Florida
Alaskan bears found more than 3,600 miles away from home in Florida
The Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said two Kodiak bear cubs were found wandering a rural roadway in the western Panhandle in December.
OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. – Two Kodiak bear cubs native to southern Alaska were found wandering on a rural Florida roadway, and the incident was captured on an Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputy’s body camera.
A local resident alerted authorities to the sighting on Dec. 5 and said it was a sight he had never seen before.
Their size and color were two indications that they weren’t dealing with a species native to Florida, but there remained many questions as to where the duo came from.
The pair appeared healthy and even tried to climb into a responding patrol car.
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation confirmed the resident’s initial theory – the bears weren’t from Florida; they were actually Kodiak cubs from southern Alaska.
BEAR BRAWL IN FLORIDA YARD STUNS HOMEOWNER
The bears were taken to a secure facility, and information regarding the occasion was kept tight-lipped to protect the sanctity of the investigation.
It wasn’t until the last day of January that the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office revealed the circumstances that led to the bears traveling more than 3,600 miles.
A man spotted two bears in a rural region of the Florida Panhandle in December.
(Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office / FOX Weather)
According to investigators, it was determined that the bears escaped a nearby enclosure and that they were being housed by a local resident.
The FWC said that the resident now faces a list of violations but did not release the suspect’s identity.
The Alaska Department of Fish and Game told the sheriff’s office that there are only about 3,500 Kodiak bears in existence and are subspecies of the more well-known brown and grizzly bears.
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It remains unclear how someone was able to get the bears to Florida or when they’ll be transported back to The Last Frontier.
According to the state’s fish and game department, there are only about 3,500 Kodiak bears in existence, and they can stand over ten feet tall when on their hind legs.
There have been no additional reports of Kodiak bears wandering through Florida’s wilderness.
A Kodiak brown bear crosses the Ayakulik River, Alaska.
(Photo By DENNIS ANDERSON/Star Tribune via Getty Images / Getty Images)
Florida
Didn’t get a ticket to Ulta Beauty World in FL? See other make-up conventions
Are you among the 3,000 who scored tickets to Ulta Beauty World or the 3 million who couldn’t nab any?
The nation’s largest specialty beauty retailer is hosting its second-ever convention at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, on April 16.
Tickets went on sale Jan. 22 for just over $160 per ticket and sold out within minutes, according to reports. Ulta Beauty customers and beauty lovers took to social media to air out their frustration and disappointment, as officials promised to expand access for next year’s event.
For those who didn’t get tickets to Ulta Beauty World, there are still other makeup conventions and expos you can attend, some even in Florida.
Has Ulta dropped more tickets to Ulta Beauty World 2026 in Orlando, Florida?
As of April 7, Ulta has not released any additional tickets for Ulta Beauty World 2026 and has no plans to do so.
In a statement after the tickets sold out, Ulta said it would host giveaways for event tickets. In February, the company announced it was giving away 50 pairs of tickets.
As of March, the giveaway is closed, and all the winners have been notified.
See other beauty conventions in Florida
Premiere Orlando is set for May 30 through June 1, 2026, with over 760 education classes, 400 educators and influencers, and 500 exhibiting brands. Like Ulta Beauty World, it will be located at the Orange County Convention Center.
However, it is only open to members and students of the professional beauty industry. Verification of credentials is required for all attendees. Check here for tickets.
There will be a similar convention at the start of 2027, with Cosmoprof North America spending its third year in Miami. The trade show says it is the only event in the Americas that “brings together the entire beauty industry—from skin care and makeup to fragrance, hair, and nails, while also representing the entire beauty supply chain.”
Tickets are not open to the general public, as they connect businesses. For those interested, tickets go onsale in August 2026.
Not in Florida? See other makeup conventions in the US
The MakeUp Show is a convention open to anyone who works, studies or is interested in the beauty industry. It will be held in New York City from May 3 through May 4, with over 100 of the top beauty brands.
Tickets are still onsale, with prices starting at $54.
For those looking for an event similar to Ulta Beauty World, SEPHORiA is a multi-day expo for beauty lovers hosted by beauty retailer Sephora. It offers access to “breaking beauty news, master classes taught by beauty icons, talent meet-and-greets, and an on-site shop with exclusive merch and products only available for purchase at SEPHORiA.”
This year’s convention was held in March. Details for SEPHORiA 2027 have not yet been announced, as of April 2026.
Did you score a ticket to 2026 Ulta Beauty World in Orlando, Florida? What to know before you go
Before you head into the convention, you will need to pay for parking, which costs $20 at the Orange County Convention Center. You may leave items in your car and return to the convention throughout the day.
You’ll find your ticket located in your email. A government-issued ID will be required for access and must match the first and last name on the ticket confirmation.
On its website, it states that the only rolling bag permitted on the expo floor is the Ulta Beauty roller bag, available for sale at registration for $50. All other bags are acceptable, provided they do not have wheels.
Before you head out, you should receive a swag bag valued at more than $2,000.
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
Florida
Florida Lottery Powerball, Fantasy 5 results for April 6, 2026
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.
Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Monday, April 6, 2026.
Winning Powerball numbers from April 6 drawing
07-24-37-42-57, Powerball: 05, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from April 6 drawing
Midday: 03-10-22-23-27
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from April 6 drawing
Morning: 09
Matinee: 07
Afternoon: 05
Evening: 13
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 2 numbers from April 6 drawing
Midday: 8-8, FB: 5
Evening: 1-9, FB: 0
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from April 6 drawing
Midday: 9-9-3, FB: 5
Evening: 2-2-4, FB: 0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from April 6 drawing
Midday: 5-8-0-3, FB: 5
Evening: 4-2-3-3, FB: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from April 6 drawing
Midday: 4-8-3-4-0, FB: 5
Evening: 7-8-5-7-0, FB: 0
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize
- Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
- Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
- Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
Florida law requires public disclosure of winners
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
- Full name
- City of residence
- Game won
- Date won
- Amount won
- Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.
When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
- Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
- Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.
Florida
Lawsuit claims Florida doctor used ‘mentally ill’ woman as surrogate
A Florida doctor entangled in an embryo mixup lawsuit is being sued by another patient claiming he used a “severely mentally ill” woman as a surrogate.
Dr. Milton McNichol, along with Fertility Center of Orlando, IVF Life, IVF Orlando, are named in the new lawsuit filed in March in Seminole County. It alleges a woman in her early 20s was used as surrogate for her cousin and her cousin’s partner, despite the woman’s long-documented history of severe psychiatric illnesses, including Baker Act admissions and experiencing psychiatric instability at the time of the IVF procedure.
The unnamed woman’s attorney, Andrew Rader, said his client was in no condition to be a surrogate and could not meaningfully consent to it.
“This case reflects a profound failure to protect a woman who should never have been approved for surrogacy,” Rader told USA Today Network. “Our complaint details how family members manipulated and coerced a young woman with serious psychiatric illness into a surrogate arrangement she was in no condition to understand, while the fertility clinic and treating physician failed to carry out the most basic psychological screening and safeguards that could have protected her.”
What happened to baby surrogate carried?
The embryo transferred into the surrogate had a fatal genetic disorder, thanatophoric dysplasia, according to the lawsuit.
There were serious complications during the pregnancy, which Rader said resulted in profound trauma to his client. The baby died about 10 days after birth, causing the surrogate “devastating emotional harm.”
“She believed that the baby was biologically hers, and was further distraught when the baby’s remains were immediately taken out of the country,” Rader said. “The surrogate who is not mentally, emotionally or psychologically well is still seeking her son who passed away. She is fixated on finding her son.”
What are the regulations, guidelines when using a surrogate for IVF?
While there are no regulations set for using a surrogate, there are guidelines set forth by various reproduction and in vitro fertilization groups.
Proper psychological screenings are one of the guidelines. The lawsuit alleges the intended parents knew the surrogate was psychologically unfit and exploited both her impaired judgment and financial distress.
The intended parents do not have attorneys representing them yet, and attempts to reach them were unsuccessful.
Calls were left with attorneys who have represented McNichol, Fertility Center of Orlando, IVF Life, IVF Orlando in previous cases.
Rader said it has not been determined what monetary amount his client is seeking.
“We want to increase awareness on the lack of regulation in this industry,” he said. “If these cases push toward better regulation, more transparency, more mandatory guidelines, it would really be great.”
What is the embryo mixup lawsuit McNichol is involved in?
McNichol, the doctor who runs IVF Life, is being sued by a couple after the woman gave birth in December 2025 and it was determined the baby was not genetically related to her or her partner.
It’s believed the embryo mix-up happened six years ago when Tiffany Score had her eggs removed and joined with Steven Mills’ sperm through in vitro fertilization and resulted in embryos that were later frozen. Attempts are being made to determine the biological parents of the baby, and to determined what happened to Score and Mills’ remaining embryos.
In a recent court hearing, it was revealed that McNichol is selling his clinic as of May 1. The new owners have not been revealed.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
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