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TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1874, the Parisian-made lens of the St. Augustine Lighthouse was lit for the first time.

Where we are, many people are without power. Their food has spoiled, it's humid, there are water restrictions, and everyone is exhausted from the stress and work. Still, everywhere you look, you see neighbors helping one another—whether it's a hot meal or the offer of a quick shower in a home with power. If you have been affected and wish to talk about the anxiety and stress, here are some resources.

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Florida Recovery and Cleanup Continues

Gov. Ron DeSantis directed a 2,800-strong workforce to operate around the clock to remove debris after President Joe Biden agreed to reimburse Florida 100% of the costs of whatever work is completed over the next 90 days.

DeSantis called the debris removal effort "unprecedented" and said the state would "step up" and help cities and counties, especially Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota.

More than $10 million in small business bridge loans have been granted to 200 Hurricane Helene victims, with the same program in place for Milton claims.

The state continues to mitigate the fuel shortage that is hampering recovery and cleanup. By Sunday evening, a dozen fuel distribution sites were open.

Despite a herculean effort by crews from around the country, 400,000 Floridians remained without power on Monday. You can see the power outage map here.

South Florida Nonprofit Leader Nominated for Nobel Prize

Miami-Dade Homeless Trust Chairman Ron Book was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz.

The prominent South Florida lobbyist, advocate, and nonprofit leader has spent three decades fighting social injustice by addressing homelessness and working to prevent childhood sexual abuse with his daughter Lauren, a survivor.

The Nobel Prize for this year in Book’s category was awarded to two Japanese atomic bomb survivors working to ensure nuclear weapons are never used again.

Florida Leads in Top Cities for Small Business

Florida has six of the top 20 best cities to operate a small business, according to a new study, with Miami ranked as the second-best place to operate a small business, behind Scottsdale, Arizona.

The study analyzed 136 U.S. cities, weighing factors such as gross domestic product, business applications, and labor costs to determine the rankings.

Orlando (No. 4), Tampa (No. 6), Fort Lauderdale (No. 7), Cape Coral (No. 13), and Jacksonville (No. 18) also made the list, making the Sunshine State the only state in the nation with more than three cities ranked.

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➤ St. Johns County: The sheriff’s office recovered four juvenile inmates who escaped from Deep Creek Academy on Monday. All four were taken to the St. Johns County Jail. (See Details)

➤ Meanwhile, a 6-month-old child from St. Augustine, Zaina Ward, was found safe after a Florida AMBER Alert on Sunday. The suspect who allegedly took the baby is in custody. (More)

➤ Statewide: Tolls suspended by Gov. Ron DeSantis in advance of Hurricane Milton resume today. (See Details)

➤ South Florida: Peak King Tide season started yesterday and will remain through next Monday. Local leaders are advising residents to prepare their property as best they can. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: Florida officials announced that SNAP recipients who lost food due to the storm could apply for food replacement no later than Oct. 19. (See Details)

➤ Melbourne: A 30-foot hole was left in the roof of Melbourne Orlando International Airport when a skylight, technically called a Kalwall, came down in the center of the terminal during Hurricane Milton. (See Photos)

➤ Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters that he expects quarterback Tua Tagovailoa to return this season. McDaniel had previously declined to comment on the quarterback’s timeline. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 594 net yards of offense on Sunday set a franchise record. The previous mark was set by the 2020 team that went on to win the Super Bowl. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Lightning are offering discounted tickets to the team’s first three home games in the wake of Hurricanes Milton and Helene, starting with today’s game against Vancouver. (See Details)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: NFL | MLB | NBA | NHL

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➤ The Ocala-based Recycle Florida Today organization offered suggestions and tips to residents on how to stay safe and what to expect from waste and recycling haulers in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. (More)

➤ Ms. Apple’s Crab Shack, the longtime eatery and market on Merritt Island, is left in ruins by Hurricane Milton. (See Photos)

➤ The Florida Chamber of Commerce launched a new anti-Amendment 3 website outlining the potential hazards of legalizing pot, including consequences for local businesses, public safety, Florida’s brand, and Florida’s quality of life. (More)

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➤ The National Weather Service confirmed multiple EF3 tornadoes touched down on Florida’s east coast during Hurricane Milton. (See Photos)

➤ Simone Biles took center stage at the Kia Center in Orlando Saturday night during the Gold Over America Tour. She performed on the floor and beamed alongside some of her fellow Olympic medalists. (See Photo)

➤ This week's full moon will be the brightest of the year, a supermoon, and the Hunter’s Moon. (See Details)

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