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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1565, Spanish forces under Pedro Menéndez de Avilés captured the French Huguenot settlement of Fort Caroline, near present‑day Jacksonville. This was the first instance of colonial warfare between European powers in America.

It’s National Pepperoni Pizza Day, and our poll question asks if you agree that pepperoni is the best pizza topping. The cured sausage has long been America’s favorite topping. Read more about that here.

Have a fabulous weekend!

Today's sponsor has a great investment opportunity to get in early with Miso Robotics, an up-and-coming robotics company.

Enough Fentanyl to Kill 50K Seized in Hillsborough

Enough fentanyl to kill 51,500 people was confiscated Thursday during a routine traffic stop in Hillsborough County, according to Sheriff Chad Chronister.

The suspect, identified as previously convicted felon Ryan Starr, was a passenger in a vehicle deputies stopped shortly after 3 a.m. near I-75 and East Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Starr told law enforcement that he had a history of methamphetamine usage.

A K-9 unit was brought in and alerted deputies to the possible presence of narcotics in the vehicle.

Florida Cities Brew Up the Best Coffee

Three of the top 10 Best Coffee Cities in America are in Florida, making it the state with the most top-ranking cities, according to a new report. See the list here.

Some local coffee scenes are stronger than others, and to determine the best among them, WalletHub compared the 100 largest cities across 12 key indicators of coffee, including price.

Orlando ranked the highest among Florida cities at No. 5, followed by Tampa at No. 6 and Miami at No. 10. St. Petersburg (No. 53), Jacksonville (No. 57), and Hialeah (No. 98) also made the list.

Happening in Florida this Weekend

From festivals to aviation days and concerts, here's a look at what's happening across Florida this weekend:

SOUNDS OF SUMMER CONCERT SERIES

Daytona Beach | Sept. 20 | (Details)
SMOKIN’ IN THE PINES BBQ FESTIVAL

Perry | Sept. 20 - 21 | (Details)
OCALA COMIC CON

Ocala | Sept. 20 - 21 | (Details)
OKTOBERFEST AT KRUSH BRAU PARK

Kissimmee | Sept. 20 - 22 | (Details)
SIPS & SALSA FESTIVAL

Clermont | Sept. 21 | (Details)
GIRLS IN AVIATION DAY

Lakeland | Sept. 21 | (Details)
FALL FAMILY FEST

Tampa | Sept. 22 | (Details)

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One Giant Leap for AI

The move from prototype to commercial product is a critical step for any startup. It’s a sign that they’ve proven their tech, their customers want it, and they can now start making money. That’s exactly what’s happening with Miso Robotics. And unlike most successful startups that make this transition, you can invest in Miso at this pivotal moment.

Miso’s honed Flippy, their AI-powered kitchen robot, at the fry station of some of the world’s top fast food brands, including White Castle and Jack in the Box. Backed by 150,000+ hours of training data in live kitchens and collaborations with Nvidia and Amazon, Miso just launched the commercial-ready Flippy Next Gen robot. It’s smaller, faster, and smarter than its predecessor, making it tailor-made for today’s fast food kitchens. That’s why its first production run just sold out in only seven days.

➤ Martin County: Former President Donald Trump met with the nine deputies from the Sheriff’s Office who arrested suspected assassin Ryan Routh to thank them in person. (See Video)

➤ Florida officials this week added oceanic whitetip sharks to the list of more than two dozen shark species prohibited from being harvested or harmed in state waters. (More)

➤ Pensacola: The city has selected former Naval Air Station Pensacola commanding officer Capt. Tim Kinsella to serve as the new city administrator. (More)

➤ Maitland: Kappy's Subs, which was supposed to close last Saturday, has secured a new lease and will stay in its current location. (See Video)

➤ Osceola County: Leaders say the county could become home to one of the world’s largest data distribution centers, with a company looking to build a 7-million-square-foot center on a 450-acre property in Yeehaw Junction. (More)

➤ Ocoee: City commissioners voted to implement a six-month development moratorium to focus on rewriting the land development code and a comprehensive plan for the city. (See Video)

➤ Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Ryan Pepiot pulled off a rare “immaculate inning,” striking out all three batters in an inning on just nine pitches. (Watch Video)

➤ No. 8 Miami will face in-state opponent South Florida on Saturday. Miami is currently favored by 16.5 points, but South Florida has a history of playing top teams closely. In 2023, the Bulls were tied with Alabama at halftime. (More)

➤ Florida will take on Mississippi State on Saturday. The Gators are favored to beat the Bulldogs by a projected score of 32-26. (More)

➤ Gold medalist sprinter Noah Lyles responded to Miami Dolphin receiver Tyreek Hill’s challenge for a race, saying, “Everybody wants to race the 'Fastest Man.’ I didn't grab this title because it's easy.” (Watch Video)

Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | WNBA | LPGA

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➤ Tampa-based staffing firm Kforce celebrated the transfer of its stock listing by ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange this week. (More)

➤ LabCorp slashed 65 jobs in Melbourne following its $237.5 million acquisition of select assets from BioReference Health. (More)

➤ Jet Out, a leading provider of private aviation and aircraft co-ownership services, will expand its operations to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. (More)

➤ The FAA announced this week it plans to fine SpaceX $633,000 for safety violations during two Florida launches. (More)

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Miso Robotics is ready to begin selling to 170 brands and 100,000+ fast food locations in desperate need of an automation solution. That’s a $4B recurring revenue opportunity for Miso. The opportunity to become a Miso shareholder ends on October 18, 2024.

^{This is a paid advertisement for Miso Robotics’ Regulation A offering. Please read the offering circular at invest.misorobotics.com.}

➤ Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium plans to open its new $130 million home at Nathan Benderson Park in early 2025, coinciding with the nonprofit’s 70th anniversary. (See Photos)

➤ Meanwhile, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay revealed plans for a new Wild Oasis realm set to open in Spring 2025. (See Rendering)

➤ The Florida Highway Patrol is welcoming back retired members, including 76-year-old Charlie Harris, who served as a trooper for 38 years before retiring. (See Video)

➤ Twenty-two veterans of the Korean and Vietnam wars will take a trip to Washington, D.C., on Saturday as part of a First Coast Honor Flight from Jacksonville. (See Video)

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