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Saturday, April 4, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1933, NASCAR's second-generation leader, Bill France Jr., was born in Washington, D.C., a year before his parents moved to Daytona Beach.

A stray dog in St. Marks, once known for her shoe-stealing antics, has been adopted and found her happy ending, though she hasn't quite kicked her love of chewing on shoes. Get all the details in Et Cetera.

Today's sponsor, Insurify, helps drivers compare real-time quotes from top insurers so they can find better coverage and potentially save hundreds on car insurance.

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.

AG Okays Religious School Funding

Attorney General James Uthmeier issued a legal opinion on Thursday declaring the state constitution's ban on funding for religious institutions to violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the free exercise of religion.

"Unfortunately, some Florida laws prohibit religious schools from accessing public funds. That's why, during this Holy Week, I issued a formal legal opinion concluding those laws are unconstitutional, and my office will not enforce them," Uthmeier stated in a video posted on X.

The legal opinion could allow charter schools, which are independently run but receive funding from public school districts, to be religious in nature, and allow a state scholarship program to provide funds for students to attend Christian colleges.

However, any move toward publicly funded religious charter schools would likely face court challenges.

Over 60 People Flee Hollywood Hotel Fire

A fire broke out around 2 a.m. at the Hollywood Gateway Inn located in the 2900 block of Polk Street, forcing over 60 people to evacuate and hospitalizing two.

"There was even a baby of a few months from the second floor that had to be rescued, and they threw him ... and the parents, we had to help rescue them because the fire and smoke up there, it was engulfed," said hotel guest Angel Ramirez.

Two people were taken to the hospital for minor injuries they suffered while evacuating the building.

Hollywood Fire Rescue said that the fire appeared to be accidental and electrical in nature.

Florida Flagship To Be Based in Tampa

Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 249 on Thursday, redesignating the Tampa-based S.S. American Victory as the state’s flagship, replacing the schooner Western Union.

“This historic steamship is one of just a few surviving Victory Class ships built during World War II. As we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding this year, it’s a great time to visit our new state flagship in Tampa,” DeSantis said.

For more than 20 years, the merchant-marine transport vessel has been a museum at the Florida Aquarium in Tampa.

The change in law is effective July 1.

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➤ Baker County: All roads into Sanderson were shut down Friday as firefighters battled a 4,000-acre fire on the Florida-Georgia state line. (More)

➤ Hillsborough County: The University of South Florida issued an alert due to a bomb threat on Friday, asking the community to avoid the area. (Details)

➤ Orange County: The Association for the Preservation of the Eatonville Community is suing the Orange County School Board over the sale of the Hungerford School property, claiming the board engaged in illegal backroom dealings. (More)

➤ Miami-Dade County: A tax collector office clerk has been arrested due to allegations of illegally issuing temporary driving permits for money. (More)

➤ Union County: The Florida State Board of Education created a financial emergency board on Tuesday to oversee the Union County and Glades County Public School Districts. (Details)

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➤ Florida Athletic Director Scott Stricklin said the Swamp's $1 billion renovation won’t reduce the iconic stadium's 88,548-seat capacity. (More)

➤ Inter Miami opens its brand-new, $350 million Nu Stadium today against Austin FC in front of a sellout crowd of 26,700. (More)

➤ Florida will become the first state to require high school athletes to complete an EKG heart screening before participating in sports. The policy goes into effect starting July 1. (More)

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➤ Backstreet Boys member Brian Littrell tried to press assault charges against a beachgoer near his house this week, but the state attorney's office declined to file and closed the case. (See Video)

➤ Melby, a male manatee who was rescued from a storm drain in Melbourne Beach, will be released on Tuesday after months of recovery at SeaWorld Orlando. (See Video)

➤ The dog who became famous as the St. Marks shoe bandit has found a new home through Fluff Animal Rescue in Pinellas Park, and her new owner is building a fence to keep her away from the neighbors' shoes. (See Dog)

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