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Decrease in drug-related deaths in Florida gives new glimmer of hope to families affected by addiction

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Decrease in drug-related deaths in Florida gives new glimmer of hope to families affected by addiction


JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A recent report by the Florida Medical Examiner’s Commission revealed a slight decrease in the number of drug-related deaths in 2022, bringing a new glimmer of hope for families who have loved ones battling drug addiction.

A local parent who lost a son to fentanyl said the 3% decline in fentanyl deaths in Florida is progress.

“There is a very long way to go with it. Every single life is worth it. But if we get the word out and continue to see a decrease in fentanyl deaths, then our goal is met,” Carroll Miniard said.

Carroll Miniard and her son Evan. (Courtesy of family)

Miniard knows all too well about the pain of losing a child to a fentanyl overdose.

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“I would never wish this on any parent. To lose your child. It’s the worst possible nightmare,” Miniard said.

RELATED | ‘Your family is not immune’: Mother knows pain of losing loved one to drug addiction

Back in 2019, her son Evan was battling a drug addiction following a car crash that left him in pain. When prescription pain medication wasn’t enough, he turned to street drugs. His life ended when he used heroin that was laced with fentanyl.

“It was two policemen from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office when I opened the front door. We all went to the door together because we just knew something wasn’t right on a Sunday night in 2019,” Miniard said.

Carroll Miniard’s late son, Evan. (Courtesy of family)

According to the recently released final report on drug deaths by the Florida Medical Examiner’s Commission, the year after Evan’s death, 5,302 people in Florida died from fentanyl. The following year, the number jumped to 5,791. Then in 2022, fatalities dropped to 5,522.

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“It’s a low percentage but it’s something. It’s giving me hope. It’s giving other families hope. There’s hopefully an end to this crisis,” Miniard said.

Federal prosecutors said factors that led to the 3% drop include indictments of Chinese companies and individuals who supply Mexican drug cartels with chemicals used to produce fentanyl. Other contributing factors were the increase in criminal convictions for fentanyl trafficking and distribution.

MORE | The US sanctions Mexican Sinaloa cartel members and firms over fentanyl trafficking

There was also an increase in seizures of fentanyl powder and pills, seizures that have not slowed down.

According to the DEA’s tracker of fentanyl seizures across the U.S., as of Monday, 11.7 million fentanyl pills and 730 pounds of fentanyl powder have been seized since the beginning of the year. But in reality, the numbers are likely much higher when you add fentanyl seizures from local law enforcement agencies.

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To Miniard, the seizure numbers represent something else.

“That’s lives that are being saved and we can’t put a price on that,” Miniard said.

RELATED | Opioid addiction: This story is bigger than me

Carroll Miniard’s late son, Evan. (Courtesy of family)

If you or anyone you know has a drug addiction problem, please seek help.

You can call the Florida Addiction Hotline at 866-210-1303.

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Copyright 2024 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.



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Florida top-ranked signee selected in Round 4 of MLB draft

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Florida top-ranked signee selected in Round 4 of MLB draft


The Baltimore Orioles selected Florida signee Kevin Roberts Jr. with the 110th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB draft.

Roberts, UF’s top-ranked signee, is expected to forgo his college career and is the only member of Florida’s signing class to not enroll for the summer. A slot value of $711,800 is a bit low for a highly touted high school recruit, but it would be a big whiff by the Orioles if they don’t get him signed.

Perfect Game ranks Roberts No. 19 overall and No. 8 among shortstops nationally. Most of that is because he is incredibly projectable at 6-foot-5-inch and 220 pounds with good speed. There’s good bat speed and solid pop in his bat, showing exit velocities in the mid-90s as a 16-year-old. Roberts is also very young. He won’t turn 18 for another two weeks, giving pro teams extra time to develop him.

The power is there, but he’ll need to refine the contact tool a bit. Still, with plus speed and a strong arm — he clocked fastballs at 94 mph when pitching — Roberts figures to make an easy transition to center field.

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Of course, it would have been nice for Florida to get Roberts on campus, but Florida has plenty of options in the outfield, and Brendan Lawson is returning at shortstop next season. If this is the only loss from Florida’s 2026 signing class, it’s a big win for Kevin O’Sullivan and the Gators.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.





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NW Florida authorities make two more arrests in murder case

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NW Florida authorities make two more arrests in murder case


WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) – The Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Florida posted on its Facebook page Saturday the latest arrests in the murder of Jason Coulthart.

Here is the post:

TWO ADDITIONAL ARRESTS IN JASON COULTHART HOMICIDE; JOHNSON STILL AT LARGE

WALTON COUNTY, FLA — The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has made two additional arrests in connection with the murder of Jason Coulthart, marking the fourth and fifth individuals charged in relation to the ongoing investigation.

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On July 10, 2026, Michael Ray White, 74, and Kathleen Morris, 59, of Santa Rosa Beach, were arrested for accessory to a capital felony after the fact and obstruction.

According to investigators, White knowingly provided assistance to Johnson as she evaded law enforcement between June 25 and June 30, 2026.

Evidence shows White initially denied knowing Johnson while talking to investigators but later admitted she was at his home on multiple occasions during that period.

White also allowed Johnson and a second suspect, Martin Leaverton, to stay at the home, provided supplies, and later coordinated moving Johnson to a second location.

Morris, who resides at the same address, was also arrested in connection with the case after admitting she assisted Johnson by transporting her, providing supplies, and misleading deputies regarding Johnson’s presence at the residence.

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Text messages recovered from Morris’s phone further corroborate her involvement in helping Johnson avoid capture.

Interviews with additional witnesses, including Martin and Sandra Leaverton, provided further confirmation that both White and Morris knowingly sheltered Johnson and assisted her efforts to elude law enforcement.

The Leavertons admitted retrieving Johnson’s belongings, supplying her with a cell phone, and attempting to find out‑of‑state refuge for her. They are still behind bars at the Walton County Jail.

The discovery of Coulthart’s remains occurred on June 25, 2026, following two independent statements provided to the Niceville Police Department regarding a body located on a property on Sunset Lane in Freeport.

A residential search warrant was executed that same day, leading to the discovery of human remains. An arrest warrant for Johnson was issued on June 26, 2026. This week, the remains were confirmed to belong to Jason Coulthart.

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Johnson remains at large. She is considered dangerous, and anyone who has seen her or has information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

“Anyone found to have helped or is still assisting Isabelle Johnson avoid arrest will be charged accordingly,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “If you give her a place to stay, help her hide, or lie for her, you will face consequences. This is a homicide case. We will not allow anyone to get in the way of this investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 892‑8111 or contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 863‑TIPS.

Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.



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Florida Lottery Mega Millions, Jackpot Triple Play results for July 10, 2026

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Florida Lottery Mega Millions, Jackpot Triple Play results for July 10, 2026


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 Friday, July 10, 2026.

Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 10 drawing

02-39-44-46-56, Mega Ball: 23

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Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Jackpot Triple Play numbers from July 10 drawing

11-15-32-40-45-46

Check Jackpot Triple Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 11-20-21-24-25

Evening: 06-11-15-20-33

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Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 10 drawing

Morning: 15

Matinee: 13

Afternoon: 09

Evening: 04

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Late Night: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

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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

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Winning Pick 2 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 6-0, FB: 5

Evening: 0-4, FB: 8

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 7-5-3, FB: 5

Evening: 5-8-1, FB: 8

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 2-2-4-2, FB: 5

Evening: 0-4-4-1, FB: 8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 4-4-6-0-0, FB: 5

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Evening: 9-2-9-8-1, FB: 8

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:

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  • 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.



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