The morning edition

Floridians can now buy federal flood insurance online as doctors challenge a plan to drop school vaccines

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Wednesday, October 21, 2026

Good Morning! On Oct. 21, 1887, the Orange County resort community laid out by Loring Chase and Oliver Chapman was officially incorporated as the Town of Winter Park. The town had begun as a settlement called Lake View in 1858, and it was reincorporated as the City of Winter Park in 1925.

In This Issue: Floridians can now buy federal flood insurance online, fentanyl deaths have fallen nearly 60% since 2023, and the Rays are four wins from a title.

Weather: Sunny, dry weather holds across most of Florida Wednesday, with a few showers possible along the Southeast coast and in the Keys. Coastal Flood Advisories remain for Duval, Flagler, St. Johns and eastern Clay and Putnam counties until 4 a.m. Thursday. NWS Jacksonville expects strong northeast winds to return Friday night, with moderate coastal flooding likely this weekend and locally heavy rain possible on the Northeast Florida coast. (NWS)

Tropical: The National Hurricane Center gives a storm-force non-tropical low, AL93, a few hundred miles off the mid-Atlantic coast a 40 percent chance of development in both 48 hours and 7 days, saying it could briefly turn subtropical before racing away from the East Coast by week's end. High winds, coastal flooding and rough surf are expected along parts of the East Coast either way, and Florida’s Isaias state of emergency covers 30 counties (Executive Order 26-212). (National Hurricane Center)

Rip Current Report: High rip current risk Wednesday along the entire Atlantic coast from Nassau through Miami-Dade, with surf of 4 to 7 feet from Nassau through Palm Beach. Rip Current Statements run into Thursday or Friday. The risk is moderate in Bay and Franklin and low elsewhere in the Panhandle and along the peninsula’s Gulf coast. (NWS)

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Fentanyl-Caused Deaths in Florida Fell Nearly 60% Since 2023, State Medical Examiners' Report Shows

Fentanyl caused about 2,000 deaths in Florida in 2025, down from nearly 5,000 in 2023, according to the Florida Medical Examiners Commission's 2025 Annual Drug Report. From 2024 to 2025, fentanyl deaths fell 37% and deaths tied to fentanyl analogs dropped by more than half. Total drug-related deaths fell 12% and opioid-caused deaths 33%.

State officials credit drug investigations funded by the State Assistance for Fentanyl Eradication grant program, created in 2023, which the Legislature funded at more than $22.5 million this budget year. The report counted 2,494 opioid-caused deaths in 2025.

SpaceX's Bandwagon-5 Rideshare Lifts Off From Cape Canaveral After Monday Scrub

SpaceX's Bandwagon-5 mission launched from Cape Canaveral Tuesday morning, a day after weather scrubbed Monday's attempt. The Falcon 9 carried several satellites into orbit along with a vehicle designed to bring experiments and other payloads back to Earth.

The launch made a "space jellyfish" plume visible as far away as Atlanta, and it was SpaceX's 110th successful launch of 2026.

Doctors and Families Challenge Florida's Plan to Drop Four School Vaccine Requirements

A school nurse, a 70-year-old leukemia patient, a Jacksonville family physician and the Florida Academy of Family Physicians have filed a challenge in state administrative court. It argues the Department of Health overstepped its authority and skipped rulemaking procedures in proposing to drop school and daycare requirements for the Hib, hepatitis B, chickenpox and pneumococcal vaccines.

The challengers say the change isn't supported by science and conflicts with the department's mission to immunize children. Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo has said the changes are about parental rights, not vaccine safety or effectiveness. Vaccines for polio, measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus remain required by state law.

Floridians Can Now Buy Federal Flood Insurance Online Through a New FEMA Tool

FEMA has launched a tool on FloodSmart.gov that lets residents get a National Flood Insurance Program quote and buy a policy online, or share the quote with an insurance agent. It's open to anyone in the roughly 22,700 participating communities.

FEMA says the program provides about $462 billion in coverage to about 1.7 million policyholders in Florida, and calls floods the most common and costliest natural disaster in the U.S.

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❖ Miami-Dade — Carnegie Mellon Names Jignesh Patel Founding Dean of Its New Miami Campus: Miami: Carnegie Mellon University has named Jignesh Patel founding dean and vice president of CMU Miami, the Wynwood campus backed by Citadel founder Ken Griffin. Patel joined Carnegie Mellon in 2023 and is interim head of its Computer Science Department. He has co-founded four startups, including Locomatix, which Twitter bought in 2013.

❖ Palm Beach — Two Rehabilitated Green Sea Turtles, Freed From Hooks and Fishing Line, Return to the Ocean at Delray Beach: Delray Beach/Palm Beach: Sea Turtle Specialists released two juvenile green sea turtles, Windward and Wheezy, at Atlantic Dunes Park after rehabilitating them; Wheezy was found about two months ago with fishing line wrapped around its neck. The group says it has rescued and rehabilitated more than 3,000 hatchlings and 50 sea turtles.

❖ Orlando — Central Florida Zoo Debuts Orphaned Cougar Cubs Takoda and Juniper: Sanford/Seminole: Sibling cougar cubs Takoda and Juniper have made their public debut at the Central Florida Zoo. They arrived in June after being found orphaned in South Dakota at only a couple of weeks old, and they can't be released. In April the zoo rescued 13 sloths from the defunct Sloth World.

❖ Tampa Bay — Tampa's Trace Systems Wins Five-Year Peace Corps Satellite Contract Covering 60 Overseas Posts: Tampa/Hillsborough: Tampa defense contractor Trace Systems won a five-year contract to provide emergency satellite communications for the Peace Corps at 60 overseas posts. It will supply 24-hour voice service, two-way texting and roaming for satellite phones already deployed worldwide.

❖ Gulf Coast — Cape Coral's Thrive Academy Opens Expanded Space for Students on the Autism Spectrum: Cape Coral/Lee: Thrive Academy, a K–12 school for students on the autism spectrum, opened its expanded and renovated building. The new space adds applied behavior analysis, occupational therapy and sensory-friendly features. The CDC estimates about one in 31 U.S. children is diagnosed with autism.

❖ North Florida — Visit Pensacola Hires Galveston's Tony Lyle as President and CEO: Pensacola/Escambia: Visit Pensacola named Tony Lyle president and CEO. He has more than 25 years in destination marketing and spent the past three years as executive director of Visit Galveston in Texas.

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❖ Senate President Albritton Says He'll Vote No on Amendment 3, the Property Tax Cut His Chamber Put on the Ballot — Senate President Ben Albritton now opposes Amendment 3, the homestead exemption expansion his chamber voted in June to send to voters, the Florida Phoenix reports. In a statement posted by the Florida Sheriffs Association, Albritton said the measure "would eliminate up to 30% of resources for Florida's rural counties." He suggested the state Taxation and Budget Reform Commission, which meets in 2027, as a better venue. State economists estimate the measure would cut revenue by $5 billion in its first year.

❖ Bill Clinton Campaigns With David Jolly in Broward: 'I Think We Ought to Give David Jolly a Chance' — Former President Bill Clinton made his first campaign appearance of the cycle Tuesday at an interfaith event with Democratic gubernatorial nominee David Jolly. "I think we ought to give David Jolly a chance," Clinton said, casting Republican nominee Byron Donalds as a reliable Trump ally, the AP reports. Clinton's visit came as the Democratic Governors Association gave $1 million to Jolly's campaign.

❖ Florida Tops 1.1 Million Votes Cast; Orange County Nearly Doubles Its 2022 First-Day Early Turnout — At least 1.1 million Floridians have voted, including 171,015 early in-person votes as of Monday's close and at least 933,867 returned mail ballots, Central Florida Public Media reports. On the first day of early voting, 13,683 people voted in person in Orange County. "On our first day of early voting, we had 7,500," county elections spokesman Blake Summerlin said of the last midterm.

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❖ Jacksonville's Dream Finders Closes $2.2 Billion Beazer Deal, Becoming Nation's Sixth-Largest Homebuilder — Jacksonville-based Dream Finders Homes has completed its all-cash acquisition of Beazer Homes USA, valued at about $2.2 billion in enterprise value, making it the nation's sixth-largest homebuilder, the company said Tuesday, News4Jax reports. Beazer shareholders received $33.50 a share, and the stock has been delisted from the NYSE. Co-Chairman Rick Beckwitt said the company expects more than $100 million in annual cost savings, and founder and CEO Patrick Zalupski said it plans to move Beazer communities to Dream Finders floor plans that "better match what today's buyers can afford."

❖ Carnival to Bring Dynamic Pricing to Drink and Wi-Fi Packages Dec. 1 — Carnival Cruise Line will start dynamic pricing for drink and Wi-Fi packages on Dec. 1, with prices varying by cruise length, itinerary and season, NBC 6 reports. The cruise line said the change will give guests more flexibility. Cruise influencer Tony Barnette told NBC's "TODAY" he's worried passengers on the same sailing could pay different prices for the same package. Carnival currently charges $6.95 to $124 a day for flat-rate drink packages, according to its website, and didn't say what the new price ranges would be.

❖ Pensacola's A&E Fabric and Crafts, Open Since 1954, Closing After Isaias Roof Damage — A&E Fabrics and Crafts on North New Warrington Road in Pensacola is holding a going-out-of-business sale through Saturday and closing for good after Hurricane Isaias tore off more than 20% of its roof and damaged all six air conditioners, owners David and Rhonda Enfinger told WEAR. Their father, Alvin Henry Enfinger, opened the business as a pharmacy in 1954. With retirement approaching, they said, relocating didn't make sense.

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Small-Ball, Low-Payroll Rays Are Four Wins From First World Series Title

The Rays head to Milwaukee for Friday's World Series opener chasing the first championship in franchise history, against a Brewers team that has also never won one. Tampa Bay won 98 regular-season games with pitching, defense and a knack for bunting after opening the season with a $90.5 million payroll that ranked 26th in the majors. "These guys deserve it. It's a special group," Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said.

Winless Dolphins Release Kicker Riley Patterson, Turn to Zane Gonzalez

The 0-5 Dolphins released kicker Riley Patterson on Tuesday after he missed field goals in each of the first two games and an extra point in Week 5. Miami is moving forward with Zane Gonzalez, according to NFL insider Jordan Schultz. Gonzalez has a career field-goal rate of 81% and made seven of nine tries from 50 yards or longer for Atlanta last season. The Dolphins, back from their bye, play the Jets on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

World Series Seats in Milwaukee Cost Far More Than at the Trop

Rays fans who follow the team to Milwaukee face steep prices: seats for Games 1 and 2 at American Family Field start at more than $2,700 on secondary markets, while Games 3, 4 and 5 at Tropicana Field start around $1,100. With a hotel and ticket, a fan flying to Game 1 could spend at least $3,100. The Brewers are in their first World Series since 1982 after a 103-win season.

Scoreboard

NHL: Lightning 6, Golden Knights 2, FINAL

Schedule (all times ET)

Wed Oct 21 — NBA: Hawks at Magic, 7pm ET, NBA League Pass

Wed Oct 21 — NBA: Timberwolves at Heat, 7:30pm ET, ESPN

Wed Oct 21 — NHL: Panthers at Senators, 7:30pm ET, Scripps Sports

Thu Oct 22 — NHL: Panthers at Penguins, 7pm ET, Scripps Sports

Fri Oct 23 — NBA: Timberwolves at Magic, 7pm ET, NBA League Pass

Fri Oct 23 — MLB World Series Game 1: Rays at Brewers, 8pm ET, Fox

Fri Oct 23 — NBA: Pistons at Heat, 8pm ET, NBA League Pass

Fri Oct 23 — NHL: Lightning at Avalanche, 9pm ET, ESPN+

Sat Oct 24 — MLS: Inter Miami at Red Bull New York, 5:30pm ET, Apple TV

Sat Oct 24 — NBA: Heat at Hornets, 6pm ET, NBA League Pass

Sat Oct 24 — MLS: NYCFC at Orlando City, 7:30pm ET, Apple TV

Sat Oct 24 — MLB World Series Game 2: Rays at Brewers, 8pm ET, Fox

Sat Oct 24 — NHL: Lightning at Mammoth, 9pm ET, ESPN+

Sun Oct 25 — NHL: Panthers at Blackhawks, 3pm ET, Scripps Sports

Sun Oct 25 — NBA: Magic at Knicks, 7pm ET, NBA League Pass

Mon Oct 26 — MLB World Series Game 3: Brewers at Rays, Tropicana Field, 8pm ET, Fox

More Scores: NFL | MLB | NBA | NHL | NCAAF | WNBA

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Florida regular averaged $4.04 a gallon Tuesday (AAA, as of 10/20/26), down about 4 cents from Monday ($4.08) and down about 7 cents from a week ago (about $4.12). That is about 24 cents under the national average of about $4.28. West Palm Beach–Boca Raton is the most expensive metro at $4.22, and Pensacola is the cheapest at about $3.88.

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❖ "Just an Ordinary Marine": Colonel Jim Leslie, 85, Joins Southwest Florida Honor Flight: More than 70 veterans took off from Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport for this year's Southwest Florida Honor Flight, among them retired Marine colonel Jim Leslie, 85, who received three Purple Hearts during three decades of service. In Vietnam, he says, all 105 Marines under his command came home alive, and this is his first honor flight. "I never won a Silver Star or a Medal of Honor. I was just an ordinary Marine doing my job," Leslie said.

❖ A Gold Kitten Led a Seminole County Waste Worker to Its Four Littermates on the Trash Tipping Floor: Five tiny kittens found running across a Seminole County trash tipping floor are now in foster homes after waste workers spotted them and rushed to help. William Rosado saw a gold kitten during his morning check on a loader, then three more. "And then that gold kitten ran back and pretty much let me know there was another one back there," Rosado said.

❖ "Six Feet Closer to the Lord": St. James City's First Baptist Church Is Being Raised Above Future Floods: Crews are raising First Baptist Church in St. James City by six feet to protect it from future flooding, with Pastor Larry Jinks putting $1 million in donations toward repairing and elevating the building. "We're going to be up six feet closer to the Lord when this is all said and done with," Jinks said. Until it reopens in four to six months, he is leading Sunday services at the St. James City Civic Association.

❖ Dozens of Volunteer Captains Take More Than 70 Anglers With Special Needs Out for the 41st Friendliest Catch: More than 70 people with special needs went fishing on Sarasota Bay as part of the Friendliest Catch, an event held for 41 years, with about 45 volunteer boats and captains donating their time, gear and gas. All fish caught were released back into the water. "It isn't about it being a friendly catch, but it's the joy that I find in the community and the people around me," participant Matthew Tomaino said.

❖ Navarre Woman Has Running Water Again After Help From the United Cajun Navy and a Local Plumber: Donna Mathede of Navarre has running water again after going ten days without it, thanks to a local plumbing company and the United Cajun Navy, and she says she feels nothing but grateful. She also credits the Milton Fire Department, who came to her door with ice and water. "I never had an interaction with the fire department and they were the epitome of what the books or the movies all say about the fire department with all their equipment and their tenacity," Mathede said.

❖ The Shoe Fits: Key West Crowns a New Queen of New Year's Eve for the Red-Shoe Ride: Drag performer Jada Pinkett Fox of Dallas was crowned the new Queen of New Year's Eve at Key West's Bourbon Street Pub and will ring in 2027 riding in the famous red shoe for the island's High-Heeled Shoe Drop at midnight. She was anointed by Sushi, the longtime queen who reigned for 25 years and will design her custom couture costume for Dec. 31.

Today’s Quote

"Wednesday is the top of the hill. Everything from here is coasting."

— original / Front Porch

Florida Almanac

Moon: Waxing gibbous Wednesday, Oct. 21 (about 78% illuminated). Full moon arrives at 12:12 a.m. EDT Monday, Oct. 26 (USNO).

Sunrise / Sunset: In Orlando on Wednesday, sunrise is at 7:30 a.m. and sunset at 6:50 p.m. EDT, for about 11 hours, 20 minutes of daylight. Times vary across the state, and Pensacola is on Central time.

Gardening Notes: Cabbage is a cool-season crop that’s both edible and ornamental, in green, red or purple heading types or looser Chinese cabbages such as bok choy, UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says. It transplants well; buy clean plants to avoid black rot, which shows up as stunting, yellowing leaves and blackening veins.

Coastal / Red Tide: FWC’s Oct. 16 update found only background red tide levels in Southwest Florida. Samples still being processed show low levels in St. Joseph Bay (Gulf County) on Oct. 14.

Florida by the Numbers

Florida has had West Nile virus turn up in 27 counties so far in 2026, according to the Florida Department of Health. The positives include 316 sentinel chickens, five people with symptoms, two blood donors, two horses and eight mosquito pools. That includes 39 chickens that tested positive in the week of Oct. 4–10 alone.