The morning edition

A Miami federal judge threw out Trump's $10 billion suit against The Wall Street Journal for good

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Sunday, November 1, 2026

Good Morning! On Nov. 1, 1887, keeper William Rowlinski lit the lamp for the first time atop the new Mosquito Inlet Lighthouse, today the Ponce de Leon Inlet Light in Volusia County, and ships could see it 20 miles out. At 175 feet it is Florida's tallest lighthouse, and its beam guided Stephen Crane's dinghy toward shore after the steamer Commodore sank in 1897, the voyage behind "The Open Boat." It became a National Historic Landmark in 1998 and is now a museum that visitors can climb.

In This Issue: A Miami federal judge threw out Trump's $10 billion suit against The Wall Street Journal, health plan shopping opens Sunday as Florida marketplace premiums rise 10.4%, and the Lightning say they won't trade Kucherov. Plus a Doral Army veteran's surprise at the Heat game and a 1939 St. Pete house turned into a museum of haunted history.

Weather: A Gulf disturbance makes Sunday soggy statewide, with highs a few degrees cooler in the upper 70s to low 80s and rain chances of 70 to 80 percent along the Atlantic coast. NWS forecasters expect 1 to 3 inches through Monday from Jacksonville to Miami, locally 4 inches or more, and the Weather Prediction Center has a Slight Risk (level 2 of 4) of flash flooding for the Space Coast and the Palm Beach–Broward–Miami-Dade metro from Sunday afternoon into Monday morning. Tidal flooding goes on too: Coastal Flood Advisories cover Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach until 8 p.m. Sunday and Duval and the lower St. Johns River until 1 a.m. Monday, Coastal Flood Warnings cover the Upper Keys and eastern Putnam County, and the St. Johns River near Astor is in moderate flood. (NWS)

Tropical: The National Hurricane Center's 8 p.m. Saturday outlook says no tropical cyclones are expected to form in the Atlantic, Caribbean or Gulf in the next seven days. Hurricane season runs through Nov. 30. (National Hurricane Center)

Rip Current Report: High rip current risk along the entire Atlantic coast, Nassau County to Miami-Dade, with High Surf Advisories from Flagler to Broward and breakers of 5 to 7 feet from Jacksonville to Palm Beach (4 to 6 feet in Broward and Miami-Dade) Sunday. In the western Panhandle, the risk is high from Escambia to Okaloosa through Tuesday and in Franklin County into Sunday night; it is low from Levy County south to Collier. Swim near a lifeguard or stay out. (NWS)

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Miami Federal Judge Throws Out Trump's $10 Billion Suit Against The Wall Street Journal

U.S. District Judge Darrin Gayles in Miami on Saturday dismissed President Trump's $10 billion defamation lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal and Rupert Murdoch with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. In a 20-page ruling, Gayles found the amended complaint did not plausibly show the Journal published its story with "actual malice" and said the suit was "grasping at straws."

The suit, filed in federal court in Miami, targeted the Journal's 2025 report on a letter bearing Trump's name in a 2003 birthday album compiled for Jeffrey Epstein; Trump denies writing it. A spokesperson for his legal team said he will keep pressing his case, and a source told CBS News the ruling will likely be appealed.

Health Plan Shopping Opens Sunday as Florida Marketplace Premiums Rise 10.4%

Open enrollment for 2027 Affordable Care Act marketplace coverage starts Sunday, Nov. 1, and Florida's average premiums before subsidies will rise 10.4%, on top of a 34% jump for 2026, according to the Office of Insurance Regulation. UnitedHealthcare of Florida posted one of the biggest increases at 25%, and Florida has the nation's largest marketplace enrollment.

Some customers whose plans are leaving the market are being automatically re-enrolled in similar plans, so advocates with Florida Voices for Health urge shoppers to check that their doctors are in network. Enrollment by Dec. 15 is needed for coverage starting Jan. 1; the window closes Jan. 15.

UPDATE: Missile Launchers and a 30-Mile Drone Ban Ring Mar-a-Lago for Trump's Weekend Stay

What's new: with President Trump back at Mar-a-Lago since late Friday after his Daytona Beach rally, the FAA reactivated a temporary flight restriction (NOTAM 6/3803) covering a 30-nautical-mile radius around Palm Beach until 12:30 p.m. Sunday, grounding drones and limiting private flights from southern Martin County to the Pompano Beach area. CBS12 also reported radar on the Southern Boulevard Bridge, air-defense equipment on a barge by the estate and three launchers at Palm Beach International Airport.

The Secret Service said NORAD and U.S. Northern Command are providing counter-drone and ground-based air defense at its request because it is "operating in a heightened threat environment," though it told reporters there is no indication of a specific threat. Officials have not publicly identified the type of systems deployed.

Proposed Federal Rule Could Strip Protections From Up to 86% of Florida's Wetlands

A proposal by the EPA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to narrow which "waters of the United States" fall under the Clean Water Act could leave as much as 86% of Florida's wetlands without federal protection, according to Suncoast Waterkeeper director Abbey Tyrna. The EPA says it wants a "clear and durable definition" and a bigger role for state and local oversight, following a 2023 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited federal wetland protection.

The rule is not final; comments on the September supplemental proposal closed Oct. 9, and state and local wetland laws would still apply. Scientists note coastal wetlands provide nearly $2 million in storm protection per square mile, and isolated wetlands like those in the Myakka and Peace River watersheds are most exposed.

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❖ Miami-Dade — An AI firm moves to Brickell: Miami: Axe Compute, which provides businesses with dedicated GPU computing for AI, is moving its headquarters from Pittsburgh to 801 Brickell Avenue, in a space that holds about 20 people. CEO Christopher Miglino and other leaders are relocating, more staff are expected in early 2027, and local hiring has started.

❖ Tampa Bay — A new animal clinic in Clearwater: Clearwater: The Humane Society of Tampa Bay opens a new animal clinic Monday, Nov. 2, at 2907 State Road 590, Suite 5, expanding into Pinellas County. The nonprofit already runs a low-cost, full-service animal hospital in Tampa.

❖ Orlando — A year-round sports dome for Kissimmee: Kissimmee: All Sports Dome Southeast plans to open its first Greater Orlando center at 3070 Gus Road, a climate-controlled inflatable dome with multi-sport courts, turf fields and training areas for youth teams and families. The brand was founded in 2023 by former pro baseball player and coach Kevin Dattola; no opening date has been announced.

❖ Jacksonville — A big new sports club at Ponte Vedra: Ponte Vedra Beach: The Ponte Vedra Inn & Club has opened an 84,000-square-foot sports club with Technogym equipment and a dedicated golf training area, the first phase of a broader overhaul of the resort. A renovated Surf Club follows in spring 2027.

❖ Broward — Clear water at last in Fort Lauderdale: Fort Lauderdale: The city says tap water is no longer yellow now that its new $666 million Prospect Lake Clean Water Center has been fully running since early October. Fort Lauderdale has told hotels they can remove the in-room cards that explained the discolored water was safe.

❖ Palm Beach — ModMed bets on AI: Boca Raton: Healthcare software company ModMed is moving co-founder Dan Cane into a newly created AI-focused role and making Joe Harpaz sole CEO after three years as co-CEOs, with Celine Kaiser as chief operating officer. Founded in 2010, the company serves nearly 50,000 healthcare providers.

❖ Gulf Coast — A 24-story tower rises in Estero: Estero: Kolter Urban has topped out The Island at West Bay Club, a 24-story tower of 86 homes at 5100 Baybridge Blvd, the last neighborhood in the 868-acre West Bay Club community. Homes run 3,300 to more than 6,270 square feet, start at $3 million, and are due to be finished in mid-2027.

❖ North Florida — Champions Ranch opens its first field: Tallahassee: Heisman winner Charlie Ward and his wife, Tonja, cut the ribbon on the first multi-sport field at Champions Ranch, a youth athletics and community campus of more than 100 acres in south Tallahassee. A $500,000 matching gift challenge is now underway to fund what comes next.

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❖ Jolly and Donalds Make Final Pushes in Governor's Race — Democratic governor nominee David Jolly brought his "Believe in Better" tour to Fogartyville in Sarasota on Saturday after a rally in Pasco County, telling supporters the race will be "decided by the people who show up," three days before Tuesday's election. Republican nominee Byron Donalds made his own Sarasota County stop in North Port on Wednesday.

❖ DeSantis Suspends Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa After Fraud Arrest — Gov. Ron DeSantis has suspended Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa from office by executive order, 10 days after she was arrested on charges including organized scheme to defraud and grand theft. Vice Mayor Angela Eady is now serving as acting mayor of the Osceola County city.

❖ Amendment 3 Backers and Critics Make Closing Case as 380,000 Orange, Seminole Voters Cast Ballots — With more than 380,000 voters in Orange and Seminole counties already voting, Rep. Berny Jacques argued at a Tiger Bay Club of Central Florida forum in favor of Amendment 3's homestead property-tax cut, while Seminole County Commissioner Bob Dallari warned it would open a $119 million hole in the county's $1.2 billion budget and force cuts to parks, libraries and law enforcement. The measure needs 60% approval on Tuesday to pass.

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❖ Gencom-Led Group Buys the 652-Room InterContinental Miami — Miami: A partnership led by Gencom and Miami-based White Bridge Capital has bought the InterContinental Miami, the 34-story, 652-room hotel at 100 Chopin Plaza where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay, from Strategic Hotels & Resorts. Terms weren't officially disclosed, but the price has been reported at about $300 million. It is Gencom's second InterContinental after the InterContinental New York Times Square in late 2025. The hotel recently finished a full renovation, and its 19-story LED facade has been part of the downtown skyline since the early 2010s.

❖ St. Pete FedEx Warehouse Sells for $36 Million Less Than in 2021 — St. Petersburg: The 236,976-square-foot FedEx Ground distribution center at 1950 102nd Avenue North sold for $58.2 million, about $36.3 million (38%) below the $94.5 million it fetched in 2021. The buyer is WSRE CP Last Mile Investors LLC; the seller was tied to Mirae Asset Global REIT. The 63-acre site has 61 dock doors, and the markdown reflects higher borrowing costs and rising vacancies.

❖ Sogility Opens Its First Florida Soccer Training Center in Naples — Naples: Sogility has opened its eighth U.S. soccer training facility, and its first in Florida, with rebound boards, circuit drills and vision training used by top clubs. President and COO Jimmy Carson said the company long thought of itself as Midwestern, and that an indoor center makes sense where heat and lightning limit outdoor practice.

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Georgia Turns Four Florida Turnovers Into a 27-8 Rout

No. 3 Georgia beat No. 17 Florida 27-8 in Atlanta on Saturday, scoring off four Gators turnovers and outrushing them 217-48 for its sixth straight win in the rivalry. Linebacker Chris Cole returned a fumble 66 yards for a touchdown late in the first half as Georgia built a 24-0 halftime lead. Aaron Philo, back from a shoulder injury, was benched after two interceptions, and Tramell Jones Jr. scored on a 2-yard run in the fourth quarter to end the shutout bid. SEC rushing leader Jadan Baugh was held to 38 yards on 17 carries. Florida (5-3, 3-3 SEC) hosts Oklahoma next Saturday.

UPDATE: Lightning Say They Won't Trade Kucherov, and He Piles Up Three Assists

A day after Nikita Kucherov asked to be traded, general manager Julien BriseBois said the Lightning "unequivocally" have no intention of dealing the franchise's career points leader. Kucherov was in the lineup Saturday in Nashville and had three assists in a 5-4 shootout loss. Former Lightning captain Steven Stamkos tied the game in the third period and scored the only shootout goal. Coach Jon Cooper said Kucherov is "100% a part of the team" and committed to this season, and he urged fans not to read anything into his on-ice moments. Kucherov can become a free agent July 1, when his eight-year, $76 million contract ends.

Rays Keep Ace Drew Rasmussen With $20 Million Option

The Rays picked up Drew Rasmussen's $20 million club option for 2027 on Saturday, three days after he started World Series Game 5 against Milwaukee. The 31-year-old right-hander posted a 2.67 ERA with 174 strikeouts in 172 innings over 30 starts, led the American League with a 0.91 WHIP and made his second All-Star team. He has come back from three major elbow surgeries, and manager Kevin Cash called him "a stud."

Scoreboard

NCAAF: Georgia 27, Florida 8 (final)

NCAAF: USF 30, UAB 10 (final)

NCAAF: Liberty 49, FIU 10 (final)

NCAAF: Southern 42, FAMU 14 (final)

NCAAF: Arkansas-Pine Bluff 63, Bethune-Cookman 21 (final)

NCAAF: Dayton 44, Stetson 34 (final)

NHL: Predators 5, Lightning 4, SO (final)

MLS: Charlotte FC 4, Orlando City 0 (final)

PENDING FINAL — NCAAF: Clemson at FSU, Doak Campbell Stadium (ESPN 401858280). Clemson led 26-10 late in the 3rd quarter at the 9:49pm ET check.

PENDING FINAL — NCAAF: Miami at North Carolina, Kenan Stadium (ESPN 401858282). Miami led 23-21 midway through the 3rd quarter at the 9:49pm ET check.

Schedule (all times ET)

Sun Nov 1 — NFL: Falcons at Bucs, 1pm ET, Fox

Sun Nov 1 — NFL: Colts at Jaguars, 1pm ET, CBS

Sun Nov 1 — NBA: Celtics at Magic, 3:30pm ET, MagicTV 27

Sun Nov 1 — NFL: Patriots at Dolphins, 4:25pm ET, CBS

Sun Nov 1 — NWSL: Pride at Seattle Reign, 5pm ET, ESPN+

Sun Nov 1 — MLS: Inter Miami at New England, 7pm ET, Apple TV

More Scores: NFL | NBA | NHL | NCAAF

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Florida's average for regular is $3.88 a gallon, AAA says, down about 3 cents from yesterday's $3.92 and about 25 cents below a week ago ($4.13). That's about 30 cents under the national average of $4.18. West Palm Beach–Boca Raton is the most expensive metro at about $4.05; Pensacola is the cheapest at about $3.66.

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❖ Army Veteran Surprised With a New Car and a College Scholarship at the Heat Game: Doral Army veteran Roy Mora, a father of five who served four years including a 2012 deployment to Afghanistan, was surprised at Friday's Heat game with a new car and a two-year scholarship to Miami Dade College. The gifts came from Lithia Motors, the Military Warrior Support Foundation and Chase.

❖ A Rare-Blood Hunt Clears the Way for a Teen's Bone Marrow Transplant: Gigi Felix, 18, of South Florida, received a bone marrow transplant from her brother on Oct. 19 to treat sickle cell disease. The transplant could go ahead only after OneBlood found 50 units of rare blood for her. Her doctor is David Crawford of UHealth Jackson Children's Care.

❖ A 1939 St. Pete House Becomes a Museum of Haunted History: Professor and paranormal investigator Brandy Stark has turned a 1939 house on First Avenue North in St. Petersburg into a Museum of Haunted History full of local lore. Its pieces include a wedding dress called "Irene" and a Thom Street painting. A grand opening is planned for February.

❖ Laundry Caddie Turns Folding Into Paychecks in Jacksonville: Heather Martin, who has autism, was the first employee hired at Laundry Caddie, a pickup-and-delivery laundry service run by The Arc Jacksonville to create jobs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She checks pockets, sorts clothes and leaves notes for customers. Florida ranks 40th nationally in employment for working-age residents with IDDs, at 44.5%.

❖ Panama City 7-Year-Old's "Sun Man" Advances in the Stan Lee Super Kid Contest: Lucien Bysina, 7, a student at Rising Leaders Academy in Panama City, has advanced in the 2026 Stan Lee Super Kid Competition with his homemade hero, "Sun Man." The national contest's grand prize is $25,000.

❖ 1,000 Walk in Jupiter, Raising $334,000 to End Alzheimer's: More than 1,000 people walked through FAU's John D. MacArthur Campus in Jupiter on Saturday in the Walk to End Alzheimer's Palm Beach, raising more than $334,000. Walkers carried Promise Garden flowers whose colors mark their connection to the disease.

Today’s Quote

"There are years when August lasts well into November in northern Florida, and this is one."

— Winthrop Packard, Florida Trails as Seen from Jacksonville to Key West and from November to April Inclusive (1910)

Florida Almanac

Moon: Waning gibbous, about 52% lit, reaching last quarter at 3:28 p.m. EST Sunday; the new moon arrives Nov. 9.

Sunrise / Sunset: Orlando: sunrise 6:38 a.m., sunset 5:40 p.m. EST, 11h 2m of daylight. Clocks fell back an hour at 2 a.m. Sunday, so times are now Eastern Standard (Pensacola and the western Panhandle are on Central time); times vary across the state.

Gardening Notes: Try yard-long beans, which UF/IFAS says South Florida gardeners can plant from September through April. The pods can reach 2 to 4 feet, but pick them at 10 to 12 inches, about 10 to 13 weeks after sowing. Give them full sun, well-drained soil and a trellis or fence to climb.

Coastal / Red Tide: FWC's latest update (Oct. 30) still finds red tide only in Northwest Florida, with bloom levels in six samples from Bay and Gulf counties; it was not seen in Southwest Florida. FWC's next update is expected Monday.

Florida by the Numbers

$2.406 billion: what the Florida Lottery sent to the state's Educational Enhancement Trust Fund in fiscal 2025-26, the most in state economists' records back to 2019-20 (it edges 2023-24's $2.403 billion), on $9.71 billion in ticket sales.