The morning edition

Front Porch Florida — Saturday, August 29, 2026

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Same edition as the morning email.

Saturday, August 29, 2026

Good Morning! On August 29, 1997, at one minute past noon, Marco Island became Florida’s 398th city. Islanders had settled the question the day before at the polls, 3,133 to 2,952, on a sixth try after five failed incorporation votes. The new city took a council-manager form and a seven-member council. Collier County’s elections office still keeps the Aug. 28 tally.

Before dawn on August 29, 2021, a SpaceX Falcon 9 lifted NASA’s Cargo Dragon from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center at 3:14 a.m. EDT. The 23rd commercial resupply mission carried more than 4,800 pounds of science, crew supplies, and hardware toward the International Space Station.

In This Issue: Hillsborough County approved the Rays stadium deal 5–2, The Villages Health agreed to a $541.5 million Medicare settlement, and DeSantis said state agencies are taking Flock cameras down.

No tropical cyclones in the Atlantic; no Florida watches (National Hurricane Center). Rip-current risk Saturday: high Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade; moderate NE Florida, Space Coast, and eastern Panhandle; low west-central / SW Gulf, Collier, and Pensacola–Destin (NWS Surf Zone Forecasts).

Hillsborough County Votes 5-2 for Rays’ $2.3B Tampa Stadium

Hillsborough County commissioners voted 5–2 on Friday, Aug. 28, to approve the development and funding agreement for a new Tampa Bay Rays ballpark on the Dale Mabry campus of Hillsborough College, a day after Tampa City Council’s 4–3 city vote.

The Associated Press put the county’s share at $796 million toward the roughly $2.3 billion mixed-use district, including a planned 31,000-seat stadium near Raymond James Stadium that the team aims to open for the 2029 season.

WUSF named the yes votes as Chair Ken Hagan and Commissioners Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers, Christine Miller, and Chris Boles. Donna Cameron Cepeda and Joshua Wostal voted no. The county package includes about $360 million from the Community Investment Tax and $263 million in Tourist Development Tax-backed funding, capped so the public county outlay does not exceed $796 million.

FOX 13 reported Tampa’s piece at about $80 million, with the Rays covering a little more than half of the project cost and targeting shovels this fall if remaining procedural steps clear.

ABC News / AP said Rays CEO Ken Babby framed the city-county partnership as securing Major League Baseball’s long-term future in Tampa Bay. Managing partner Patrick Zalupski called Friday’s vote an “extraordinary milestone.” The Rays have committed at least $1.3 billion plus cost overruns.

Villages Health Agrees to $541.5M Medicare False-Claims Settlement

The U.S. Justice Department announced that The Villages Health System LLC agreed to a $541.5 million settlement resolving False Claims Act allegations that it submitted invalid Medicare Advantage diagnosis codes from 2020 through 2024.

ClickOrlando reported the bankruptcy court approved the settlement this week after the company self-reported coding problems in December 2024 and later filed Chapter 11 in July 2025, with an earlier estimate that it owed at least $361 million in overpayments.

DOJ said the codes lacked adequate support in medical records or relied on amendments that were not timely or not approved by the rendering provider, inflating payments from CMS to Medicare Advantage organizations and, in turn, to The Villages Health.

The Justice Department dated the public announcement Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026, and said the Middle District of Florida bankruptcy court approved the deal on Aug. 25 in In re Villages Health System, LLC, Case No. 6:25-bk-04156-LVV.

ClickOrlando noted the federal government was the largest creditor in the bankruptcy and that CenterWell, a Humana senior-care unit, later bought the provider. Settlement dollars are expected through the bankruptcy estate rather than a simple cash check from today’s operator. DOJ said the claims resolved are allegations only, with no determination of liability.

DeSantis Says State Agencies Are Taking Flock Cameras Down

Gov. Ron DeSantis told Eric Bolling on Friday that state agencies that had “a few” automated license-plate readers “are bringing them down” and that the state will “clear the state right-of-ways.”

Florida Politics reported the promise would not affect local or private cameras. He estimated that “98%” of roughly 7,500 LPRs in Florida are local, and that the state-side move would cover cameras used by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and the Florida Highway Patrol.

He left an opening for limited immigration use: “if that’s being done very targeted, then we can have a conversation.” He did not re-up New Hampshire-style roadside-camera legislation in the Friday interview.

On the vendor, DeSantis said Flock can “make some money producing cameras. The real money they make is by selling your data.”

This is a state-agency takedown promise, not a statute and not a local ban.

➤ Jacksonville: Florida Highway Patrol arrested Aden Lothar Parker on Thursday on a first-degree felony charge of aggravated fleeing and eluding resulting in serious bodily injury, tied to a June 21 chase on I-295 after troopers clocked him at 115 mph in a 55 mph zone near Blanding Boulevard. Trooper R. Martin was seriously hurt when a patrol car crashed. Parker’s bond is listed at $500,003.

➤ Mandarin / St. Johns County: The FBI served connected Friday-morning warrants at Victory Jewelers in Mandarin — neighbors reported boarded windows, bangs, and what looked like tear gas, with one person seen in handcuffs — and at a St. Johns County townhome on Talulla Trail. The bureau confirmed the St. Johns warrant but has not said what the investigation is about.

➤ Tallahassee: Leon County’s Aug. 18 jail-management software upgrade fed bad data into the Justice Information System. State Attorney Jack Campbell called it “catastrophic,” citing ghost cases and wrong incarceration flags. County Administrator Vince Long said the county plans to roll back to the old system this weekend.

➤ Orange County: Orange County Mosquito Control issued a West Nile virus advisory after sentinel chickens tested positive. Manager Steve Harrison said it is the 10th-driest year in 132 years of data and the county is about 8 inches behind normal rainfall, but risk remains. Officials did not announce a new human case.

➤ Miami-Dade: Miami-Dade’s Organized Crimes Bureau said six people were arrested in “Operation Sundown,” an alleged $5.8 million condo/HOA fraud scheme. Primary subject Juan Awais, 60, faces racketeering and related charges after a two-year probe with seven search warrants.

➤ North Fort Myers: Lee County deputies arrested Trey Millican and Deaven Sandy after a late-night road-rage stop near Pine Island Road and U.S. 41. Millican faces two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly pointing a handgun at another driver.

➤ Sanford: Sanford police arrested Richardson Noel, 43, on aggravated animal cruelty after a Furbo dog-treat camera recorded an HVAC technician kicking a homeowner’s dog unconscious. ELDante HVAC Services said it fired Noel.

➤ Punta Gorda / Sarasota: Former Punta Gorda Middle School teacher Brian Pavluchuk, 40, was arraigned Friday in Sarasota County on three counts of sexual battery on a person under 12 and one count of lewd or lascivious molestation, tied to alleged 2014–2017 abuse. Next case-management date is Oct. 6, 2026. Charlotte County schools said the alleged abuse was not at school.

Six candidates for three November Orange County Commission runoffs debated at Tiger Bay whether to loosen state rules on the county’s 6% tourist development tax. Former Sen. Victor Torres wanted the Legislature to free TDT for workforce and transportation, including seven-day SunRail. Former Rep. Kamia Brown called opening TDT a “Pandora’s box.” Appointed Commissioner Mike Crabb said he would move only if “the stakeholders have to come with me.”

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday announced he is reappointing Ron Bergeron, CEO of Bergeron Land Development, to the South Florida Water Management District Governing Board — Florida Politics said it is the third time the governor has named him; Bergeron has held the seat since 2019. The district covers 16 counties and about 9 million people. Senate confirmation is still required.

Same Friday round: DeSantis reappointed Nick Patronis to the Northwest Florida Water Management District board (fifth appointment; first named in 2011). Senate confirmation required. District: about 1.5 million residents across 16 counties.

Charlie Crist’s St. Pete Shines committee raised $41,300 in the first post-primary week vs Ken Welch’s $1,000. This is new Aug. 15–21 cash only.

Root announced it is cutting Florida auto insurance base rates 15% on average. Insurance Business, wrapping the Thursday claim on Friday, said more than 52,000 Florida policyholders could save about $400 a year, about $21 million annualized. CEO Alex Timm cited 2022–23 tort reforms. This is a company claim, not an OIR order.

St. Petersburg City Council on Thursday approved three utility-rate ordinances. Sanitation and stormwater each passed 6–2; water/wastewater/reclaimed passed 5–3. The city estimates about 6.9% on a typical bill using 3,500 gallons. New rates start Oct. 1. A separate Nov. 3 $600 million bond referendum is not this package.

Mayor Ken Welch selected Magellan Housing to redevelop a three-acre city site on 22nd Street South (the Deuces). The plan is 126 housing units, including a 120-unit income-restricted community, plus 6,000 square feet of ground-floor retail, on a 99-year lease with initial site rent of $55,000 a year. City Council still has to approve a development agreement.

Inter Miami Names Cristian “Kily” González Head Coach

Inter Miami named Cristian “Kily” González as first-team head coach. The club said he takes over once work permits clear; Guillermo Hoyos stays in charge until then. MLS said González, 52, most recently coached Platense in Argentina. Miami sits second in the Eastern Conference with 39 points. Hoyos has a one-game suspension Saturday vs CF Montréal.

Florida State Opens Its Season Against New Mexico State

Florida State opens its 80th football season Saturday at 7 p.m. ET at Doak Campbell Stadium against New Mexico State, on The CW. The only prior meeting was a 36–0 Seminoles win in 1964. Kickoff is tonight.

Jaguars Beat the Buccaneers 19–0

The Jaguars beat the Buccaneers 19–0 on Friday in the preseason finale at EverBank Stadium. Cam Little’s 61-yard field goal was Jacksonville’s first score. FINAL.

Falcons Beat the Dolphins 17–12

The Falcons beat the Dolphins 17–12 on Friday in the preseason finale at Hard Rock Stadium. ESPN’s box: Brian Robinson Jr. 3-yard rush and Jack Velling 3-yard catch from Cooper Rush for Atlanta; Riley Patterson field goals of 46, 45, and 26 for Miami; Nick Folk 34-yard FG for Atlanta. FINAL.

Scoreboard

Jaguars 19, Buccaneers 0 (FINAL)

Falcons 17, Dolphins 12 (FINAL)

Rays 9, Padres 4 (FINAL)

Nationals 9, Marlins 2 (FINAL)

Schedule

Sat Aug 29 — Padres at Rays, Tropicana Field, 4:10 p.m. ET

Sat Aug 29 — Marlins at Nationals, Nationals Park, 4:05 p.m. ET

Sat Aug 29 — New Mexico State at Florida State, Doak Campbell Stadium, 7:00 p.m. ET

Sat Aug 29 — CF Montréal at Inter Miami (Hoyos serving one-game ban)

Sun Aug 30 — Marlins at Nationals, 12:15 p.m. ET

Sun Aug 30 — Padres at Rays, Tropicana Field, 1:40 p.m. ET

Florida’s AAA regular-unleaded average is $3.9488 as of Friday, Aug. 28. That is down 1.2 cents from Thursday ($3.9605), up 3.1 cents from a week ago ($3.9182), and 14.1 cents under the national AAA average ($4.0898). Most expensive named metro: West Palm Beach–Boca Raton $4.0917. Cheapest: Panama City $3.7211 (Pensacola $3.7232). Per AAA.

The Scholarship Foundation of Indian River County’s 61st annual ceremony awarded 104 scholarships totaling $841,150. The top Richardson Scholarship went to Veronica Kostan of Sebastian River High School — fourth in a class of 416 with a 4.6 GPA — headed to FSU for nursing. The foundation has awarded more than $17.2 million to 3,236 local students since 1965.

Eighth-grader Aashrita Kaza, 13, and her brother Anish run Pizza for a Purpose, an app that links pizzerias and donors to nearby charities. CBS Miami said they have helped donate more than 25,000 slices. Partner The Pantry of Broward serves more than 600 people a month.

Ninth-grader Xander Dattolico, 14, designed and taught Flagler Schools’ first student-built engineering summer camp, 3D Model Makers, July 27–31 at Buddy Taylor Middle School. Six rising sixth-graders learned CAD and 3D printing.

Joke of the Day

No-see-ums are Florida's proof that something can be too small to see and still personally ruin your evening.

Florida Almanac

Moon: Waning Gibbous, 98.7% illuminated. Full Moon was 12:18 a.m. EDT Friday, Aug. 28. Next Last Quarter: Sept. 4.

Sunrise / Sunset (Saturday Aug 29):
Tallahassee (EDT): 7:12 a.m. / 8:03 p.m.
Miami (EDT): 6:59 a.m. / 7:42 p.m.
Key West (EDT): 7:07 a.m. / 7:48 p.m.
Pensacola (CDT): 6:23 a.m. / 7:15 p.m.

Gardening Hottest days still limit new color to heat-tolerant plants. Fall vegetable window is open — dates differ by region (North of SR 40 / Central / South). Herbs from plants, not seed. Many cities ban lawn fertilizer June–September. (UF/IFAS)

Coastal / Red Tide (FWC): Written statewide report dated August 28, 2026 is posted. Past week: Karenia brevis in 13 East Coast samples; bloom (>100,000 cells/L) in one Nassau County sample; background to low in Duval and St. Johns; not observed in Southwest or Northwest Florida. No red-tide fish kills or respiratory-irritation reports that week. Next written report: Friday, Sept. 4.

Florida by the Numbers

100,951 loggerhead sea turtle nests counted on Florida beaches in the 2025 Statewide Nesting Beach Survey season (also 66,476 green turtle nests and 2,012 leatherback nests). Agency: FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute.

Today’s Poll

Hillsborough commissioners voted 5–2 Friday for the Rays stadium deal. Was that the right call?

Yesterday’s Results

Hillsborough commissioners vote Friday on the Rays stadium deal Tampa passed 4–3. How should the county lean?

Support the deal 55% · Oppose public funding 25% · Need more details 20%

Florida Lottery

PICK 2 Evening — Fri Aug 28 — 9-1 Fireball 0

PICK 3 Evening — Fri Aug 28 — 6-2-5 Fireball 0

PICK 4 Evening — Fri Aug 28 — 7-5-2-9 Fireball 0

PICK 5 Evening — Fri Aug 28 — 0-4-1-4-2 Fireball 0

CASH POP Evening — Fri Aug 28 — 14

CASH POP Late Night — Fri Aug 28 — 14

Fantasy 5 Evening — Fri Aug 28 — 14-16-20-22-28

Jackpot Triple Play — Fri Aug 28 — 5-11-15-22-30-43

Mega Millions — Fri Aug 28 — 8-17-29-42-55 Mega Ball 2

Florida Lotto — Wed Aug 26 — 5-6-16-24-32-45 | Double Play 25-26-30-32-39-48

Powerball — Wed Aug 26 — 12-32-45-50-58 Powerball 2 Power Play 2x | Double Play 6-11-15-32-58 Powerball 18

Florida Lottery winning numbers

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