Florida
“I-4 to TEXAS”… A Florida Grassroots Disaster Relief Effort for the Victims of Hurricane Harvey
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) – On Sunday, September 3rd, donors and supporters gathered to send the first of five semi-trailer trucks filled with toiletries, diapers, pet food/supplies, nonperishable human food, water and more as part of a grassroots drive called “I-4 to Texas.” The event organizer and Florida National News contributor, Randy Ross, said, “This truly was a community movement to help the victims of the hurricane. This could just as easily have been Florida. We had donations driven in from Orange, Lake and Polk counties [in addition to] people from all over the State. It was refreshing to see Americans helping each other. ”
Chris Comins, a Belle Isle resident who funded the donation item transportation along with his girlfriend Ashley Morgan noted, “It’s great to see us come together as Americans putting aside our political differences. No matter your socioeconomic status or race or gender…seeing everyone come together warms my heart and makes me proud to be an American.” This is not Comins’ first generous offering to the community. As previously reported, Comins rebuilt the City of Belle Isle Police Department and is in the early stages of building a special needs park in Orange County’s Warren Park.
Over 20,000 pounds of pet food and supplies were collected. The Animal Medical Clinic of Orlando began an internal donation drive early in the week with so many pet supplies and food they needed a large box truck to deliver them. Organizers arrived with over 20 of their staff and volunteers at Belle Isle City Hall. Animal activist Ashley Morgan spoke to the outpouring of support for pets, especially for horses, “I am so happy we are part of this. Not only did you pull together to help people, but also dogs and cats, and cows and chickens and horses. Thank you so much.” Morgan also donated over 200 pounds of horse feed to the cause.
Chris Comins and Ashley Morgan
The Animal Medical Clinic of Orlando supplies
Cheryl Hall organized the Lake County effort. “This experience was very overwhelming and touched my heart like nothing else. This is about and should be about people helping people. I’ve never experienced a community coming behind an event like they did. It was a blessing.”
Cheryl Hall with Randy Ross
Students from all over, who received much needed community service hours, came out to learn the value of hard work and volunteerism. Four Boone High School students showed up multiple days to help in the community effort.
Boone High School volunteers (l-r) Conner Paffrath, Cole Hutto, Jameson Degan, Shane Hutto
While 1 of 5 semi-trucks is on the road to Houston, the balance of trucks, along with volunteers from Orange and Lake Counties, will depart for Houston on Tuesday. Ross shared, “We aligned with AmeriCorps as our delivery partner as we wanted to ensure the donations received would go directly into the hands of the people who needed them most. When we arrive in Houston on Wednesday, we will meet up with AmeriCorps and The American Red Cross to begin our distribution process.”
What started as a few bottles of water and a box of diapers at 8AM on Wednesday morphed into the following estimations on the five-tractor trailers in five days.Here’s the breakdown of what was received and his headed to Houston:
-Over 20,000 pounds of pet food and supplies. (including dog, cat, bird and horse)
-Over 75 pallets of water and Gatorade
-2,500 boxes of diapers and baby wipes
-6,000 pounds of nonperishable human food
-56 pallets of paper towels and toilet paper
-600 earphones valued at nearly $18,000.00
-3,000 blankets from a local resort
-25,000 individual toiletry items including toothpaste, toothbrushes, soaps, feminine products, deodorant, shampoos, hand sanitizers, first aid supplies and other hygiene items
The relief effort flier went viral and has been shared more than 1,000 times on Facebook.
The original donation estimate was $250,000.00 and now nears $300,000.00
The kickoff event concluded with Burma Davis Posey recognizing President Trump’s National Day of Prayer. All prayed. “I am so glad we recognized President Trump’s call for a National Day of Prayer. It’s going to take months, maybe years, for some to rebuild their lives,” Posey said. “This is a reminder of what made America great in the first place. By standing together and leaning on Gods wisdom we will save our beloved America. That continues to be my prayer each day.”
Orange County Commissioner Pete Clarke remarked, “This is just a great outpouring of support. I sure wish we could share this support and love 365 days a year. Imagine how much better our world would be?” Belle Isle Commissioner Bobby Lance added, “I couldn’t be more proud of how the residents of our community have come together.”
FNN News contributor Randy Ross will report live from Houston for Florida National News and provide feedback as to “I-4 to Houston” disaster relief delivery as well as the conditions in Houston overall.
Florida
DeSantis’ New Florida Congressional Map Could Spark Lawsuits, Legislative Showdown, and Statewide Protests
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a proposed congressional redistricting map that could significantly reshape Florida’s representation in the U.S. House ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
The proposal, released Monday, outlines districts that could favor Republicans in 24 seats, compared to four Democratic-leaning districts. Currently, Florida’s congressional delegation includes 20 Republicans and seven Democrats, with one vacant seat.
REDISTRICTING PROPOSAL & POLITICAL IMPACT
The governor said the new map reflects Florida’s population changes and fulfills his commitment to mid-decade redistricting. Lawmakers have been called into a special legislative session to consider the proposal.
The map appears to eliminate four Democratic-held seats, including a Tampa-area district represented by U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, an Osceola County district held by U.S. Rep. Darren Soto—the first Puerto Rican elected to Congress from Florida—and a Palm Beach-Broward district that could displace U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
The proposal also affects a majority-Black voting district spanning Palm Beach and Broward counties, previously represented by former U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, raising concerns about the future of minority representation.
Supporters, including Evan Power, say the map could better align districts with voter distribution. Critics, including Nikki Fried, have called the proposal unconstitutional gerrymandering. Florida law prohibits partisan gerrymandering, setting up potential legal challenges.
Rep. Tray McCurdy, D-Orlando and Rep. Angie Nixon, D-Jacksonville sit on the Florida Seal in protest as debate stops on Senate Bill 2-C: Establishing the Congressional Districts of the State in the House of Representatives Thursday, April 21, 2022 at the Capitol in Tallahassee, Fla. Rep. Daisy Morales, D-Orlando, joins the protest, holding a sign. The session was halted on the protest. (AP Photo/Phil Sears)
LOOKING BACK: 2022 PROTESTS OVER REDISTRICTING
The current debate mirrors tensions from 2022, when Democratic lawmakers staged a sit-in protest on the Florida House floor in opposition to a previous congressional map backed by DeSantis.
Lawmakers including Yvonne Hinson, Angie Nixon, Travaris McCurdy, Felicia Robinson, and Daisy Morales participated in the protest, temporarily halting legislative proceedings.
Morales, a member of the Congressional Redistricting Subcommittee and the only Hispanic lawmaker involved in the sit-in, strongly criticized the map at the time.
“Our democracy is being attacked. The governor eliminating two Black congressional seats is a power grab and it’s wrong,” Morales said in a written statement. “Stripping seats from Black representation is the same as saying the Black voice—the Black vote—doesn’t matter.”
She also warned about potential impacts on Hispanic representation:
“With this map passing, I’m deeply concerned it could target the only Puerto Rican representing Florida in Congress, Darren Soto, to benefit partisan interests. We don’t want to disenfranchise the 1.2 million Puerto Ricans in Florida.”
WHAT COMES NEXT IN 2026
As lawmakers prepare to debate the new proposal, Democrats are expected to push back through legal challenges, legislative opposition, and public advocacy.
The outcome of Florida’s redistricting battle could play a pivotal role in shaping control of the U.S. House and influence the national political landscape heading into the 2026 midterm elections.
Entertainment
160+ Bands, 5 Stages: Welcome To Rockville Returns to Daytona International Speedway May 7–10 with Expanded Fan Experience
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN) — Music set times have been released for the 15th anniversary of Welcome To Rockville, Florida’s largest rock, metal and punk festival, set for May 7–10, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway.
Produced by Danny Wimmer Presents, the four-day event will feature more than 160 bands performing across five stages, marking the festival’s largest lineup to date.
HEADLINERS AND DAILY LINEUP
This year’s festival will be headlined by Foo Fighters, My Chemical Romance, Guns N’ Roses and Bring Me The Horizon.
- Thursday, May 7: Guns N’ Roses, Five Finger Death Punch, Godsmack, Staind
- Friday, May 8: Foo Fighters, Turnstile, The Offspring, Parkway Drive
- Saturday, May 9: Bring Me The Horizon, Breaking Benjamin, Motionless in White, Lamb of God
- Sunday, May 10: My Chemical Romance, A Day To Remember, Rise Against, Yellowcard
FESTIVAL EXPANSION AND NEW FEATURES
Organizers announced several enhancements for 2026 aimed at improving the fan experience. A new “Pit Stop” fan zone near the Apex Stage will feature artist interviews, special performances and interactive experiences.
In addition, the Garage Stage will be fully tented for the first time, offering expanded shade coverage and upgraded production for attendees.
SPECIAL EVENTS AND EXPERIENCES
Festivalgoers can kick off the week with a pre-party on May 6 featuring performances by Fuel, Local H and others.
A new crossover event, “Blood4Blood,” will also take place at the Ocean Center, combining live music with bare-knuckle fighting, including a headline bout featuring Alex Terrible of Slaughter to Prevail.
TICKETS, ACCESS AND ATTENDANCE
Festival gates will open daily at 11:30 a.m. Organizers are offering a range of ticket options, including single-day, weekend, VIP and camping packages. A new Camp to Coast shuttle will provide transportation between the speedway and nearby beaches.
With expanded attractions, including rides, themed bars and interactive zones, Welcome To Rockville 2026 is expected to draw tens of thousands of fans to Daytona Beach, reinforcing its role as a major driver of Florida’s tourism and live entertainment economy.
Crimes and Courts
Florida Creates Public Assistance Fraud Task Force, Appoints Special Prosecutor to Crack Down on Fraud
