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Meet the Central Florida umpires working the Little League World Series

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Meet the Central Florida umpires working the Little League World Series


WILLIAMSPORT, Penn. – It’s the summer vacation of a lifetime for Little League World Series umpires David Noegel and Eddie Smith.

Noegel, who lives in east Orlando, started umpiring in 2006. The West Point graduate and Gulf War veteran’s home base is Union Park Little League, but he works all over Central Florida.

“A couple of umpires I started out with kind of joked about how funny it would be if we got to the Little League World Series,” he said. “I mean, you never thought it was going to happen.”

Smith got his start calling balls and strikes in New Jersey around 1996. He now resides in Horizon West and calls games at Winter Garden Little League. Like Noegel, he also umpires games throughout the Orlando region.

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“This is a dream come true for me,” he said. “I got my recommendation, and low and behold, I’m here, and I’m tickled pink.”

Coincidentally, Smith was the first base umpire for Lake Mary Little League’s opening game against South Dakota.

[MEET THE TEAM: Lake Mary All-Stars]

“I had butterflies, but they were lined up,” Smith jokingly said. “I felt comfortable out there, and I mean, I took in the crowd, but that didn’t really affect me because of my preparation.”

Lamade Stadium, where Lake Mary played Wednesday night, has the capacity to hold a whopping 10,000 fans.

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“I did not anticipate how loud the crowd would be,” Noegel said. “Some of the verbal communication that you can do at a regular game, you can’t do that here.”

All 20 umpires working the Little League World Series are volunteers. While Little League takes care of their stay, the umpires’ travel costs are out of pocket.

“The volunteerism is embedded in (my heart),” Smith said. “The excitement I get when I see that child who’s timid but makes that great catch with a smile on their face does (my heart) good.”

[READ: Lake Mary All-Stars win first game in Little League World Series]

For both men, being an umpire has never been about making money but rather the love of America’s pastime.

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“It’s a way to stay connected with the game I grew up loving and playing,” Noegel added. “You can’t be an umpire and not love the game.”

The umpires were included in the same pre-tournament festivities as the teams. They were at the parade on Tuesday throwing out candy to the spectators, and when they were introduced at Wednesday’s opening ceremonies, the crowd gave them a big round of applause.

“We all looked at each other and said, ‘Gentleman, enjoy. Enjoy the cheering and applause. It’s the last cheering that you’re going to hear on your behalf. From this point forward, half the people are going to hate what you do,’” Noegel said.

“That’s part of the game,” Smith added. “The best feeling is when you walk off the field and they didn’t know you were there.”

Following Wednesday’s match against South Dakota, the Lake Mary All-Stars’ next game is scheduled for Friday evening.

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

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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

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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

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Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 26 drawing

Morning: 11

Matinee: 08

Afternoon: 14

Evening: 03

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Late Night: 01

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 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

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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

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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:

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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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Florida is bungling its food assistance money; it could hurt 3 million

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Florida is bungling its food assistance money; it could hurt 3 million



The Agrculture Department says the error rate in the SNAP food program for low-income families is high and might trigger a nearly $1 billion penalty.

Florida is not performing well when it comes to managing food assistance money.

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The U.S. Department of Agriculture released its fiscal year 2025 Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program payment error rates that measure how accurately states determine who qualifies for SNAP and how much they should receive.

Florida’s error rate for 2025 was 12.97%, which covers both overpayments and underpayments. The national payment error rate for fiscal year 2025 is 10.62%. The 12.97% is more than double the federal threshold of 6% percent that Congress says is acceptable.

The result is the state will have to pay a nearly $1 billion penalty and subsequently could impact the 3 million mostly lower-income Floridians, who rely on that program. Florida is now required to submit a corrective action plan to the USDA detailing a solution. 

Florida’s rate is actually down from the 15.1% error rate the year before, it’s still above a 10% threshold that would require Florida and other states to contribute to the program’s future costs. That would come to about $984 million for Florida in the fiscal year that begins in 2028.

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Change is part of President Trump’s ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’

This change is part of President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill” that focused on finding waste, fraud and abuse in numerous federal programs.

“These payment error rates are further proof that state accountability is severely lacking in SNAP,” U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins said in a statement.

Critics predict huge cost shift to state

The Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit research and advocacy group, called the change a “massive cost shift” from the federal government to the state.

“Now, unless Florida lawmakers act to raise revenue to preserve SNAP and make up for the loss in federal funds, we will see a cut to SNAP program eligibility or benefits, or cuts in other areas of the state budget,” said Holly Bullard, FPI’s chief strategy and development officer.

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The Legislature did approve about $4 million in the new state budget for improved methods of finding errors so the rate will go down further.

The federal bill pushed by Trump also cuts SNAP nationally by about $187 billion over 10 years. In Florida, in the first five months since the bill took effect, participation in SNAP (formerly known as food stamps) has dropped by about 10% statewide — more than 277,000 people.

Curt Anderson is the Policy and Politics Reporter for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY at https://tallahassee.com/newsletters.



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Florida tattoo shop refuses service to military and veterans for being ‘war criminals’

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Florida tattoo shop refuses service to military and veterans for being ‘war criminals’


A Florida tattoo shop is facing backlash following a social media post from the shop that said active-duty military members and veterans are not welcome at the company, prompting online criticism.

A June 23 post from Revival Tattoo Collective in Largo, Florida, read, “People all in their feelings because I expressed my opinion of the military and law enforcement. My opinion is that the military is a bunch of war criminals and law enforcement kills babies and unarmed citizens in the street. If you don’t like my opinion cool, but you’re not going to change it. Call me short, post records from 20 years ago, threaten the health dept, use homophobic slurs. That only proves my point and shows the true character of our military. Thanks for showing your true colors.”

The post added, “Once again for the slow ones the military. Pretty simple if you are ex military or currently serving just don’t come to the shop. You will be turned away.”

The shop was founded by Brady Martinson, who is described on the website as “a tattooist and sign painter — script, blackletter, and custom typography on skin. He treats every word as architecture: measured, weighted, and built to live a lifetime.”

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Revival Tattoo Collective founder Brady Martinson works on a customer at his tattoo shop in Largo, Florida. Revival Tattoo Collective / Facebook
Revival Tattoo Collective announced it will not serve military or veterans at the shop in Largo, Florida. Revival Tattoo Collective / Facebook

A few of the replies to the controversial post appeared to agree with the sentiment, with one woman saying, “The military preys on underprivileged youth by luring them in with promises to pay for college and makes it sound like it’s their only opportunity to get ahead in life. ACAB.”

ACAB is an abbreviation for “all cops are b—-ds.” 

But many of the replies were negative.

One person wrote, “This kind of thinking is disappointing and immature. Judging an entire group by the actions of a few is the same type of prejudice I’m sure you claim to oppose. (IE: Against a race, the lgbtq community, etc…) There are good and bad people in every profession and every walk of life.”

The post added, “Once again for the slow ones the military. Pretty simple if you are ex military or currently serving just don’t come to the shop. You will be turned away.” Revival Tattoo Collective / Facebook
The Homestead Air Reserve base honor Guard folds an American flag during a funeral service in Miami, Florida, on Jan. 24, 2009. Getty Images

They added, “I’ve served alongside people of every background imaginable and some of the most selfless, compassionate individuals I’ve met wear a uniform. Reducing millions of military members and law enforcement officers to the worst examples among them isn’t being “woke” or smart — it’s just bias. If you are going to reject stereotypes, you should reject them consistently. Heal yourself and break this never-ending cycle of conflict among humans.”

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Another person replied, “Lmao it must be so peaceful being this ignorant.”

“I don’t agree with your opinion, but that doesn’t mean I won’t fight for your right to say it. Please keep in mind that the First Amendment merely proyects [sic] you from being punished by the government for your speech. It does not protect you from the consequences of what you say,” another commentator wrote. 

One person replied to the post with a gif that said, “Stop breaking the law a–hole.”

Another posted a reply saying, “I’ll go and just wont tell you till after lmao,” and Revival Tattoo Collective responded to the post with, “No you won’t.”

In a statement to Fox News Digital, a spokesperson for the shop said, “Yeah I’m booked up I can’t take any clients military or civilian. Thanks for your interest on my opinion.”

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