Sunday, August 24, 2025

Good Morning! On this day in 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck South Miami-Dade County as a Category 5 storm with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph. Andrew caused $26 billion in damage.

An Apopka man who was attacked by a bear last week said he didn't want to hurt the animal. "I kicked his legs out, punched him in his nose, and I got free," Alexander Rojas said. Learn more in Around Florida.

We're sponsored this weekend by Quicken Home Equity Line of Credit. Tap into your home's equity today with this incredible offer.

Don't feel like reading the national edition of The Flyover? Tune in to The Flyover Podcast! New episodes drop daily—watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify and Apple Podcasts, all in under 15 minutes.

Florida Seeks to Join Abortion Pill Lawsuit

Florida and Texas asked a federal judge on Friday to let them join a lawsuit seeking to restrict the availability of the abortion pill mifepristone.

The filing in Texas federal court said that Missouri, Kansas, and Idaho may no longer be able to adequately represent Republican-led states' opposition to the abortion pill.

The lawsuit challenges FDA decisions in 2016 and 2021 that expanded access to the drug—extending use for medication abortions from seven to 10 weeks of pregnancy and allowing it to be mailed without an in-person clinic visit.

Illegal Immigrant Trucker Denied Bond

St. Lucie County Judge Lauren Sweet denied bond on Saturday to illegal immigrant trucker Harjinder Singh, who is accused of causing a crash on the Florida Turnpike that killed three people.

Singh is charged with three counts of vehicular homicide and three counts of vehicular manslaughter. He has been appointed a public defender.

Last week, Singh was arrested in Stockton, California, and extradited back to Florida.

The case prompted U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio to halt the issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers on Thursday, pending a review of screening protocols.

New Law Impacts Students With Disabilities

A new law removes the option for a Certificate of Completion for high school students with disabilities who could not meet the requirements for a diploma, instead choosing to focus on alternate pathways to a diploma.

"I've had a very busy phone the last 24 hours—families calling, absolutely mortified. But what I want them to know is—it's okay. Florida's intent with this law is to make sure every student, no matter their disability, can leave with a standard diploma through access points. That actually gives them more opportunities than a certificate ever could," said disability advocate Stephanie Norden.

Florida first introduced the Certificate of Completion in the 1970s. Until this week, it was one of only three states to still offer it.

Flying together with our sponsor

Unlock your home's potential with the Quicken Home Equity Line of Credit.

Access low-rate, flexible funding tailored to your needs—borrow what you need when you need it and pay interest only on what you use. Ideal for home renovations, education costs, or unexpected expenses. Enjoy online ease and transparent options with Quicken Home Loans powerful digital tools, backed by high customer satisfaction.

Tap into your equity to take control—without selling or refinancing your home. Secure, smart, and tailored to your lifestyle.

➤ Orange County: An Apopka man fought off a bear that charged at him and bit his arm last week. (See Video)

➤ Jefferson County: Solero Land Company sued Jefferson County, claiming the county commissioners violated due process during a push for a new truck stop. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: A video allegedly shows staff at Baptist Health North dragging an older woman across the emergency room floor. The hospital released a statement on Thursday condemning the incident. (See Video)

➤ Gainesville: City leaders broke ground on phase two of Woodland Park in East Gainesville on Friday. The $40 million project aims to modernize one of the city's oldest public housing communities. (More)

➤ Pinellas County: Lethal bronzing, a bacterial infection spread by insects, has been found in palm trees in Coachman Park in Clearwater, raising concerns for nearby palm trees. (Details)

Enjoy reading Flyover Florida? Click here to share with your friends and family. ✈️

➤ The Miami Dolphins beat the Jacksonville Jaguars 14-6 last night, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Buffalo Bills 23-19 to wrap their preseason games. (More)

➤ Tampa Bay Rays rookie shortstop Carson Williams went 2/4 with 3 RBI in his MLB debut on Friday, including this monster home run to centerfield. (More)

➤ Ryan Blaney won the NASCAR 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 in Daytona last night in a last-lap surge, edging Daniel Suarez and Justin Haley. (More)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Support healthy cholesterol naturally with Lipidene—the advanced formula designed to help lower LDL, boost HDL, and promote heart health. Backed by clinical research and trusted by thousands, Lipidene offers a safe, effective way to take control of your cholesterol. Feel the difference—try Lipidene today!

Flying together with our sponsor

Unlock your home's hidden value with Quicken's flexible Home Equity Line of Credit. Tap into your equity for renovations, debt consolidation, or life's big moments—only draw what you need, when you need it. Apply now for a fast, 100% online experience and take control of your financial future.

(APPLY NOW)

➤ Art Center Sarasota is celebrating 100 years of making art accessible to everyone. The year-long schedule of events kicks off Oct. 9. (Details)

➤ Central Florida Zoo welcomed the arrival of a litter of fossa pups—a rare and fascinating predator native only to Madagascar. (See Video)

➤ A historic 1924 elevator at the Hippodrome Theatre in Gainesville has reopened after a year of restoration work. It's the oldest elevator in the state of Florida. (See Elevator)

Flying together with our sponsor

➤ Rediscover relief with the Glōkore Red Light Therapy Wrap. This medical-grade, non-invasive wrap uses red and near-infrared light to stimulate cellular energy, boost circulation, reduce inflammation, soothe chronic pain, and speed healing. (LEARN MORE)