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THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1972, NFL fullback Fred McCrary was born in Naples. McCrary played pro for 11 seasons and is now part of the football head trauma and brain damage discussion.

Arrrrrr… it’s National Talk Like a Pirate Day. Curious how this quirky holiday began? In 2002, columnist Dave Barry gave a humorous explanation in the Miami Herald. You can read it here or be forced to walk the plank.

This afternoon, you'll get an extra note from one of our favorite sponsors, LMNT. Without great partners like LMNT, we wouldn't be able to deliver the news each morning. We're proud to work with them!

Today’s edition is sponsored by World Concern, an organization dedicated to serving those in extreme need by going to the hardest-to-reach places around the world. We are proud to partner with them as they bring hope and transformation to communities by providing clean water, food, education, and freedom.

Diddy's Miami Beach Mansion Raid Leads to Arrest

Guns, ammunition, drugs, and large amounts of baby oil and lubricant related to alleged violent sex events dubbed "Freak Offs" were found during a raid of music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs' Miami Beach mansion.

Homeland Security arrested Combs in New York on Monday, and he was denied bail on Tuesday. He is charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

The indictment, unsealed Tuesday, alleges Combs hit and abused women for over a decade and presided over an empire of sexual crimes.

Florida Startup Competing for $1 Million

Sargassum Eco Lumber, a company dedicated to removing excess seaweed from the environment, made history this week as Miami’s first-ever regional winner of the Startup World Cup.

The four-month-long competition, hosted by The Source, Miami’s Black-owned tech hub, is sending Raquel de Antonio, the founder of the Miami-based startup, to the Startup World Cup Finals in San Francisco Oct. 2-4 to compete for a $1 million investment.

The Regional Finals event featured 10 startup pitches, expert panels, and an appearance by Miami Commissioner Damian Pardo.

Everglades Python Challenge Has Winner

The $10,000 grand prize went to Ronald Kiger, who removed 20 Burmese pythons from the Florida Everglades during the 10-day Florida Python Challenge.

This year, 857 people from 33 states and Canada participated in the challenge, and hunters removed 195 Burmese pythons from the wild.

The rest of the $25,000 prize money was divided amongst competitors in the contest’s three categories: novice, professional, and military.

Donna Kalil was one python away from a tie with Kiger. The South Florida Water Management District contractor got a $2,500 prize for catching 19 pythons in the professional category.

Flying together with our sponsor

Somalia is facing a devastating combination of natural disasters, global conflicts, widespread poverty, and disease outbreaks. East Africa has just endured its worst drought in 40 years, leaving tens of millions without access to clean water, wiping out millions of livestock, and destroying crops. With domestic food production crippled, Somalia has relied heavily on imports—90% of its wheat coming from Russia and Ukraine—until those shipments stopped.

Now, two in five children in Somalia suffer from acute malnutrition, and cholera is spreading in some regions. The food crisis, compounded by global humanitarian aid being redirected to Europe and the Middle East, has created a perfect storm, leading to a sharp rise in child malnutrition.

Be Doers

We’re asking the Florida Flyover community to join us as we partner with World Concern to help distribute emergency nutrition packs (a peanut paste fortified with nutrients), water, and hygiene products to those in greatest need.

Every $12 feeds a child for a month. We’re matching the first $500; just give through this link.

➤ Jacksonville: The city is getting a second diesel hybrid-electric ferry thanks to a $15.6 million federal grant. (See Video)

➤ St. Petersburg: Titusville-based Space Perspective completed an uncrewed flight test of its hydrogen-balloon-powered capsule from the deck of a customized ship off the coast. (See Photos)

➤ Osceola County: Commissioners approved an agreement to move forward on the Ovation project with Meyers Group Partners to convert an abandoned hotel on U.S. 192, near Interstate 4 and Disney, into an entertainment center. (More)

➤ Polk County: The Violent Gang Investigative Task Force’s Operation Drive-By Bye resulted in over 144 arrests and firearms seizures, according to Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd. (More)

➤ Miami-Dade County: Protesters rallied downtown as the Board of Commissioners decided to push back a vote on a new garbage incinerator location until Nov. 6. (See Video)

➤ Marathon: A group of 43 migrants in a wooden boat from Cuba were detained early Tuesday after they came ashore in the Florida Keys. (More)

➤ The Miami Dolphins have placed quarterback Tua Tagovailoa on injured reserve following a frightening hit to the head. Tagovailoa has no timetable for recovery and has not officially decided if he will return to football. (More)

➤ Miami Marlins left fielder Jesús Sánchez recorded a season-high five hits, including a go-ahead double to help the Marlins defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9. (Watch Video)

➤ Miami Hurricanes 2026 four-star receiver commit Malachai Toney is reclassifying to 2025. This means Toney can join the team next season, rather than two years from now. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | MLS

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➤ Breathe Better. Perform Better. Better Breathing Sport uses a revolutionary process to naturally improve your breathing over time while boosting your athletic performance to new heights. It’s safe, works quickly, and is trusted by top athletes around the world. Experience optimal performance and faster recovery times!

➤ Orlando-based Tupperware filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection late Tuesday. The once-iconic food container maker said it would seek approval to continue operating during the bankruptcy proceedings and would continue to pay its employees and suppliers. (More)

➤ American Airlines is cutting its nonstop routes from Orlando to Austin, Texas, in October. The cuts are part of a “continuous evaluation” of the airline’s network. (More)

➤ The Shell Factory in North Fort Myers is closing for good on Sept. 29. The popular Florida attraction has been in business for 80 years. (See Video)

➤ Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria announced this week that it will close after almost 20 years in business in Orlando’s Milk District. (More)

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➤ Save money today with the easy-to-install bidet! Enjoy a refreshing clean every time you go to the bathroom! Better Butts Bidet is easy to install on virtually any toilet and saves you money on toilet paper while improving your hygiene. (See It Here)

Flying together with our sponsor

Somalia faces a crisis caused by natural disasters, conflict, poverty, and disease. The worst drought in 40 years devastated crops and livestock, while food imports from Russia and Ukraine were halted. Two in five Somali children now suffer from acute malnutrition. Join us as we partner with World Concern to provide emergency nutrition packs and clean water to children. $12 feeds a child for a month.

➤ Miami Dade College and Apple offer free iOS development courses with Swift programming to residents. The program includes certifications, class projects, and paid tech internships with local companies. (See Details)

➤ Hollywood's South Lake Neighborhood saw standing water on the streets Tuesday as King Tides, higher-than-normal tides, coincided with the full moon. (See Video)

➤ This year’s Lionfish Challenge broke records, with 31,773, or 1,785 pounds, of the invasive fish removed from Florida waters. (More)

➤ A spectacular fork of lightning was captured in slow-motion video as a storm hit the Miami area. (See Video)

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➤ Peeps™ are a revolutionary new way to get spotless lenses. They clean perfectly every time and are trusted by leading optometrists worldwide. Keep your glasses crystal clear; no cloth required! (See It Here)