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Friday, February 20, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1864, 10,000 cavalry, infantry, and artillery troops fought a five-hour battle in a pine forest near Olustee in the largest battle in Florida during the Civil War. The Union troops retreated to Jacksonville after suffering nearly 1,900 casualties.

It's National Love Your Pet Day. Hit reply to this email to send us a photo of your fur baby, and we'll give them some love!

Today's sponsor, GoldCo, is helping retirement savers explore how physical gold and silver could potentially strengthen and diversify their portfolios amid growing economic and political uncertainty.

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 Promotes Federal Balanced Budget

On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis appeared before the Kentucky House to testify in favor of a resolution seeking a national convention to propose a constitutional amendment requiring a balanced federal budget.

DeSantis argued that a constitutional change, rather than waiting for action from Congress, is the only way to permanently fix the nation's $38 trillion debt, calling it a "bipartisan problem."

DeSantis was at the Idaho State Capitol last month to advocate for a similar resolution, which the Idaho House adopted this month.

Thirty-four states have to pass a resolution to call a constitutional convention. For an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to pass, it would require 38 states to ratify it. So far, DeSantis said, 28 states have signed on.

Proof-of-Citizenship for Elections Proposed

Florida lawmakers are advancing election legislation that would impose new proof-of-citizenship requirements and potentially eliminate recounts, as federal lawmakers in the U.S. Senate debate the merits of the similar SAVE America Act.

Florida's HB 991 and SB 1334 bills would require additional documentation to verify citizenship and expand the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles' role in elections.

The bills differ on whether college IDs are acceptable forms of photo identification, with the House opposed to them. They also differ on when certain requirements would take effect, with the House proposal delaying some implementation until 2027.

Democrats warn that the changes could disenfranchise thousands of voters, particularly the elderly and minorities. Republicans say the measures are necessary to prevent non-citizens from diluting lawful votes.

More Arrests in $1.7M State Vehicle Scam

Four additional suspects have been arrested in a scheme that cost Florida more than $1.7 million through fraudulent vehicle damage claims, bringing the total number of arrests to 10.

In January, former Department of Financial Services employee Briana McCarthy was arrested and accused of approving 224 fraudulent claims while working for the state agency between 2021 and 2024. She is charged with grand theft, money laundering, fraud, and criminal use of personal identification.

Investigators believe McCarthy was the ringleader, recruiting others to participate. In early February, five people were arrested, including two former employees of the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation.

The most recent arrests last week include Shelton Allen, Latasha Belford, Cervantes Galloway, and Ni'jah Johnson on grand theft and fraud-related charges. Authorities are still seeking Curtis McClendon in connection with the investigation.

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A New Era for Gold & Silver

For years now, many people in or near retirement have viewed precious metals through a single lens: wealth preservation. It was the "safe haven" you turned to when the rest of the market looked shaky.

But that era may have ended… with a new one emerging.

We have now entered a period of unprecedented momentum.

Gold charged past $5,000/oz.

& Silver skyrocketed past $100/oz.

For the first time in decades, the conversation for retirement savers seems to be shifting. It's no longer just about "holding the line"—it's about the potential growth these physical assets could bring to a diversified portfolio.

Why This Could Just Be The Beginning

While $5,000 gold and $100 silver are historic milestones, many seasoned market analysts suggest this move may just be getting started, even with the recent pullbacks.

Analysts report that gold has more room to run as geopolitics and central banks buying fuel gains. With the upcoming U.S. mid-term elections, political uncertainty may increase further. At the same time, persistent concerns about over-valued equity markets could reinforce portfolio diversification flows into gold.

Claim your FREE 2026 Gold & Silver Kit which reveals the latest market data and shows you exactly how to add physical metals as a hedge for your retirement strategy.

➤ Statewide: On Thursday, Attorney General James Uthmeier announced a new public integrity unit that will be auditing officials for potential criminal activity related to spending, including expenditures at the local level. (More)

➤ West Palm Beach: JetBlue flight 543, headed from New Jersey's Newark International Airport to Florida, made an emergency landing on Wednesday after the plane sustained engine failure and the cabin filled with smoke. (See Video)

➤ Sarasota: U.S. Rep. William Steube (R-District 17) filed the Daylight Act of 2026 bill, proposing a permanent shift of U.S. time zones forward 30 minutes instead of today's standard time. It would fully repeal Daylight Saving Time nationwide. (More)

➤Tallahassee: Key legislation sought by Gov. DeSantis to establish an artificial intelligence bill of rights for Floridians advanced past its final committee in the state Senate on Wednesday. (More)

➤ Tampa: The Florida Cabinet will consider giving 22 acres of non-conservation land to Hillsborough College for a Tampa Bay Rays baseball stadium, according to an agenda item released this week for a Feb. 24 meeting. (More)

➤ Kissimmee: Commissioners voted to extend term limits, allowing them to serve up to 12 years in office. Voters must approve the change in an August referendum. (More)

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➤ Orlando Magic forward Franz Wagner is out indefinitely with a left ankle sprain. He's already missed 25 games and could be out for another month. (More)

➤ The Miami Dolphins are reportedly exploring trades for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. (More)

➤ Pensacola's Blue Wahoos Stadium will host eight high school baseball games this season. (More)

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➤ The Hoffmann Family of Companies plans to redevelop the former Old Corkscrew Golf Club site in Estero into a private golf facility known as the Pandion Club by 2027. (More)

➤ Moffitt Cancer Center will expand into Polk County, opening a new outpatient center by 2029 on 34 acres in Lakeland. (More)

➤ Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation has ordered American Dream Auto Protect, an automobile extended warranty company in New Jersey, to stop writing policies in Florida and honor claims from policies already written. (More)

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New Era for Gold & Silver: Despite recent pullbacks, Analysts report that precious metals have more room to run as geopolitics and central banks buying, fuel gains. With the upcoming U.S. mid-term elections, political uncertainty may increase further. For the first time in decades, the conversation for retirement savers seems to be shifting.

It's no longer just about "holding the line"—it's about the potential growth these physical assets could bring to a diversified portfolio. Get the latest market insights and learn how to add physical metals to your retirement savings with the 2026 Ultimate Guide to Gold & Silver.

➤ Animal behaviorists partnering with the Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society traveled to Africa to help a white rhino with a life-threatening, parasitic eye infection. (See Photos)

➤ A strong cold front is expected to move through the state on Sunday with about a 40% chance of scattered showers. Lows are forecast to dip into the 30s by Tuesday morning, with wind chills in the upper 20s to mid-30s. (More)

➤ Florida ranked No. 1 for the most unprovoked shark bites in the world in 2025, while Australia suffered the most fatal attacks, according to a report from the International Shark Attack Files. (See Chart)

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Have you ever seen a shark in person?

Thursday's Results:

Did you give up anything for Lent?

Yes: 32%
No: 68%

Which Jackson County Bridge is known as Florida's most haunted?

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