Florida

Florida State Representative Angie Nixon, a democratic socialist and DSA member, defeated moderate Alex Vindman in the Democratic U.S. Senate primary on August 18, 2026, despite Vindman raising $16 million to Nixon’s $1 million. Nixon’s grassroots campaign won 56% of the vote, highlighting internal party divisions. She now faces Republican incumbent Senator Ashley Moody in the November general election, where Moody is heavily favored in the Republican-leaning state.

6 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 20, 03:00 PM UTC

Celebrity blogger Perez Hilton (Mario Lavandeira) was hospitalized late Tuesday after appearing to self-harm during a TikTok livestream at his Miami home. Police responded to multiple calls from concerned viewers, de-escalated the situation, and transported him to a hospital for medical and mental health care. His family confirmed he is receiving treatment and requested privacy. The incident follows Hilton’s recent hospitalization for sepsis and has raised concerns about livestreaming self-harm and mental health risks on social media.

24 reports · 3 sources · Updated Aug 17, 02:58 PM UTC

Schools in at least three U.S. states—Florida, Georgia, and Colorado—will be equipped with nonlethal drones designed to counter active shooters. The plastic aircraft, made by Austin-based Mithril Defense, are stored in boxes and can be activated by teachers. Once deployed, they can reach a shooter within 15 seconds, using strobe lights, sirens, pepper gel spray, or physical ramming at 60 mph to distract and incapacitate the threat. At least nine schools are participating in the experiment, which aims to provide a rapid response tool for school safety. The article, originally published by the Washington Post and summarized on Marginal Revolution, highlights the growing trend of using drone technology for domestic security in response to local crime concerns.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 08:07 AM UTC

The Powerball jackpot has risen to $707 million after no tickets matched all six numbers in the July 29 drawing. This is the second lottery prize to cross $700 million this year, coming a day after a Florida ticket buyer won the $800 million Mega Millions jackpot. Winners can choose between 30 annual installments of $707 million or a lump-sum cash prize of $309.7 million. After mandatory 24% federal withholding and a potential 37% marginal tax rate, the cash prize would drop to approximately $195.1 million. State taxes vary, with New York taxing at 10.9% while Texas, Florida, and California have no state tax on lottery winnings. The jackpot has expanded to UK players, who can only receive 30 annual payments, with an advertised prize of £377 million ($503.5 million). The odds of winning are 1-in-292.2 million. The next drawing is Saturday night.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 05:53 AM UTC

Seydou Traore, a 23-year-old Briton from south London, has become the first graduate of the NFL Academy to be drafted into the NFL, selected by the Miami Dolphins. The article details his unlikely journey, starting American football at age 16 with the London Warriors, joining the NFL Academy's first intake in 2019, and moving alone to Florida's Clearwater Academy at 17. His mother Zaia's emotional celebratory trill at the draft went viral. Traore overcame immense odds—only 0.08% of US high school players reach the NFL—through relentless training, including 5am starts. A video of his athletic catches caught the attention of Clearwater's coach, leading to a college scholarship at Mississippi State. The story highlights the NFL Academy's role in developing international talent and Traore's perseverance as a trailblazer for British players.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 05:42 AM UTC

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on Wednesday that his office is launching an investigation into Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former top U.S. infectious disease official. The probe follows a Senate hearing on the COVID-19 pandemic during which Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment rights over 100 times, declining to answer questions. Uthmeier criticized Fauci's lack of candor to Congress, stating the move on social media platform X. The investigation marks a significant escalation in political scrutiny of Fauci's role in pandemic response, with Florida taking legal action at the state level.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 30, 12:09 AM UTC

Florida carried out the executions of two men on Tuesday, marking the first double execution in the state in over six decades and a historic event in modern U.S. death penalty history. One of the executed men was James Duckett, a former Lake police officer, who was put to death for the rape and drowning of an 11-year-old girl. The execution was delayed by more than an hour as the U.S. Supreme Court considered a last-minute appeal. The event has drawn significant media attention, with multiple news outlets covering the legal proceedings and the broader implications for capital punishment in Florida.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 10:53 AM UTC

A Mega Millions ticket buyer in Florida won an $800 million jackpot on July 28, 2026, the largest lottery prize of the year so far. The winning numbers were 34, 48, 49, 59, 70 and gold Mega Ball 12. The winner can choose between a 30-year annuity of $800 million or a lump sum of $344.2 million. After mandatory 24% federal withholding and a potential 37% marginal tax rate, the lump sum would shrink to approximately $216.8 million. Florida has no state income tax or separate lottery tax. The odds of winning were 1 in 290.4 million. The previous largest 2026 jackpot was a $533 million Mega Millions prize won in Illinois in March. The Powerball jackpot has since risen to $663 million.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 29, 05:52 AM UTC

A coalition of 44 state attorneys general sent a letter to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) arguing that the agency lacks the statutory authority to regulate sports-related event contracts on prediction market platforms. The letter was submitted as the public comment period for the CFTC's first proposed rule on prediction market regulation ended. The states contend that sports-related contracts resemble sports betting, which falls under state jurisdiction, and that the CFTC's proposed rule is an overreach. The CFTC has sued nine states to defend its exclusive regulatory authority over these markets. The CME Group also submitted a letter criticizing the CFTC's definition of 'gaming,' arguing it could preempt state sports regulations. The dispute has intensified as prediction market volumes surged, driven by events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:27 PM UTC

Parallel, the cannabis company behind the Surterra Wellness dispensary chain, is permanently closing two facilities in Florida, eliminating 211 jobs. The closures affect operations in Wimauma and Lakeland, with layoffs beginning July 6, 2026. Affected positions include cultivation technicians, production technicians, processing technicians, laboratory workers, packaging employees, and supervisors. Employees were placed on paid administrative leave through their termination dates. The facility closures come as Parallel approaches a possible financial restructuring that could transfer control of certain company assets to its creditors, including SunStream Bancorp affiliates. The Florida Department of Health approved the transfer of Parallel's cannabis license in February 2025. Parallel operates 45 Surterra stores in Florida and has operations in Massachusetts and Texas.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 06:03 PM UTC

Freight Handlers LLC (FHI), a 35-year-old freight company, will cease third-party unloading services at five Publix distribution centers in Lakeland and Sarasota, Florida, resulting in 168 permanent job losses effective September 19, 2026. The largest cuts affect 151 employees across four Lakeland locations, including 115 warehouse handlers, 14 leads, and management staff. Another 17 jobs are eliminated in Sarasota. The WARN filings do not specify why FHI is ending operations or if Publix will replace the contractor. The layoffs occur despite growing distribution center activity nationwide, as Placer.ai data shows 16-20% year-over-year traffic increases. Similar contract-related cuts have recently hit other logistics firms, highlighting the vulnerability of outsourced labor to specific customer agreements.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 03:07 PM UTC

The Powerball jackpot has increased to $663 million after no ticket matched all six numbers in the July 27 drawing, making it the second-largest lottery prize of 2026 behind the $800 million Mega Millions jackpot. Winners can choose between 30 annual installments of $663 million or a one-time cash prize of $290.4 million. After mandatory 24% federal withholding and a potential 37% marginal tax rate, the cash prize would drop to approximately $182.9 million. State taxes vary, with some states like New York taxing at 10.9% and others like Texas, Florida, and California imposing no tax. For the first time, U.K. players are eligible, but they can only receive the prize as 30 annual payments, with the advertised jackpot at £352 million ($467.8 million). The next drawing is scheduled for Wednesday night, while the Mega Millions drawing for $800 million occurs Tuesday. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 28, 05:28 AM UTC

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated President Trump’s “patience is running out” with Senate Majority Leader John Thune over the stalled SAVE Act, which would require voter ID and proof of citizenship. Thune pushed back, urging the White House to secure votes themselves amid a 50-50 Senate. The dispute highlights intra-party tensions as the bill faces a 60-vote threshold, with a potential government shutdown looming in September. Trump has tied the bill’s passage to other legislation, causing a broader legislative stalemate.

24 reports · 4 sources · Updated Jul 31, 03:16 PM UTC

A four-advisor team managing approximately $1.3 billion in client assets has left Bank of America Private Bank to join UBS in Tampa, Florida. The team includes advisors Jesse Flatt, Lea Ann Drew, Brandon Burns, and Carlos Rodriguez, who collectively bring over 100 years of industry experience. They will operate under UBS's Greater Florida/Gulf Coast Market, focusing on ultra-high-net-worth clients and business leaders, offering services such as investment management, tax planning, estate planning, and asset allocation. The article also notes UBS CEO Sergio Ermotti's plans to step down by spring 2027 and the bank's consideration of U.S. acquisitions to boost growth, following $5.3 billion in client inflows in the first quarter of 2026.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 04:04 PM UTC

On July 18, 2026, U.S. Marshals arrested social media influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate in Miami, Florida, on a sealed UK extradition warrant. British authorities seek their extradition on charges including rape, sex trafficking, and child pornography offenses allegedly committed between 2010 and 2017. The brothers, dual US-UK citizens, previously faced similar charges in Romania. Their lawyer denies the allegations. They are expected to appear in Miami federal court next week.

20 reports · 10 sources · Updated Jul 28, 11:29 AM UTC

Fanatics, a global sports platform, announced on July 27, 2026, that it will acquire a designated contract market and a derivatives clearing organization from brokerage BGC Group to launch its own prediction market exchange. Specifically, Fanatics will buy Commodity Futures Trading Commission-registered Water Street Labs, LLC and CX Clearinghouse L.P. from BGC. Financial terms were not disclosed. Fanatics Markets, launched in 2025 as the prediction markets subsidiary, allows users to trade on sports outcomes such as game winners, player milestones, and tournament champions. The platform is currently accessible in 23 U.S. states, including California, Texas, and Florida. The deal aims to expand Fanatics' prediction market offerings. The article notes that prediction market startups like Kalshi have clashed with state regulators over gambling laws, with critics arguing such platforms constitute illegal gambling. Matt King, CEO of Fanatics Betting and Gaming, stated the acquisition combines institutional foundation with Fanatics' fan engagement expertise to accelerate prediction market growth.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 27, 01:09 PM UTC

The Powerball jackpot has grown to $633 million after no winner was drawn on Saturday night, July 25, 2026. The next drawing is Monday night. A winner choosing the lump sum option of about $277.3 million would face a 24% federal withholding tax, reducing it to $210.7 million, and a 37% marginal rate, bringing the final take-home to approximately $174.7 million. The annuity option offers 30 annual payments growing 5% each year, totaling about $400 million after federal taxes. State taxes vary, with New York taxing up to 10.9% while Texas, California, and Florida have no tax on lottery winnings. Saturday's drawing was the second to include U.K. players after the lottery expanded there, potentially accelerating jackpot growth. The odds of winning the grand prize remain 1 in 292.2 million.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 02:13 PM UTC

Wales attacking midfielder Harry Wilson made his first appearance for Leeds United in a 3-2 pre-season friendly loss to Wrexham in Tampa, Florida. Wilson, who joined Leeds on a free transfer after his Fulham contract expired, played the second half. Wrexham took an early lead through Kieffer Moore in the first minute. Leeds' Joel Piroe missed a penalty but later equalized with a backheel from a Sean Longstaff pass. Bailey Cadamarteri put Wrexham back ahead before Longstaff leveled again for Leeds. In the second half, Sam Smith scored the winner for Wrexham, having also netted the winner against Manchester United in a previous pre-season game. Wilson had a late chance for Leeds but shot over the bar.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 26, 06:24 AM UTC

The National Weather Service has forecast major and extreme heat risks for parts of the central United States through Monday, with roughly 70 million people affected. 'Hazardous heat' will build into the Great Basin and Northern Plains, with widespread major risks from the Rockies toward the Mississippi Valley and south to the Gulf Coast. States including North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Florida face major heat risks, with isolated extreme risks. High temperatures will range from the upper 90s to lower 100s, with isolated areas in the Southwest reaching up to 120°F. Humidity could push heat indices to 105-115°F, posing health risks to those without adequate cooling or hydration. The NWS warns that temperatures could be deadly for those without air conditioning. The seasonal outlook for August through October calls for above-normal temperatures across much of the U.S., influenced by a developing El Niño pattern.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 09:18 PM UTC

Sailormen Inc., a major Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2026, has sold its last 23 Orlando-area restaurants to SBH Foods PLK LLC for $2.67 million, after a previous buyer failed to close the deal. The sale completes the divestiture of all 136 locations the company operated at the time of its bankruptcy filing. Earlier, Sailormen sold 97 restaurants in multiple transactions, including 50 units to Pulse Restaurant Group, 16 Miami-area stores to Popeyes corporate, and 3 West Palm Beach locations to 61 Biscuits LLC. The franchisee also closed 39 unprofitable locations it could not sell. Sailormen, founded in 1987 and employing about 2,900 workers before closures, cited a failed sale, credit defaults, and lawsuits as causes of its financial distress. Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc., the parent company, was not part of the bankruptcy.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 05:07 PM UTC

Sailormen Inc., a bankrupt Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen franchisee that operated 136 locations in Florida and Georgia, has won court approval to sell its last 23 Orlando-area restaurants to SBH Foods PLK LLC for $2.67 million after a previous buyer failed to close. The sale completes the divestiture of all Sailormen's locations, which included 97 restaurants sold earlier to multiple buyers (including Pulse Restaurant Group, Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen Inc., and 61 Biscuits LLC) and 39 locations that were closed. Sailormen filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in January 2026 following a failed sale, credit defaults, lawsuits, and store closures. The company closed 17 unprofitable locations to save over $1 million annually. Popeyes parent company was not involved in the bankruptcy. The franchisee, founded in 1987, was one of the largest domestic Popeyes franchisees.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 25, 05:07 PM UTC

West Marine, the largest U.S. boating and marine supplies retailer, is closing a total of 91 stores as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. The company previously announced 59 store closures and has now confirmed an additional 32 locations will shut down. Factors driving the bankruptcy include supply chain disruptions, extreme weather events, and shifts in consumer behavior amid discretionary spending cuts. The recreational boating market has been impacted by declining sales, with new boat retail unit sales dropping 8.8% year-over-year in 2025. West Marine aims to strengthen its balance sheet and reduce debt through the restructuring process. The closures span multiple states including Alabama, California, Connecticut, Delaware, and Florida, with 18 locations closing in Florida alone.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 04:17 PM UTC

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) secretly used the state's Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID) to investigate at least 16 critics, including environmental activists and an elected official. The Orlando Sentinel and Miami Herald reported that FWC employees accessed records of individuals who publicly opposed agency policies, such as bear hunts and gopher tortoise protection. Searches often occurred shortly after critics spoke out online or in public, with the reason listed as 'Criminal Investigation.' An FWC spokesperson denied weaponizing law enforcement authority but cited threat assessments. The incident has raised concerns of First Amendment retaliation, adding to a pattern of alleged government overreach in Florida under Governor Ron DeSantis.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 03:15 PM UTC

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) secretly used the state's Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID) to investigate at least 16 environmental activists and critics, according to reports from the Orlando Sentinel and Miami Herald. Targets included documentary filmmaker Brent Fannin and activist Katrina Shadix, who had successfully sued the state over manatee die-offs. Records show FWC employees accessed Shadix's driving records 17 times between 2023 and 2025, often on days after individuals publicly criticized the agency. The searches were labeled 'Criminal Investigation.' An FWC spokesperson denied misuse of authority but declined to provide evidence of specific threats. The incident has raised concerns of First Amendment retaliation, with critics pointing to a pattern of such behavior under Governor Ron DeSantis' administration, including a recent case where a 77-year-old veteran was investigated for sending a critical postcard to a state official.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 03:15 PM UTC

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) secretly used the state's Driver and Vehicle Information Database (DAVID) to investigate at least 16 critics, including environmental activists and an elected Republican property appraiser. The Orlando Sentinel and Miami Herald reported that FWC employees accessed records of documentary filmmaker Brent Fannin and activist Katrina Shadix, who successfully sued the state over manatee deaths. Many searches occurred shortly after individuals publicly criticized FWC policies, with the stated reason being 'Criminal Investigation.' An FWC spokesperson denied misuse of authority, citing security concerns, but declined to provide evidence of threats. The incident has raised concerns of First Amendment retaliation under Governor Ron DeSantis' administration, following similar cases of officials investigating residents for critical speech.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 03:15 PM UTC

Scott Winters, a 55-year-old Florida pastor and real estate professional, is suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman after he claims ChatGPT repeatedly dismissed his symptoms for six weeks, leading to a near-fatal pulmonary embolism. Winters began using ChatGPT in June 2024 for general queries but increasingly relied on it for health advice. In June 2025, the chatbot diagnosed him with dysautonomia and advised him to stay recliner-bound, discouraging him from seeking medical attention. On July 13, 2025, he was rushed to the ICU with blood clots in both lungs. Doctors attributed the embolism to his lack of movement and noted the dysautonomia diagnosis was self-sourced from the internet. The lawsuit, filed in San Francisco County Superior Court, includes eight causes of action such as strict product liability, negligence, and violations of California's Unfair Competition Law. The case highlights risks of relying on AI for medical advice.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 01:30 PM UTC

Scott Winters, a 55-year-old Florida pastor and real estate professional, is suing OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman after he claims ChatGPT repeatedly dismissed his symptoms of a pulmonary embolism for six weeks, leading to a near-fatal medical emergency. Winters began using ChatGPT in June 2024 for general queries but by March 2025 was using it for supplement dosing and medical advice. In June 2025, the chatbot diagnosed him with dysautonomia and advised him to stay 'recliner-bound,' discouraging him from seeking medical attention. On July 13, 2025, he was rushed to the ICU with blood clots in both lungs and right ventricular strain. Doctors attributed the embolism to his lack of movement and noted the dysautonomia diagnosis was self-sourced from the internet. The lawsuit, filed July 22, 2026, in San Francisco County Superior Court, includes eight causes of action including strict product liability, negligence, and violations of California's Unfair Competition Law. The case highlights risks of relying on AI for medical advice.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 01:30 PM UTC

The Florida Court of Appeal has ordered litigant Gouldy to show cause why she should not be barred from further self-represented filings, citing her use of fabricated citations and AI-generated content in appellate briefs. In the case Gouldy v. Chiasson, the court affirmed the appeal in all respects and issued a separate order to show cause. The court noted that Gouldy's brief contained a nonexistent case, misrepresentations of the record, and fabricated quotations from actual cases. The opinion, written by Judge Robert Gross, highlighted that the use of artificial intelligence to generate briefs is a growing problem in Florida's appellate courts, particularly since the expansion of jurisdiction to include county court appeals. The court emphasized that submitting fictitious case law, whether from carelessness or reliance on generative AI, is sanctionable. Gouldy had previously been warned twice against frivolous filings.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 01:03 PM UTC

The Florida Court of Appeal has ordered litigant Gouldy to show cause why she should not be barred from further self-represented filings, citing her use of fabricated citations and fake quotes generated by artificial intelligence. In the case Gouldy v. Chiasson, the court affirmed the underlying appeal as frivolous, noting that Gouldy's brief contained a nonexistent case, misrepresentations of the record, and fabricated quotations from actual legal decisions. The court highlighted a growing problem in Florida's appellate courts, where pro se litigants increasingly use AI platforms to generate briefs that include 'phantom authority' and misstatements. Gouldy had been warned twice previously about frivolous filings. The court referenced recent precedents allowing sanctions for reliance on phantom authority, and stated that such conduct meets the standard for bad-faith filings under Florida appellate rules.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 01:03 PM UTC

Dahiana Ponce, a 32-year-old from Plant City, Florida, lost over $50,000 in a sophisticated impersonation scam on July 9, 2026. Scammers posing as Chase Bank called her, claiming fraudulent activity on her accounts and instructing her to transfer funds to a 'safe' account. She sent $4,524 via Cash App from her personal account and withdrew $45,803 from her business account, totaling more than $50,000. The scammers also attempted a $25,000 wire transfer. According to FTC data, imposter scams were the most common fraud in the U.S. in 2025, with losses of $3.5 billion, and bank impersonators caused the highest losses within business impersonation scams. Chase stated its branch employees attempted to warn Ponce by asking questions about the transaction. Recovery is unlikely because Ponce authorized the transfers herself, which lacks the protections of unauthorized charges.

1 reports · 1 sources · Updated Jul 24, 09:00 AM UTC