The morning edition

Front Porch Florida — Monday, August 24, 2026

Monday, August 24, 2026

Same edition as the morning email.

Monday, August 24, 2026

Good Morning! On August 24, 1992, Hurricane Andrew made landfall near Homestead in the early morning hours. Central pressure was 922 millibars; sustained winds were later reassessed at Category 5. In Dade County alone, as many as a quarter-million people were left temporarily homeless, and the storm reshaped how Florida builds and prepares for hurricanes.

On August 24, 1961, NASA announced it would acquire land north and west of Cape Canaveral — largely on Merritt Island in Brevard County — as the launch site for manned lunar flights. That choice laid the groundwork for what became Kennedy Space Center and Florida’s lasting role in Apollo.

In This Issue: Everglades fires close Shark Valley as crews fight the Chipmunk blaze, Florida expands swim-lesson vouchers as child drownings climb, and the Marlins sweep the Nationals.

No tropical cyclone threat to Florida Monday (National Hurricane Center). Rip-current risk Monday: moderate NE Florida and Panhandle; low west-central/SW Gulf, SE Atlantic, and Pensacola–Destin.

Everglades Fires Close Shark Valley as Chipmunk Burns Past 9,000 Acres

U.S. Wildland Fire Service crews are fighting several lightning-caused wildfires in Everglades National Park, led by the Chipmunk and Vulture fires, per an Aug. 23 WUSF/WGCU report.

The Chipmunk Fire, first reported Aug. 21 about two miles southwest of Shark Valley, was estimated at roughly 9,232 acres and 30% contained. The Vulture Fire, reported Aug. 22 east of Shark Valley Tram Road, was about 286 acres and 60% contained.

An emergency closure covers the entire Shark Valley area — visitor center, trails, parking, and Tram Road — so firefighters can keep working. Engines, crews, and aircraft are using direct attack on fire edges plus natural barriers; more resources can be added if needed.

Chipmunk remains active on its north and east sides and is backing south; Vulture’s southeast corner has seen some rain. Smoke is visible from Main Park Road and U.S. 41, but no Highway 41 closures were expected and airboat concessions were still running.

Nearby incidents include the 116-acre Lemur fire (Aug. 21) and the Movie Dome Incident at about 6,222 acres (discovered Aug. 19, 60% contained). Acreage and containment can change daily — check NPS alerts before lock.

Florida Child Drownings Climb as Swim-Lesson Vouchers Expand for Autism Priority

WUSF/WUFT’s Aug. 23 package notes Florida is expanding a swimming-lesson voucher program amid rising child drownings: 120 child drowning deaths last year (a state high) and 89 so far this year, on pace to exceed that mark, per Department of Children and Families figures cited in the piece.

CDC ranks drowning the leading cause of death for ages 1–4. The same reporting ties the toll push to a July 1 law change that widened voucher eligibility to ages 1–7 and prioritized children with autism and active-military families.

Vouchers are generally about $200 for up to eight lessons. Free explainers note autistic children are cited as about 160 times more likely to die by drowning — the policy frame behind the autism priority.

Earlier free coverage of the statute (SB 428 era) put prior-year demand high — more than 16,000 applications and roughly 5,000 vouchers in 2024–25 — while DOH application timing into fall remained fuzzy in the Aug. 23 wrap.

Gunfire Outside Jacksonville High School Football Game Wounds Two

The first week of high school football in Jacksonville ended with shots Friday night near a game at Lonnie C. Miller Sr. Regional Park, wounding Zakyri Crews, 20, in the shoulder and a 19-year-old woman in the leg; both had non-life-threatening injuries, JSO said.

The contest was between Young Kids in Motion Academy and Joshua Christian Academy. Investigators say two groups argued; one was escorted out, returned later, and shots followed. Two men believed responsible — late teens to early 20s — fled. JSO said no added threat to the schools or community.

James Crews, Zakyri’s father and a Northside youth-violence prevention advocate, said a parent came to the door with the news. He described planned shoulder surgery with a metal rod and lasting physical and mental impact. Community leader John Marcus urged City Council investment beyond election cycles.

No arrests had been announced as of the Saturday night update; tips were sought via JSO and Crime Stoppers.

Port St. Lucie Woman Charged With DUI After Erratic Drive to K-8 With Kids

CBS12: Port St. Lucie police say Erin Pozner was arrested after a 911 caller tracked an erratic morning drive Aug. 13 that ended at Manatee Academy K-8 with two elementary-aged children in the car.

Officers reported impairment signs, ran field sobriety tests, and took a blood sample with a drug-recognition expert’s help. Police credited the continuous 911 updates that followed the vehicle to the school.

Charges reported: two counts of DUI with a person under 18 in the vehicle plus DUI. Developing — charged, not convicted.

➤ Bonifay / Holmes County: Gov. Ron DeSantis announced nearly $8.8 million for 12 small/rural Northwest Florida communities via Small Cities CDBG and CPTA grants (Bonifay press event Aug. 20). Largest CDBG awards include Franklin County $1,769,250 (water/sewer + workforce housing), Bonifay $1,500,000 (Decon Road sewer extension; mayor cited potential for 200–300 affordable houses on a 52-acre site), Liberty County $1,260,540 (Bristol Boat Ramp roadway), and Blountstown $1,185,576 (wastewater). Five CPTA awards are $75,000 each.

➤ St. Petersburg: The city’s Youth Opportunity Grants pilot — $500/month for one year to 88 former foster youth (ages 18–27), funded with about $946,000 in American Rescue Plan dollars and run with Ready for Life — is issuing final payments this month. Early findings to City Council’s Youth and Family Services Committee said participants used funds for housing/utilities, transportation, and food; about 47% of focus-group participants reported saving some money. No replacement funding identified; ARPA city allocation was ~$45.4 million one-time.

➤ Bay County: Florida Department of Health listed a Vibrio vulnificus death in Bay County — the state’s third Vibrio death in 2026 — with 17 confirmed cases statewide year-to-date across 12 counties (Bay among those with two cases).

➤ Boca Raton: Pilot Faith Tenkley, 23, ditched a twin-engine Piper PA-30-series plane in shallow Atlantic water off Boca Raton (~South Beach Park / Palmetto Park area) about 9:40 a.m. Saturday after right-engine and landing-gear failures en route from Page Field (Fort Myers) to South Bimini. She was alone and uninjured; witnesses called the water landing “flawless.” FAA investigating; wreckage removed Sunday.

Lake County’s Aug. 22 machine recount in the Republican primary to succeed retiring U.S. Rep. Dan Webster added one vote each to businessman Joe Strada and former Lake Property Appraiser Carey Baker, leaving the county gap unchanged. Pre-recount districtwide unofficials: Strada led Baker 27,389 to 26,996 (33.5% to 33.0%) — 393 votes (~0.48%) of 81,777 in a five-way field (Wilkins ~25.5%, Razack ~5.8%, Palomo ~2.3%). Lake Canvassing Board aims to certify Wed Aug. 26; Secretary Cord Byrd ordered the recount. Baker won Lake but Strada’s Sumter/Orange margins held. Democrat James Pericola awaits the nominee.

WUSF Aug. 23: Hillsborough Commission candidates at Tampa Tiger Bay (Cuban Club, Aug. 21) clashed over a DOGE-style report recommending ending Hillsborough’s indigent health-care program (~$300M/year cut cited). Challenger Aileen Rodriguez said fiscal responsibility need not mean cutting health care or after-school programs; incumbent Joshua Wostal backed forming DOGE and its findings; Harry Cohen said he opposed creating the committee and that the commission already owns budget scrutiny.

Free WTXL: Tallahassee City Commission Seat 3 — P.J. Perez leads unofficially with 11,632 votes (29.06%); Tom Derzypolski 10,532 (26.31%) and Talethia Edwards 10,518 (26.27%) — 14 votes apart for the second runoff slot. Machine recount of 40,000+ ballots ran Sat into Sun (3 p.m. state deadline for second unofficials); if margin stays ≤0.25%, manual review of ambiguous/undervote/overvote ballots can follow Monday. Supervisor Mark Earley has pointed to official certification by Wed Aug. 26 noon.

FOX 13: Former Gov. Charlie Crist (~35%) and incumbent Mayor Ken Welch (~21%) advance after the Aug. 18 nonpartisan primary; neither hit 50%. Jim Large and Brandi Gabbard trailed ~17–18%; Scruggs and Batdorf in single digits. Runoff is Nov. 3. Issues cited on the trail include affordability, safety, and keeping the Rays.

Florida Realtors (Aug. 17 release of July data): existing single-family closed sales 23,870 (+5.1% YoY); condo/townhouse closed sales 8,194 (+11%); single-family median sale price $425,000 (+3.7%); condo/townhouse median held at $295,000. New pending single-family sales +2.4% (12th straight YoY gain). Single-family inventory down ~13.4% YoY; condo/townhouse inventory down just under 13%. Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor flagged pent-up demand even without a major mortgage-rate drop.

Space Florida announced Aug. 21 it was awarded $1.5 million over three years from NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement under the Aerospace Skilled Technical Workforce Hubs program — one of seven state hubs nationally — to launch Project ORBIT (Opportunities and Resources Building Industry Talent). Focus areas: aerospace, advanced manufacturing, construction, cybersecurity/IT, logistics, and semiconductors; partners include CyberFlorida, FloridaMakes, Florida Semiconductor Institute, Astronaut Memorial Foundation, and others. Plan includes expanded CTE pathways, internships/apprenticeships, and a statewide talent portal for credentials.

Private/philanthropic coalition launched the Jacksonville Growth and Affordability Partnership Fund (Jax GAP Fund): a $20 million revolving loan pool meant to help finance about $80 million in new affordable multifamily rental housing via low-cost gap loans (incl. 4% LIHTC stacks) and short-term acquisition bridges. Anchor: Northern Trust $10M; Jessie Ball duPont Fund $5M; Community Foundation for Northeast Florida & donors $3M; Pinnacle Financial Partners $2M. Self-Help Ventures Fund administers. Applications open; targets tenants ≤80% AMI (preference ≤60%).

At loanDepot park, the Miami Marlins beat the Washington Nationals 6–2 on Sunday and completed a three-game sweep, improving to 67–64 (41–25 at home). Xavier Edwards’ go-ahead two-run single in the fifth; Joe Mack doubled and drove in two; Otto López walked twice and added a sacrifice fly. Michael Petersen earned the win; Jack Ralston threw scoreless innings in his MLB debut.

At Camden Yards, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Baltimore Orioles 3–1 on Sunday to avert a sweep. Nick Martinez worked six innings, one hit, zero earned runs; Junior Caminero and Chandler Simpson had RBI singles in a three-run sixth; Bryan Baker recorded the save. Colton Cowser hit a solo HR in the ninth for Baltimore. Rays 77–53.

At Inter.co Stadium, Orlando City beat Real Salt Lake 2–1 on Saturday. Dominik Marczuk scored in the 36th; Antoine Griezmann equalized in the 53rd and won it in the 81st (first MLS brace / multi-goal game). Orlando City 7–11–3, 24 points; snapped a three-game winless skid. Next: @ Minnesota United Sat Aug 29.

At EverBank Stadium, Carolina Panthers beat Jacksonville Jaguars 34–17 in preseason (Fri Aug 21). Cam Little hit field goals from 34, 34, and 43. Jags next: host Buccaneers Fri Aug 28, 7:30 p.m. ET (preseason finale).

Florida’s AAA regular-unleaded average is $3.8608 as of Sunday, Aug. 23 — about 2 cents below Saturday and about 24 cents under the national AAA average ($4.0988). Most expensive named metro: West Palm Beach–Boca Raton $4.0367. Cheapest: Pensacola $3.7866. Per AAA.

The Lighter Side

A vehicle went through a fence into a pond/creek behind Walmart on Tamiami Trail (~17000 block) in North Port; a Walmart Facility Services grounds crew called 911 and cut a path through brush so North Port Fire Rescue Stations 81/82 could swim out and pull both women through a window as water reached the dashboard. No injuries reported.

In Daytona Beach, Amanda Brown’s family took shelter dog Roman to the beach and a pup cup in an “Adopt Me” vest through Halifax Humane Society’s Dogs Day Out program; 5–6 strangers stopped to ask, and Roman was adopted within two days of the outing — without requiring the host family to adopt.

At Canine Companions’ Southeast Regional Training Center in Orlando, 13 service dogs graduated and were paired free with adults, children, and veterans with disabilities; 33 more began training. Mia Ives-Rublee was paired with Timber (wheelchair pull, retrieve, push crosswalk buttons). Cathy Rodgers: ~50% of trainees typically graduate. Volunteer puppy raiser Bill Gordon (14 pups) dropped off Julian. Org has paired 8,500+ dogs since founding.

Joke of the Day

In Florida, mosquito season isn't a season. It's a year-round subscription you never signed up for.

Florida Almanac

Moon: Waxing Gibbous, 88% illuminated (USNO, noon local Monday Aug 24). Next Full Moon Aug 28.

Sunrise / Sunset (Monday Aug 24):
Tallahassee (EDT): 7:09 a.m. / 8:09 p.m.
Miami (EDT): 6:58 a.m. / 7:48 p.m.
Key West (EDT): 7:05 a.m. / 7:53 p.m.
Pensacola (CDT): 6:21 a.m. / 7:21 p.m.

Gardening Late August heat still favors heat-tolerant annuals (vinca, coleus, gaillardia, bulbine). North Florida can start many cool-season crops and finish a last warm-season round (lima beans, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, fall tomatoes). Pinch poinsettias and mums before month-end. Many municipalities ban lawn fertilizer June–September — check local rules. (UF/IFAS)

Coastal / Red Tide (FWC, Aug 21 status, samples ~Aug 13–20): Karenia brevis in 25 East Coast samples; bloom (>100,000 cells/L) in one Nassau County sample; Duval background–low; St. Johns background–very low. Background offshore Pinellas; not observed in Northwest Florida. No red-tide fish kills or respiratory-irritation reports past week (FWC). NOAA NCCOS: possible respiratory irritation with onshore winds in Duval County; no respiratory-irritation risk at this time for Panhandle, Southwest, or Keys.

Florida by the Numbers

18,778,573 licensed drivers in Florida (statewide, ages 15–90+) as of January 26, 2026 (FLHSMV).

Today’s Poll

Shark Valley is closed while crews fight Everglades wildfires. Have smoke or park closures changed your outdoor plans?

Yesterday’s Results

Tampa City Council votes Thursday on the Rays stadium deal. How should local leaders lean?

Support the deal 41% · Oppose public funding 34% · Need more details 25%

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