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Kamala Harris campaign suggests Florida is in play: What polls say

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Kamala Harris campaign suggests Florida is in play: What polls say


Vice President Kamala Harris’ campaign is staying hopeful in its push to score an upset victory in Florida and capture the state’s 30 electoral votes in the November presidential election.

During a fundraiser in New York City on Wednesday, second gentleman Doug Emhoff told donors that Harris’ team is “going to see what we can do” in the Sunshine State, where Democrats lost to former President Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020.

“The map is wide-open, and we need the money to compete in seven and possibly eight states,” Emhoff said at the event in Brooklyn, per a report from ABC News correspondent Will McDuffie.

“I was just in Florida at the Villages and it was wild,” Emhoff added, referring to his campaign stop in Alachua County over the weekend. “It was way more people than we thought, and there was a lot of excitement, and we’re going to see what we can do down in Florida.”

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Vice President Kamala Harris speaks about Florida’s new six-week abortion ban during an event on May 1 in Jacksonville, Florida. Harris’ team has hinted that the Sunshine State may be in play for Democrats in…


Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Newsweek reached out to Harris’ campaign for further comment Wednesday night.

Florida has been regarded as a reliable state for Republicans in recent years under Governor Ron DeSantis’ administration. Democrats have won only five presidential elections in Florida since 1952—former President Barack Obama won the state in 2008 and 2012.

But with issues like abortion on the ballot this year in Florida, Democrats have kicked it up a notch. Democratic National Committee Chairman Jamie Harrison previously said that the party believes it “has a shot” at taking Florida and its 30 electoral votes, telling reporters this month, “I keep saying folks, they’re going to be surprised on election night about what happens in the state, that you can’t give up on Florida.”

According to polls, however, it is likely an uphill battle for Harris. Per FiveThirtyEight’s polling averages, Harris is down 3.6 percentage points to Trump (49.3 percent to 45.6 percent). President Joe Biden lost by 3.3 percentage points in Florida to Trump in 2020 despite winning the White House.

RealClearPolling gives the former president an even bigger lead, finding Trump up by 6 percentage points (49 percent to 43 percent). Pollster Nate Silver’s election forecast predicts that Trump has an 85.2 percent chance of winning Florida as of Wednesday.

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There are signs that Republicans could slip, however. In a USA Today/Suffolk University/WSVN-TV survey conducted from August 7 to August 11, Trump was found to be ahead by just 5 percentage points (47 percent to 42 percent), his smallest lead in a month. Florida Republican Party Chairman Evan Power later called the poll “extremely alarming.”

“Fellow Conservative, it is our job to ensure Florida, Donald Trump’s home state, is LANDSLIDE for him in November,” Power wrote in a fundraising email in August.

Trump is also slipping among Florida women, a key voter bloc ahead of November that the former president has struggled to rally nationwide. In a Florida Atlantic University Political Communication and Public Opinion Research Lab poll last month, Harris held a 10-point lead over Trump among female voters in Florida.

In a statement to Newsweek this month, Rachel Reisner, the GOP’s director of regional communications, dismissed any concerns over Florida flipping blue in the fall, saying, “Florida is Trump country.”

“In November, Florida voters will send a clear and resounding message: President Donald J. Trump is the only leader with a proven track record of making our nation prosperous and affordable,” Reisner said. “The movement to Make America Great Again is alive and growing, and it starts here in Florida.”

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Lake O had 81 algal blooms in 2 years near Florida slaughterhouse site

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Lake O had 81 algal blooms in 2 years near Florida slaughterhouse site



A Martin County slaughterhouse near Lake Okeechobee could increase toxic algal blooms in the C-44 Canal, St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon.

There have been 81 algal blooms in the past two years within 2 miles of a proposed slaughterhouse in western Martin County, according to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection Algal Bloom Dashboard.

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The slaughterhouse will increase pollution and bring more potentially toxic algal blooms to Lake Okeechobee, whose waters sometimes are released into the C-44 Canal and flow into the St. Lucie River and Indian River Lagoon in Stuart, opponents say.

Chancey Bay Ranch owner Tuny Mizrachi has proposed building a 56,784-square-foot slaughterhouse on 26 acres of his 2,046-acre-property at 8401 SW Connors Highway, abutting Lake O.

5 ways a slaughterhouse can increase Lake Okeechobee pollution

The Guardians of Martin County have raised at least five concerns with the Martin County Commission:

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  • Meat processing facilities, though necessary, have the potential to be noisy nuisances and significant sources of disease and pollution for air and water.
  • The facility would be a new source of pollution in a watershed that’s designated as “impaired” because of elevated concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus.
  • The facility would be a potential new source of pollutants near one of Martin County’s lowest income and most ethnically diverse communities.
  • There’s no evidence the facility has a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, or plans to follow effluent limitation guidelines or conduct water-quality monitoring.
  • The South Florida Water Management District has permitted the facility to withdraw 6.7 million gallons of water per year for 20 years from Florida’s surficial aquifer, despite it being subject to varying levels of saltwater intrusion, especially in Martin County. The SFWMD has designated all of Martin County a Water Resource Caution Area.

Blood, feces, oil, grease, ammonia and antibiotic residue from the proposed slaughterhouse would contribute to harmful algal blooms, including toxic cyanobacteria, Martin County Administrator Don Donaldson wrote to the DEP and SFWMD.

Tim O’Hara is TCPalm’s environment reporter. Contact him at tim.ohara@tcpalm.com.



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Florida Lotto $23.5 million prize on May 13. Winning numbers tonight

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Florida Lotto .5 million prize on May 13. Winning numbers tonight


Will a $2 Florida Lotto ticket make someone a millionaire this week? As they say in the lottery business, “it could happen to you.”

After one lucky ticket from a BJ’s Wholesale Club Liquors in Clermont, Florida, matched all six numbers in the Wednesday, Feb. 4, Florida Lotto drawing for $21.5 million, the jackpot reset.

The 27th rollover occurred after no one matched all six numbers in the Saturday, May 9, Florida Lotto drawing. That means the grand prize increased to $23.5 million for Wednesday, May 13.

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Check this story after 11:15 p.m. ET tonight to see the winning numbers for the Florida Lotto drawing on Wednesday, May 13.

In case you’re wondering, Saturday’s winning numbers were 39-21-20-34-6-52. Double Play numbers were 17-1-41-29-22-43.

Below is what to know about lottery odds, how long to claim the cash option if you bought a ticket in Florida, and what happens to unclaimed prize money, according to the Florida Lottery.

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Winning Florida Lotto numbers for Wednesday, May 13, 2026?

Florida Lotto drawings are at 11:15 p.m. ET every Wednesday and Saturday, including holidays.

Check this story after 11:15 p.m. ET tonight to see the winning numbers for the Florida Lotto drawing on Wednesday, May 13.

How do you play the Florida Lotto?

According to Florida Lottery game rules, Florida Lotto players pick 6 numbers between 1 and 53 or select a Quick Pick ticket. There are prizes for matching three to six numbers. Players who match two of 6 winning Florida Lotto numbers get a free ticket.

The Florida Lottery site states game add-ons include Double Play for $1, a bonus drawing where players could win up to $250,000 using the same numbers (Double Play drawings are held immediately after Florida Lotto drawings). Another Florida Lotto game add-on is EZmatch for $1 per play. If players match any EZmatch number to their Florida Lotto numbers, they instantly win that prize.

Tickets start at $2. Good luck!

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When was the last Florida Lotto won? How long has the jackpot rolled over?

The Florida Lotto jackpot was last won on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. BJ’s Wholesale Club Liquors on South Highway 27 in Clermont, Florida, sold the winning Quick Pick ticket worth $21.5 million.

The new lottery jackpot reset at $1 million for the drawing on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Below is a recap of lottery drawings for the latest streak.

  • Wednesday, May 13: $23.5 million
  • Saturday, May 9: $22.25 million
  • Wednesday, May 6: $21.25 million
  • Saturday, May 2: $20.25 million
  • Wednesday, April 29: $19 million
  • Saturday, April 25: $18 million
  • Wednesday, April 22: $17 million
  • Saturday, April 18: $16 million
  • Wednesday, April 15, Tax Day: $15.25 million
  • Saturday, April 11: $14.50 million
  • Wednesday, April 8: $13.75 million
  • Saturday, April 4: $12.75 million
  • Wednesday, April 1, or April Fool’s Day: $12 million
  • Saturday, March 28: $11.25 million
  • Wednesday, March 25: $10.25 million
  • Saturday, March 21: $9.25 million
  • Wednesday, March 18: $8.25 million
  • Saturday, March 14, Pi Day: $7.50 million
  • Wednesday, March 11: $7 million
  • Saturday, March 7: $6.75 million
  • Wednesday, March 4: $6 million
  • Saturday, Feb. 28: $5 million
  • Wednesday, Feb. 25: $4 million
  • Saturday, Feb. 21: $3.25 million
  • Wednesday, Feb. 18: $2.50 million
  • Saturday, Feb. 14, or Valentine’s Day: $1.75 million
  • Wednesday, Feb. 11: $1.25 million
  • Saturday, Feb. 7: $1 million

When is the next Florida Lotto drawing? What are the odds, chances of winning Florida Lotto lottery?

Florida Lotto drawings are held at 11:15 p.m. ET on Wednesdays and Saturdays, including holidays. According to floridalottery.com, players have a 1 in 22,957,480 chance to match all six numbers whether the jackpot is $1 million or $36 million. Prizes range from $2 to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.

The next Florida Lotto drawing will be on Saturday, May 16.

How long do you have to cash in a Florida Lottery ticket?

Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.

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Does the Florida Lottery reveal lottery winners? Can you stay anonymous if you win lottery in Florida?

According to Florida Lottery’s website, winners cannot remain anonymous: “Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner’s name, city of residence; game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information.”

However, the site states, the “names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner.”

Does Walmart sell lottery tickets? Where to buy lottery tickets in Florida

In Florida, most gas stations and some grocery stores sell lottery tickets. It’s harder to find a gas station that doesn’t sell Powerball, Mega Millions, Florida Lottery and scratch-off tickets than it is to find one that does.

Publix also sells lottery tickets and is known for selling many winning tickets. A lesser-known location is Walmart. Whether the Walmart location closest to you sells lottery tickets depends on your state and the store. Many Walmart locations in Florida have self-service lottery ticket vending machines or sell lottery tickets at the customer service desk.

You can use the “Where to Play” search tool on the Florida Lottery website to find a grocery store or gas station near you that sells lottery tickets.

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(This story will be updated to include new information.)

Lianna Norman and Jennifer Sangalang are trending reporters for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, lotteries, rocket launches, Florida wildlife, 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.



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Record-setting blue catfish caught in this Florida river

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Record-setting blue catfish caught in this Florida river


TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)— Florida has a new state record after a blue catfish was caught in the Suwannee River.

The 73.6-pound blue catfish is now the official state record, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission biologists.

Credit: FWC

Blue catfish were originally found in the Escambia and Yellow rivers in northwest Florida, but they can also be found in the Apalachicola and Suwannee rivers.

According to FWC, blues occur in big rivers and in the lower reaches of major tributaries. The catfish prefer clearer, swifter water than other catfish, and can usually be found over sand, gravel, or rock bottoms.

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Young blue catfish eat aquatic insects and small fish, but larger blue catfish eat crayfish, mussels, and other fish.

The previous state record was 69.5 pounds.



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