State of the State Address

Gov. Ron DeSantis prioritized abolishing property taxes, repealing gun control laws, and cleaning up the Everglades in his annual State of the State Address on Tuesday.

DeSantis gave a 30-minute speech to both chambers on the first day of the Legislative Session. He praised Florida as a national leader in illegal immigration enforcement laws and for maintaining a lean state budget. You can watch the full speech here.

“We are actually spending less money in the current fiscal year than we did in the previous fiscal year,” DeSantis said. “Where else in this country have they actually reduced spending?“

DeSantis concluded by reaffirming his stance against state tax increases, stating, “This body will not pass tax increases, and this governor will not sign any tax increases.“

Florida Mom Featured at President’s Speech

A Tallahassee mother who became prominent in the debate about gender identity in public schools was a special guest of First Lady Melania Trump at President Donald Trump’s speech to a joint session of Congress on Tuesday.

During the president’s speech, he shared how January Littlejohn and her husband “discovered that their daughter’s school had secretly transitioned their 13-year-old little girl, teachers and administration conspired to deceive January and her husband while encouraging her daughter to use a new name and pronouns… All without telling January.“

Littlejohn and her husband sued the Leon County School Board for allegedly allowing her daughter to transition without her consent.

Littlejohn is a stay-at-home mom, a licensed mental health counselor, and an active parents’ advocate associated with Moms for Liberty, an organization that advocates for parental rights.

Best All-Inclusive Resorts for Seniors

Two Florida resorts in the Keys are named among the best all-inclusive resorts for seniors, according to Travel & Leisure magazine. See the complete list here.

Bungalows Key Largo is described as “anything but your typical Floridian resort for senior citizens.” The funky, upscale, all-adult resort offers five distinct dining venues, daily sunrise yoga, and nightly live music.

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa is a private island resort 29 miles north of Key West. It is a four-acre resort with 30 suites and 15 thatched-roof bungalows.

Of the ten resorts listed worldwide, Little Palm Island Resort is the second most expensive at $2,607 per night, behind the Waterside Lodge at Royal Malewane in South Africa, which is $5,198 per night.

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➤ Tallahassee: Lawmakers are considering a bill to repeal a 2023 law that would implement later school start times for high school and middle school students. (More)

➤ Loxahatchee: A 34-year-old man was arrested for allegedly calling 911 to make threats against President Donald Trump and his family. He’s accused of multiple charges, including making threats to discharge a destructive device. (More)

➤ Pinecrest: School officials have confirmed that a case of measles has been reported at Miami Palmetto Senior High School. (See Video)

➤ Lakeland: Commissioners voted unanimously to remove fluoride from the city’s drinking water. Since November, Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo has urged cities to do so. (See Video)

➤ Manatee County: School officials are holding public meetings to discuss new school construction and rezoning plans to alleviate district overcrowding. (See Schedule)

➤ Sarasota: The burn ban issued by the county fire department in December was lifted after the drought index fell below 500 for seven consecutive days. (More)

➤ The Jacksonville Jaguars have released Christian Kirk, who suffered a season-ending collarbone injury last season. Kirk was entering the final season of a four-year $72 million contract. (More)

➤ The Orlando Magic dropped their fourth straight game on Tuesday night, losing 114-113 to the Toronto Raptors after allowing a go-ahead three-pointer with less than a second left. Magic star Paolo Banchero provided a bright spot, though, scoring 41 points with eight rebounds and eight assists. (More)

➤ The Florida Panthers have acquired San Jose Sharks goalie Vitek Vanecek in exchange for Patrick Giles. (More)

Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | Soccer

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➤ Southwest Airlines is closing two crew bases, including the one in Fort Lauderdale, in a push to cut costs. (More)

➤ The price of gas rose five cents per gallon on Tuesday. The average price for regular unleaded in Florida is currently $3.08 per gallon. (More)

➤ Tampa International Airport is expected to service 650 daily flights during spring break, the 37 days from March 1 to April 6. (See Video)

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➤ A newly listed 10,001-square-foot Crystal Waters estate can be yours for $31.5 million. It would be the most expensive property ever sold on Siesta Key if it goes for its asking price. (See Photos)  

➤ The Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center at The Florida Aquarium is at record capacity, treating cold-stunned turtles from the east coast of Florida and New England. (See Video)

➤ The Vox Nova Chamber Choir from Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg is heading to Spain and Portugal over spring break to perform in each country. (See Video)

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Did you watch President Donald Trump’s Address to Congress on Tuesday?

1. Every minute
2. Some of it
3. None at all

Wednesday’s Results:

Have you visited the Kennedy Space Center?

1. Yes: 59%
2. No: 41%

What First Daughter did a fashion shoot of casual summer outfits in Palm Beach for Family Circle Magazine?

Show me the answer