Good Morning! On this day in 1974, Governor Reuben Askew appointed Florida’s first female Cabinet member, Dorothy Glisson. The governor followed his announcement by planting a big kiss on Glisson’s cheek.
Hope you’re staying dry as we endure record-breaking rain this week. We needed the rain, for sure…but did we need so much? You can read more about the records set yesterday in our first top story.
Don’t forget to write in and give your thoughts on today’s edition. Thanks for all your feedback yesterday! We read it all.
Find and protect all of your memories in one click with The PhotoStick OMNI! Be sure to check them out below.
Central and South Florida received record rainfall on Tuesday with flash flooding at levels considered a 500-to-1,000-year event.
Coastal areas in Sarasota County saw up to 10 inches of rain in one day, with more expected today and throughout the week. By comparison, the Tampa Bay area normally sees 7.3 inches of rain the entire month of June.
Miami International and Ft. Lauderdale Airports together reported nearly 1,000 delays and cancellations. Video shows vehicles trying to navigate the flooded roadways while others appear trapped in rising waters.
The National Weather Service warned residents to expect more than seven inches of rain in “a prolonged heavy to excessive rainfall event across southern Florida for the next several days.“
New Law Curbs Powers of HOAs
Starting July 1, a new Florida homeowners law restricts HOAs from some of the most complained-about rules and fines.
The law limits HOAs from citing or fining residents for trivial transgressions, like leaving their trash cans out beyond collection day or having holiday lights and decorations hanging too long.
It also mandates more transparency, requiring HOAs to keep accounting records for seven years or face a first-degree misdemeanor.
This law follows the passage of two previous laws forcing HOAs to allow homeowners to harden their homes against hurricanes and requiring them to provide members with copies of the association’s rules and covenants.
Disney and Florida Finalize $17 Billion Deal
Disney won state approval to build a fifth major theme park and two minor parks as part of a $17 billion development deal for Walt Disney World finalized between Disney and Florida on Wednesday.
In exchange, Disney must donate up to 100 acres of their 24,000 Florida acres for infrastructure projects, award at least half of its construction projects to Florida-based companies, and spend at least $10 million on affordable housing for Central Florida.
Disney committed to invest the first $8 billion in the next 10 years. The agreement encompasses about 17,370 acres of land.
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➤ Miamiremains an area of concern for renters as premiums are the highest among metros in the state at 4.19%, according to a new study. Rents in other Florida cities are edging back toward historical norms. (More)
➤ Parkland: Demolition begins today on the three-story building where 17 people died in the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Officials plan to complete the project before the school’s 3,300 students return in August. (More)
Central Florida
➤ Lakeland-based Publix supermarket recalled baby arugula with a sell-by date of June 15. The supplier, Lake Worth-based Green Life Farms, says it may be contaminated with salmonella. (More)
➤ Central Florida’s top five largest minority-owned businesses were ranked this week. Dominated by the construction industry, the combined companies generate more than $100 million in local revenue and employ 450 in the region. (See List)
North Florida
➤St. Johns County former Sheriff David Shoar joined the Senate GOP race in District 7 against Ormond Beach’s Tom Leek and Ponte Vedra Beach’s Gerry James. (More)
➤Brevard public schools voted Tuesday to allow staff members to go through training that will allow them to carry firearms in schools. Officials said teachers will not be armed, but non-teaching school staff can volunteer. (More)
The Panhandle
➤ Florida Highway Patrol in the panhandle is warning teens and parents about what they call the “100 Deadliest Days of Summer,” which began Memorial Day. Last year, there were 20,000 crashes involving teens, averaging six fatalities a week. (More)
➤ A new $40M complex for cutting-edge science research opened in Pensacola Tuesday. The facility is meant to establish Northwest Florida as a bioscience center for talent from all over the world. (More)
➤ The Florida Panthers face the Edmonton Oilers in game three of the Stanley Cup Finals tonight in Edmonton. The Panthers hope to extend their 2-0 lead. (More)
➤ The Men’s College World Series baseball tournament begins on Friday in Omaha, Nebraska. Florida State will face Tennessee on day one. (See Bracket and Schedule)
➤ The Miami Dolphinsannounced Tuesday they signed second-round pick Patrick Paul to his rookie contract. The team now has only one of their seven-member draft class left to sign. (More)
➤ The FlipForkmakes grilling easier and more convenient than ever before. With the combination of a fork, flipper, knife, bottle opener, and more, FlipFork is useful and effective. Pick up this perfect Father’s Day gift today! (See It Here)
➤Liberty Mutual Co.has been ordered by Florida insurance regulators to repay $4.7 million, plus $560,000 in interest, to Florida policyholders by June 15. The Boston-based company overcharged 46,053 Floridians. (More)
➤ Margaritavilleat Sea Islander, the second cruise ship in the Margaritaville line, will take travelers to Key West, Cozumel, and Progreso from Tampa starting June 14. The ship’s “godmother” will be Jimmy Buffet’s daughter, Savannah. (More)
➤Boeingannounced on Tuesday it will open a new engineering facility in Daytona Beach and aims to hire nearly 200 employees. Boeing Daytona Beach is expected to be operational by late fall. (More)
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➤ The Buc-cee’s set to open near Ocala next year will no longer be the biggest in the country. The company announced on Tuesday it will now be 1,000 square feet smaller than the new Luling, Texas location that opened this week. (More)
➤ Daytona Beach:The Florida Truck Driving Championship will bring more than 300 drivers to America’s Favorite Beach this weekend in a prelude to the national competition. (More)
➤ Disney’s Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point became a new Bahamian port for Disney cruise ships this week. Unlike other Disney islands, it is open to the public. (More)
Historic Rain Ushers in Hurricane Season
