Friday, September 25, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1918, Navy Chief Machinist's Mate Francis Ormsbee dove into Pensacola Bay to pull a crewman from a crashed seaplane. His daring rescue earned him the Medal of Honor.

Florida’s governor’s race could take a turn the state hasn’t seen since 1974. Find out why in today’s Top Stories.

Today’s sponsor is Curated Gift Guides, rounding up 37 of the most useful and ingenious gadgets of 2026 designed to solve everyday problems and make great gifts.

Brightline Readies Chapter 11 Filing

Brightline is preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as soon as this week, according to reports, to restructure roughly $5.5 billion in debt. The railroad plans to keep trains between Miami and Orlando running.

Ridership keeps climbing, with nearly 1.5 million riders through May, up 16%, after a record 3.1 million in 2025. But the company lost $127 million last year on $214 million in revenue, and an audit flagged "substantial doubt" about its ability to keep running.

The filing would target nearly $1.2 billion in corporate notes and leave the operating company outside the bankruptcy. Bondholders pushed a payment deadline on some subordinate municipal debt back two days, to Thursday, and a lender group has offered $490 million in exit financing.

Two Counties Declare Dengue Emergencies

Pasco County declared a seven-day local state of emergency over dengue fever after the state's first confirmed dengue death this year in neighboring Hillsborough County. The order lets the county administrator and emergency management director waive everyday procedures.

Pasco has two confirmed cases and is investigating more, while Tampa General Hospital estimates it has treated more than 100 dengue patients.

Officials urge residents to drain standing water. "It's truly going to take everybody in Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough to manage the threat of dengue throughout the region," said Seth Weightman, the Pasco County Commission's vice chair.

Hillsborough, where cases have reached about 170, declared its own emergency on Thursday and is conducting aerial mosquito treatments.

FAMU Cancels Florida Governor's Debate

Florida A&M University on Thursday canceled a televised debate between gubernatorial candidates Republican Byron Donalds and Democrat David Jolly.

The hourlong debate was set for next week on the Tallahassee campus and would have streamed free online statewide.

Jolly ruled out debates with Donalds on Sunday, accusing him of acting in bad faith. Donalds, who declined to debate his GOP primary rivals, says Jolly is avoiding scrutiny of his policies.

If they never meet, Florida would have its first governor's race without a televised debate since 1974.

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The 37 Best Gadgets of 2026 You Won’t Find in Stores

The best gadgets aren’t just cool... they solve real everyday problems. From clutter-busting tools to clever tech upgrades, these picks are making waves for their usefulness and ingenuity. We’ve rounded up the most talked-about items that people can’t stop adding to their carts.

Each one combines practical function with a touch of genius, making them perfect for your home, office, or even as gifts. But be warned... demand is skyrocketing, and these top gadgets are already selling out faster than expected.

Learn More

➤ Fort Lauderdale: A boom truck tipped over while crews installed a fumigation tent on Thursday, dropping its crane onto a Rio Vista home that inspectors later declared unsafe. Nobody was inside. (See Video)

➤ Hialeah: Police arrested a man on Thursday after he escaped Palmetto General Hospital, pulled a woman from her car in the parking lot, and led officers on a three-hour pursuit. (See Details)

➤ Marion County: Authorities arrested former N.C. State sports medicine director Robert Murphy Jr., on North Carolina warrants listing 23 sexual battery charges and nine felony sexual contact charges tied to alleged abuse of male athletes. (More)

➤ Wakulla County: The Florida Supreme Court will publicly reprimand Circuit Judge J. Layne Smith for saying he wanted a deputy to shoot three people at a 2025 hearing. Smith apologized and recused himself. (See Details)

➤ Oviedo: Police defended citing and fingerprinting an 11-year-old riding an electric dirt bike to go fishing, saying the unregistered motorcycle was traveling 50 mph and required a licensed rider. (More)

➤ Orlando: A cold front brought drier air Thursday and could give Orlando its first morning in the 60s in 110 days this weekend, while gusty winds raise flooding concerns. (See Forecast)

➤ Jacksonville: Veterans launched the Wounded Warrior Project’s Soldier Ride with a 20-mile adaptive cycling route on Thursday and will continue through Jacksonville Beach today. (See Details)

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➤ Left-handed pitcher Shane McClanahan will be left off the Tampa Bay Rays’ American League Division Series roster because of forearm tightness. (More)

➤ Former NFL receiver Antonio Brown plans to plead no contest to aggravated assault in a Miami attempted murder case under an agreement his lawyer says would spare him prison. (More)

➤ Coco Gauff joined World Team Tennis’ Florida Flamingos as a player and owner. The Delray Beach-raised star is scheduled for home matches on Dec. 14 and 15. (See Details)

➤ Sebastian River High School will debut new play clocks at its Oct. 2 home game after 17 local businesses raised $10,350 in about three days. Coach Phinehas Weatherly's Facebook post about four years of broken clocks sparked the drive. (Read Story)

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➤ Stop cutting into your steak to guess if it's done. The MEATER Plus tracks internal and ambient temp from your phone, wirelessly, so you can walk away from the grill without walking away from a perfect cook. Find yours at Ace Hardware.

➤ Jacksonville’s transit authority can use $30 million in gas-tax funds to pay down a loan and cover severance as it faces a nearly $40 million shortfall and more than 150 expected layoffs. (See Details)

➤ Altamonte Springs is considering expanding its AI road-scanning program to issue repair orders after a pilot assessed 80 miles of streets for $3,500, compared with $120,000 for a manual survey. (More)

➤ The Rambilas family bought Old Town Kissimmee for more than $24.4 million and plans to improve common areas and add attractions while preserving the shopping and entertainment district’s traditions. (See Details)

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Genius Gadgets: The 37 That Actually Earn Their Keep

Smart shoppers know the secret: the best gadgets earn their keep. These 37 picks prove it. They aren't gimmicks or dust collectors, they're practical innovations that deliver real value every single day.

Whether you're organizing your space, upgrading your routine, or getting a head start on gifts, this list highlights what's genuinely worth buying right now. The catch? These popular items are selling faster than anticipated, so availability won't last.

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➤ Mattie Moen, 17, plans to become an EMT instead of a Navy mechanic after she drove her stepfather to a Naples fire station, where first responders revived him after he stopped breathing. (Read Story)

➤ Dinosaur World in Plant City opens its pirate-themed Jurassic Haunt on Saturday, bringing scare zones, a haunted train ride, and roaming animatronics to the park on select nights through Nov. 1. (See Details)

➤ Florida could face a wetter, stormier winter as El Niño strengthens, with a heightened tornado threat in December and February and sharp temperature swings throughout the season. (See Forecast)

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➤ Swollen ankles and feet making everyday life uncomfortable? Researchers are highlighting a unique omega-3 compound from Antarctica that may help address factors linked to age-related fluid retention rather than simply masking discomfort. Discover what’s behind stubborn leg, foot, and ankle swelling—and the approach that could help. Learn more today.