Thursday, September 3, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1994, Terry Dean threw seven touchdowns in the first half of the season opener, setting a record for a University of Florida quarterback. The Gators went on to win 70-21 over New Mexico State.

Do you remember what evenings felt like when you were a kid? The whole family at the table by six, a phone call after dinner, maybe the sound of neighbors talking out on the porch. These are five after-dinner habits that once defined American life, and they've all but vanished or been replaced. Join Ayla on The Flyover Podcast as she counts down all five and takes you on a trip down memory lane. Tune in here!

Thanks to the incredible generosity of Flyover readers, we raised $26,638 for Convoy of Hope’s Nepal flood relief efforts. Your support is making a meaningful difference for families affected by this disaster. If you haven’t had a chance to give, or would still like to participate, you can make a contribution here.

Later today, watch for a message from our partner, Incogni, about how much of your personal information may be available online and how to remove it before scammers or identity thieves can use it.

Today’s sponsor is Aerless Vacuum Travel Bags, helping fall travelers pack bulky sweaters, jackets, and layers while saving up to 60% of valuable luggage space.

Third Lawsuit Targets Florida SAVE Act

A third federal lawsuit filed this week seeks to block Florida's proof-of-citizenship voting law before it takes effect.

The Southern Poverty Law Center and Democracy Defenders Fund sued in Miami federal court for Black Voters Matter Fund and LULAC, arguing HB 991 conflicts with federal law governing voter registration, a claim that earlier suits skipped.

The measure, signed in April, requires officials to check citizenship against state and federal databases starting Jan. 1, 2027. Flagged voters get 30 days to produce a passport, birth certificate, or naturalization papers.

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis predicted in April that appeals courts would uphold it.

DeSantis to Campaign for Amendment 3

Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will help campaign for Amendment 3 after months of keeping his distance from the property tax measure.

The amendment would raise the homestead exemption on non-school taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. It needs 60% approval on the Nov. 3 ballot.

DeSantis wanted homestead property taxes eliminated outright in June's special session, then said the Legislature's scaled-back version wasn't his proposal. I'll be involved somehow, he said Monday in Jacksonville.

Local governments warn of steep revenue losses, and a new Florida TaxWatch tool projects the hit county by county.

22,000 Smuggled Artifacts Seized in Tampa

Federal agents have seized more than 22,000 ancient artifacts in Florida, one of the largest hauls in Homeland Security Investigations' history.

HSI Tampa announced the seizure as part of an ongoing investigation into global antiquities smuggling. Early evaluations suggest some pieces are 1,000 to 5,000 years old, from sites across Europe, Africa, and the Eastern Mediterranean.

The trove includes coins, ceramic pots, statues, weapons, jewelry, and mosaic frames. No field test exists for antiquities, so agents brought in more than a dozen archaeological experts, working with the University of Florida and the University of Pennsylvania.

Case agent Leanna Richardson said handling the pieces felt like "touring a museum with your own personal archaeologist." HSI works to return authenticated items to their countries of origin.

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➤ Statewide: Florida received 5.67 million eggs through a nationwide price-fixing settlement, with food banks and pantries distributing them free across all 67 counties. (See Details)

➤ Hialeah: Police arrested a substitute teacher on Tuesday after staff found a loaded handgun in her unattended backpack at a local high school. The substitute said she forgot to remove it before work. (See Details)

➤ Tallahassee: City commissioners voted 3-2 on Wednesday to hire Karen Jumonville as city manager after considering other finalists, with her contract set for ratification on Sept. 9. (See Details)

➤ New Smyrna Beach: A shark bit a surfer’s right foot shortly after 11 a.m. on Wednesday, but the victim declined medical treatment and left without providing additional information. (More)

➤ Jacksonville: The Duval County School Board voted 6-1 Tuesday to reject a construction agreement for a 1,200-seat Venetia Elementary campus that would absorb Ortega Elementary after residents raised concerns about its size, traffic, and approval process. (See Details)

➤ Southwest Florida: FDOT is moving ahead with plans to widen 21 miles of Interstate 75 through Lee and Collier counties, drawing support from commuters and pushback from neighbors worried about traffic, growth, and noise. (More)

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➤ Florida coach Jon Sumrall is calling for a sellout crowd at the Swamp when the Gators open his tenure against Florida Atlantic at 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, with Georgia Tech transfer Aaron Philo starting at quarterback. (More)

➤ No. 7 Miami opens at Stanford at 9 p.m. on Friday, making its first trip to Palo Alto as a heavy favorite, with Duke transfer Darian Mensah debuting at quarterback following the Hurricanes’ national title loss. (How to Watch)

➤ Fort Myers pickleball player Grayer Crump, 18, scored the championship-winning point for Miami Pickleball Club in the inaugural Junior Major League Pickleball season and will compete in November’s PPA World Championships. (More)

➤ Yesterday’s Results: US Open | MLB | Soccer

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➤ The Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce launched a campaign to recruit a Tesla gigafactory, touting the MagLab and local universities after Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed support, while some residents raised environmental concerns. (See Details)

➤ Organizers proposed a $120 million, 50,000-seat concert venue on Jacksonville’s Westside that could host about 28 concerts and a three-day music festival while drawing over 1 million visitors annually. (More)

➤ Florida’s citrus acreage fell 21% in 2026 to 165,359 acres, while production rose 7% during the 2025-26 season to 15.7 million boxes, according to USDA reports. (More)

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➤ ServicePlus Home Warranty’s Labor Day Sale is here with savings designed to help protect your budget from unexpected home repairs. For a limited time, get 50% off plus 2 FREE months of home warranty coverage. Protect essential home systems and appliances while taking advantage of this special holiday offer.

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➤ Former NFL star and Miami native Chad Johnson pumped free gas for Miami-Dade drivers during a DraftKings-sponsored giveaway of about 3,500 gallons, and he said a television career could be next. (More)

➤ The North Florida Wildlife Center welcomed red kangaroos Tillie and Bonnie, who will join its emus in a planned Australia Walkthrough exhibit and could eventually participate in a breeding program. (See Details)

➤ The Miccosukee Tribe opened a new plaza along Tamiami Trail featuring a general store, gift shop, and food court for Everglades travelers between its casino and Miccosukee Indian Village. (More)

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