The morning edition

Front Porch Florida — Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Same edition as the morning email.

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

Good Morning! On August 25, 1965, a nine-foot bronze Christ with arms lifted was lowered into about 25 feet of water at Key Largo Dry Rocks. Cothon Construction of Islamorada set the statue, a gift of Italian diver Egidio Cressi, on the reef at what was then John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, the nation’s first underwater park. Divers have been finding him there ever since; the official dedication, under the name Christ of the Deep, came the following June.

On August 25, 1966, a 225-foot Saturn IB lifted an uncrewed Apollo spacecraft from Launch Complex 34 at Cape Kennedy. The afternoon flight tested the command module’s heat shield and splashed down in the Pacific an hour and 33 minutes later, where the USS Hornet steamed out to bring it home.

In This Issue: Florida health officials want to drop four school vaccine shots, the governor moved to limit TANF cash purchases, and a Margate lightning strike killed a mother and her 2-year-old.

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

Florida Moves to Drop Four School Vaccine Mandates

The Florida Department of Health proposes dropping four shots from Pre-K–12 public and private school-entry rules: hepatitis B, varicella (chicken pox), Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and pneumococcal conjugate. Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo approved the draft Aug. 20. A 21-day public-comment window is open before any final adoption. DOH did not answer a request for comment Monday.

Those four requirements sit in agency rule, not statute, so the department can repeal them without the Legislature. Florida law still requires measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), polio, diphtheria, rubeola, and tetanus for K-12 unless a student has an exemption. The same draft would widen religious exemptions to moral and ethical beliefs and let parents and college students keep records out of the state vaccine database.

Ladapo last September, with Gov. Ron DeSantis, called for rolling back all vaccine mandates and has compared mandates to coercion. American Academy of Pediatrics President Dr. Susan Kressly said dropping school shots would put children at risk because schools spread contagious disease. Panama City pediatrician Eehab Kenawy told a December 2025 DOH workshop that religious opt-outs already exist and that a repeal signals vaccines are optional, not that families are forced.

DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis, and then-Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas backed a full statutory repeal, but no 2026 bill removed MMR, polio, or the other law-based shots. “Medical Freedom” packages that would have added conscience-style exemptions and alternate schedules passed the Senate and died in the House.

DeSantis Moves to Block TANF Cash on Tattoos, Parks, Vapes

In Tampa on Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Florida will be first to amend its Temporary Assistance for Needy Families state plan so Temporary Cash Assistance cannot be spent on tobacco and vapes, drugs and intoxicants, pornography, video games, entertainment and theme-park tickets or subscriptions, tattoos, spa and tanning, or psychic services. Average TCA household aid is about $250 a month. TANF also funds Relative Caregiver aid for more than 4,000 children.

DCF Interim Secretary Kate Williams said eligibility and benefit amounts do not change. Families need take no action now and will get notice before any block starts. Florida already blocks EBT at alcohol, adult-entertainment, and gambling sites; the new plan would add item-level blocks at eligible retailers, in phases starting with SNAP-authorized stores. The amendment still needs federal approval. DeSantis said he expects a fast yes from the Trump administration.

DeSantis cast the list as anti-fraud and a push toward self-sufficiency, saying some cards are used by people who are not truly needy. Williams pointed to April’s Healthy SNAP rules — no soda, energy drinks, candy, or ultra-processed prepared desserts — as the retailer playbook. CareerSource Florida CEO Adrienne Johnston said last year more than 67,000 network job-seekers moved into work and more than 30,000 left public assistance, with an average wage gain of $15,500.

Florida Politics noted the governor promoted the state’s care portal and churches while avoiding the words Hope Florida. A June federal ruling blocking SNAP candy/soda waivers in other states does not, on the reporting, bar Florida from tightening TANF cash-item rules.

Margate Lightning Strike Kills Mother and 2-Year-Old Daughter

Kameron Glasgow on Monday described a lightning strike about 2:30 p.m. Sunday that killed his wife, Kenya Glasgow, 31, and their 2-year-old daughter outside a relative’s home in the 7900 block of Northwest 1st Street in Margate. The family of four had just arrived for dinner and was hurrying inside as rain picked up, he told Local 10. A twin sister, Kensli, survived. Local 10 quoted him calling Kenya selfless and the toddler an “Energizer Bunny” who sang Benson Boone’s “Beautiful Things.”

Margate police and fire-rescue found two people on the sidewalk near 7941 NW 1st Street, started CPR, and split the transports: Kenya to North Broward Medical Center in Deerfield Beach; the toddler, with a police escort, to Broward Health Medical Center in Fort Lauderdale. Both died shortly after arrival. Police said the case remains under investigation.

Neighbor Prince Moody told WSVN he saw an orange flash and his son spotted a woman on the ground; he ran over and also saw a toddler a few feet away. Kameron, Kenya’s high-school sweetheart, said they had built every milestone together.

Detectives confirmed the child was a girl and the mother about 31. The family name is Glasgow. The investigation continues.

Jury Convicts Jaylen Edgar in Orlando Halloween Shooting

A jury on Monday found Jaylen Edgar guilty on all nine counts — two first-degree murder and seven attempted first-degree murder — in the 2024 downtown Orlando Halloween shooting that killed Tyrek Hill and Timothy Schmidt Jr. and wounded seven others. Closings turned on whether prosecutors proved premeditation. Defense attorney Junior Barrett did not dispute that Edgar fired; he argued there was no plan and told jurors to rely on “evidence, not gut feeling.”

Assistant State Attorney Frank George said Edgar went downtown armed and meant to kill as many people as possible, firing nine shots and hitting nine people. Prosecutors said he could have left after the first shot and instead fired eight more. Barrett said there was no argument with the victims, no empty magazine or reload, and video of Edgar firing while running; he said a planned attack would have used a disguise. Jurors sided with the state. Edgar faces life; FOX 35 said sentencing comes later.

WESH: the shooting was on Orange Avenue during a crowded Halloween night; Edgar was 17 then. Charges included two counts of first-degree murder with a firearm and seven counts of attempted first-degree murder with a firearm. Sentencing is set for Oct. 20. State Attorney Monique Worrell called the verdict accountability for a night of celebration that became a mass-casualty crime; Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith also issued a statement.

WKMG: Edgar, now 18, did not testify Monday and the defense rested before closings. He was 17 at arrest, so he is not eligible for the death penalty. The dead were identified as Tyrek Hill, 25, and Timothy Schmidt Jr., 19; seven others survived gunshot wounds. ClickOrlando later posted that the jury found him guilty on all counts.

➤ Port St. Lucie: National Weather Service Melbourne confirmed an EF0 tornado Sunday evening, touching down about 6:10 p.m. near SE Kitchen Cove Lane and SE Morningside Boulevard / Tarpon Bay Club. WPBF cites the NWS track: 2.1 miles, maximum width 200 yards, estimated gusts 65–75 mph, ending about 6:25 p.m. near SE Quay Street and SE Cody Place. Warning coordination meteorologist Will Ulrich told CBS12 peak winds were about 75 mph; the circulation then became a waterspout over the St. Lucie River before coming back onshore near Bay St. Lucie and producing a discontinuous damage path of downed trees, fences, and pool-screen damage in Southbend. CBS12 reported no injuries.

➤ Southern Lee County: WGCU Monday: active wildfires in Flint Pen Strand / Crew Wildlife Management Area — Radio Road fire about 60 acres and 50% contained; Vincent Road fire 4 acres (containment not given). Separate from Everglades Top. SWFWMD’s modified “extreme” water-shortage order runs through Oct. 1 (one-day-per-week watering). Statewide through this point in August: about 280,000 acres burned vs. a ~100,000-acre annual average.

➤ Panama City Beach: Jaws Souvenirs on Thomas Drive was a total loss after a fire just before 6 a.m. Friday. Bay County Emergency Services said about 100 firefighters were on scene at the height; the fire was about 90% contained by 7:43 a.m. The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating; cause is not yet known. One lane of Thomas Drive remained closed while crews worked to reopen.

➤ Seminole County: Seminole County Public Schools raised weekday classroom and district-office AC set points from 71 to 74 degrees (78 on weekends) to save about $1.5 million a year and, the district said, “save jobs and programs.” Parent Tiffany Uribe (Rock Lake) said a classroom experiment found readings from the 70s up to about 83. The district cited extreme heat and humidity and HVAC strain.

At a Tampa presser Monday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said that if this were 2022 the four Democratic-held seats drawn redder would be “slam dunk” GOP wins, but this year they are winnable only with work because the national mood can swamp local maps. Targets named: Darren Soto (CD-9), Kathy Castor (CD-14), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (CD-20), Jared Moskowitz (CD-25) — all now in Trump-won geography vs. Harris-won under the old lines. Soto’s CD-9 went from Harris +3.5 (2024) to Trump by nearly 18; Castor’s seat is cited as Trump +10 vs. former House member Mike Beltran. Wasserman Schultz and Moskowitz already won primaries in different districts. Flip all four and keep 20 and the GOP would sit 24–4. Equal Ground / Elias Fair Districts suit still pending after the Florida Supreme Court refused an emergency halt in June. DeSantis said that after Labor Day, absent major events, the wind is mostly “baked in.”

Florida Phoenix, in a WLRN reprint Monday, reported that an October 2024 follow-up request for anonymized juvenile behavior reports — acknowledged in 12 minutes — was still unfilled as of Friday, plus a February 2025 behavior-report ask and a March 23, 2026, request for a required annual financial report. A similar 2024 ask was filled in about three months and fed a series on a DJJ school program that let detained kids access pornography on state laptops and ran about $10 million over budget. Then-Secretary Eric Hall (March 2025) called porn access “growing pains”; Secretary Matt Walsh (November 2025) told lawmakers Florida Virtual School and DJJ had fixed it — without producing records to show it. DJJ did not comment. First Amendment Foundation’s Bobby Block said delay/deny/ignore is now the default.

Duval County Public Schools launched duvalschools.org/vote Monday for a four-year continuation of the current 1 mill (July 1, 2027–June 30, 2031), not a new tax, for teacher/security/staff pay, academics, arts, and athletics, shared with charters (district about 81% / charters about 19%). News4Jax: supplements averaged $8,668 in 2025-26; vacancy rate 6.5% to 4.4%; Superintendent Christopher Bernier cites a second year as an A-rated district and a 97.6% graduation rate. District FAQ example cost: $275 a year on $275,000 taxable value. Board resolution May 5; City Council put it on the ballot June 9.

The National Council on Compensation Insurance recommends an average 7.4% reduction in workers’ compensation rates beginning Jan. 1, 2027 — a recommendation only; Florida’s insurance commissioner sets the final rate, typically after a public hearing. Driver: fewer “lost-time” injury claims (policy years 2023–24). The filing includes a small 0.06% bump in maximum allowable rates for physicians and other non-hospital providers. If approved or modified, it would be the 10th straight annual cut. Commissioner Mike Yaworsky last year ordered 6.9% off policies effective Jan. 1, 2026. Florida Chamber VP Carolyn Johnson told Phoenix that fewer lost-time claims means safer workplaces.

Port Canaveral and contractors Ivey’s Construction (Merritt Island) and FINFROCK held a topping-off ceremony marking exterior completion of a new ~3,700-space parking garage next to Cruise Terminal 6, scheduled to open this fall. Fully port-funded; officials say it lifts total parking to nearly 17,500 spaces across eight garages plus surface lots. Cruise Hive: ceremony Wednesday Aug. 19; $93 million, 13 stories, more than 1.2 million square feet, eight extra-large elevators; pedestrian bridge to Cruise Terminal 5; part of the Port Canaveral Advantage (about $1 billion over five years).

Galderma opened its U.S. and Latin America headquarters in Miami’s Brickell district as the operational center for U.S. commercial dermatological-skincare and selected functional teams. The company expects about 200 colleagues in Miami over time. Complements a previously announced commitment of more than $650 million in U.S. manufacturing through 2030. H1 2026 net sales $3.134 billion (+24.6% year over year, constant currency) and 2025 global net sales $5.207 billion are company-wide figures, not Miami payroll. CEO Flemming Ørnskov; U.S. interim head Silvina Nordenstohl.

At Donald R. Dizney Stadium, Florida beat No. 3 Florida State 3–1 on Sunday in women’s soccer (crowd 1,632, a venue record). FINAL. Kyra Taylor scored twice (21:58 header off Mia Gray’s corner; 61:49 from Zoe Main) for her second straight brace; Montelene Dymond added the third at 78:46 (assist Tatum Borman). Ryder Ajeto scored for FSU at 82:27. First Gators top-10 win since 2017; first vs. defending NCAA champion since 2015. Florida 2–1; FSU 3–1.

At Corbett Stadium, UCF beat South Florida 2–0 on Sunday in women’s soccer (War on I-4). FINAL. Tyra Eriksen scored at 22:42; Naomi Clark added the second at 28:00 (assists Eriksen, Ainsley Moy). UCF 3–0-0; USF 0–3-0. Gaby Rourke made 5 saves for the Bulls.

At Boca Raton, UCF and Florida Atlantic played to a 0–0 draw on Sunday in men’s soccer. FINAL. Second straight UCF clean sheet to open the season (first such start since 2010); Knights 1–0–1. Goalkeeper Matisse Hébert made 3 saves, including a stop in the final minute; FAU keeper Alfred Mikkelsen stopped all 3 UCF shots on goal. Next: UCF hosts USF Friday at 7 p.m.

At Comerica Park, the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Detroit Tigers 4–1 on Monday. FINAL. Drew Rasmussen worked 6 innings, 1 earned run, 5 strikeouts; Bryan Baker recorded the save. Jonathan Aranda homered. Rays 78–53.

At loanDepot park, the Boston Red Sox beat the Miami Marlins 4–2 on Monday. FINAL. Boston scored twice in the ninth (Seigler triple, Sogard single). Aroldis Chapman recorded the save. Marlins 67–65.

Jacksonville Jaguars host Tampa Bay Buccaneers Friday, Aug. 28, 7:30 p.m. ET at EverBank Stadium (preseason finale). Preview only. Joint practices Tuesday–Wednesday; starters likely limited after joint work.

Florida’s AAA regular-unleaded average is $3.8467 as of Monday, Aug. 24 — about 1.4 cents below Sunday and about 25 cents under the national AAA average ($4.0991). Most expensive named metro: West Palm Beach–Boca Raton $4.0336. Cheapest: Pensacola $3.7764. Per AAA.

The Lighter Side

In Boca Raton, Zoraida de Souza, 15, is hosting her first T.H.R.I.V.E. youth mental-wellness summit Saturday, Aug. 29, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. at the Peter Blum Family YMCA. Focus: stress management, healthy relationships, resilience, and leadership. She started the movement after losing her grandfather at age 8.

Lakewood Ranch Preparatory Academy student Alice Barr, 17, built a sensory room (fidgets, journals, calming light, bean bags, mints) after interviewing classmates about test anxiety, earning her Girl Scout Gold Award (Girl Scouts of Gulfcoast Florida; 13 years a Scout). Funding: $200 cookie credits plus about $200 from her assisted-living server job plus a parent Amazon wish list. Staffed room; divider for privacy.

GTE Financial awarded $3,000 each to 27 students at a back-to-school luncheon Aug. 6 at TPepin’s Hospitality Center in Temple Terrace (15th year). The credit union picks on community involvement, extracurriculars, and academic growth (300-word essay = half the score). Recipients include Vanessa Matosdeaza-Defilo (Gulf High → UNF nursing) and Lane Komara (Crystal River High → vet path via UF).

Joke of the Day

A Florida GPS that says 18 minutes has never met a drawbridge.

Florida Almanac

Moon: Waxing Gibbous, 94% illuminated (USNO, noon local Tuesday Aug 25). Full Moon 12:18 a.m. EDT Friday Aug 28.

Sunrise / Sunset (Tuesday Aug 25):
Tallahassee (EDT): 7:10 a.m. / 8:08 p.m.
Miami (EDT): 6:58 a.m. / 7:47 p.m.
Key West (EDT): 7:06 a.m. / 7:52 p.m.
Pensacola (CDT): 6:22 a.m. / 7:20 p.m.

Gardening Late August is a fall-garden start; planting dates differ north of SR 40, between SR 40 and SR 70, and south of SR 70. North can start many cool-season crops plus a last warm-season round (lima beans, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, fall tomatoes). Heat-tolerant annuals still (vinca, gaillardia, bulbine, coleus). Herbs from plants, not seed. Many municipalities ban lawn fertilizer June–September — check local rules. (UF/IFAS)

Coastal / Red Tide (FWC, Aug 21 status, samples Aug 13–20; next report Aug 28): 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

551 people move to Florida every day (Florida Chamber of Commerce 2026 mid-year report). After the 2020–23 surge and later slowdown, net in-migration is now 551 per day. In 2025, 89% of Florida’s net migration was international and 11% domestic. In-movers average age 35.4, 47% with a bachelor’s or higher, 53% homeowners, $41,038 average income (vs. out-movers 32.2, 43%, 42%, $37,198). Seven of 67 counties had overall negative net migration.

Today’s Poll

Florida health officials opened a 21-day comment window on dropping four school vaccine requirements. How should the state handle school-entry shots?

Yesterday’s Results

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

Yes, cutting back outdoors 38% · No change 41% · Watching day by day 21%

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