The morning edition

MIA cargo jet landed at 181 mph. Ocala shooting. DeSantis signs 17th death warrant.

Monday, September 14, 2026

Monday, September 14, 2026

Good Morning! On September 14, 1876, St. James Missionary Baptist Church was founded in Key West by the Reverend McIntosh and others who had settled on the island from the South. The congregation took root in a town that was already a mix of wreckers, sailors, and new arrivals from the mainland. (Keys Libraries)

In This Issue: Investigators say the MIA cargo jet touched down at about 181 mph, an Ocala shooting leaves one dead and one hurt, and DeSantis signs his 17th death warrant of 2026.

Weather: Hot Monday. Panhandle stays mostly sunny (Tallahassee ~96). Peninsula sees afternoon storm chances, highest inland and SW (Gainesville–Fort Myers ~50–55%); lower along the Atlantic and Keys (~25–35%). Heat index near 100–107 in spots.

Tropical: No Florida tropical watches or warnings (National Hurricane Center). Atlantic Tropical Weather Outlook (800 PM EDT Sun Sep 13): a trough about 1,300 miles east-southeast of Bermuda is producing disorganized showers. Formation chance near 0% in 48 hours and low (20%) in 7 days; not a Florida land threat.

Rip Current Report: Moderate rip-current risk Monday for Northeast Florida Atlantic (Nassau–Duval–Flagler–St. Johns; NWS JAX) and eastern Panhandle / Big Bend Gulf including Panama City–Apalachicola (NWS TAE). Low for Volusia / Space Coast / Treasure Coast (NWS MLB), Palm Beach / Broward / Miami-Dade and Naples (NWS MFL), west-central / SW Gulf including Tampa Bay through Fort Myers (NWS TBW), and Pensacola–Destin (NWS MOB). Swim near a lifeguard; heed beach flags.

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A Week After Deadly MIA Cargo Crash, NTSB Cites 181 Mph Landing

A week after an Amazon-contracted cargo jet overran runway 30 at Miami International Airport, killing five people, investigators say the Boeing 767 touched down at about 181 mph — well above a typical ~155 mph landing speed — as survivors and families filed lawsuits Friday against Amazon, operator 21 Air, and the pilots (NBC 6).

Survivor Roosevelt Torres and relatives of victims including Javier Quisquivedo and Yoel Naranjo sued over training and decision-making claims; Amazon said Friday it is supporting the NTSB probe and coordinating with 21 Air, while wreckage remains at the airport and three injured survivors were still listed critical in weekend coverage (WSVN).

Ocala Shooting Leaves One Dead, One Hurt, Police Say

Ocala police say a shooting just before 2:10 p.m. Sunday in the 1100 block of NW 12th Avenue left one person dead at the scene and a second victim hospitalized; officers found two people with gunshot wounds and have not named a suspect or motive (ClickOrlando).

WESH and other Central Florida desks led the same developing case Sunday evening; identities were not released and the investigation remained open at filing (WESH).

DeSantis Signs 17th Death Warrant; Thompson Set for Oct. 13

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday signed his 17th death warrant of 2026 for William Lee Thompson, convicted in the 1976 Miami motel kidnapping, torture, and murder of Sally Ivester; execution is set for Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. (FOX 13).

Bay desks also note Curtis W. Beasley remains set for Sept. 29, keeping Florida on a record-pace capital calendar after 15 executions already carried out this year before the newest warrants (FOX 13).

Cape Coral “Operation Ticking Time” Nets 11 Arrests, $120K

Cape Coral police say a nearly three-year probe into an organized fraud, identity-theft, vehicle-theft, and drug ring culminated in a Sept. 8 sweep with U.S. Marshals and Lee County deputies — 11 people arrested, about $120,000 seized, and 50 felony charges filed (FOX 13).

Seizures also included a cloned Dodge Hellcat, counterfeit goods, and large amounts of marijuana products; one suspect, Azira Boone, was still out of state arranging surrender, CCPD said (Gulf Coast NewsNow).

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❖ Miami-Dade: Less is More, a free all-ages art exhibition by Miami artist ATOMIK, is on view Monday Sep 14 during Main Library hours at Miami-Dade Public Library (101 West Flagler St.) — graffiti-rooted work and the smiling orange icon that became one of Miami’s recognizable art marks after the Orange Bowl demolition (MDPLS).

❖ Tampa Bay: Movement Mondays is Monday Sep 14, 7–9 p.m., free at the St. Pete Pier (North View Edge) — weekly sober, family-friendly music, flow arts, and dance with local DJs (St. Pete Pier).

❖ Orlando: Audubon Park Community Market is Monday Sep 14, 5–8 p.m., at Stardust Video & Coffee (1842 E. Winter Park Rd.) — free weekly growers, prepared food, seafood, crafts, and live music; rain or shine (Audubon Park Community Market).

❖ Jacksonville: FSCJ Artist Series 26/27 Season Kick Off is Monday Sep 14, 5–7 p.m., free at Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts (300 Water St.) — live music, food, prizes, and open-house seat tryouts for families and theatergoers (FSCJ Artist Series).

❖ Broward: “Sistrunk: Then & Now” is Monday Sep 14, 10 a.m.–6 p.m., free in Gallery C at the African American Research Library and Cultural Center (2650 Sistrunk Blvd.) — archival photos paired with contemporary views of the historic Black Fort Lauderdale neighborhood, curated by History. Art. Culture. (Broward County Library).

❖ Palm Beach: Adult Sketch Class with teaching artist Shannon Walker is Monday Sep 14, 1–3 p.m., at the Norton Museum of Art (1450 S. Dixie Hwy.) — 30-minute gallery talk then 90 minutes sketching from the Norton Collection; bring sketchbook/pencils; registration required (Norton Museum of Art).

❖ Gulf Coast: The Birds of Southwest Florida exhibit is Monday Sep 14, 9 a.m.–5:30 p.m., in the Edison Caretaker’s House at Edison & Ford Winter Estates (2350 McGregor Blvd.) — Audubon illustration panels with Edison/Ford quotes; opened Sep 1; included with standard admission (Eat Play SWFL).

❖ North Florida: Library Lunch Break: The Music of America, Then and Now is Monday Sep 14, noon–1 p.m., free at Leroy Collins Leon County Public Library (200 West Park Ave.) — FSU professor David Kirby traces folk-to-rap American music history; refreshments; public welcome (VenuNite).

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❖ Hialeah: Gov. Ron DeSantis endorsed Hialeah Republican Rep. Alex Rizo on X for the still-uncalled Senate District 39 special election left open when Bryan Ávila resigned to join Byron Donalds’ ticket; Rizo also has Senate President-designate Jim Boyd, Sen. Jay Trumbull, Hialeah Mayor Bryan Calvo, Hialeah Gardens Mayor Yioset De La Cruz, and the Florida State FOP, while Primary rival David Borrero touts early Trump support (Florida Politics).

❖ Tallahassee: The Florida Public Service Commission voted 4–1 against rewriting Rule 25-14.004, which requires investor-owned utilities to share parent-company tax breaks from borrowed investment with customers; Commissioner Anna Ortega cast the lone yes vote, while utilities had said a rewrite would raise typical monthly bills about $1.12 for TECO, 46 cents for Peoples Gas, and 25 cents for Duke — the sixth rejection of the change in three years (Florida Politics).

❖ Jacksonville: Amy Kremer’s Humans First “Data Center Revolt” bus tour reaches Jacksonville Monday as stop 4 of 31 across 28 states; Florida already enacted SB 484 in May requiring data centers to cover their own utility/infrastructure costs, and Jackson, Wakulla, and Walton counties have banned the facilities while a UNF poll found 68% of Florida voters do not want one nearby (Florida Politics).

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❖ Leesburg: Burlington opened Friday at 923 N. 14th St. in Leesburg with more than 60 new jobs, a $5,000 check to Beverly Shores Elementary, and hours 9 a.m.–11 p.m. daily (Lake & Sumter Style).

❖ Florida: Morgan Stanley Real Estate Investing acquired Sonata Lake Mary (Orlando metro) and the Preserve at Dunedin (Tampa metro) — 300 independent-living, assisted-living, and memory-care units — with AgeWell Senior Living staying on as operator; seller and price undisclosed (Florida Real Estate Wire).

❖ Florida: LendingTree ranked Tampa 5th, Jacksonville 7th, and Orlando 8th among U.S. metro boomtowns (Miami 16th), citing in-migration, housing, earnings, and business climate; Tampa also placed 2nd nationally for work and earnings (Florida Politics).

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Lawrence Throws Four TDs as Jaguars Rout Browns 34–10

Trevor Lawrence completed 18 of 23 for 245 yards and four touchdowns to four different receivers — Parker Washington, rookie Josh Cameron, Jakobi Meyers, and Brenton Strange — as Jacksonville opened 1–0 with a 34–10 win over Cleveland before 41,156 at EverBank Stadium; the Jaguars scored on their first four possessions and led 24–0 at half (Jaguars.com).

Four Turnovers Sink Buccaneers in 33–27 Opener at Cincinnati

Three first-half fumbles fed 21 Bengals points at Paycor Stadium, and a fourth lost fumble sealed Tampa Bay’s 33–27 Week 1 loss; Baker Mayfield threw for 216 yards and ran for a score, Bucky Irving added a rushing TD, and rookie LB Josiah Trotter returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown in the comeback that fell short (Buccaneers.com).

Rays Sweep Astros 14–4, First AL Club to 90 Wins

Freddy Peralta threw five hitless innings and Jonathan Aranda homered twice as Tampa Bay finished a three-game sweep of Houston 14–4 Sunday at Tropicana Field, becoming the first American League team to reach 90 wins; every Rays starter had a hit and a run in a 15-hit outburst (CBS Sports).

Willis Sacked Five Times as Dolphins Fall 27–13 at Raiders

Malik Willis was sacked five times as the Dolphins fell 27–13 at the Raiders Sunday at Allegiant Stadium in their season opener (Local 10).

Scoreboard

Bengals 33, Buccaneers 27 — FINAL

Jaguars 34, Browns 10 — FINAL

Raiders 27, Dolphins 13 — FINAL

Rays 14, Astros 4 — FINAL

Schedule

NFL Week 2 Sunday Sep 20: Browns at Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET, Raymond James Stadium); Jaguars at Broncos (4:05 p.m. ET); Dolphins at 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET) (Buccaneers.com)

MLB: Rays host Athletics Tuesday (Griffin Jax scheduled); Marlins at Arizona — confirm first pitches on club sites.

CFB Sat Sep 19: Florida at Auburn, 7 p.m. ET, Jordan-Hare Stadium (Florida Gators)

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Florida regular averaged $4.1434 a gallon Sunday (AAA current as of filing) — down about a cent from Saturday ($4.1515) and up about 23 cents from a week ago ($3.9131), and still about 17 cents under the national $4.3130. West Palm Beach–Boca Raton is the most expensive named metro at $4.2988; Panama City is cheapest at $3.9690 (Pensacola $3.9720; Crestview–Fort Walton Beach $3.9842). (AAA)

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❖ Fort De Soto / St. Petersburg: A good Samaritan rescued three people Sunday after their 12-foot boat capsized near the Bunces Pass Bridge off Fort De Soto; the U.S. Coast Guard said the rescuer brought all three safely to shore, and Sector St. Petersburg tied off the vessel and broadcast a Channel 16 hazard alert (WWSB / ABC 7).

❖ Quincy / Midway: Chip, a family dog missing nearly two weeks, was found at the bottom of a 30-foot dry well under an old house; Midway Fire and Rescue worked in a crawlspace with less than three feet of clearance — Chief Nathan Yarusso and Training Instructor Alex Arthur, both animal-rescue trained — harnessed Chip and pulled him out safely (WCTV).

❖ Tierra Verde: Mark Sindyukov jumped into the water after a jet ski collided with a boat Saturday evening near 8th Avenue North, kept an unconscious, bleeding rider’s head above water, and helped haul him aboard with colleagues and another jet skier; a medical professional on board stabilized the rider until EMS arrived (FOX 13).

❖ Lauderhill: Tracy Bernard Smith pulled 95-year-old Rose Nelson through a window after spotting smoke while walking to a relative’s house two doors down Aug 29; Nelson’s daughter said a lightning strike ignited an AC wall unit, and Nelson was recovering at Jackson Memorial’s Burn Center while the home was declared unlivable (WSVN).

❖ Cape Coral: Brendon Leslie found eight abandoned puppies under 2 months old at a northern Alabama gas-station dumpster, got them checked and vaccinated in Tupelo, Mississippi, then drove the litter home to Cape Coral; seven have new homes and Elvis joined Leslie’s permanent pack (WPBF).

❖ St. Johns County: Off-duty St. Johns County Fire Rescue engineer Charles Cook was honored at Station 3 for jumping into an I-95 retention pond in July to help free a family from a sinking car — including a 10-year-old daughter pulled through a window first — with bystanders assisting; Commissioner Clay Murphy presented the recognition (News4Jax).

Today’s Quote

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”

— Theodore Roosevelt

Florida Almanac

Moon: Waxing Crescent; about 15% illuminated (timeanddate / Orlando; lunar noon Mon Sep 14). Next Full Moon: Sat Sep 26.

Sunrise / sunset (Monday Sep 14; Orlando, EDT — times vary across the state; most of Florida is Eastern; Pensacola is Central): 7:10 a.m. / 7:31 p.m. (timeanddate).

Gardening: Mid-September remains a strong window for cool-season starts (broccoli, kale, carrots, lettuce, collards, cabbage) by region. Central and South Florida can prep strawberry beds for late-September set dates; North Florida strawberries usually wait until October. Warm herbs (basil, mint, rosemary) still go in. Check local fertilizer blackouts through September. (UF/IFAS)

Coastal note: FWC written statewide red-tide status dated September 11, 2026 (next written report due Fri Sep 18). Sep 11 update: Karenia brevis was not observed in samples collected statewide over the past week; no red-tide–related fish kills or respiratory irritation reported. Prior Northeast Florida bloom samples were Karenia papilionacea (not K. brevis). Pair beach plans with the rip-current map in the weather strip. (FWC red tide)

Florida by the Numbers

Florida Forever has acquired 1,107,214 acres statewide from July 2001 through September 2025 (729,987 full-fee and 377,227 less-than-fee), per the Florida Natural Areas Inventory progress report prepared for DEP Division of State Lands (November 2025). (FNAI)