Good Morning! On this day in 1965, The Miami Herald ran a banner headline on its front page: “Giant Land Deal Near Orlando Revealed.” The reporter couldn’t nail down the reason for the purchase, which later turned out to be the future site of Walt Disney World.
Epic Universe held its one-year anniversary party last week after one of the most successful first years for an amusement park in Florida history. Have you been to the park? What did you think? Hit reply to let us know.
Later today, you’ll receive a message from our sponsor, RAD Intel, about a current investment opportunity at $0.95/share and the AI platform it’s building to help major brands improve ad performance.
Today’s sponsor, Zap Zone Defender, is helping homeowners reclaim their backyards with a powerful mosquito-zapping device designed to quietly eliminate up to 15,000 mosquitoes in a single night without chemicals or noise.
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Florida Seals $115B Budget Deal
Florida lawmakers struck a $115 billion state budget deal late Sunday night, ending a months-long impasse that forced a special session for the second year running. Legislators plan to vote on Friday before sending the budget to Gov. Ron DeSantis.
The spending plan—covering the fiscal year that begins July 1—splits the difference between House and Senate proposals. It includes $514 million for Everglades restoration, funding for AIDS medication programs, and $4.5 billion in education scholarships kept within the main K-12 funding formula.
The budget also sets aside $4 million to compensate the families of the “Groveland Four”—four black men wrongly accused of rape in Lake County back in 1949.
Supreme Court Rejects Florida Truck Suit
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected Florida’s lawsuit against California and Washington over commercial driver’s licenses issued to illegal immigrants.
The case grew out of an August 2025 crash on the Florida Turnpike in which a truck driver named Harjinder Singh—whom Florida said lacked legal immigration status—was involved in a collision that left three people dead. The Court dismissed the case without comment, offering no explanation for its decision.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed the suit directly with the Supreme Court, arguing that those states’ licensing of undocumented truckers created a public safety risk for Floridians. With the dismissal, Florida has no legal avenue to hold other states liable. Justices Thomas and Alito dissented, arguing the Court was obligated to take up the dispute.
Scott was joined by Dr. Michael Brennan, director of the National Hurricane Center, along with local officials. The tour is focused on sharing best practices and resources to help Floridians stay safe before a storm strikes.
Residents are urged to have emergency kits, evacuation plans, and insurance documents in order before June 1. The National Hurricane Center emphasizes that early preparation, not last-minute scrambling, saves lives.
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➤ Statewide: Florida’s jobless rate climbed to 4.8% in April—the fourth straight monthly increase—now exceeding the national rate of 4.3% for the first time in five years. Some 532,000 Floridians were out of work last month. (More)
➤ Tallahassee: Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed back on a proposed national vehicle fee on EVs and plug-in hybrids, urging Floridians to “just say no” to any new car tax and calling it an unfair burden on drivers. (More)
➤ Hendry County: Two Florida panthers found miles apart were struck and killed by vehicles, pushing the 2026 road-death toll to 8 for the critically endangered species. An estimated 120 to 230 panthers remain in the wild. (More)
➤ Tallahassee: Lawmakers approved a $4 million AI system to reduce SNAP payment errors, as federal rules may soon require states with high error rates to cover benefit costs. About 2.5 million Floridians receive benefits through SNAP. (More)
➤ Sebring: Police released new video footage after a vehicle struck multiple people outside a restaurant over Memorial Day weekend. Investigators are reviewing the incident. (More)
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➤ Four Florida schools made the 64-team NCAA baseball tournament field: Florida, Florida State, UCF, and Miami. Regionals begin on Friday. (See Schedule)
➤ Former MiamiDolphins defensive lineman Manny Fernandez died Tuesday at 79. Fernandez anchored the “No-Name Defense” that carried the 1972 Dolphins to the only undefeated season in NFL history. (More)
➤ Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco was found criminally responsible by a Dominican judge for the sexual and psychological abuse of a minor, but received a judicial pardon and won’t go to prison. His future with the Rays remains unclear. (More)
➤ Tests revealed that Inter Miami forward Lionel Messi suffered from “muscular overload” this weekend, which caused him to limp off the field against Philadelphia. It’s unclear if the injury will affect his status for the World Cup in a few weeks. (More)
➤ Most toothbrushes miss the gumline where harmful bacteria build up, but this advanced toothbrush from Great Gums is designed to clean deeper and support healthier gums with every brush. Featuring precision bristles and a dentist-inspired design, it helps fight plaque, freshen breath, and improve your oral care routine without harsh treatments or expensive dental visits. (LEARN MORE)
➤ Epic Universe marked its one-year anniversary this week, with Universal Orlando’s roughly $7 billion park still packing in massive crowds, though fans note that three-hour lines remain a persistent challenge at the newest park in Orlando’s theme park corridor. (More)
➤ Florida tourism dipped 1 percent in the first quarter of 2026, with 39.89 million visitors—the lowest first-quarter total since 2022. Visit Florida reported that more Americans are driving to the state rather than flying. (More)
➤ Lyft won a sweeping liability shield from a Florida appeals court, which ruled the state’s 2020 ridesharing law grants the company broad immunity from lawsuits over incidents involving its drivers. (More)
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➤ Englewood was named one of the 21 best places to retire in Florida by Investopedia, with the laid-back Gulf Coast beach town drawing retirees for its affordable cost of living, uncrowded shores, and easy access to Stump Pass. (More)
➤ A Madeira Beach homeowner spent roughly $575,000 to lift her house a record 24 feet into the air—the highest local house-movers have ever done—after repeated hurricane flooding left her Pinellas County home uninhabitable. (More)
➤ Bluey’s Wild World opened at Disney’s Animal Kingdom yesterday, bringing the beloved Australian cartoon pup to Conservation Station with character meet-and-greets, Aussie-inspired snacks, and a virtual queue to manage the expected crowds. (More)
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Florida Seals $115B Budget Deal
