No comments:

FRIDAY, JULY 19, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1969, the Apollo 11 crew were able to view the lunar surface up close from the spacecraft. "It's a view worth the price of the trip," said Neil Armstrong.

Today is National Daiquiri Day, and our poll question asks the all-important need-to-know, do you prefer a daiquiri or a piña colada?

Have an idea about Flyover Florida? Let us know how we're doing by replying to this e-mail.

Recharge and refresh your mind this summer with today's sponsor BetterHelp.

My Safe Florida Home Halts Applications

The state has stopped taking new applications for the popular home-hardening program My Safe Florida Home less than two weeks after a new round of funding became available to the first group of residents.

Since its launch on July 1, the program has already spent $500,000 for 3,442 initial home inspections. The remaining share of the $200 million will go toward grants of up to $10,000 for those already-inspected homes if they meet the criteria.

Officials stressed that the program remains fully operational for applicants who have completed the initial inspection.

The halt doesn’t affect $30 million in the state budget that allows condominium associations to be eligible for inspections and grants.

Officials Question Copa America Chaos

Miami-Dade leaders are calling for accountability after the Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia turned violent on Sunday as dozens of fans stormed past security.

One woman is suing Hard Rock Stadium and CONMEBOL, the game organizer, for $50,000, saying she spent more than $4,000 on tickets and was refused entry into the stadium.

Unruly fans without tickets barreled through the gates, running past police, scaling walls, and climbing into vents. The chaos left several legitimate ticket holders locked outside and delayed the start of the match for 75 minutes.

List: Best Hospitals in the State

Thirty-one of the 258 Florida hospitals evaluated by U.S. News meet high standards and are recognized as Best Regional Hospitals on a list released this week. See the list here.

The top-ranked hospital on the list is Mayo Clinic-Florida in Jacksonville. It received high marks for its national ranking in 10 specialties and its high performance in 19 procedures.

Tampa General Hospital ranked #2 in Florida, with UF Health Shands Hospital in Gainesville and Advent Health Orlando ranking #3 and #4, respectively. Sarasota Memorial Hospital ranked #5.

Flying together with our sponsor

Is your phone constantly buzzing, leaving you feeling drained and disconnected?

Does your to-do list keep growing without ever shrinking? You deserve to feel calm, focused, and in control. BetterHelp connects you with a licensed therapist who specializes in helping people manage stress and achieve a better work-life balance.

Take our free 5-minute assessment and get matched with a therapist who understands your unique needs. Start talking anytime, anywhere, through phone, video, or text.

Plus, $250 off your first three months and enjoy a risk-free experience with our money-back guarantee. Don't wait - reclaim your peace of mind today!

South Florida

➤ Doral and Miami: OneBlood blood donation locations are available today and Saturday to address a critical shortage of type O blood in South Florida. (Video)

➤ Fort Lauderdale: A newly released video shows what happened on the Southeast Third Avenue Bridge when multiple vehicles were hit by a crane that collapsed in April. (See Video)

Central Florida

➤ Belleair: City leaders proposed a millage rate increase this week to offset a $700,000 budget deficit. The increase will raise taxes a few hundred dollars annually for properties assessed around $600,000. (More)

➤ Pinellas County: Leaders proposed a $4.3 billion budget for 2025 this week, prioritizing law enforcement, transportation, behavioral health care, housing, and environmental protection. (More)

North Florida

➤ Williston: City council members approved a request this week from the medical marijuana company Fluent to transform a vacant public school into a commercial marijuana grow house. (Video)

➤ Jacksonville: Feeding Northeast Florida opened the region’s largest food bank on Thursday, with the capacity to serve 94,000 meals per day. The 110,000-square-foot facility sits where the former Kinco Windows factory was on Old Kings Road. (See Photo)

The Panhandle

➤ Quincy resident Jason Patrick Alday was arrested this week for allegedly making threats against President Biden and other officials. The threats were made from a mental health facility in Tallahassee. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: A state panel revised a financial impact statement this week to appear on the November ballot along with a proposed constitutional amendment on abortion rights. Supporters of the amendment objected. (More)

➤ Leon County: A circuit judge has rejected requests by college officials to dismiss a challenge to a 2023 law that did away with arbitration in university employment disputes. (More)

➤ The Miami Heat's Alondes Williams threw down the most explosive dunk of the summer league thus far on Wednesday in the team’s exhibition match against the Dallas Mavericks. (See Dunk)

➤ Orlando Magic co-founder Pat Williams, 84, died Wednesday from complications related to viral pneumonia. Williams was instrumental in bringing the team to Orlando in 1987. (More)

➤ The Bronson Youth Softball team will compete against teams from around the world at the Babe Ruth World Series in Alabama on July 31. The team is undefeated this year in tournament competition. (Video)

Yesterday's results: WNBA | Tour de France | PGA | LPGA

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Hale Breathing Aid is like a contact lens for your nose – it instantly opens up your nasal passages and is virtually undetectable to those around you. Unlike toxic medicines or sprays, Hale corrects the structure of your nose without the need for invasive surgery. (See it here)

➤ SpaceX asked the FAA last week to allow the launch of Falcon 9 rockets while it investigates a mishap with 20 Starlink satellites in California on July 11. The Space Coast has gone more than a week without a rocket launch for the first time since last year. (Video)

➤ Meanwhile, Boeing delivered the moon mission Space Launch System rocket to NASA at Kennedy Space Center from New Orleans. The rocket stands 212 feet tall. (See Photo)

➤ Orlando-based Darden Restaurants announced Wednesday that it's acquiring all 101 Chuy’s Tex-Mex restaurants for $605 million, or $37.50 per share. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Make your screen like new again. ScreenKlean’s patented nanotech applies advanced physics to lift away stubborn dirt and grime without scratching or damaging your screen — guaranteed. (See it here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Finding the right therapist can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.

With BetterHelp's quick and confidential assessment, we'll match you with a licensed therapist who specializes in your specific concerns, whether it's anxiety, depression, relationship issues, or personal growth goals. Our therapists understand the unique challenges you face and offer personalized support to help you reach your full potential. Don't wait any longer to start feeling better.

Take the free assessment today and get matched with your perfect therapist, plus get $250 off your first three months of therapy.

➤ The Sunshine State’s most popular freshwater game fish has a new name. What was known as the largemouth bass (except in the western Panhandle) will now be called the Florida bass. (See Photo)

➤ A Florida man was arrested in New Smyrna Beach after he indulged in candy and other various items for hours inside a closed Walgreens store. (Video)

➤ The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Florida Tech announced the launch of their astronomy partnership this week, featuring astronomy talks and events for visitors of the complex. (See Photo)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ There's a reason why everyone is talking about semaglutide. It works! Get access to Ozempic®, WegovyR and other weight loss medications with the G-Plans Program. Our weight loss program also includes a telehealth doctor appointment, dietician guidance, weekly meal plans and more. (See it here)