Monday, April 6, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1959, the governing council of the Seminole Tribe approved a resolution allowing construction of the Everglades Parkway linking Florida's east and west coasts. Most people know it today as Alligator Alley.

Today also marks a special anniversary for Flyover Florida. On April 6, 2025, we launched our first Sunday edition, bringing coverage of the Free State of Florida seven days a week. Thank you, dear readers, for your loyalty.

This is an abbreviated holiday version of Flyover Florida, as many on our crew spent Sunday with family and friends celebrating Easter. The full-size Flyover Florida will return tomorrow.

If you’re ready to finally take control of your weight and your health, today's sponsor, DirectMeds, makes it simple to start—with trusted GLP-1 treatments prescribed online and delivered straight to your door.

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.

Most Affordable Cities in Florida

Seven Florida cities are ranked among the 50 most affordable and fastest-growing cities in the U.S., according to a study by MoneyLion, a mobile financial platform.

To meet the study's requirements, cities had to have total populations of at least 100,000 residents, one-year and five-year population growth rates above the national growth rate, and rental or mortgage costs below the national average.

Florida's affordable cities include Cape Coral (No. 15), Palm Bay (No. 20), Orlando (No. 34), Brandon (No. 40), Lakeland (No. 43), Lehigh Acres (No. 44), and Jacksonville (No. 45). The Sunshine State had the second-highest number of qualifying cities, behind Texas, which had 11.

MoneyLion also ranked the cheapest and safest places to live in Florida, with Marianna, Vero Beach, and West Melbourne taking the top three spots.

Sunshine State's Best Beach Getaways

Southern Living readers voted for their favorite beach getaways in the South, and six Florida beaches were listed among the top 20.

Destin (No. 3) was the top-ranking Sunshine State beach, coming in behind Golden Isles, Georgia (No. 1), and Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama (No. 2). Nicknamed the World's Luckiest Fishing Village, Destin draws visitors with its white-quartz sand and emerald waters.

Sanibel Island (No. 9) also made the top 10. The island, known as the Shelling Capital of America, more than 70% of the barrier island is protected, making it a haven for nature lovers. A wildlife refuge offers manatees, alligators, and over 230 species of birds.

Anna Maria Island (No. 10), St. Augustine Beach (No. 12), Siesta Key (No. 13), and Panama City Beach (No. 20) were other top choices. South Carolina had the most beaches listed, with seven.

Flying together with our sponsor

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➤ Statewide: Miami (No. 6), Jacksonville (No. 7), Orlando (No. 8), and Tampa (No. 9) are among the top 10 cities in the nation for women-owned businesses. (See List)

➤ Lake Mary: A coach became the legal guardian for Maryellen Wingate, a student and state wrestling finalist, after she lost both her parents to cancer. (See Video)

➤ Sarasota: A 16-year-old boy from Wyoming found a prehistoric, six-inch megalodon shark tooth off the Gulf Coast in Manasota Key. (See Video)

➤ Tampa: For the third year in a row, Big John's Alabama BBQ, which opened in 1968, was voted the best barbecue in the state by the readers of Southern Living. (See List)

➤ Sebring: A Highlands County Sheriff's Office deputy used a PVC pipe and a rain jacket to grab a four-foot-long alligator that was spotted in the area of a construction site. (See Video)

➤ Orlando: Disney World will debut new and updated attractions this spring, including Buzz Lightyear's Space Ranger Spin at Magic Kingdom and Soarin' Across America at Epcot. (See List)

Flying together with our sponsor

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Flying together with our sponsor

Take control of your weight and health with DirectMeds. Their licensed providers prescribe trusted GLP-1 medications like semaglutide and tirzepatide—clinically proven to curb appetite, balance blood sugar, and promote lasting fat loss. Lower your risk of diabetes, boost energy, and feel confident again. Start today with a quick online consultation and 24-hour approval.