Good Morning! On this day in 1935, “Old Folks at Home” became Florida’s state song, sponsored by Miami legislator S.P. Robineau. Stephen Foster wrote the song, also known as “Way Down Upon the Swanee River,” in 1851.
Could a one-time treatment replace a lifetime of daily cholesterol pills? Researchers have uncovered a treatment with results so promising that cardiologists are calling it a potential game-changer for heart health. On The Flyover Podcast, Ayla Brown unpacks the findings and reveals which big pharma giant is already behind it. Tune in here!
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DeSantis Calls Session on Property Tax
Governor Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session to pursue a constitutional amendment that would make homestead properties tax-free for millions of Florida homeowners.
The session begins Monday, with the goal of placing the initiative on the November ballot ahead of the 2026 midterms. The plan would initially raise the homestead exemption limit to $250,000—eliminating property taxes for roughly 60% of Florida homeowners right away.
Raising the limit further to $500,000 would cover 92% of all homesteaded residents, DeSantis said. Under Florida law, the amendment would need 60% approval from both legislative chambers to reach the ballot, then 60% voter support to become law.
Local governments are sounding the alarm, warning that slashing property tax revenue could force cuts to essential services like fire rescue. The plan applies only to homestead properties—commercial and non-homestead residential properties would not be affected.
Trump Backs Donalds for Florida Governor
President Trump has delivered his “Complete and Total Endorsement” to Naples Congressman Byron Donalds in the 2026 race to become Florida’s next governor.
Trump posted on Truth Social Tuesday, declaring that Donalds—a three-term congressman representing Southwest Florida’s 19th district—is “a TOTAL WINNER” who will advance his America First agenda on border security, taxes, energy, and the Second Amendment.
Three other Republicans are competing for the Aug. 18 primary ballot: Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, tech investor James Fishback, and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner. A recent Emerson poll shows Donalds leading the GOP primary field with 46% support, leaving his rivals in the single digits.
The race is on to succeed Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is term-limited after eight years in office. Trump’s early backing mirrors his pivotal 2018 endorsement of DeSantis—which helped launch the governor’s first statewide win.
Guilty Plea in Adler Boat Case
The second man charged in the 2024 boating death of 15-year-old Ella Adler near Key Biscayne has pleaded guilty, avoiding jail time.
Edmund Hartley, the 33-year-old captain of the yacht towing Adler while she was wakeboarding, pleaded guilty Tuesday to two second-degree misdemeanor boating safety violations. He will serve six months of probation, complete a boating safety course, and donate to crime victim compensation funds.
Prosecutors said footage showed Hartley continued towing a second passenger after Adler fell into the water on May 11, 2024, where she was fatally struck by a separate vessel. Carlos Alonso, 79—the driver of that boat—had already pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges in January.
Ella’s father addressed the court on Tuesday, calling his daughter a young woman with “limitless potential.” Her family has since established the Ella Riley Adler Foundation in her memory.
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➤ Tallahassee: A Florida judge refused to block the state’s new congressional map—passed by the GOP-controlled Legislature—that could net Republicans four extra seats ahead of November’s midterms. A lawsuit challenging it moves forward. (More)
➤ Miami: A Miami man was arrested for allegedly stealing $1.9 million in Bitcoin from a former employer through unauthorized transactions from a Trezor hardware wallet dating back to 2020. (More)
➤ Pensacola: Firefighters battled a large blaze at EMR Southern Recycling for hours Tuesday, sending a visible smoke plume across the city. Residents with respiratory conditions were urged to take precautions. (More)
➤ Miami: A man is suing Carnival Cruise for $5 million after allegedly suffering second-degree burns walking barefoot, for 20 steps across the Lido deck of the Carnival Magic in May 2025. (More)
➤ Broward County: A 45-year-old man was convicted of operating a “family-run” cocaine trafficking ring that distributed drugs throughout South Florida, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Wednesday. (More)
➤ South Florida: Following redistricting, Republican Bryan Leib says he’s exploring another run for Florida’s redrawn 25th Congressional District, which covers parts of Broward and Miami-Dade counties. Leib previously ran in District 25 in 2024. (More)
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➤ The PGA Tour reshuffled its 2027 Florida schedule, moving the Cadillac Championship at Doral back to March and slotting the Arnold Palmer Invitational the week after The Players Championship. (More)
➤ Dolphins running back De’Von Achane pushed back on the idea that 2026 is a rebuilding year for Miami, saying, “I ain’t got time for that.” (More)
➤ Former University of Florida point guard Jason Williams said he’s done supporting Gators athletics after a fan allegedly struck one of his daughters with an item during the Florida-Texas Tech softball game. (More)
➤ Summer grilling and outdoor adventures can turn dangerous fast if a fire breaks out. The Cobra Fire Blanket helps you quickly smother grease, grill, and campfire flames in seconds—without the mess of traditional extinguishers. Compact, easy to use, and designed for emergencies, it’s a smart safety essential for every backyard cookout and camping trip. (LEARN MORE)
➤ Gas prices are running $1.26 per gallon higher than last year as Florida’s summer travel season kicks off—adding roughly $19 per fill-up, AAA says—putting pressure on road-trip budgets. (More)
➤ Biscayne Bay’s annual report card shows “poor” conditions threatening Miami-Dade’s status as a regional economic powerhouse, officials warn, with water quality and ecological concerns persisting across all bay regions. (More)
➤ Continental Strategy named Brandi Gunder—formerly vice president of research at Florida TaxWatch—as its newest partner. (More)
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➤ Health and Human Services Secretary RFK Jr. posted a video on social media of himself wrangling snakes barehanded at a Florida home and getting bitten in the process. (More)
➤ South Florida law enforcement agencies ran a major emergency preparedness drill this week ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Miami serving as one of the tournament’s host cities this summer. (More)
➤ SpaceX is targeting Friday for a Falcon 9 launch from Cape Canaveral carrying 29 Starlink satellites to orbit. (More)
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DeSantis Calls Session on Property Tax
