Florida is experiencing one of its worst surges of dengue fever in decades, and the toll now includes a death.
The Florida Department of Health confirmed the death Friday, though it didn't provide further details. It's one of more than 130 locally acquired dengue cases reported so far this year in Hillsborough County, which typically sees only a handful.
“This is wildly unusual for us,” said Chris Wilkerson, a spokesperson for the county.
The Tampa Bay Times first reported the death, described as an elderly Tampa woman who died Sept. 4.
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*DeSantis Tells Sheriffs They Can Live With Less If Amendment 3 Passes*
Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing back hard on Florida sheriffs who say Amendment 3 will gut public safety.
The amendment would raise the homestead exemption on non-school property taxes to $150,000 in 2027 and $250,000 in 2028. Voters decide on Nov. 3. It needs 60 percent to pass. DeSantis said local governments took in $31 billion eight years ago and now take in $61 billion. His point: they should not need twice the money before homeowners get relief.
He singled out Broward, saying a county sheriff’s budget should not be heading toward $1 billion. Broward Sheriff Gregory Tony has been fighting for a much bigger allocation.
The county is currently funding the Sheriff’s Office at about $834 million. Sheriffs across the state, including Polk’s Grady Judd and Volusia’s Mike Chitwood, say the cut comes with no real replacement plan and would force layoffs, hiring freezes, and slower response times.
DeSantis said some of that spending is “nice to have” rather than “need to have,” and that the state can send grants if a department is short on officers.
*Florida Scoop’s Take:* Homeowners want the tax break. Sheriffs want the staffing. Both sides are now talking in public, which means this fight is heading straight onto the November ballot.
*Short-Fuse Flood Advisory Hits Hollywood And Hallandale Beach*
A quick burst of heavy rain dumped 1 to 2 inches in about an hour across southeast Broward this morning, prompting a National Weather Service flood advisory for Hollywood, Hallandale Beach, West Park, Pembroke Park, Golden Beach, and downtown Hollywood.
The advisory was issued at 6 a.m. and ran until 7 a.m. Minor street flooding was expected in low-lying and poor-drainage areas during the morning commute.
That window has now passed, but standing water can linger. Avoid flooded roadways. If a street looks covered, turn around.
More showers and storms are still in the forecast today across South Florida, so keep an eye on local streets through the afternoon.
Florida Scoop’s Take: This was a short burst, not yesterday’s longer soak. Still treat the first puddle you see like it might be deeper than it looks.
*DeSantis: Florida Apprentices Landing $30 An Hour Jobs With No College Debt*
Gov. Ron DeSantis said Thursday you don’t need a four-year degree to make serious money in Florida.
Speaking in Melbourne, he pointed to apprentices finishing workforce programs and walking into jobs paying about $30 an hour, nearly $60,000 a year, with no student loan debt.
“I’m a big believer in learning by doing,” DeSantis said.
The announcement came as Florida rolled out Workforce Pell Grants for short-term job training. Eligible programs can last as little as eight weeks and include welding, HVAC, CDL, aviation and marine maintenance, firefighting, and EMT training.
More than 25,000 apprentices and pre-apprentices are currently in programs statewide. About 2,300 finished in the past year.
*Florida Scoop’s Take:* For a lot of families, this is the part that matters. A paycheck and a skill, without four years of tuition first.
*Protesters Disrupt Palm Beach County Budget Hearing Over $1 Billion In Israel Bonds; Attorney Arrested*
WEST PALM BEACH (VINnews) — A Palm Beach County Commission budget hearing was interrupted Tuesday as demonstrators protested the county’s more than $1 billion investment in Israel Bonds, prompting deputies to remove several speakers and forcing a recess of more than 30 minutes.
*As we approach Yom Kippur, there’s still time to do something that can literally help save a life.*
*Hatzalah South Florida* dispatchers field over 36,000 emergency calls every year. Behind every one of those calls is a full lifesaving response: the communication, the equipment, the training, and the volunteers racing to be there when every second matters.
*This year, sponsor one save.* Cover a lifesaving call and take on the merit of helping make that response possible.
As we ask for life, *choose to give life.*
*Partner with Hatzalah South Florida today.* HSFEMS.org/sponsor
*DeSantis Says Florida Is Putting Pell Money Into Plumbers, Electricians, And Carpenters*
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced today that Florida is rolling out Workforce Pell Grants so students can use federal aid for short-term job training instead of only four-year degrees.
The announcement came at Eastern Florida State College in Melbourne. Eligible programs can last as little as eight weeks and cover in-demand work like HVAC, welding, manufacturing, CDL, aviation and marine trades, plus first-responder training. Pell Grants are need-based, do not have to be repaid, and can go up to about $7,400 a year.
DeSantis said Florida is investing in the future of plumbers, electricians, and carpenters. On technology, he put it this way: “Technology has a role, but it is a supplementary role.”
Education Commissioner Henry Mack is leading the statewide rollout.
Officials say the goal is a faster path into high-wage jobs with little to no debt, not more student loans.
*Florida Scoop’s Take:* A lot of families already know the trades are hiring. This is the state putting money where those jobs actually are.
*Truist to Sell $5.5 Billion in Auto Loans, Exiting Near-Prime Lending Tied to Broward Operations*
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (VINnews) — Truist Financial Corp. has agreed to sell about $5.5 billion of auto loans and leave the near-prime auto finance business, a move that covers substantially all assets of its Regional Acceptance Corp. unit.
*Parsha And Cholent Tonight At Orlando Community Kollel*
Orlando Community Kollel is putting out warm cholent tonight after Maariv, with a short Parsha farbreng right after.
It is a relaxed 10 to 15 minutes with the chavrei hakollel. A vort, a thought, and a little conversation. Nothing heavy. Just a warmer connection to the parsha.
6333 Hidden Dale Ave.
Grab a few minutes. Warm kollel. Warm cholent. Time well spent.
*High Rip Current Risk In Effect For All Palm Beach County Beaches*
NWS Miami says a high risk of rip currents is in place for every Palm Beach County beach today through Friday morning.
Gusty northeast winds are also creating hazardous marine conditions on the Gulf side. A Small Craft Advisory remains in effect for Gulf waters from East Cape Sable to Bonita Beach until 11 p.m. tonight, with northeast winds around 20 knots and higher gusts possible.
Atlantic beaches farther south, including Broward and Miami-Dade, have an elevated rip current risk.
NWS says swim only at a guarded beach and follow guidance from local beach officials. If caught in a rip current, do not swim against it. Swim parallel to shore, or float and wave for help.
*Florida Scoop’s Take:* This is the kind of day that looks swim-friendly from the parking lot and turns dangerous once you are in the water. If you are heading to the Palm Beaches, treat the flags and lifeguards as non-negotiable.
The U.S. Postal Service has begun sending mailers to Surfside residents asking the community to weigh in on a proposed relocation of the Surfside Station Post Office before the Sept. 30 deadline. USPS has not announced a proposed new location for the Surfside Station.
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