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Monday, April 14, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1528, Spanish explorer Pánfilo de Narváez came ashore near what is today Tampa Bay with 300 men and 40 horses in a failed attempt to conquer and settle Florida.

Officials predict above-normal wildfire potential for Florida's wildfire season, which occurs during April, May, and June. Here's how to be wildfire ready.

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New Pet Insurance Law Awaits Signing

The legislature has passed a bill overhauling pet insurance regulations. If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs it, the law would take effect on January 1.

The bill creates a regulatory framework for pet insurance oversight, ensuring consumer protection through marketing regulations and required disclosures.

The House and Senate passed the measure unanimously, defining unfair methods of competition and deceptive acts related to pet wellness programs offered through pet insurance agents.

AI Weather Forecasting Bill Introduced

Lakeland's U.S. Rep. Scott Franklin (R) sponsored a bill in the House that would direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop a domestic global weather dataset to help support AI-driven weather forecasting to predict storm paths, wildfires, and other events.

The bipartisan bill—introduced in both chambers—would require NOAA to develop enhanced AI forecasting and weather models.

"Our bill will harness AI's immense processing and prediction capabilities to improve weather forecasts and help communities better prepare for and respond more quickly to extreme weather events," said Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), who co-sponsored the bill in the Senate.

Rep. Franklin said in a statement that the Transformational Artificial Intelligence to Modernize the Economy (TAME) against Extreme Weather and Wildfires Act is intended to encourage American innovation and to unite the federal government, academia, and the private sector in working together.

Focusing on Security for Miami's FIFA Matches

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino last week to discuss security for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup and FIFA World Cup matches in Miami.

Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens will host 14 matches over the next two years, beginning in June. Half will feature worldwide club pro teams, and half will feature national teams.

The high-level talks were intended to prevent a recurrence of the chaos that erupted at last year's Copa América Final at Hard Rock Stadium, where 27 people were arrested as crowds tried to break past security points.

While efforts are ongoing at the federal level, Florida's proposed House budget for 2025 contains $500,000 for Miami-Dade's Sheriff's Office to cover extra security costs.

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➤ Statewide: This week marks the 30th anniversary of Children's Week Florida, running from April 13-18. The annual event emphasizes the importance of ensuring all Florida children are healthy, ready to learn, and able to reach their full potential. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: Senate President Ben Albritton detailed a plan to reduce or eliminate property taxes for Floridians, with voters considering a constitutional amendment during the 2026 General Election. (More)

➤ Orange City: A Deltona woman was arrested and faces felony charges for selling human bones on Facebook Marketplace. (More)

➤ Delray Beach: The city announced it had terminated the fire truck driver-engineer who crashed with a Brightline train on Dec. 28. (See Details)

➤ Volusia County: County officials are investing $40 million into the Daytona Beach Ocean Center as the event venue and convention center celebrates its 40th year. (More)

➤ Leon County: Tire Amnesty Days, allowing county citizens to dispose of old tires free of charge, run now through May 16. (More)

➤ Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell scored the game-winning goal in the team's 3-2 shootout win over the Buffalo Sabres on Saturday. (See goal)

➤ DJ Lagway, the Florida Gators' starting quarterback, did not throw during Saturday's Orange vs. Blue spring football game due to a shoulder injury. Head coach Billy Napier says Lagway is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season. (More)

➤ Alexander Volkanovski won by unanimous decision in the main event of UFC 324 at Miami's Kayesa Center on Saturday night. (More)

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➤ Orlando International Airport is expanding its global reach with new international flights to Paris, Madrid, and Munich. (More)

➤ Lakeland-based Publix announced opening dates for new locations in Margate, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach Gardens. (See List)

➤ The Silver Sands Beach Resort sold to Miami-based developers Terra and Fortune International Group for a record $205 million, the highest-priced land sale in Key Biscayne history. (See Details)

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➤ The University of Florida's national champion men's basketball team celebrated with 60,000 Gators fans at Florida Field during an extended halftime at the annual football spring game. (See Photos)

➤ Florida State University's College of Law has climbed 10 spots to No. 38 overall in the U.S. News & World Report's annual survey of the nation's top public and private law schools. (More)

➤ Universal Epic Universe's Stardust Racers was named the best roller coaster in Orlando in a new review. Epic Universe opens to the public on May 22. (See Review)

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