Good Morning! On this day in 1953, the Sabal palmetto palm became the official state tree.
Pop and funk music innovator Sly Stone died this week, leaving a music legacy that includes his participation in the 1969 Palm Beach International Music and Arts Festival, which drew 40,000 people to what became Palm Beach International Raceway.
We’re sponsored today by GoldCo. Get your free 2025 retirement savings protection kit from them today.
Daytona Beach 🌤️ 86/75° | Ft. Myers 🌦️ 91/74° | Jacksonville 🌤️ 91/75° | Key West 🌤️ 86/80° | Miami ☁️ 85/79° | Ocala 🌦️ 94/72° | Orlando 🌦️ 90/75° | Pensacola 🌦️ 86/76° | Port St. Lucie 🌦️ 88/75° | Tallahassee 🌦️ 91/72° | Tampa 🌦️ 92/74°
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.
Ax-4 Mission Launch
SpaceX is set to launch four astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS) on the private Axiom Space mission, Ax-4, today at 8 a.m. atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. You can watch the launch here.
In what will be Axiom Space’s fourth private astronaut mission, the four crew members are led by Director of Human Spaceflight Peggy Whitson. The quartet will embark on a roughly two-week mission to the orbiting outpost.
Officials say the launch marks a milestone as the first government-sponsored flight crewed by astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary in more than 40 years. It will also be the second human spaceflight mission for each of these countries.
The mission had been postponed due to poor weather along the East Coast, where the Dragon capsule would splash down in the event of an abort. As of Tuesday, the likelihood of favorable weather during a launch attempt today is 85%.
State Budget to Boost Higher Education
Florida lawmakers are nearing a final budget agreement, having reached deals on several issues, including higher education projects. With progress in key areas, the chambers are on track to send a final budget to the governor by their June 16 deadline.
Under the spending plan put forward by lawmakers, FAMU-FSU College of Engineering is budgeted to get a $40 million engineering building. Florida State University would also receive $25 million to demolish and relocate a maintenance complex and $20 million to build the Veterans Legacy Complex.
The University of South Florida has secured $31.5 million in the proposed budget. Funding includes $10 million for a first-in-the-state college of AI, cybersecurity, and computing facility on the Tampa campus.
Hillsborough County Community College secured $2.5 million from lawmakers for a new workforce education center in Plant City, half of the $5 million initially requested.
15 Most Beautiful Places in Florida
A writer for Southern Living magazine, a native Floridian, selected the 15 most beautiful places in the Sunshine State. Highlighted locations include botanical gardens, historic hotels, nature preserves, and incredible architecture.
First on the list is Walton County’s Alys Beach, known for its striking blend of Bermudian and Greek-influenced buildings.
Lake Santa Fe in Melrose is featured for its stellar fishing, plentiful and varied water birds, and abundant old cypress trees.
Architectural beauties, such as Flagler College in St. Augustine and The Don CeSar historic hotel in St. Petersburg, share kudos with Park Avenue in Winter Park and Worth Avenue alleyways in Palm Beach.
Flying together with our sponsor
The Treasury Fired a Warning Shot
If you’re retired or plan to retire, circle August 1st on your calendar with a fat red marker.
That’s when the trouble begins. As soon as August 1st, 2025, we may watch the destruction of retired America:
That’s why thousands of Americans like you are fighting for everything they worked for. But they’re not doing it alone. Many of them are applying for an IRS-sanctioned provision to help protect and preserve their retirement from a fiscal crisis like this.
This provision was greenlit decades ago, used as a “what if” protection plan by Americans with $50-100k or more in savings. And it served them well, through the Financial Crises of 2000, 2008, and 2020. But it’s not a matter of “what if” anymore — it’s a matter of WHEN. And right now, you can get a no-cost guide that walks you through exactly how this helps protect your savings. If you’re looking for a sign, then this is it. Don’t wait. Click below.
➤Osceola County: Two employees, including former Executive Director Nirva Rodriguez, were fired from the Sheriff’s Office days after now-suspended Sheriff Marcos Lopez was taken into custody on racketeering charges. (More)
➤ Broward County: Attorney General James Uthmeier told Sheriff Gregory Tony his office must enforce U.S. immigration laws, including arresting “illegal aliens (who) are responsible for horrific crimes,” or face removal from office. (More)
➤Volusia County: An undercover predator sting called Operation Travel to Gavel led to the arrest of 14 men accused of traveling to meet minors for sex. (See Photos)
➤Marion County: Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Special Beverage License for Equestrian Sports Facilities bill into law on Monday, authorizing the sale of wine and malt beverages for sports facilities within the county. (More)
➤ Delray Beach: The post office was renamed in honor of Benjamin Ferencz, the Nuremberg prosecutor who died in 2023 at age 103. Ferencz dedicated his life to standing for human rights after confronting Nazi concentration camp horrors. (See Photo)
➤Jacksonville: The Museum of Science and History (MOSH) is poised to receive an additional $2.5 million in state funding for its Genesis Project, a new museum on the city’s North Bank. (More)
Enjoy reading The Florida Flyover? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️
➤ Florida A&M athletic director Angela Suggs was arrested on Monday after allegedly stealing $24,000 from her former employer with a corporate credit card. (More)
➤ Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was charged with illegal possession of a handgun in the Dominican Republic on Sunday, adding to existing charges that include sexual abuse of a minor and human trafficking. (More)
➤The Miami Marlins placed pitcher Ryan Weathers on the 60-day injured list with a lat strain. The injury comes just days after Weathers was hit in the head by his own catcher’s warm-up throw. (More)
➤ Stay safe with the HALO Siren—an easy-to-carry personal alarm that emits a powerful, ear-piercing sound to scare off threats and alert help instantly. Perfect for walks, jogs, or late nights out. Protect yourself and your loved ones with one quick pull. Get yours while supplies last!
➤ Disney will pay Comcast’s NBCUniversal nearly $439 million to take full control of the Hulu streaming service. The transaction is scheduled to close by July 24 and is not expected to impact Disney’s fiscal 2025 adjusted earnings forecast. (More)
➤Stuart-based Seacoast Banking Corporation of Florida is acquiring Villages Bancorp, the parent company of Citizens First Bank based in The Villages, for $710.8 million. (More)
➤Trinity Health Care Services, which was contracted by the state to register people for vaccinations, settled a lawsuit with the state and will now pay back $5 million that it was overpaid. (More)
Flying together with our sponsor
➤ Say goodbye to pesky bugs with Zappify! This powerful, rechargeable mosquito zapper attracts and eliminates insects fast—no sprays, fumes, or mess. Perfect for patios, camping, or indoors. Enjoy a bite-free summer with Zappify’s safe, chemical-free protection. Grab yours now and reclaim your space from bugs!
Flying together with our sponsor
August 1st: Will The Checks Stop?
August2025—possibly as soon as the 1st—we may be facing:
Delayed Social Security checks
Pension checks frozen or reduced
Diversified retirement accounts dropping 50%
All because of the wild incompetence of the government swamp creatures who dropped us into this godforsaken mess.
So what can you do to stop it?
Thousands of Americans are using a little-known IRS-approved loophole to help protect their retirement. Get the guide now, before another “crisis” puts you against the wall.
➤ The Florida Panthers put towels with the slogan “Rats Rule” on each seat of Amerant Bank Arena during Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, leaning into the tradition of fans throwing plastic rats onto the ice. (See Why)
➤ Adaleah Bassler helped the Berkeley Prep Buccaneers win their first Beach Volleyball State Championship and earn a number two national ranking after an undefeated season. (See Video)
➤ An oceanfront property in New Smyrna Beach was listed for $7.5 million, potentially setting a new benchmark for luxury real estate in Volusia County. (See Photos)
Flying together with our sponsor
➤ Bring the big screen anywhere with Projector Go! This compact, portable projector delivers stunning HD visuals perfect for movies, gaming, and more—indoors or outdoors. Easy to set up and travel-friendly, it’s your ticket to entertainment on the go. Order now and elevate your viewing experience anywhere!
Ax-4 Mission Launch
