Tuesday, April 28, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1985, the world's tallest sand sculpture was built in Treasure Island. The 37-foot-high creation, called Bluebeard's Castle, took 12 days, six front-end loaders, 4,000 tons of sand, 12 workers, and 500 volunteers to complete.

Eastern Florida State College is celebrating Global Pay It Forward Day by encouraging everyone to perform a small act of kindness on its Cocoa campus. Have you ever had someone "pay it forward" for you? Reply to let us know.

Still figuring out what to get Mom? We did the hard part for you. Our 2026 Mother's Day Gift Guide has picks she'll actually use, love, and maybe even brag about.

Life insurance isn't one-size-fits-all, and picking the wrong policy can mean overpaying for coverage you don't need or leaving your family short when it matters most. Who’s the most affordable? Who has the best customer service? Who’s the best if you want to skip the medical exam? On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down the top life insurance companies for seniors in 2026, shedding light on which one might be best for you. Tune in here!

Today’s sponsor, Incogni, helps protect your personal information by removing it from data broker sites and keeping your private details out of the hands of advertisers and scammers.

Take The Flyover with you. Busy day? Listen to our daily 15-minute podcast while commuting, cooking, or walking the dog—your Flyover fix, anywhere.

DeSantis Releases Redrawn Map

Gov. Ron DeSantis released a proposal for a redistricted congressional map on Monday, as lawmakers reconvened in Tallahassee for a special session on the plan. The suggested map would potentially give the Republican Party four more seats in Congress.

Twenty Republicans and seven Democrats currently hold Florida's 28 congressional seats, with one vacancy due to the resignation of Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. The change, based on voter registrations, would potentially result in 24 Republican seats.

Democrats would likely hold four seats in Central Florida's District 10 and in South Florida's Districts 20, 23, and 24. The plan eliminates a Hispanic-majority seat in Central Florida, now held by a Democrat, Rep. Darren Soto, and any Democrat-leaning seats in the Tampa Bay area.

"Florida got shortchanged in the 2020 Census, and we've been fighting for fair representation ever since," DeSantis said. "Our population has since grown dramatically, and we have moved from a Democrat majority to a 1.5 million Republican advantage."

Charlie Gray Dies

John Charles "Charlie" Gray, a foundational civic leader in Central Florida, passed away at age 94 on April 22. Gray was born in Leesburg, lived in DeBary, and left a lasting legacy in the region.

Known as the "Grandfather of UCF," Gray played a key role in bringing the University of Central Florida to Orlando. In the mid-1960s, he helped establish Florida Technological University, which became UCF.

As chairman of the Florida Turnpike Authority, Gray was tapped to serve as Gov. Haydon Burns' liaison with The Walt Disney Company. He led the design and construction of the turnpike interchange with I-4, helping to solidify Walt and Roy Disney's decision to locate in Central Florida.

During his career, Gray served as the Orange County Attorney, helping develop the county's Tourist Development Plan and launching the Orange County Convention Center. He also secured financing for the original O-Rena, helping the city land the Orlando Magic NBA franchise in 1989.

Report: Florida Economy Ranks High

Florida is ranked No. 10 in the country in economic outlook in the 19th annual Rich States, Poor States ranking. The Sunshine State ranked No. 1 in economic performance.

Published by the American Legislative Exchange Council, the report measured economic performance over the past decade using three indicators: state gross domestic product growth, non-farm payroll employment growth, and absolute domestic migration.

In the 15 categories scored, Florida is tied for first or at the top as a right-to-work state, for having no inheritance tax, and for its personal income tax rate. It is No. 2 in personal income tax progressivity, and No. 3 in tax expenditure limits and the number of public employees per 10,000 of population.

Florida scored No. 49 for state tort system costs, No. 37 for sales tax burden, and No. 32 for state minimum wage at $14. Florida was No. 15 last year and No. 14 in 2024.

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➤ Pinellas County: Human remains were found on Sunday near the Howard Frankland Bridge in the same area where the body of missing USF doctoral student Zamil Limon was located on Friday. Officials did not immediately identify the remains or officially link the investigation to Limon. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: Attorney General James Uthmeier subpoenaed JEA and Jacksonville city officials for records related to the utility's canceled $150,000 lobbying contract with Ballard Partners, which employs former Mayor Lenny Curry. (More)

➤ Sebring: Crews continued a search for two missing divers at Lake Jackson on Monday that began Sunday evening. Law enforcement asked the public to stay out of the area, refrain from flying drones, and to call in with any information. (More)

➤ Martin County: A deputy’s bodycam showed a K-9 officer finding a suspect who had fled from troopers. (See Video)

➤ Tampa: A homeowner is being sued for building a guest house in his backyard and is in jail for contempt of court for refusing to demolish the structure. Although the city approved permits, a judge ruled that the structure should not have been built on a nonbuildable lot. (See Details)

➤ Statewide: University of Florida scientists are warning Floridians to be on the lookout for kissing bugs that mate in the spring, as their bite can transmit a parasite that can lead to chronic and possibly fatal debilitating heart issues. (More)

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➤ The Miami Dolphins invited former FSU quarterback Thomas Castellanos to their rookie minicamp, but they want him to switch positions to become a wide receiver. (More)

➤ The Tampa Bay Lightning rallied from a 2-0 deficit to beat the Canadiens 3-2 on Sunday and tie their first-round series 2-2. Game 5 is tomorrow night in Tampa. (More)

➤ The Florida Gators had a player taken in all seven rounds of this year's NFL draft, a first for the program. They also extended a streak of having at least one selection in every draft since 1967. (More)

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➤ The price of gas is 5 cents per gallon lower than a week ago, but 89 cents higher than a year ago, at $3.94 per gallon statewide. (See Map)

➤ Florida ranks among the top states for electricity shutoffs due to unpaid bills, according to a first-of-its-kind federal report released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. (More)

➤ NASA officials, space industry leaders, and leaders from eight universities gathered to plan future objectives of the Florida Space Grant Research Consortium, a statewide partnership to enhance research grants among higher education institutions, enabling space research and workforce development. (More)

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➤ Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, who resigned from Congress last week ahead of potential expulsion, plans to run for reelection in Florida's 20th Congressional District. Having filed on April 17, she kept her Federal Election Commission account open. (More)

➤ Chick-fil-A is the top fast-food spot in Florida for marriage proposals, according to a gambling site survey where 69% of Florida men said they believe the setting of a proposal can influence whether someone says "yes." (More)

➤ Ryan Gutridge from Fort Lauderdale traded his $27,000 a year apartment on land for a stateroom on Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas for 300 nights per year for $30,000. (More)

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