Monday, May 11, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1996, ValuJet Flight 592 crashed in the Everglades minutes after takeoff from Miami International Airport, killing 110 people.

Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed five more bills into law, including one waiving building permits for single-family residential projects valued under $7,500. Here’s the list.

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT:

You read this morning's Flyover. You start your day informed.

But here's the thing: by the afternoon, a lot has happened since 6 a.m.

We built The Flyover because we believe you deserve news you can trust, delivered in a way that respects your time. And we've heard from many of you who love starting your morning with us, but wish you didn't have to wait until tomorrow to catch up on what breaks during the day.

So we listened.

Introducing Flyover Updates, our brand new afternoon text message launching in just a couple of weeks. Once a day, in the afternoon, we'll send you the top three breaking news stories that happened since this morning's edition. Stories you haven't seen yet. News you don't want to miss. Delivered in a quick, easy-to-read text without any apps, algorithms, or wasted time.

The world doesn't stop after our morning edition, and neither do we.

Stay informed. Stay ahead. We'll see you in the afternoon.

Later today, we’ll send you a message from our partner, Insurify, about a problem many Americans are facing right now: rising car insurance costs. It only takes a few minutes to compare quotes and see if you could save money on your current policy. If you want to get a head start, check out the comparison tool right here.

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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.

Orlando to Host Qualifying for LA Olympics

The International Olympic Committee selected Orlando to host the last stop of the Olympic Qualifier Series in June 2028. The four-day event at Camping World Stadium will help determine the final athletes to qualify for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Orlando joins Tokyo, Shanghai, and Montreal as host cities for the global qualifying series, which is expected to feature 3-on-3 basketball, beach volleyball, BMX freestyle, climbing, flag football, and skateboarding.

The announcement came as Orlando tourism officials revealed the region welcomed a record 76.7 million visitors in 2025, a nearly 2% increase from the previous year. According to Visit Orlando, the milestone was achieved despite a decline in Canadian tourism.

The Olympic Qualifier Series was first introduced ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics to create a more fan-friendly, globally branded qualification process.

Two Former Congressmen Die

Florida lost two former members of Congress this week with the deaths of former U.S. Reps. Larry Smith and Bill Posey.

Smith, a Democrat from Hollywood, died Wednesday at the age of 85. He represented South Florida in Congress from 1983 to 1993 after previously serving in the Florida House of Representatives. Smith was known as "Florida's go-to guy."

Posey, a former Republican congressman, died on Saturday at the age of 78. He represented the Space Coast from 2009 until his retirement in 2025. Before his time in Washington, Posey served in both the Florida House and Senate and was active in local government in Rockledge.

Smith was known for his work as an attorney and influential figure in Broward County. Posey built a reputation as a conservative lawmaker focused on government accountability, space issues, and hurricane insurance reform.

Report: Florida Leads in Clean Air

Florida was ranked among the leading states for air quality in the American Lung Association's 2026 State of the Air report, with more than half of the state's tracked counties earning an "A" grade for ozone pollution.

Counties receiving top marks include Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, and Indian River. The annual report evaluates air quality nationwide using data on ozone and particle pollution collected from official monitoring stations.

The report found that 21 Florida counties ranked among the cleanest in the nation for ozone pollution, and no Florida county appeared on the list of the 25 most polluted places to live. Florida's strong showing reflects years of improvements in air quality monitoring and environmental protection throughout the state.

Florida's Department of Environmental Protection said the rankings highlight the importance of protecting Florida's environment and natural resources. Here is a map of today's air quality in the state.

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➤ Putnam County: A truck driver plowed through a city-approved block party in Palatka on Saturday, hitting people and vehicles. Multiple people, including two police officers, fired at the driver, who is in police custody. Several people were hospitalized. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, seven bicyclists were hit, with three seriously injured, on Saturday when a white pickup drove into their cycling group on East Voorhis Avenue in West Volusia County. (More)

➤ Tampa: Twenty-two people, ranging in age from 12 to 21, were arrested following a large "teen takeover" gathering Friday night at Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park. Police said the growing "takeover" trend has become a concern for communities. (More)

➤ Miami Beach: Eleven people were hospitalized Saturday following a possible boat explosion near the Haulover Sandbar, a popular boating area known for parties. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: A six-month investigation by the city council found no evidence of fraud or conflicts of interest in the Healthlink Jax telehealth program launched by Mayor Donna Deegan in 2024. (More)

➤ Ave Maria: A woman thought her home was being invaded, but instead discovered two alligators fighting on her porch. Wildlife experts say alligator fights occur during mating season, which runs from April to September in Florida. (More)

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➤ Lionel Messi became the fastest player in MLS history to reach 100 goal contributions during Inter Miami's 4-2 win over Toronto FC on Saturday. Messi reached the mark in 64 matches, breaking Sebastian Giovinco's previous record by 31 games. (More)

➤ In college baseball, No. 21 Florida defeated Kentucky 9-6, while No. 14 Florida State beat Clemson 6-3 on Sunday. (See Scores)

➤ Five-star cornerback Donte Wright flipped his commitment from Georgia football to Miami, according to reports on Saturday. Wright is ranked as the No. 2 cornerback in the nation. (More)

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➤ Florida is no longer the first choice for retirement due to costs, weather, and social networks, according to real estate professionals. (More)

➤ Meanwhile, the real estate industry in Florida accounted for a larger share of the state's economy than it did anywhere else in the country last year. According to the National Association of Realtors, a quarter of the state's gross domestic product came from the industry. (More)

➤ Quebec-based Printeez, a custom apparel company, is opening a facility in Lakewood Ranch that will serve as its U.S. headquarters. (More)

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➤ A Palm Bay couple was married in the neonatal intensive care unit after their premature twins were born a week before their scheduled wedding. (More)

➤ Miami-Dade Police Department officers are suing actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, through their production company Artists Equity, for allegedly depicting officers as "dirty" in their Netflix crime thriller movie, The Rip. (More)

➤ Universal Orlando revealed major changes coming to the theme park, including the closure of Islands of Adventure's Lost Continent and the Mythos Restaurant. (More)

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