Thursday, June 4, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 2005, Panamanian jockey Eddie Castro set a North American record with nine wins on the 13-race card at Calder Race Course in Miami.

Meet Splash in today’s Et Cetera section: the search-and-rescue-trained otter helping investigators recover submerged evidence and human remains to solve crimes.

Social Security’s full retirement age just climbed again, and if you’re thinking about retiring this year, the timing could permanently cost you. What’s actually driving the change? On today’s episode of The Flyover Podcast, Ayla shares how much your retirement could be cut depending on timing, plus exclusive tips on how to squeeze the biggest possible check out of your benefits. Tune in here!

Later today, you’ll receive a message from our partner, Insurify, about how comparing car insurance quotes in one place could help you find a lower rate in just a few minutes.

Today’s sponsor, Incogni, helps protect your privacy by automatically removing your personal information from data broker databases—the same databases scammers use to find your phone number, address, family members, and more—and The Flyover readers can get 55% off with code FLYOVER.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

Florida Puts Tax Cut on the Ballot

Florida lawmakers passed a property-tax amendment, backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, that would raise the homestead exemption to $250,000 if voters approve in November, potentially zeroing out non-school property taxes for many homeowners.

The break phases in, lifting today’s $50,000 exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. School taxes are untouched.

There’s a catch for new arrivals: those who establish residency after this year would wait four years to claim the full break.

Critics warn it could cost local governments billions, forcing service cuts. The measure needs 60% voter approval to pass.

Newlin Passes on Colombia Post

Orlando attorney and major Trump donor Dan Newlin says he won’t serve as U.S. ambassador to Colombia, choosing instead to keep running his Central Florida law firm.

President Trump, who first tapped Newlin in December 2024, has now picked former Kentucky Senate candidate Nate Morris for the post, which still needs Senate confirmation.

Newlin, a former Orange County sheriff’s detective, said selling the firm he’s built over 25 years wasn’t a decision he could make lightly, adding he’ll focus on humanitarian efforts and stay engaged locally.

Florida Backs Rocket Launches at Sea

Florida’s space agency approved a $270,000 deal backing a St. Petersburg startup’s plan to launch rockets from the open ocean, an effort dubbed Project Manta.

Seagate Space will assemble the first piece, a wave-steadying ballast module, at Port Tampa Bay, with crews cutting steel within weeks.

Unlike SpaceX, which only lands boosters at sea, Seagate wants to launch from floating platforms, easing pressure on a crowded Cape Canaveral. Early partners include rocket makers Firefly and Vaya Space.

A first sea launch could come as soon as late 2027.

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➤ Statewide: Gov. Ron DeSantis kicked off Florida’s 2026 hurricane season preparedness efforts by announcing a new emergency management workforce initiative and urging residents to review storm plans before peak hurricane season arrives. (More)

➤ Pinellas County: Local and federal officials reached an agreement to end a decade-long dispute over beach renourishment, clearing the way for future federal funding to help protect the coastline from erosion and storm damage.

➤ Volusia County: Authorities arrested a woman on DUI manslaughter and vehicular homicide charges after investigators said she crashed into a toll booth, killing the 62-year-old worker inside. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: Passenger traffic at Tallahassee International Airport fell 8.5% in April from a year earlier, with 73,102 travelers passing through the airport as annualized traffic dipped below 877,000 passengers. (More)

➤ Flagler Beach: Firefighters rescued four people from the ocean Tuesday afternoon, including two juveniles who were hospitalized for evaluation after the water rescue near Break Awayz. (More)

➤ Miami Beach: The Coast Guard seized more than 1,500 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $11.6 million near Miami Beach after intercepting a suspected smuggling vessel in the Government Cut shipping channel. (More)

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➤ Miami Hurricanes receiver Malachi Toney landed on the cover of EA Sports College Football 27 after leading the FBS with 109 catches as a true freshman last season. (More)

➤ Buccaneers receiver Chris Godwin said he didn’t believe Mike Evans had signed with the 49ers because of “a lot of AI stuff” online. Once quarterback Baker Mayfield texted him a sad-face emoji, he knew it was real. (More)

➤ Florida basketball player Alex Condon was named to Australia’s senior national team and will play in the FIBA World Cup qualifiers. (More)

➤ The Miami Heat are reportedly the only team Giannis Antetokounmpo would sign a long-term extension with if the Bucks trade him this offseason. (More)

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➤ Mei, a Nordic-Japanese fine-dining restaurant from the team behind Michelin-starred Kōsen, has opened in downtown St. Petersburg, featuring seasonal Florida ingredients and plans for an eight-seat chef’s table experience. (More)

➤ St. Thomas University is seeking a development partner for up to 28 acres of its Miami Gardens campus, envisioning student housing, workforce residences, a hotel, retail space, and new academic and athletic facilities. (More)

➤ BermudAir will launch nonstop flights from St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport this December to Turks and Caicos, Belize, and Anguilla, expanding international travel options for Tampa Bay passengers. (More)

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➤ Peace River K9 Search and Rescue’s otter named Splash has completed nine successful recoveries of submerged crime scene evidence and human remains, helping investigators search areas often hidden from traditional methods. (See Splash)

➤ Body camera video shows Port St. Lucie police officers rushing into a burning home to rescue a 62-year-old woman after authorities said another woman set the fire and tried to push the victim into the flames. (See Video)

➤ Pepin Academies’ welding program is helping Tampa students with learning-related disabilities build trade skills and confidence, with 75% of graduates securing jobs and a growing waitlist for the hands-on classes. (More)

➤ Lee County Solid Waste and the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels will offer free game tickets to residents who recycle lithium-ion and other rechargeable batteries at a June 12 collection event. (More)

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