Miami Mayor Joins Trump in Saudi Arabia

Miami Mayor Francis Suarez was the only municipal government official from the U.S. to attend a luncheon in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the start of President Donald Trump’s multiday Middle East tour.

Suarez lunched with business leaders, Saudi dignitaries, and high-ranking Trump administration officials, including Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and the President of FIFA.

Suarez has a longstanding relationship with Saudi Arabia, from attending conferences to announcing an investment office in Miami. He was also included in a list of speakers at the Saudi-U.S. Investment Forum on Tuesday.

During the visit to Riyadh, the president signed a $142 billion arms deal and unveiled a broader $600 billion investment package. The president has yet to nominate an ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

DNC to Remove Hogg

The Democratic National Committee’s credentials panel voted Monday to void activist David Hogg’s election as vice chair of the party, citing procedural violations in his February election.

Hogg, 25, rose to national prominence after surviving the 2018 massacre of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. He was a leading voice in the student-led March for Our Lives movement.

The DNC panel recommended a new election for the vice chair post Hogg now holds, potentially ousting him amid internal party tensions over his pledge to bring fresh energy to what he calls “asleep at the wheel” Democratic leadership.

A Justice Department official has encouraged Hogg to file a civil rights report after his election was challenged over the Democratic Party’s gender-parity rules.

Protection of Children Act Challenged

Florida’s 2023 law protecting minors from attending “adult live performances” was challenged in court this week in two separate cases, both resulting in rulings in favor of drag performances. 

An injunction barring the enforcement of the law will remain in effect after a federal appeals court ruled Tuesday that the law is likely unconstitutional.

A three-judge panel for the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to back a lower court decision that described Florida’s law as overly broad and vaguely written in a case filed by Orlando-based Hamburger Mary’s, a drag-themed casual-dining restaurant.

A U.S. District Judge in Fort Myers also issued a preliminary injunction against the Naples City Council’s vote in April to move the Naples Pride drag show indoors away from Cambier Park, which is frequented by children, finding the drag show performance is “speech protected by the First Amendment.”

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wrote on social media, “The decisions out of Fort Myers and the Eleventh Circuit panel are both radical and wrong.”

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➤ Brandon: On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis discussed Hope Florida during a press conference at the ARISE Church. (More)

➤ Fort Lauderdale: The Broward Sheriff’s Office fired ex-captain Jemeriah Cooper after demoting him for what officials described as a “shortcoming of performance” related to a domestic violence triple murder. (See Details)

➤ Loxahatchee: The National Weather Service confirmed that an EF-0 tornado, with winds of 70-75 mph, touched down near Lion Country Safari on Monday, leaving downed trees and minor damage. (See Photos)

➤ Hobe Sound: A prescribed burn started yesterday at Jonathan Dickinson State Park will continue today, aiming to level 440 acres of pine flatwoods along Park Drive and an area near Eaglesview. (More)

➤ Ocala: The Wetland Recharge Park will remain closed due to a large sinkhole that opened last week and has grown to 12 feet deep by 12 feet wide. (See Photo)

➤ New Smyrna Beach: The city commission eliminated conservation zoning for the Deering Park Innovation Center amid protests, rezoning more than 1,600 acres of land at the southwest corner of I-95 and State Road 44. (See Photos)

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➤ The NHL suspended Florida Panthers minority owner Doug Cifu for a profanity-laden social media spat concerning the Israel-Palestine conflict, where Cifu also referred to Canada as the “51st state.” (More)

➤ The Miami Dolphins will play the Washington Commanders in Madrid this season, the first time an NFL game has been played in Spain’s capital city. (More)

➤ The Florida Panthers dominated the Toronto Maple Leafs 6-1 in Game 5 of their second-round NHL playoffs series. The Panthers lead the series 3-2 with a chance to clinch it on Friday night at home in Game 6. (More)

Yesterday’s results: MLB | NBA | NHL | Soccer

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➤ Walgreens is preparing to close dozens of stores in 17 states over the coming months, including three stores in Jacksonville and Miami, as part of a longer-term plan to close more than 8,000 stores. (See List)

➤ The U.S. Small Business Administration is providing federal Economic Injury Disaster Loans to help small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofits in Florida financially impacted by the drought. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Lightning will have a new local TV home next season, signing a contract to broadcast its hockey games through Scripps Sports. Any viewer with a television and an antenna will be able to watch games for free. (More)

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➤ SeaWorld Orlando’s Expedition Odyssey has opened to the public, combining an indoor ride with real-world footage of the Arctic Ocean, its glaciers, and tundra. (Watch Video) 

➤ Fifty years after the Fall of Saigon, Central Floridians gathered to reflect at the Vietnam War walls at Veterans Memorial Park in Lake Nona. (More)

➤ Which Florida college football team has the best helmet? Cast your vote. (See Photos)

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Did you play sports in high school or college?

1. High school
2. College
3. Both
4. No

Wednesday’s Results:

Have you planned a summer vacation?

1. No: 41%
2. Yes: 36%
3. Working on it: 23%

Which Dallas Cowboys Hall of Fame running back, who played for the University of Florida, was born on this day in 1969 in Pensacola?

Show me the answer