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Capturing the Spirit of Florida, One Story at a Time.
Beyond the Stage: Honoring Dolly Parton and Her Global Literacy Legacy
Honoring Dolly Parton and Her Global Legacy We’re honoring the legacy of Dolly Parton, not just the country music icon, but a staunch champion for children and literacy. With her Imagination Library, Dolly sparked a love of reading for millions of kids all around the world. And that magic? It’s touching families right here, all across the state of Florida. . The Imagination Library isn’t just an idea. It’s a program that puts real books into little hands, helping kids dream,
Teri Grosze
Before the Storm Hits: Five Ultimate Hurricane Preparedness Steps
Hurricane prep isn’t just about comfort; it’s about safety. If you skip the basics, hurricanes don’t forgive. They can rip apart homes, flood neighborhoods, and leave you scrambling. Preparation is everything. We’re already seeing storms build up this year, with tropical storm Lala in Hawaii just last week. And NOAA says a big El Niño is brewing, so if you’ve been putting off hurricane plans, now’s the time to act. What’s at stake? Power outages, flooded roads, shattered win
Teri Grosze
Tiny Flippers, Big Journey: Anna Maria Island Hatchlings Make Final Dash to Sea
Sea turtle hatchlings are still making their break for the Gulf on Anna Maria Island, even as the season winds down. The Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch (AMITW) said on Friday that it has not seen new nests or adult turtle crawls this week. Maybe there’s a latecomer left, but it looks like nesting season is just about done. Sea Turtle Season is Winding Down Courtesy AMITW That said, there are still 179 nests out on the beach, so volunteers know there’ll be a steady march of ha
Teri Grosze
FEATURED STORIES
For $12 Million, Own Florida’s First Private Lake Island Sale in 150 Years—Just Minutes From Orlando and Tampa
Florida’s got a private island up for sale for the first time in a century and a half, and it’s not where you’d expect. Bannon Island, a little over 23 acres set in Lake Marion near Haines City, is asking $12 million. You won’t get there by car: think boat, helicopter, or seaplane only. And while Florida’s famous for saltwater islands, this one sits almost perfectly between Orlando and Tampa, which puts seclusion and big-city access about 45 minutes apart. Bannon Island Photo
Storm Center: Matt Devitt Fights WINK News Over Secret Casino Records Ahead of Trial
Matt Devitt accepting the Tropical Weather Media Award at the Governor’s Hurricane Conference. Courtesy Facebook One of Florida’s most recognizable and beloved weatherman, Matt Devitt, has entered into an ugly fight with his former employer, WINK News. At the center of this mess is something you don’t expect from your local meteorologist: casino gambling records. Devitt wants a judge to keep those records sealed, saying they’re private and have nothing to do with the claims W
Flying Cars in Florida
Flying Cars Coming Soon. Courtesy SunTrax “Where we’re going, we don’t need roads. We’re going to get you up in the air,” says DeSantis Ever since The Jetsons hit TV screens back in 1962, people have dreamed of flying cars. Baby Boomers, Generation Jones, Gen X, Millennials, everyone wanted their own version of George Jetson’s morning commute. Now, with 2026 on the horizon, it’s not just wishful thinking anymore. Governor Ron DeSantis says Florida is making it happen. Florida
Green Light for Groceries: Publix Makes Every Lane an Express Lane for Stress-Free Checkout
It’s easy to overlook a story like this with everything else going on in this turbulent world, but sometimes, these small changes make the biggest splash. Publix just scrapped the item limits in its express lanes. Forget double-checking your cart, sweating over whether four cans of mushrooms count as one or four, or silently fuming at the person who clearly has too many groceries. You don’t have to do the awkward walk back to the regular lanes anymore. That’s all in the past.
Florida Primaries: Byron Donalds and David Jolly Clash for Governor Seat
U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds clinched the Republican nomination for Florida governor, while the Democrats picked former Rep. David Jolly on Tuesday night. With Ron DeSantis stepping down, he can’t run for a third straight term, the state faces a pivotal decision this fall on its political future. November’s race isn’t just about Florida. It’s a test of Donald Trump’s influence and whether Democrats can bring their party back to center stage in a state that’s shifted right since 20
Florida Attorney Answers Colombia First Lady's Urgent Plea, Airlifts 5,000 Pounds of Emergency Medical Aid Following Devastating 7.4 Earthquake
Rescue teams in Colombia are still digging through rubble, a full week after a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake shook the region. Nearly 300 people have lost their lives, and the number of those injured keeps climbing. The hospitals there are overwhelmed and running dangerously low on critical medicine and surgical equipment, they can’t even perform some surgeries right now. On Monday, Dan Newlin, a Central Florida attorney, sent two planes packed with over 5,000 pounds of m
THEME PARKS
SeaWorld, Disney, and LEGOLAND Florida Unveil Family-Friendly Thrills for 2026
Get ready for a big year in 2026—Central Florida’s theme parks are rolling out new family rides and giving old favorites a fresh twist. SeaWorld Orlando is launching SEAQuest: Legends of the Deep, an indoor dark ride that’s the first of its kind for the park. You’ll hop into a submersible and dive into shipwrecks and deep-sea mysteries. “We’re redefining what a family attraction can be,” said Conner Carr, the park’s vice president of rides and engineering. He’s excited about
Farewell to Katina: SeaWorld’s Beloved Killer Whale Passes at 50 After Decades of Devotion
Katina dies at age 50, photo courtesy of SeaWrlorld SeaWorld shared sad news on Sunday: Katina, one of their best-known killer whales, has died at 50. Her health had been slipping for a while, and things got worse in the past few weeks as she grew older. The animal care and medical staff watched over her day and night, eventually focusing on making sure she was comfortable. She passed away with staff members by her side—people who’d cared for her for almost forty years. Katin
Surprise! A Trip to Tokyo Disney Can Be Cheaper Than Walt Disney World
Tokyo Disney It’s wild, but for a lot of families, flying all the way to Tokyo Disney Resort can actually cost the same—or sometimes even less—than a trip to Walt Disney World in Florida. Prices at WDW have shot up, the Japanese yen is weak right now, and honestly, Tokyo Disney’s tickets and food are just cheaper, especially if you score a good flight deal. It sounds strange at first, right? But when you add up everything—flights, hotels, park tickets, food—Tokyo Disney start
TRAVEL & DINING
Pack Your Sleigh: 8 Festive Florida Cities for the Ultimate Christmas Road Trip
Florida doesn’t exactly scream “Christmas” to most people. We’re the Sunshine State—kids run outside in shorts on Christmas morning, zipping around on new scooters, spraying each other with water guns. Snow? Not a chance. Sure, we decorate, but our neighborhoods aren’t dotted with cozy, snow-covered cottages. We have fir trees, but you won’t spot many reindeer. Fireplaces? Only if you count barbecue grills or those patio fire pits. Our Christmas cards usually star Santa in sw
Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish History: The Story Behind the St. Pete Institution
Right after World War II, in 1945, Ted Peters and his family decided it was time for a fresh start. Ted joined forces with his stepbrother, “Red Hot,” who’d already made his way down to Florida from upstate New York. Together, they dove straight into the fish business. Ted worked at the Fisherman’s Co-Op over in Madeira Beach, Florida, and something caught his attention. Most folks stashed their fish smokers out back, hidden away like some kind of secret. Ted thought that was
Remembering the Kapok Tree Inn: The Enchantment of Old Florida
The Kapok Tree Inn wasn’t just a restaurant—locals and tourists saw it as a real escape, a place with its own kind of magic right in Clearwater, Florida. For decades, people came for the grand, Roman-inspired setting, built in the 1950s around a massive Kapok tree that had stood since the late 1800s. Inside, you’d find twelve different dining rooms, each one lavishly detailed, where the food was simple but elegant. The Kapok offered something you couldn’t get anywhere else. L
ARTS & CULTURE
Orlando’s Night of Magic: "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" Opens at Dr. Phillips Center
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child North American Tour Photo by Matthew Murphy courtesy of Dr. Phillips Center Orlando gets a taste of magic—Dr. Phillips Center just opened for the Florida debut of HARRY POTTER AND THE CURSED CHILD. The play, a six-time Tony Award® winner, lands at the Walt Disney Theater from January 24 to February 15, 2026. This production has been heralded as “one of the most defining pop culture events of the decade.” The story comes straight from J.K. Row
Exciting News from The Hermitage Artist Retreat: From Vanderbilt Legacy to Living Artists
Aerial View Manasota Key Big things are happening at The Hermitage Artist Retreat. Thanks to a jaw-dropping $12 million gift, The Hermitage just landed three neighboring properties right on Manasota Key. The Steans and Morrison families made it happen, handing over land and homes once built by the Vanderbilts back in the early ’50s. Altogether, that’s 6.5 acres—stretching from the Gulf all the way to the Bay, surrounded by native plants and dotted with a few houses. Hermitage
FLORIDA LIFESTYLE
"Walkin' Lawton" Remembering Florida History - 55 years ago this month
On January 3, 1971, Polk County's Lawton Chiles took his seat in the U.S. Senate. Honestly, his campaign was pretty wild for Florida. Nobody really knew him at first, so he decided to walk—yep, actually walk—1,003 miles from Pensacola all the way down to Key West. "Walkin' Lawton" met people face to face, shook hands, listened to their stories. It took him 91 days and more than one pair of boots. People called it a “public relations stroke of genius,” and it worked. Chiles cr
Happy Birthday to a Florida Sports Legend: Tiger Woods Turns 50 Amidst Triumph and Trials
Tiger Woods reacts as he wins the Masters golf tournament, Sunday, April 14, 2019, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File) Tiger Woods turned 50 on Tuesday, Dec. 30. Hard to believe, right? He’s spent decades making history on the golf course and fighting through plenty away from it. No one else has ever held all four major titles at once. He’s won 82 PGA Tour events—that’s tied for the record. The guy’s body has taken a beating, too. Surgeries on his legs and back,
Celebrate Nature: The 39th Annual Florida Manatee Festival Returns to Crystal River
Get ready—Citrus County’s favorite celebration of manatees is back. The 39th Annual Florida Manatee Festival splashes into Crystal River on January 17–18, 2026, filling downtown and the gorgeous Kings Bay area with two days packed full of fun. The Citrus County Chamber of Commerce puts on the festival, with support from Coast to Coast Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC. Every year, the Manatee Festival gets bigger, more creative, and—let’s be honest—more fun for everyone. You ca
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