the Senate, and the Moody-related Stronger Safer Nation super PAC has raised $7 million so far this year. (More)
➤ Central Florida: Two new lanes will open on I-4 in two weeks to help alleviate congestion, eight months earlier than expected. The new lanes span seven miles on both sides of I-4 between US-27 in Polk County and east of World Drive in Orange County. (More)
➤ Cocoa Beach: A teacher facing charges for attending a house party where underage drinking occurred was placed on administrative leave for a second time after the release of a police officer’s body cam footage of the night in question. (See Video)
➤ Delray Beach: The city released an investigative report about the crash between a fire rescue truck and a Brightline train in December, including a video that shows the truck went around the crossing arms and attempted to cross the tracks. (See Details)
➤ Orange County: Deputy Fire Chief of Administration Anthony Rios, a veteran of the department for 24 years, has been appointed as the new fire chief. (See Photo)
➤ Weston: Actor William Levy, who was a contestant on Dancing with the Stars, was arrested in Broward County for being “highly intoxicated and causing a disturbance inside” a restaurant, according to police. (See Video)
➤ Former Marlins general manager Kim Ng has been named commissioner of a newly formed professional softball league. In 2020, Ng made history as the first woman to be named an MLB GM. (More)
➤ The Miami Heat squared off against the Chicago Bulls in a late game last night to keep their playoff hopes alive. (See Score)
➤ Florida State Seminole legend Charlie Ward was named Florida A&M’s new basketball coach. Ward played basketball and football for Florida State in the early 90s, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1993. (More)
➤ Florida Gators center Alex Condon has entered the NBA draft. (More)
➤ Orlando International Airport is preparing for increased traffic in the coming months with the opening of Universal’s Epic Universe in May. Officials are focused on adding more domestic and international flights. (More)
➤Meanwhile, the Dominican Republic’s Arajet Airlines made Miami its first U.S. route and now operates four weekly flights from Santo Domingo. (See Photos)
➤HCA Florida Healthcarebroke ground last week on a $15 million, 11,000-square-foot freestanding emergency room in Apopka. The provider has another ER underway in Winter Garden, which broke ground in March. (More)
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➤ Author Mike Drucker, raised in Coral Springs, returns to town on April 18 to sign copies of his new memoir Good Game, No Rematch: A Life Made of Video Games. (More)
➤ Kentucky tourists got an up-close look at a great white shark while fishing in Destin. (See Photos)
➤ The Florida Aquarium has been nominated as a candidate for USA Today’s best aquariums list, which will be determined by reader votes. Polls are open until May 12. (Vote Here)
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