Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has vetoed a bill that would have given the state the power to close beaches if tests show water does not reach the state’s health standards.
DeSantis made the call this week, despite Floridians being warned against swimming due to “fecal pollution” just two months ago.
If the bill had gone through, local authorities of beach waters and public bathing places would have had to notify the Department of Health whenever testing water was below recommended health standards.
The Department of Health then “shall require the closure of beach waters and public bathing places that fail to meet the department’s standards if it deems closure is necessary to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public,” the bill read.
But Desantis wrote in his veto letter that the bill “suffers from a fatal infirmity” as it “grants authority to the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to close beaches, waterways, and swimming pools.”
AP
He said: “Health Departments like DOH can serve a valuable function, but they should not be vested with the power to supersede local jurisdictions regarding the operation of beaches.
“I have made water quality and protecting Florida’s natural resources a priority and my Administration will continue to do so, but this grant of power to DOH over Florida beaches is ill-advised.”
On June 13, the Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County Healthy Beaches program issued health advisories for Dubois Park, Sandoway-Delray Beach and South Inlet Park.
Sampling showed bacterial levels to be more than 71 colonies per milliliter of marine water, putting the beaches’ results in the “poor” category.
Anything that is seen as “poor” should be “considered a potential health risk to the bathing public,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
At the end of April, the same department told residents not to swim at several beaches, including Midtown Beach and Dubois Park, in Jupiter.
Water in these two areas had tested positive for high levels of enterococcus bacteria, which the department said “is an indication of fecal pollution.”
It added that this may “come from stormwater runoff, pets and wildlife, and human sewage” and could put swimmers at an “increased risk of illness,”
In both spots, water was recorded as “poor”, meaning it measured 71 or greater enterococci per 100 milliliters of marine water.
Infections from enterococci “are typically not considered harmful to humans, but their presence in the environment may indicate that other disease-causing agents such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa [a microorganic parasite] may also be present,” according to the EPA.
Newsweek contacted DeSantis’ press office, via its email address, for comment on this context and was directed to his veto letter.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Are you among the 3,000 who scored tickets to Ulta Beauty World or the 3 million who couldn’t nab any?
The nation’s largest specialty beauty retailer is hosting its second-ever convention at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida, on April 16.
Tickets went on sale Jan. 22 for just over $160 per ticket and sold out within minutes, according to reports. Ulta Beauty customers and beauty lovers took to social media to air out their frustration and disappointment, as officials promised to expand access for next year’s event.
For those who didn’t get tickets to Ulta Beauty World, there are still other makeup conventions and expos you can attend, some even in Florida.
As of April 7, Ulta has not released any additional tickets for Ulta Beauty World 2026 and has no plans to do so.
In a statement after the tickets sold out, Ulta said it would host giveaways for event tickets. In February, the company announced it was giving away 50 pairs of tickets.
As of March, the giveaway is closed, and all the winners have been notified.
Premiere Orlando is set for May 30 through June 1, 2026, with over 760 education classes, 400 educators and influencers, and 500 exhibiting brands. Like Ulta Beauty World, it will be located at the Orange County Convention Center.
However, it is only open to members and students of the professional beauty industry. Verification of credentials is required for all attendees. Check here for tickets.
There will be a similar convention at the start of 2027, with Cosmoprof North America spending its third year in Miami. The trade show says it is the only event in the Americas that “brings together the entire beauty industry—from skin care and makeup to fragrance, hair, and nails, while also representing the entire beauty supply chain.”
Tickets are not open to the general public, as they connect businesses. For those interested, tickets go onsale in August 2026.
The MakeUp Show is a convention open to anyone who works, studies or is interested in the beauty industry. It will be held in New York City from May 3 through May 4, with over 100 of the top beauty brands.
Tickets are still onsale, with prices starting at $54.
For those looking for an event similar to Ulta Beauty World, SEPHORiA is a multi-day expo for beauty lovers hosted by beauty retailer Sephora. It offers access to “breaking beauty news, master classes taught by beauty icons, talent meet-and-greets, and an on-site shop with exclusive merch and products only available for purchase at SEPHORiA.”
This year’s convention was held in March. Details for SEPHORiA 2027 have not yet been announced, as of April 2026.
Before you head into the convention, you will need to pay for parking, which costs $20 at the Orange County Convention Center. You may leave items in your car and return to the convention throughout the day.
You’ll find your ticket located in your email. A government-issued ID will be required for access and must match the first and last name on the ticket confirmation.
On its website, it states that the only rolling bag permitted on the expo floor is the Ulta Beauty roller bag, available for sale at registration for $50. All other bags are acceptable, provided they do not have wheels.
Before you head out, you should receive a swag bag valued at more than $2,000.
Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, 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.
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
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 Monday, April 6, 2026.
07-24-37-42-57, Powerball: 05, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 03-10-22-23-27
Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Morning: 09
Matinee: 07
Afternoon: 05
Evening: 13
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 8-8, FB: 5
Evening: 1-9, FB: 0
Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 9-9-3, FB: 5
Evening: 2-2-4, FB: 0
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 5-8-0-3, FB: 5
Evening: 4-2-3-3, FB: 0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Midday: 4-8-3-4-0, FB: 5
Evening: 7-8-5-7-0, FB: 0
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
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
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.
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
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.
A Florida doctor entangled in an embryo mixup lawsuit is being sued by another patient claiming he used a “severely mentally ill” woman as a surrogate.
Dr. Milton McNichol, along with Fertility Center of Orlando, IVF Life, IVF Orlando, are named in the new lawsuit filed in March in Seminole County. It alleges a woman in her early 20s was used as surrogate for her cousin and her cousin’s partner, despite the woman’s long-documented history of severe psychiatric illnesses, including Baker Act admissions and experiencing psychiatric instability at the time of the IVF procedure.
The unnamed woman’s attorney, Andrew Rader, said his client was in no condition to be a surrogate and could not meaningfully consent to it.
“This case reflects a profound failure to protect a woman who should never have been approved for surrogacy,” Rader told USA Today Network. “Our complaint details how family members manipulated and coerced a young woman with serious psychiatric illness into a surrogate arrangement she was in no condition to understand, while the fertility clinic and treating physician failed to carry out the most basic psychological screening and safeguards that could have protected her.”
The embryo transferred into the surrogate had a fatal genetic disorder, thanatophoric dysplasia, according to the lawsuit.
There were serious complications during the pregnancy, which Rader said resulted in profound trauma to his client. The baby died about 10 days after birth, causing the surrogate “devastating emotional harm.”
“She believed that the baby was biologically hers, and was further distraught when the baby’s remains were immediately taken out of the country,” Rader said. “The surrogate who is not mentally, emotionally or psychologically well is still seeking her son who passed away. She is fixated on finding her son.”
While there are no regulations set for using a surrogate, there are guidelines set forth by various reproduction and in vitro fertilization groups.
Proper psychological screenings are one of the guidelines. The lawsuit alleges the intended parents knew the surrogate was psychologically unfit and exploited both her impaired judgment and financial distress.
The intended parents do not have attorneys representing them yet, and attempts to reach them were unsuccessful.
Calls were left with attorneys who have represented McNichol, Fertility Center of Orlando, IVF Life, IVF Orlando in previous cases.
Rader said it has not been determined what monetary amount his client is seeking.
“We want to increase awareness on the lack of regulation in this industry,” he said. “If these cases push toward better regulation, more transparency, more mandatory guidelines, it would really be great.”
McNichol, the doctor who runs IVF Life, is being sued by a couple after the woman gave birth in December 2025 and it was determined the baby was not genetically related to her or her partner.
It’s believed the embryo mix-up happened six years ago when Tiffany Score had her eggs removed and joined with Steven Mills’ sperm through in vitro fertilization and resulted in embryos that were later frozen. Attempts are being made to determine the biological parents of the baby, and to determined what happened to Score and Mills’ remaining embryos.
In a recent court hearing, it was revealed that McNichol is selling his clinic as of May 1. The new owners have not been revealed.
Michelle Spitzer is a journalist for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. As the network’s Rapid Response reporter, she covers Florida’s breaking news. 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://floridatoday.com/newsletters.
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