Budget Signed, Takes Effect Tonight

On Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Florida’s $115 billion budget while at a press conference in The Villages. The budget aims to reduce state spending and is nearly $4 billion less than last year’s.

The new budget will take effect at midnight tonight, with almost $600 million in line-item vetoes. The Governor touted the budget as leaner than last year’s version while paying off $830 million of the state’s debt early.

DeSantis wanted a property tax rebate for Floridians, and spoke to the press after the signing saying he would seek a ballot initiative allowing residents to own their property without paying yearly fees to the state.

The FY 2025-2026 budget includes $2 billion in tax relief focused on permanently repealing the business rent tax, renewing and expanding several sales tax holidays, and providing additional tax holidays.

Carnival Navigating Rough Passenger Feedback

Carnival Cruise Line’s recent changes to its loyalty program have sparked significant backlash from dedicated passengers. Some have expressed their frustration by withholding tips from crew members, boycotting, and posting nasty social media posts.

The cruise line is moving away from the time-based model of its long-running VIFP Club and introducing a new system that mirrors spend-based loyalty programs, such as those offered by airlines.

Launching on June 1, 2026, the new Carnival Rewards makes the Doral-based cruise line the first in the industry to scrap lifetime elite status for members of its loyalty program. Cruisers will have to requalify for status every two years.

To compound anxieties, on June 24, Netflix released a documentary on the Carnival Triumph disaster of 2013, Trainwreck: Poop Cruise.

Rep. Redondo Poised to be Speaker

Florida House Republicans are beginning the selection process for speaker for the 2030-2032 term, with Rep. Mike Redondo of Miami poised to become the nominee.

Redondo, elected in 2023 to represent District 118, would continue leadership from that region, making him the fourth Republican speaker from Miami-Dade since now Secretary of State Marco Rubio in 2006.

Miami’s Rep. Daniel Perez, the current speaker of the house, supports Redondo for the leadership role. Fleming Island Republican Rep. Sam Garrison is on track to succeed Perez as speaker for the 2026-28 term.

The party is expected to make the selection official during a meeting in the Tampa area this week.

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➤ Statewide: The National Hurricane Center is watching an area of interest over Florida that could form into a rain event toward the end of the week, leading into the Fourth of July weekend. (See Video)

➤ Everglades: President Trump is expected to attend today’s opening of a temporary migrant detention center dubbed Alligator Alcatraz. (More)

➤ Nassau County: Hundreds of people were stranded on a disabled Amtrak train on Sunday, sending some to the hospital due to heat exhaustion, when Train 41 became disabled and lost head-end power just south of Jesup, Georgia. (More)

➤ Walton County: A beachgoer found nearly $500,000 worth of cocaine washed up on the beach Sunday. The 25 bricks were marked with Yosemite Sam. (See Photo)

➤ Saint Cloud: Firefighters broke ground on a new $12.5 million fire station, marking an important milestone in the city’s infrastructure development. (See Photo)

➤ Orange County: Nearly 60 guinea pigs were found dumped on a dead-end street near Aerospace Parkway. There’s a dire need for fosters to help care for the small pets. (See Photos)

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➤ Inter Miami was routed 4-0 by Paris Saint-Germain on Sunday, eliminating them from FIFA Club World Cup contention. (More)

➤ The Miami Dolphins traded All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey and tight end Jonnu Smith to the Pittsburgh Steelers yesterday for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and draft pick compensation. (More)

➤ Dade City is naming a street after current Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., who grew up in the small town. “Little Mike,” as the community called him growing up, set youth football records in the town. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | Tennis

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➤ The Disney Dream was sailing back to Port Everglades from the Bahamas when a young girl fell into the ocean and her father jumped in to save her. Both the father and child were safely rescued by the ship’s crew. (More)

➤ Sarasota-based Trump Media began beta testing its global TV streaming offering Truth+. The launch makes the flagship Newsmax channel available in international markets for the first time without needing a VPN. (More)

➤ Florida’s GOP is selling t-shirts, hats, and beverage coolers touting Alligator Alcatraz, the 30-square-mile site in the Everglades that will hold up to 5,000 immigration detainees. (More)

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➤ Florida’s population has grown faster than any other state since 2020, according to the Vintage 2024 Population Estimates released by the U.S. Census Bureau. (More)

➤ The Hall of Presidents attraction at Magic Kingdom in Orlando’s Walt Disney World reopened on Sunday, featuring President Donald Trump with a recorded performance of his oath of office. (See Photo)

➤ The Key Lime Festival, celebrating the state’s official state pie, runs July 2-6 in various locations around Key West. (See Details)

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Do you think the Big Beautiful Bill will pass?

1. Yes
2. No

Monday’s Results:

Do you believe in ghosts?

1. No: 40%
2. Yes: 36%
3. Undecided: 24%

What is the smallest subspecies of white-tailed deer in the world, found only in Florida?

Show me the answer