Florida Leads Nation in Executions

Florida is on pace to carry out 11 executions in 2025, the most in a single year since capital punishment was reinstated in 1976.

The state plans to execute three inmates in the next 30 days, starting with Edward Zakrzewski II, today, for the 1994 murders of his wife and two children. Two more executions are set for August, including Curtis Windom, whose death warrant was signed on Tuesday by Gov. Ron DeSantis in connection with a 1992 triple homicide in Orange County.

Florida leads the nation in executions, with Texas and South Carolina trailing behind, tied at four each. In 2000, 40 people were executed in Texas, the most by any state in a single year. 

Troopers Crack Down on Speeding

Florida troopers issued over 7,000 speeding tickets and made 87 DUI arrests during a weeklong traffic enforcement campaign in mid-July.

“Operation Southern Slow Down” was a coordinated effort across five Southern states aimed at curbing dangerous driving, especially on high-risk corridors like I-4.

The crackdown coincided with Florida’s new law, which took effect on July 1, imposing harsher penalties for extreme speeding—defined as driving 50 mph over the limit or exceeding 100 mph. At least 26 drivers have been cited so far.

Officials say the push is part of a broader effort to reduce speed-related crashes and fatalities, which combined accounted for more than a quarter of all U.S. traffic deaths last year.

Florida Deli Named Nation’s Best Sandwich Shop

Franky’s Deli Warehouse in Hialeah has been ranked the country’s No. 1 sandwich shop, according to Yelp’s new list of the top 100 sandwich shops.

The mom-and-pop shop, run by Franky and Nanette Diaz, has been in business for over 25 years and earned praise for favorites like the Famous Italian and Philly Cheesesteak.

Florida had a strong showing overall, with eight spots on the list—including No. 6 Chicago Paulies in Tampa and No. 11 Piknik in Palm Beach Gardens.

The rankings were released ahead of National Sandwich Month in August, a perfect time to try a new spot.

➤ Juno Beach: Dozens gathered to watch Pennywise, a 302-pound sea turtle, return to the Atlantic after months of recovery at Loggerhead Marinelife Center following a May boat strike. (See Video)

➤ Tallahassee: School zone speed cameras have been installed to ticket drivers going more than 10 mph over the limit, with 26 set to be active before school starts on August 11. (See Details)

➤ Fort Lauderdale: U.S. Coast Guard crews offloaded nearly 10,000 pounds of cocaine at Port Everglades after intercepting the $73.7 million haul on June 24, 120 miles off the coast of Ecuador. (See Photos)

➤ Citra: A fire destroyed the historic Antioch Missionary Baptist Church this week, with no injuries reported and the cause still under investigation. (See Photos)

➤ Orlando: The city is celebrating its 150th birthday with free entry to gardens and museums, plus citywide events highlighting local history and culture. (See Details)

➤ Lee County: The school district is offering free training and adjusting start times to streamline routes and reduce the number of drivers needed during a bus driver shortage. (More)

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➤ The Orlando Magic have been selected to play two games in Europe during the upcoming 2025-26 season—one in Berlin and the other in London. (More)

➤ DeLand native Nick Fortes was traded from the Miami Marlins to his favorite childhood team, the Tampa Bay Rays, on Tuesday. (More)

➤ Miami Dolphins safety Ashtyn Davis sustained an “ominous-looking” lower leg injury at training camp, adding to the team’s growing list of injuries on defense. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA

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➤ A new proposal dubbed the “Wonderland Corridor” aims to revitalize Jacksonville’s 103rd Street by cleaning up storefronts and showcasing the Westside’s potential to attract investment. (See Details)

➤ JEA Tower in downtown Jacksonville received two redevelopment proposals from Simple State and Live Oak, apartment builders, looking to restore the vacant 19-story space. (More)

➤ Three Orlando residents were sentenced for conspiracy to commit wire and tax fraud in a $146 million scheme that dodged payroll taxes and defrauded insurers from 2015 to 2024. (More)

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➤ A video shows six men in St. Pete panicking and fleeing the water after mistaking a dolphin for a shark. Though terrified, not one of them dropped his drink. (Watch Video) 

➤ Two Florida bars were named in USA Today’s Bars of the Year. The Old Salty Dog in Sarasota was selected for its beachy British feel, and Mary Lou’s in West Palm Beach got the nod for its retro glamour. (See List)

➤ Officers arrested a Pensacola man for stealing Smokey Bear signs from state forests and reselling them online, with Smokey himself holding the door open during the arrest. (See Smokey)

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Have you ever been the victim of identity theft?

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Wednesday’s Results:

Which Designing Women character was your favorite?

1. I didn’t watch the show: 46%
2. Suzanne: 20%
3. Charlene: 12%
4. Julia: 11%
5. Mary Jo: 11%

What Florida city’s name may have derived from a word describing a Native American community that arrived in Cuba in 1710?

Show me the answer