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Monday, December 30, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1951, evangelist Billy Graham held one of the biggest revivals of that year in Orlando. More than 11,000 people packed the stands at Tinker Field to worship and hear his message.

Today we honor the life and humanitarianism of former President Jimmy Carter, who died at home on Sunday at the age of 100. May he rest in peace.

Train Collides with Fire Truck in Delray Beach

Three firefighters and a dozen passengers were injured on Saturday when a fire truck with its lights flashing drove around rail crossing arms and into the path of a high-speed passenger train.

The collision occurred at 10:45 a.m. in downtown Delray Beach. The Brightline train remained on the tracks, but its front end sustained significant damage. The Delray Beach Fire Rescue truck, which came to rest a block away, had its ladder torn off during the impact.

A person familiar with the crash said the fire truck stopped at the crossing and waited for a freight train to pass before maneuvering around the lowered crossing arms.

The Federal Railroad Administration has announced it will investigate.

Miami Basketball Coach Jim Larrañaga Retires

Jim Larrañaga, the University of Miami's all-time winningest men's basketball coach, announced his immediate retirement after a 14-season tenure.

Larrañaga, 75, stated that his decision was driven by a diminishing passion for the game and a desire to spend more time with family.

The coach expressed frustration with the evolving landscape of college athletics, particularly the challenges posed by Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals and player transfers.

Assistant coach Bill Courtney has been appointed interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

Asphalt Tiles May be Out in Florida

Asphalt roofing tiles, the most widely used roofing material in Florida, may soon increase homeowners' insurance premiums.

At a recent gathering of state and insurance industry leaders, Michael Yaworsky, commissioner of the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, suggested that installing new asphalt shingle roofs could negatively impact the calculation of a homeowner's insurance premium.

The Department of Financial Services indicated that the Legislature will likely be asked to allocate a fresh infusion of cash for a program that incentivizes Floridians to stormproof their homes.

Floridians have the highest average property insurance premiums in the country.

Dear Reader,

This time last year, Flyover Florida didn't even exist!

Now we have more than 130,000 subscribers.

How did we make it this far together in just a year? Simply put, we got here because of you.

We supply the elbow grease, the late nights, and about 1,500 words per day, sure.

None of it would matter if you weren't with us. Flyover Florida would crash and burn without the direct support of our readers, and we appreciate you.

Now, we're turning our attention to 2025.

We have big plans, and we need lots of help to accomplish them. If you enjoy reading Flyover Florida in the mornings, would you consider giving us a year-end gift?

Despite all those big numbers, we're still a small operation. I would really appreciate your support!

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I'm grateful for all your support in 2024, and I'm excited to grow together in 2025.

Thank you!
-Cole, CEO

➤ Hollywood: State Representative Hillary Cassel announced she is switching from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. She is the second lawmaker in the state to change party affiliation since the election. (More)

➤ Fort Lauderdale: The long-running disagreement between the city and Broward County over a new crossing for the New River continues. The commission voted to rescind a resolution that favored a tunnel if deemed more feasible. (More)

➤ Winter Haven: An 80-year-old, globally-recognized tradition—the Water Ski Show at Legoland Florida Resort—has ended. (See Photos)

➤ Miami-Dade: The county courthouse will officially open on Jan. 21 after six years of construction and $263 million in costs. (See Details)

➤ Kissimmee: A pizza delivery driver was arrested for allegedly stabbing a pregnant woman more than a dozen times over a $2 tip, according to the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. (See Video)

➤ Sarasota County: Schools Superintendent Terry Connor was named "Superintendent to Watch" by the National School Public Relations Association, recognizing up to 25 educators nationally. (More)

➤ All three Florida NFL teams won yesterday: The Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 48-14. The Jaguars took out the Tennessee Titans 20-23. The Dolphins defeated the Cleveland Browns 20-3. (Scores and Highlights)

➤ Miami quarterback Cam Ward faced controversy after sitting out the second half of the team's 42-41 loss to Iowa State in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Rays have sent utility player Vidal Brujan to the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league prospects. (More)

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➤ SpaceX announced plans for one final rocket launch today, aiming to close out 2024 with a record-breaking total of 93 launches in Florida this year. (More)

➤ Florida officials ended a probe into Walt Disney World's former Reedy Creek Improvement District, concluding that no laws were broken. (More)

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Dear Reader,

Flyover Florida wouldn't exist without you.

It might sound like a cliche, but it's true. If you didn't tell your friends & family about us, we wouldn't grow. If you didn't support us directly, we couldn't keep the lights on.

Flyover Florida is all about you!

We're grateful for all your support this year, and we're excited to make this even better in 2025. Would you help us with a year-end gift? I would truly appreciate it!

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➤ A 14-foot, 140-pound invasive Burmese python was released back into the wild in Palm Beach County as part of a study aimed at helping python hunters and land managers develop strategies to combat the invasive predator. (See Photos)

➤ Universal Orlando's Epic Universe will be the first new Florida theme park in 25 years, set to open May 22. (See Video)

➤ Fox News hosts Sean Hannity, a resident of Palm Beach, and Ainsley Earhardt got engaged over Christmas. Hannity proposed at their church. (See Photo)

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