LAKE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — AdventHealth will host a grand opening ceremony for its new hospital in Minneola, marking a major expansion of health care services for South Lake County. Local elected officials, community leaders and residents are expected to join AdventHealth executives for the celebration.

The new facility is part of a broader effort to bring world-class, whole-person inpatient care closer to home for families across Minneola and the surrounding communities. South Lake County has faced a significant shortage of physicians across nearly every specialty, and the new hospital aims to help meet that growing demand.

AdventHealth Minneola is located within a newly developed district that will feature shopping, entertainment, housing and green space, creating a centralized hub for both residents and visitors.

WHEN:
Tuesday, Dec. 9
Arrival time: 10 a.m.
Program begins: 10:15 a.m.

WHERE:
1800 North Hancock Road
Minneola, FL 34715

SANFORD, Fla. (FNN) — Inside Elections has revised its rating for Florida’s 7th Congressional District from “Solid Republican” to “Likely Republican,” signaling a notable shift toward Democrats as Navy veteran and former NASA Chief of Staff Bale Dalton builds momentum in his challenge against Republican Rep. Cory Mills.

The nonpartisan election analyst cited a series of controversies surrounding Mills, including past allegations of assault, a court-issued restraining order, and an ongoing ethics investigation involving potential financial conflicts tied to government arms contracts. Inside Elections noted that “Mills’ baggage makes this one to watch.”

Dalton said the rating change reflects growing dissatisfaction among voters in Central Florida. “Today’s news proves what we see on the ground every day: voters are fed up with politicians like Cory Mills,” Dalton said. “Families in Central Florida want lower costs, safer neighborhoods, opportunities to thrive, and a representative who works for them — not himself.”

Dalton pointed to his 23 years of military service as preparation for what he calls a leadership approach rooted in putting “mission over ego and people over politics.” He added, “That’s the kind of leadership Florida needs, and that’s why I am ready to beat Cory Mills next November.”

CASSELBERRY, Fla. (FNN) — Noah Widmann, the Democratic candidate for Florida’s 7th Congressional District, said Wednesday that momentum is building for his campaign as Inside Elections shifted the district’s rating from “Strong Republican” to “Likely Republican.”

Widmann said the change reflects growing Democratic enthusiasm and his campaign’s expanding outreach. “Our work is making a real impact, but we can’t take our foot off the gas now,” Widmann said. “Every week, we’ll keep showing up for our community, keep holding Republicans accountable, and keep working to beat Mills.”

Widmann is the only congressional Democratic challenger in the nation to outraise an incumbent opponent for two consecutive quarters, reporting more than $500,000 raised across Q1 and Q2. His campaign has also secured endorsements from a majority of Democratic elected officials in Seminole County, including Oviedo Deputy Mayor Natalie Teuchert, Casselberry Commissioner Thomas Kirk, Sanford Commissioner Claudia Thomas, and Winter Springs Commissioner Sarah Baker.

Additional supporters include Lt. Col. (Ret.) Alexander Vindman, civil rights leader LaVon Bracy, and former Congresswoman and Florida Democratic Party Chair Karen Thurman.