Good Morning! On this day in 1969, Apollo 11 launched from Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island carrying Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins. It was NASA’s fifth manned mission of the Apollo program and the first to land people on the moon.
This is also National Corn Fritters Day. Did you know that corn fritters were invented in the South in the 1600s? If you’ve got a favorite corn fritter recipe, we’d love to see it. Hit reply to share.
We’re sponsored today by MEDVi. Get started on your weight loss journey with their affordable GLP-1 medications.
Daytona Beach 🌤️ 87°/77° | Ft. Myers ⚡ 87°/75° | Jacksonville 🌤️ 89°/77° | Key West ☁️ 87°/83° | Miami ⛈️ 85°/82° | Ocala ⛈️ 90°/74° | Orlando ⛈️ 90°/77° | Pensacola ⛈️ 89°/78° | Port St. Lucie ⚡ 88°/77° | Tallahassee ⛈️ 88°/75° | Tampa ⚡ 88°/75°
Don’t feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.
Uthmeier Issues Warning To U.S. Masters Swimming
Attorney General James Uthmeier is demanding that U.S. Masters Swimming, a nonprofit based in Sarasota, certify that it will not allow any biological men to continue to compete in women’s sports or enter women’s locker rooms—or face a lawsuit.
At a press conference in Orlando on Tuesday, Uthmeier said many of the nonprofit’s largest competitions have resulted in victories for biological men.
The group’s policy allows members to register for “the competition category that aligns with their gender identity and/or expression and to participate in sanctioned events in that category.”
Uthmeier said the organization has instituted a new temporary policy to “protect women’s sports,” which he said “does not get the job done” because it has a loophole allowing someone to “become eligible again to compete in any one of these competitions” if they go through a transition process.
Tampa Bay Rays Sold
The Tampa Bay Rays will be sold to real estate developer Patrick Zalupski for close to $1.7 billion. The team’s current owner, Stu Sternberg, bought the franchise for $200 million in 2004—a 750% value increase over 21 years.
Zalupski is allegedly eying plans for a new stadium in Tampa instead of St. Petersburg, where the team has played home games since the 1990s.
The Jacksonville-based developer currently owns two minor-league franchises—the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp and the Akron RubberDucks.
With the sale agreed upon in principle, the deal could wrap up by September, meaning that a new stadium announcement could come as early as this fall.
“Florida holds several #1 rankings, leading the nation in education, economy, and tourism—and now, Florida is #1 in religious liberty,” DeSantis said during a Sarasota news conference about the conservative think tank study.
The governor added that religious liberty has been “under assault in recent years” and that he has prioritized protecting it during his administration.
The Sunshine State tops the national ranking for the first time, earning a score of 74.6%, followed by Montana (70.6%) and Illinois (68.8%). Florida and Montana have gained momentum through new conscience protections, religious exemptions, and updated statutory safeguards.
Designed to curb appetite, regulate blood sugar, and promote sustainable fat loss, MedVi’s doctor-prescribed treatment is a science-backed way to take control of your health.
➤Starke: On Tuesday, Michael Bernard Bell, 54, was executed at Florida State Prison for the 1993 murder of Jimmy West and Tamecka Smith. (More)
➤Statewide: The Florida Department of Health reported that 11 people in the state have contracted Vibrio vulnificus, “flesh-eating” bacteria, and four have died so far in 2025. (See Details)
➤Tallahassee: Starting Oct. 1, all Florida public airports must submit reports regarding weather modification activities to the state. Airports that fail to file the reports could lose state funding. (More)
➤Daytona Beach: Two hundred lifeguards from around the state will compete in the 2025 James P. “Mac” McCarthy Regional Surf Lifesaving Championships on July 23-24. (See Photo)
➤Broward County: In Fort Lauderdale on Monday, county teachers voted overwhelmingly to keep their union. (See Video)
➤ Atlantic Coast: Sea star wasting disease was discovered on nine-armed sea stars off the coast of Palm Beach County, a first for Florida. (See Photos)
Enjoy reading Flyover Florida? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️
➤ Miami Northwestern football coach Teddy Bridgewater has been suspended for providing “impermissible benefits” to his players, which included Uber rides, meals, and recovery services. (More)
➤ The Florida Gators added Sacramento State transfer guard Alex Kovatchev to their basketball roster, shoring up backcourt depth as they prepare to defend their national title. (More)
➤ In honor of the team’s 50th NFL season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are bringing back their original 1976 uniform, featuring white jerseys, helmets, and pants with orange and red stripes. (See Photos)
➤ A single car repair bill can set you back months. With affordable coverage through CarShield, you could save thousands on auto repairs. Get Your Vehicle’s Free Quote Here. Protect your wallet and your engine at the same time with CarShield.
➤ Gomez Construction, based in Miami, has been selected by the Orlando City Council to design and build the Pulse memorial. The memorial will honor the 49 lives lost nine years ago in a shooting at the nightclub. (More)
➤Brightlinemissed an interest payment to investors on Tuesday as it seeks to raise $400 million in funding to pay for an expansion of its high-speed rail service into Tampa. (More)
➤ Bonita Fish Company, an iconic restaurant along the Matanzas Pass in Fort Myers Beach, opened an event room for up to 150 people as overall renovations continue. (More)
Flying together with our sponsor
➤ This heart doctor won’t touch olive oil until he does this 1 trick. For years, you’ve been told that olive oil contains one of the healthiest fats for your body… And that’s true—but only if you’re using the right kind. Here’s the catch: it has nothing to do with whether it’s organic, cold-pressed, or imported… It all comes down to one overlooked compound. Now, one heart surgeon reveals a simple trick to identify the best kind. See all the details in this brief presentation.
No insurance? No problem. MedVi makes it easy and affordable to get started—no insurance approval needed. Clinically proven to curb appetite and support real results, this powerful treatment helps you take control.
➤ On Sunday, a small plane crashed in a Pembroke Pines neighborhood, injuring all four passengers. Neighbors, including an off-duty first responder, rushed to the crash to help. (See Video)
➤ The LEGO model of Max Verstappen’s and Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull F1 car from the Miami Grand Prix is a near 1:1 scale of a real F1 car. It’s made of 400,000 LEGO bricks and can drive up to 12 mph. (See Photo)
➤ Florida had the second-highest death-to-birth ratio among 21 states with more deaths than births in 2022. (More)
Flying together with our sponsor
➤ For peace of mind during emergencies, check out the Medical Go-Bag—a fully stocked, at-home medical kit with prescription essentials like antibiotics and antivirals, plus a handy guide. It’s designed to help you handle unexpected medical crises with confidence. Stay ready—your safety is worth it.
Do you think the Rays will stay in the Tampa Bay area?
Uthmeier Issues Warning To U.S. Masters Swimming
