Florida

Florida schools ponder hurricane makeup days

Published

2 years ago

October 28, 2024

Florida schools ponder hurricane makeup days

The big story: Students across Florida lost several hours of class time as their schools shut down for hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Once determining it was safe to resume classes, officials had another key decision ahead: How to make up the missed time, which for some children exceeded 50 hours. That’s nearly 5% of the year.

The choices included extending the school day, adding more days to the academic year and canceling vacations or parts of them.

“The driving question was constantly around, how do we make all the right moves for all the right reasons?” Pinellas County schools chief academic officer Donnika Jones said. Read more here.

Eckerd College students return to campus after a month away because of hurricanes Helene and Milton, WUSF reports. The school moved to remote online classes after evacuating.

Hot topics

Lunch lines: The University of South Florida has cut ties with its longtime cafeteria services provider. The move will affect about 400 employees. • Duval County school cafeteria workers are discussing whether to walk off the job after reaching an impasse in contract talks seeking higher wages, WTLV reports.

Referendum politics: Opponents of the Hillsborough County school district’s local-option property tax referendum have made allegations against superintendent Van Ayres in their effort to detract support for the initiative, Florida Politics reports. • A campaign to extend Escambia County’s local-option sales tax supporting construction projects has strong support, the Pensacola News-Journal reports.

Save Our School: Some Collier County residents are petitioning to prevent Bonita Springs Elementary School from being demolished, WINK reports. The school was damaged in Hurricane Irma. • Duval County residents want school district officials to consider equity, and not just the bottom line, as they prepare to shutter several schools as part of a cost-saving effort, Jacksonville Today reports.

School uses: The Highlands County school district is transforming its prekindergarten center, which sat about half vacant, to other program uses, Highlands News-Sun reports.

Union busting: A group that tried to push out United Teachers of Dade says it won’t give up despite losing its initial effort, the Miami Herald reports.

Vouchers: Both the Democrat and the Republican seeking a state House seat representing Palm Beach want more accountability for Florida’s school voucher system, Florida Phoenix reports.

From the police blotter … The principal of a Lake County high school was arrested on an allegation of driving under the influence, WESH reports. • Schools in Bonifay in Holmes County have canceled all outdoor activities during a police investigation into a nearby weekend murder, WJHG reports.

Don’t miss a story. Here’s a link to Friday’s roundup.

Before you go … What’s that? New Wallace and Gromit?

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Florida

From pizza to Panthers: How Simas Ignatavicius landed with Florida | Florida Panthers

Published

7 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Press Room

From pizza to Panthers: How Simas Ignatavicius landed with Florida | Florida Panthers

In Switzerland ever since, Ignatavicius has steadily improved with each passing season.

Spending most of the 2025-26 campaign playing against professionals in the National League, he notched 13 points (7G, 6A) in 52 games with Genève-Servette HC. He also suited up in 11 games in the postseason, scoring two goals and dishing out an assist.

During a brief stint in Switzerland’s second-tier league, he was better than a point-per-game player, racking up 11 points (7G, 4A) in eight contests.

“That was a big there,” the 18-year-old forward said of his breakout season. “There we go, and here I am now.”

Catching the attention of scouts across the NHL, Ignatavicius was projected as a possible late-first-round pick by several outlets heading into this weekend.

Making history when the Panthers called his name, he became the fourth Lithuanian to be drafted, joining Darius Kasparaitis, Dainius Zubrus and Andrey Pedan.

“It means a lot to my family and to my country,” Ignatavicius. “It shows little kids that whatever you dream it’s possible. You’ve just got to work for it. When you get your chance, you take it. Don’t give up. Work hard.”

A veteran of 1,293 games in the NHL, Zubrus has been a longtime mentor to his young countryman.

“I’m pretty close with him,” Ignatavicius said. “We text a lot. I’m happy with that and think I can learn a lot from him.”

When it comes to future lessons, he’ll have no shortage of new teachers to work with in South Florida.

Priding himself on playing a physical, relentless style, Ignatavicius models his game after one Panther in particular.

“Matthew Tkachuk,” he said. “I try playing like him, his style. I think he’s a great player and I can learn a lot from him.”

Yet to commit to returning to Switzerland next season, Ignatavicius is still waiting to see where he’ll lace up his skates in 2025-26.

“I’ve just got to focus on my summer and getting better,” he said.

In the immediate future, Ignatavicius will soon board a flight to Fort Lauderdale to participate in his first development camp with the Panthers.

“Florida? Can’t complain much,” he said when asked about his impending trip. “Very happy.”

In between on-ice sessions, maybe Ignatavicius will even find some time to grab a pizza.

If he needs a recommendation, I’m sure Panthers fans will have a few suggestions.

“This is just the beginning,” he said.

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Missing Florida diver found after multi-agency search

Published

17 hours ago

June 27, 2026

Press Room

Missing Florida diver found after multi-agency search

A diver who was reported missing near the Fort Pierce Inlet has been found dead, according to the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

The U.S. Coast Guard received a mayday call around 11:30 a.m. June 27 about the missing diver. The Coast Guard then notified the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, which deployed four boats to assist in the search, according to a social media post by the Sheriff’s Office. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office marine unit also responded.

Friends of the missing diver joined the search, departing from Fort Pierce Inlet around 1 p.m.

The search, which included aerial support from the Coast Guard and FWC, focused on an area about six to seven miles north-northeast of the Fort Pierce Inlet, near Avalon State Park.

Around 4:10 p.m., the group of civilian divers entered the water and located the missing diver at the bottom of the ocean in about 55 feet of water. The diver was recovered and pronounced dead.

The body was transported to Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce. The St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division is investigating the incident.

No additional information is available at this time.

This story was created by Colleen Wixon, colleen.wixon@tcpalm.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.

Colleen Wixon is the Indian River County government watchdog reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers.

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Florida Lottery Mega Millions, Jackpot Triple Play results for June 26, 2026

Published

1 day ago

June 27, 2026

Press Room

Florida Lottery Mega Millions, Jackpot Triple Play results for June 26, 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, June 26, 2026.

Winning Mega Millions numbers from June 26 drawing

05-13-30-33-52, Mega Ball: 06

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Jackpot Triple Play numbers from June 26 drawing

09-12-15-25-30-38

Check Jackpot Triple Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from June 26 drawing

Midday: 05-11-19-27-31

Evening: 17-24-29-34-35

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 26 drawing

Morning: 11

Matinee: 08

Afternoon: 14

Evening: 03

Late Night: 01

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 June 26 drawing

Midday: 2-7, FB: 1

Evening: 3-5, FB: 8

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from June 26 drawing

Midday: 2-8-7, FB: 1

Evening: 7-0-4, FB: 8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from June 26 drawing

Midday: 3-4-9-0, FB: 1

Evening: 4-2-7-4, FB: 8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from June 26 drawing

Midday: 0-5-3-4-6, FB: 1

Evening: 7-0-0-4-5, 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.

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