The Ledger

July 16, 2026, 9:03 a.m. ET Florida has reported 10 cases of Vibrio vulnificus, a "flesh-eating" bacteria, so far this year. The bacteria is found in warm coastal waters and can be contracted by eating raw shellfish or through open wounds. Infections are rare but can be deadly, with about one in five victims dying from it. A second case of Vibrio vulnificus, the so-called “flesh‑eating” bacteria tied to warm coastal waters and raw oysters, was reported in Lee County, according to state health data.

July 16, 2026, 8:18 a.m. ET Disney's Animal Kingdom has opened a new walk-through habitat called "Jumping Junction." The experience allows guests to see kangaroos and wallabies up close at Conservation Station. "Jumping Junction" replaces the "Affection Section" petting zoo and is included with park admission. Disney's Animal Kingdom is inviting guests to hop into an all-new adventure.

July 16, 2026, 7:24 a.m. ET Almost 500 workers will be laid off at Amazon's fulfillment center in Port St. Lucie. More than 600 are being laid off at the company's Homestead facility. Amazon is making renovations at the two centers which are expected to take two years. Amazon will be laying off almost 500 Florida workers, starting in September. The layoffs are on top of more than 600 announced earlier this year at another facility.

Lakeland restauranteur Mario Scarpa, founder of Mario's Italian Restaurant, has died at the age of 90. Scarpa immigrated to the United States from Italy in 1948 and later served as a cook in the U.S. Army. He opened his first restaurant in Winter Haven in 1976 before expanding to Lakeland. Lakeland restaurateur Mario Scarpa opened a fine dining Italian restaurant in 1976 in Winter Haven, where burger chains and Southern food were more the staple. Scarpa died July 13 in Lakeland at age 90.

Republicans' goal 'is to starve and undermine the public school system every step of the way,' she says. James Call USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida July 16, 2026, 5:12 a.m. ET Gwen Graham criticized Republican-led school choice reforms at an evening forum in Tallahassee on July 15. The Jolly-Graham ticket is making education funding and accountability a central issue for the 2026 campaign. Republicans champion the reforms as providing parents with more educational options for their children.

Jeff Tillman, the former Auburndale city manager, will not face trial on a battery charge that led to his departure from the city.

During his campaign rally in Lakeland, Democratic candidate for governor David Jolly said he favors a moratorium on the construction of data centers.

Polk County's municipalities stand to lose millions in tax revenue if Florida's proposed property tax reform is approved in November, and officials are starting to discuss how to make up the loss of funds.

A new report finds Florida's housing affordability crisis is worsening, especially for first-time homebuyers. The time needed to save for a down payment varies greatly by city and profession, from months to over 40 years. For some professions like retail sales, homeownership is considered out of reach in major Florida metro areas. Miami is ranked among the nation's least affordable housing markets for first-time buyers.

Sign up to get Florida TODAY in your inbox weekdays. It's free! July 16, 2026, 5:02 a.m. ET Here's a quick glimpse of Florida TODAY: Remember the state parks whistleblower, Florida? He leaked plans for golf courses and lodges in nine state parks, setting off a public outcry. The Department of Environmental Protection fired him. GoFundMe donors sent him more than $250,000. Here's what he's doing with it.