Two Killed in School Bus Rollover

A school bus flipped onto its roof in Winter Haven early Monday, killing a 10th-grade girl and the driver of a Jeep. Sheriff Grady Judd called it the worst bus tragedy in decades.

A white Chevy Malibu crossed the center line and struck the bus, which then hit the Jeep. The Malibu’s driver is cooperating with investigators and has not been arrested.

A passing driver, Aniyah Urbaez, said she found students running from the wreck, some bleeding or missing shoes, and cleaned their injuries with her first-aid kit.

Winter Haven Hospital received 22 patients, most of them children. Police shut down Lucerne Park Road in both directions for an extended period after the crash.

10 Charged in Poaching Sting

Ten people face charges after a four-year undercover investigation into an illegal commercial fishing network, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced Monday.

Investigators say the group poached about 23,000 pounds of fish and sold more than $150,000 in fish, shrimp, and turtles, often through nighttime sales and handoffs on the water.

Three of the suspects are accused of catching protected sea turtles and selling three adults and two hatchlings to undercover officers.

All 10 face racketeering, conspiracy, and cheating charges. If convicted, they face maximum sentences of 65 to 75 years, and the case will be tried in Pinellas County.

Rain Chances Increase

A stalled cold front is setting up a soggy week in Central Florida, with rain chances of 60% to 90% on Tuesday and Wednesday and a risk of flooding on roads and low-lying areas.

Flooding was already reported across Okaloosa County on Monday, prompting officials to warn drivers never to drive through flooded roads.

Northeast Florida was under a flood watch through Monday evening, with gusty northeast winds expected midweek and more showers and storms returning by the weekend.

Forecasters give a Gulf system a 70% to 80% chance of becoming a tropical depression or storm within seven days. If it becomes a named storm, it would be called Isaias.

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➤ Miami: A 46-year-old man was arrested after deputies said he wore ICE gear and intimidated voters at a Brazilian election polling site at Miami Dade College. (More)

➤ Fort Myers: Mayor Kevin Anderson resigned from the Foundation for Lee County Public Schools board, his fourth board exit since sexual misconduct allegations surfaced. He denies the allegations. (More)

➤ Macclenny: A 77-year-old woman shot and killed a man who attacked her early Monday in a veterinary hospital parking lot. Deputies said she appears to have acted in self-defense. (More)

➤ Orlando: A local puppeteer gave scammers thousands of dollars after a caller who sounded exactly like her friend said he was in jail. She believes AI cloned his voice. (More)

➤ Citrus County: Deputies fatally shot a man in a gas mask who they say lured them to an Inverness home with a 911 threat. The object he pointed at them was a radio. (More)

➤ St. Johns County: Commissioners approved a $1.9 billion budget with a flat tax rate as they brace for Amendment 3, which could cut county property tax revenue by $191.6 million by 2032. (More)

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➤ Despite a 45-17 loss at Missouri, ESPN’s latest College Football Playoff projection still has Florida as a No. 9 seed, facing No. 8 BYU in the first round. (More)

➤ Running back Jadan Baugh texted coach Jon Sumrall an apology after he was held to 13 yards on 12 carries at Missouri. Sumrall said he loved that Baugh owned it. (More)

➤ Florida’s ground game faces another test Saturday against South Carolina, whose run defense ranks sixth in the SEC, allowing about 100 rushing yards per game. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NHL | WNBA | NBA | Soccer

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➤ Southwest Florida’s first Buc-ee’s, planned near I-75 in Port Charlotte, could be substantially complete by September 2029, with 120 fuel stations and 740 parking spaces. (More)

➤ Saucy by KFC opens its sixth Orlando-area restaurant Oct. 12 at Flamingo Crossings near Walt Disney World, with a grand-opening celebration set for Nov. 7. (More)

➤ Cape Coral is seeking a food and beverage vendor for its newly renovated Jaycee Park, which reopened this year with a splash pad, bandshell, and boardwalk overlook. Proposals are due Nov. 5. (More)

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➤ South Florida pumpkin patches, including The Berry Farm, Flamingo Road Nursery, and Marando Farms, are open for the season, with adult tickets typically starting around $20. (More)

➤ Fruitland Park hosts Blues, Brews & Bites on Oct. 24 at the Gardenia Center, with live blues, local food, and brews for adults 21 and older. Advance tickets are $25. (More)

➤ The Salvation Army in Panama City marked 90 years of serving Bay County with a church service Sunday. Leaders say it has served more than 7,000 people so far in 2026. (More)

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The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes. 

➤ Your dog’s sleep twitches aren’t random, and researchers can now decode what’s behind them. (Listen Now)

➤ Amazon is issuing a new wave of refunds worth up to $200 after regulators accused it of deceptively enrolling Prime customers. (Hear Episode)

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Yesterday’s Results:

What makes a town feel most like Christmas?

1. Decorated storefronts: 41%
2. Twinkling lights: 37%
3. Community events: 10%
4. Cold weather: 9%
5. Other: 3%

The world’s most dangerous tree is found in Florida. What’s it called?

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