Florida
Florida reportedly using millions in opioid settlement money on anti-marijuana campaign targeting Amendment 3
Florida state records have revealed that the state has reportedly channeled millions of dollars from a settlement with opioid manufacturers and distributors into a campaign targeting the proposed Amendment 3, which would legalize recreational marijuana for adults over 21.
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The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) recently allocated nearly $4 million from the Florida opioid settlement trust fund to Strategic Digital Services, a Tallahassee-based marketing agency, for an educational campaign on the “dangers of marijuana, opioid, and drug use,” specifically directed at Floridian families and youth. You can view the purchase order information HERE.
Two ads were recently released as part of this effort to highlight the potential mental health risks of marijuana use in teens, including links to schizophrenia. One advertisement claims that modern marijuana is “engineered by corporations all for one purpose: to rewire the human mind.”
Below is one of the ads:
Research shows that marijuana can do real damage to the developing brains of young people — leading to higher risks of psychotic disorders, suicides, and learning loss. Protect your children from the risks of extensive marijuana use. pic.twitter.com/jc7gZM0ja8
— Florida Department of Children and Families (@MyFLFamilies) October 21, 2024
Although the ads do not mention the amendment by name, supporters of Amendment 3 argue they represent a deliberate effort by the administration to sway voters ahead of the November election.
READ: Former President Trump announces he will vote yes on Florida’s Amendment 3 on marijuana legalization
Funding Scrutiny from Amendment 3 Supporters:
The use of opioid settlement funds, intended to mitigate the opioid epidemic, is raising questions among Amendment 3 supporters who argue the campaign is cannibalizing public money for political ads.
The $4 million contract with Strategic Digital Services will be funded by Florida’s opioid settlement trust, established as part of a multi-billion dollar agreement to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable for their role in the opioid crisis.
Over the next 20 years, Florida is slated to receive $3 billion from a nationwide opioid settlement, with funds directed toward combating the opioid epidemic. State law mandates the trust fund’s use in combating the opioid crisis, though it also includes provisions for broader substance use disorders.
The ads’ focus on a marijuana-focused campaign —rather than opioids—has raised questions about the DeSantis administration’s allocation choices in the run-up to the election.
Sen. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota, joined a bipartisan group of Amendment 3 advocates at a press event Friday, where he criticized the administration for using funds to allegedly advance a political agenda. “Tax dollars should not go to fund propaganda, bottom line,” Gruters said.
The DCF has yet to clarify if both recent ads fall under the $4 million contract with Strategic Digital Services, though they appeared after the contract was enacted, suggesting that opioid settlement money may be funding the campaign.
Anti-Amendment Campaigns:
In recent weeks, Governor DeSantis has intensified his anti-amendment campaigns, utilizing state resources against ballot measures like Amendment 3 and Amendment 4, the proposed amendment aimed at enshrining abortion rights in Floria’s constitution.
READ: DeSantis escalates legal fight against Amendment 4 abortion ads, leveraging state resources in opposition
In numerous press conferences held across the state, the DeSantis administration warned of what he calls the “dangers” of legal marijuana, stating that he considers Amendment 3 as “more liberal” than laws in Colorado and California. At one press event, he invited a mother who lost her son to opioids to share how his struggle began with marijuana, which the administration described as a gateway to harder drugs.
Below is the referenced press event: (Note: The mother appears at the press conference starting at timestamp 37:30.)
Meanwhile, Florida’s First Lady Casey DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo have joined the anti-amendment efforts.
The First Lady has attended several events supported by law enforcement, where she has publicly opposed the amendment.
“This is not about freedom. This is about corporate greed,” First Lady Casey DeSantis said.
Meanwhile, Dr. Ladapo, previously criticized by federal agencies for spreading misinformation on COVID-19 vaccines, recently discussed the potential health risks of marijuana in a televised interview.
Upcoming Vote:
With early voting underway and a recent UNF poll showing 67% of people support Amendment 3, this election could represent a significant policy shift in Florida. While the DeSantis administration contends the measure risks public health, Amendment 3 advocates argue it would bring much-needed tax revenue to the state and regulate marijuana safely.
The final decision now rests with voters, who will cast their ballots on November 5. In Florida, each amendment requires a supermajority of 60% to pass, making your vote all the more critical in deciding the direction the state will go.
READ: What’s on Florida’s 2024 ballot?: A complete guide to the six proposed state amendments
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Florida
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.
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.
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.
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.
Florida
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
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
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 10 drawing
Morning: 15
Matinee: 13
Afternoon: 09
Evening: 04
Late Night: 08
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
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
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
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
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:
- 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
Snake hunters gather in Florida to kill invasive pythons for $25,000 in prizes
The day has finally arrived. On July 10, hundreds of professional and amateur snake hunters entered the annual Florida Python Challenge, a 10-day race to remove as many of the invasive animals as possible from the Everglades. The person who bags the most snakes will earn a $10,000 first-place prize, while another $15,000 in payouts will go to various other categories, including for the longest snake captured.
Conservationists estimate between 100,000 and 300,000 Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) live across the state’s subtropical regions, where they have thrived as apex predators since their accidental introduction into the wild during the 1970s. Pregnant females can lay upwards of 70 eggs at a time, and each hatchling can reach an adult length of 13-feet long. Despite their population explosion, only around five percent of all pythons are spotted by the average onlooker. That means only one in about 20 snakes are noticed on any given day.
Over 600 people registered to participate in this year’s Florida Python Challenge as of July 7, according to Naples Daily News. Last year saw more than 900 local and international competitors, and the largest snake captured measured nearly 16 feet long. The annual event isn’t a free-for-all, however. Every hunter must complete a safety course prior to scouring for snakes, and while guns are allowed on private land with owner’s permission, all pythons must be euthanized as humanely as possible.
It may come as a surprise, but beheading one of the massive, coiling predators absolutely isn’t an ethical means of disposal. Because the snakes possess extremely slow metabolisms and can survive with very low amounts of oxygen, they can remain conscious (and in immense pain) for a prolonged period of time after decapitation. Instead, hunters are recommended to draw an imaginary line from each eye to the opposite jaw bone, then locate where those paths intersect. Then can then use a sharp rod or screwdriver to impale the top of the head before moving the tool in a multilateral direction to ensure an immediate loss of consciousness and a quick death. No one said python hunting was for the squeamish.
The Florida Python Challenge will end at 5 p.m. EDT on July 19, with champions announced soon afterwards.
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