State Republicans Hit Milestone

The Republican Party of Florida hit a major political milestone this week, now leading state Democrats by over one million registered voters.

Once considered a swing state, Florida has become increasingly Republican. Former President Donald Trump won in 2016 and 2020 and Gov. Ron DeSantis was elected in a 2022 landslide, beating Democrat Charlie Crist by 19 points and carrying 62 out of 67 counties.

“Our success goes beyond just numbers,” said Florida state GOP Chairman Evan Power. “It’s about a vision to make Florida the beacon of freedom for the rest of the country.”

Star to Explode Over the Sunshine State

A nova outburst that happens once every 80 years is expected to give Florida skywatchers a rare chance to see a star system located 3,000 light-years away from Earth.

The star system — T Coronae Borealis (“T CrB”) — last exploded in 1946; astronomers believe it will do so again between now and September.

The system is normally a magnitude +10, which is far too dim to see with the unaided eye, but it will jump to magnitude +2 during the event, making it similar in brightness to the North Star.

List: Florida #2 for Where to Live

The Sunshine State is the second-best state to live in, just behind Massachusetts and before New Jersey, according to a list released Monday. 

WalletHub used 51 key indicators to compare the 50 states in the U.S. on livability, including housing costs, income growth, and education rates.

Florida scored high in part because it has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, at 2.9%. The state also has the sixth-highest median household income growth.

The state also ranked as the 13th-lowest in violent crime rate and the 15th-lowest in property crime rate.

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➤ Riviera Beach: Berkeley Landing, a new 112-unit affordable housing complex, celebrated its grand opening last week. (See Photos)

➤ North Miami City Hall reopened for limited services Monday after the mayor said Sunday that a cyberattack halting city business was the result of “unauthorized access” to his personal account. (More)

➤ Polk County: More than 500 school buses feature new technology upgrades, including safety cameras that automatically detect when a driver illegally passes. (Watch Video)

➤ St. Cloud: The new Voyager K-8 school opened on Monday. It is the first to partner with the community to implement STEM-related topics into everyday learning. (Watch Video)

➤ The DeLand SunRail station began full operation Monday. The rail line connects four counties and 17 stations over 61 miles. (Watch Video)

➤ Meanwhile, the SunRail Circulator, operated by Daytona Beach-based Votran, offers free shuttle rides from the newly opened DeLand train station to downtown. (See Photos)

➤ Ocala: UF Health officials announced the opening of their newest $5 million medical facility last week, located at the World Equestrian Center. (Watch Video)

➤ Pensacola: Officials are blaming a broken water main for a steady flow of sewage into Escambia Bay on Saturday, polluting Skinner Mill Creek and surrounding waterways. (Watch Video)

➤ Milton: Race car driver James Fox died after a crash on the Southern Raceway track Saturday, according to the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. (See Photos)

➤ The Miami Marlins snapped the San Diego Padres’ seven-game win streak on one of the most controversial “ground-rule double” calls of the season. (Watch Video)

➤ Miami Dolphins pass rusher Jaelan Phillips has been activated to return to play following an Achilles injury he suffered last season. (More)

➤ Athletes with ties to Florida took home over 30 medals at the Olympics, and UF athletes won 11 of those. That would rank Gator Nation as 19th in the total medal count if it were a country. (See Florida Winners)

Yesterday’s results: MLB 

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➤ Whataburger fast-food chain celebrated its expansion to Tampa with a food truck event at Lykes Gaslight Square Park attended by CEO Ed Nelson. There are currently 45 locations in Florida. (More)

➤ Florida hospitals ranked low for pediatric cancer centers in a new report, despite being the third largest state in terms of pediatric population and accounting for 6% of all new pediatric cancer cases in the U.S. (See Details)

➤ Tampa-based developer The Framework Group has started construction on a six-story apartment complex in Daytona Beach. Slated to open in 2026, it will include a wide range of amenities. (More)

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➤ The Coral reefs in the waters around South Florida are “really healthy,” according to Florida officials, despite concerns over coral bleaching and water temperatures. (Watch Video) 

➤ Brevard Zoo celebrated the birth of a critically endangered Eastern bongo last week. Fewer than 100 live in the wild. (See Photos)

➤ A rare double waterspout was spotted off the coast of Panama City Beach this weekend. (Watch Video)

➤ Florida ranks eighth in the U.S. in private jet flights per 100,000 residents, according to a study from a student travel company. (More)

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Do you travel by train at least once per year?

1. Yes
2. No

Monday’s Results:

Which is your favorite “Message in a Bottle” of those listed?

1. Paul Brown’s book Messages from the Sea: 15.3%
2. The song by The Police: 15.2%
3. The 1999 Kevin Costner Movie: 12.3%
4. Other: 12.2%
5. The Nicholas Sparks Novel: 11.7%
6. Hallmark Channel’s Bottled with Love movie: 11.4%
7. The musical, featuring music by Sting: 11%
8. The song by Taylor Swift: 10.9%

Which Florida city is called the “Venice of America?”

Show me the answer