Florida

Giant sinkholes open up around Florida after Hurricane Milton

Published

1 year ago

October 11, 2024

Giant sinkholes open up around Florida after Hurricane Milton

Hurricane Milton produced dozens of tornadoes and rainfall estimates that topped more than a foot across west-central Florida, but a sight now opening up across many counties is that of sinkholes.

Large sinkholes were reported in both Polk and Hillsborough counties, where local authorities warned residents to stay alert in the aftermath of the storm, as the terrain features can expand without warning.

Photos shared by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office showed pipes, part of a sidewalk and a roadway all being devoured by a sinkhole in the residential community southeast of Tampa.

The sheriff’s office didn’t report any damage to homes, and the road to the community was shut down with signs and caution tape.

Due to the location of the event, a local resident said they were virtually trapped in their neighborhood and had to walk around the giant depression.

It’s a similar sight further east in Polk County, where a large hole opened between two homes in a community between Lakeland and Zephyrhills.

A homeowner told Tampa’s FOX 13 that their dog woke them up barking when their yard started to give way during the overnight hours.

No one was reported injured, but a truck and part of a garage were devoured by the hole, which threatens to cause more damage in the neighborhood.

Central Florida is no stranger to these events and is often referred to as the sinkhole capital of the U.S.

During Tropical Storm Debby in 2012, dozens of sinkholes developed across northern-central Florida.

Sinkholes can form during episodes of heavy rainfall because of the increase in the weight of the surface soil, leading to underground erosion and the creation of voids.

According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, long term weathering of limestone plays a significant role in changes to the terrain.

Depressions and holes caused by broken drainpipes, septic tanks and improperly compacted soil are often misclassified as sinkholes.

According to the Chief Financial Officer, not all homeowners’ policies provide coverage for sinkholes, but all licensed insurance companies in the state must offer special coverage.

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Florida

Florida unveils AI system to predict deadly drug threats before they hit

Published

16 hours ago

October 29, 2025

Press Room

Florida unveils AI system to predict deadly drug threats before they hit

SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Florida law-enforcement and public-health leaders on Wednesday unveiled a first-of-its-kind artificial-intelligence system designed to detect and warn communities about new drug threats before they become fatal.

The platform, called DrugAlert.ai was announced at the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office alongside Sheriff Dennis Lemma and Project Overdose CEO Andrae Bailey. The system uses machine-learning to scan statewide drug data in real time, including toxicology screenings, EMS calls, arrest records and street-level intelligence, then issues alerts when dangerous substances emerge.

[WATCH BELOW: Fentanyl awareness taught in Osceola County with community event]

Lemma said the system could change how agencies fight the overdose crisis.

“I’m convinced this will be the model that is used across the country,” Lemma said.

Project Overdose confirmed the system had already generated its first statewide DrugTRAC alert, after carfentanil, one of the most lethal synthetic opioids ever identified, was detected in multiple Florida counties, including Orange and Seminole.

Bailey said the AI platform closes a critical time gap that once left communities blind for months.

“Data we used to work with was six months to a year old,” Bailey said. “The data coming through this system will be no older than 24 hours.”

[WATCH BELOW: New X-ray tech coming to Fla. agricultural stations to help combat illegal immigration, drugs]

Officials warned the technology is launching as Florida enters what researchers are calling the “fourth wave” of the overdose crisis, defined by mixtures of opioids, stimulants and synthetics that change too fast for human tracking.

Lemma said the tool allows police, hospitals and service providers to target resources faster and more precisely.

“Project Overdose has connected the dots like never before, public sector, private sector, the faith community, businesses, everybody is involved,” Lemma said.

Project Overdose confirmed Florida will use the alerts statewide and will issue targeted warnings ahead of large events, including next week’s EDC music festival, where officials anticipate increased drug activity.

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Florida

Lee Named to Jerry West Award Watch List – Florida Gators

Published

1 day ago

October 28, 2025

Press Room

Lee Named to Jerry West Award Watch List – Florida Gators

Florida men’s basketball senior Xaivian Lee has been named to the Jerry West Shooting Guard of the Year Top 20 Preseason List, the Basketball Hall of Fame announced on Tuesday. The West Award is part of the Naismith Starting 5 positional awards.

A two-time first-team All-Ivy League performer at Princeton, Lee transferred to UF this offseason after averaging 16.9 points, 6.1 rebounds and 5.5 assists last season. A Toronto native, Lee has tallied 1,154 points, 406 rebounds, 302 assists and 124 3-point field goals in three career seasons entering 2025-26.

Lee joins backcourt mate Boogie Fland as a preseason Naismith Starting 5 honoree, with Fland named to the Bob Cousy Award watch list on Monday. The West Award has been presented since 2015, and the Gators’ Alijah Martin was on last season’s midseason watch list.

Jerry West Award Preseason Watch List

Brayden Burries	Arizona
Richie Saunders	BYU
Josh Dix	Creighton
Isaiah Evans	Duke
*Xaivian Lee*	*Florida*
Emmanuel Sharp	Houston
Kylan Boswell	Illinois
PJ Haggerty	Kansas State
Otega Oweh	Kentucky
Ryan Conwell	Louisville
Seth Trimble	North Carolina
Anthony Roy	Oklahoma State
Jason Edwards	Providence
Ian Jackson	St. John’s
Solo Ball	UConn
Rodney Rice	USC
Mason Falslev	Utah State
Malik Thomas	Virginia
Wesley Yates III	Washington
John Blackwell	Wisconsin

2025-26 Florida Men’s Basketball Ticket Information
Traditional season tickets are officially SOLD OUT for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Arena Pass
Arena Passes are officially SOLD OUT for the upcoming 2025-26 season.

Single Games
Single-game tickets for the 2025-26 Florida men’s basketball season are now on sale.

Fans can purchase tickets at FloridaGators.com, by calling the Gator Ticket Office at (352) 375-4683, or in person at Gate 2 on the west side of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium.

All Gators Weekend Pack
The All Gators Weekend Pack is now available, which includes the Florida men’s basketball game against Merrimack on Friday, November 21, and the Florida football game against Tennessee on Saturday, November 22, for only $149 plus taxes/fees.

All fans attending the Merrimack men’s basketball game will receive a 2025 NCAA National Championship replica ring, presented by Meldon Law.

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Florida

Fall Ball: Jacksonville Scrimmage Culminates Week Four – Florida Gators

Published

2 days ago

October 27, 2025

Press Room

Fall Ball: Jacksonville Scrimmage Culminates Week Four – Florida Gators

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Week four of the fall baseball season will see the Florida Gators tune up with a pair of intrasquad scrimmages leading up to an exhibition game against the JU Dolphins in Jacksonville, Fla. on Friday, Oct. 31.

First pitch for the Halloween matchup between Florida and Jacksonville is set for 6:30 p.m. at Vystar Ballpark with gates open to the public at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are currently on sale now.

The Gators are the designated away team this year and will occupy the third-base dugout. The two teams will play one 10-inning contest.

This is the second-straight fall in which the Gators and Dolphins have faced off in Jacksonville, once again coinciding with the excitement of the Florida-Georgia football weekend. Florida claimed the inaugural fall meeting against JU in 2024 after posting a 3-1 record across four fall exhibitions vs. Georgia in Jacksonville (2019, 2021-23). As a result, the Orange & Blue is 4-1 across five fall exhibitions played in Jacksonville dating back to the first year of the tradition in 2019.

Following an off day on Monday, Oct. 27, Florida will hold three open practices on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday prior to Friday’s exhibition. There will be open scrimmages on Tuesday (3:45 p.m.) and Wednesday (3:30 p.m.).

All fall practices and scrimmages are open to the public. Fans can access the concourse through Gate 3 of Condron Family Ballpark (located directly behind home plate).

Below is the current practice schedule for week four. All practice and approximate scrimmage times are subject to change.

Date	Practice	Scrimmage
Monday, Oct. 27	OFF	OFF
Tuesday, Oct. 28	2:00 PM	3:45 PM
Wednesday, Oct. 29	2:00 PM	3:30 PM
Thursday, Oct. 30	2:00 PM	NONE
Friday, Oct. 31	vs. JU	6:30 PM
Saturday, Nov. 1	OFF	OFF
Sunday, Nov. 2	OFF	OFF

*Scrimmages typically begin approximately 90 minutes to two hours into each practice

Additionally, Florida’s fall season features a second exhibition game against Georgia Southern at Condron Family Ballpark on Sunday, Nov. 9. Admission is free for all fans.