Daily editionFriday, October 23rd, 2026
Good morning, Fort Lauderdale.
The 5AM Fort Lauderdale Team
Here’s your local news at a glance for Friday, the 23rd of October.
Community
Fort Lauderdale's Broward County Animal Care urges residents to adopt pets as the shelter nears capacity with both dogs and cats.
The shelter will host a Pup-Or-Treat! Halloween Pawty on Saturday and lower fees to ease overcrowding (Director Doug Brightwell said economic challenges have slowed adoptions).
WSVN 7NewsRead more
Business
Tropic Ocean Airways will launch new flights between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Key West on Nov. 27, operating Thursday through Sunday with one-way fares starting at $199 + perks like complimentary valet service, a private lobby with Wi-Fi, and a baggage allowance.
NBC6 South FloridaRead more
Education
Kyla Hottz, a senior at Monarch High School in Coconut Creek, led homecoming events and a dance marathon that raised $18,000 plus worked with special needs students, earning praise from teachers and peers for her empathy.
NBC6 South FloridaRead more
Environment
Officials in Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale say king tides and heavy rain could cause widespread flooding over the coming weekend and early next week+ residents in vulnerable areas should prepare by moving vehicles and using sandbags.
CBS News MiamiRead more
Government
Experts warn that if Amendment 3 passes, the tax cut referendum will reduce the South Florida Water Management District’s funding by over $415 million in five years, risking staff and maintenance cuts for flood control that serves over 9 million residents + may shift funding decisions to state lawmakers.
WLRN Public MediaRead more
State funding of $200 million was added to FDOT’s five-year plan—completing the funding for the Northeast Corridor commuter train linking downtown Miami to Aventura that will eventually connect Broward and Palm Beach counties with five new Miami-Dade stations.
WLRN Public MediaRead more
Florida Insurance Commissioner Mike Yaworsky issued immediate suspension orders today to New Jersey-based iDeal Group, Inc. and New York-based First Premier Home Warranty Corp for selling unlicensed motor vehicle service and home warranty products in Florida, advising both to cease activity or face penalties.
NBC6 South FloridaRead more
Health
Yesterday, HHS leader Robert F. Kennedy Jr and state officials met with Dr. Oz and Sen. Rick Scott at Broward Health Medical Center to announce a $100 million federal initiative aimed at preventing Alzheimer’s and dementias following an FDA program unveiling.
WLRN Public MediaRead more
A routine mammogram found breast cancer in a 41-year-old South Florida mom+ she urges women to have regular screenings even when they feel healthy.
CBS News MiamiRead more