Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1961, Alan B. Shepard launched from Cape Canaveral to become the first American in space when he breached the Earth's atmosphere for 15 minutes aboard the Mercury spacecraft Freedom 7.

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed over 60 bills into law so far this year. Here's the list. Our Top Story today highlights one of the most recent laws, which tightens restrictions on organized labor unions.

The stock market is on a tear, with the S&P 500 and Nasdaq closing at fresh all-time highs on May 1, and the Dow climbing back toward 50,000. But what's actually driving this rally? Is it Big Tech earnings? The AI buildout? Hopes that the war in Iran ends soon? On today's episode of The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown breaks down the three forces behind Wall Street's record run and what investors are watching next. Tune in!

Today’s sponsor is Cozy Earth, and if you’ve been thinking about upgrading your sleep or finding a Mother’s Day gift that actually gets used, this is worth a look. Their bamboo sheets have quickly become a standout with The Flyover readers and have been one of the most talked-about home upgrades we’ve featured.

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 Signs Union Reform Bill

As of July 1, Florida will have some of the country's strictest organized labor requirements under legislation Gov. Ron DeSantis signed on Friday. The new law was one of the GOP governor's top 2026 priorities.

The law requires that, to win certification, public-sector labor unions need at least 50% of all employees in the bargaining unit to vote, and that the vote itself receive 50% plus one vote of employees in the unit, whether they vote or not. Currently, unions only need a majority of those who actually vote.

During a news briefing at Fort Myers High School, DeSantis said he was signing SB 1296 to "provide once and for all for the decertification of partisan teacher unions." During the legislative session, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon advocated for the new law.

DeSantis also signed HB 1279, which addresses a concern in Lee County. The law expands the criteria for a district to declare an education emergency, allowing for salary incentives that are not subject to collective bargaining requirements.

Expanded Atlantic Red Snapper Season

President Trump and Gov. DeSantis announced that federal regulators approved a permit for Florida to temporarily take over management of recreational red snapper fishing off the Atlantic coast, expanding the 2026 recreational season to 39 days from just two days last year.

The plan, which will go into effect May 22, allows the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to oversee the fishery through 2028, part of a broader push for state control already in place in the Gulf.

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott called Trump's approval a "huge win" on X: "GREAT NEWS for our Florida fishermen! POTUS approved ALL state permits for the 2026 Red Snapper season. Biden tried to shut down our oceans. We fought back, and WON. This is a HUGE win. We are back in business!"

Environmental advocates warned that the move risks overfishing and weakens science-based management. Exempted fishing permits were also given to Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

Bullhorn Protest Leads to Compensation Claim

Naples Republican Rep. Yvette Benarroch says she is dealing with possible ear damage after Jacksonville Democrat Rep. Angie Nixon used a bullhorn next to her on the Florida House floor. Benarroch has filed a workers' compensation claim because of the incident.

Nixon used the megaphone to protest a chaotic special session vote on congressional redistricting, a move that also contributed to confusion that briefly altered recorded votes.

After the vote, Benarroch sought medical attention at the emergency room and was referred to a specialist for further evaluation. Emergency medical staff told her that she could be experiencing "acoustic shock."

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➤ Miami-Dade County: The U.S. Secret Service said a man was arrested Saturday at President Trump's Doral National Golf Club after an alleged disturbance and charged with disorderly conduct and resisting without violence. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: Gov. DeSantis signed a death warrant for Andrew Richard Lukehart, of Jacksonville, to be executed on June 2. Lukehart was convicted of fracturing an infant's skull and throwing her into a pond while on probation for felony child abuse. (More)

➤ Miami: Local authorities are considering building a direct train route between Miami International Airport and PortMiami, two transportation powerhouses that currently lack a fast, efficient link for cruise passengers. (More)

➤ Hillsborough County: Sheriff's marine units rescued an adult and two children stranded on a boat in Tampa Bay as the vessel moved into dangerous waters. (See Video)

➤ Fernandina Beach: The annual Shrimp Festival this past weekend boosted local businesses, generating over $15 million for the county. With 150,000 attendees, it is one of the largest festivals in the Southeast. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: Elin Facey, 14, completed Florida Virtual School Flex classes and homeschooling, skipping five grade levels in less than two years. Facey received over 90 college acceptance letters and will attend Faulkner University in Alabama. (More)

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➤ Hard Rock Stadium is no longer eligible to host Super Bowls because its Formula 1 and Miami Open infrastructure limits space for the NFL's required "hospitality events." (More)

➤ The Orlando Magic fired head coach Jamahl Mosley yesterday after the team blew a 3-1 series lead against the Detroit Pistons in the first round of the playoffs. (More)

➤ Cameron Young won the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral by six shots over world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. It's his second PGA Tour win of the season after The Players Championship. (More)

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➤ Florida gas prices surged 40 cents per gallon, setting a four-year high, according to AAA. Average gas prices in the state rose from $3.94 earlier in the week to $4.34 a gallon on Sunday. (See Map)

➤ Student-athletes in Florida could see a portion of their funds from name, image, and likeness (NIL) deals put into a professionally managed trust, based on a proposal by a state panel on college athletics. (More)

➤ The Ponte Vedra Beach-based PGA Tour has laid off 56 full-time employees and will not fill 73 open positions. The tour plans to reallocate some of the lost positions and reinvest in 30-plus new full-time roles, including some senior-level jobs. (More)

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➤ Welcome to Rockville 2026, North America's largest rock music festival, returns to Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, May 7-10. Guns N' Roses, Foo Fighters, Bring Me the Horizon, and My Chemical Romance headline the event. (More)

➤ Epcot's Food & Wine Festival in Orlando will run from Aug. 27 through Nov. 21 this year, with the Eat to the Beat concert series returning. (More)

➤ Cameras at a Collier County home caught three bears wandering through a backyard. (See Video)

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