New Laws, Busted Knees, and Sea You Later...

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As October begins, one must wonder what is scarier: Miami Seaquarium or eating peacocks?

Another week, another tank. Here are the latest average fuel prices around Florida.

Florida’s long-debated business rent tax on commercial leases will officially end on Oct. 1st, after 57 years in place. First enacted in 1968 and once set at 6%, the tax had gradually been reduced to 2% by June 2024 following years of lobbying from business groups. Lawmakers eliminated it entirely as part of a June tax package.

The removal of the tax is expected to save Florida businesses $1.15 billion this fiscal year and $1.53 billion next year. The Florida Chamber of Commerce says it will reduce the cost of living. The Chamber had identified eliminating the tax as a priority in its long-term “Florida 2030 Blueprint.”

Here is the list of the most notable new laws passed on Oct 1st: 

There are many myths of the Florida Man. They ride alligators, they eat peoples faces, but killing, cooking, and eating peacocks?!? The Florida Man was arrested on Sept. 23 and charged with aggravated animal cruelty after admitting he killed, cooked, and ate two of his pet peacocks during a feud with a neighbor. According to deputies, Vogt left a letter in the neighbor’s mailbox stating he killed the birds because she kept feeding them, describing how he slit one’s neck and fried it in a pan.

As stated in the affidavit, he also threatened to kill the rest of his peacocks upon release to prevent others from taking them. It remains unclear how many peacocks he owned. Court records show he requested a public defender, saying he could not afford a lawyer. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office described the killings as an isolated incident and said there was no threat to public safety.

Seven suspects have been arrested for stealing smoke detectors in connection with a massive theft ring. Investigators say that at least 44 smoke detectors were reported stolen from Home Depot in 17 Florida counties, including Miami-Dade County, Palm Beach County and others. A months-long investigation concluded on September 30th. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrests, confirming the thefts amounted to more than $800,000 worth of stolen smoke detectors.

Golf, shark bites, lightning strikes, and now ancient canoes?! After Hurricane Ian in 2022, a Fort Myers resident discovered a 9-foot wooden canoe that state archaeologists recently preserved. The archaeologist noted that this canoe is possibly from the Caribbean. Believed to date back to at least the 16th century, it shows tool marks from iron implements introduced by Europeans, though carbon dating results remain inconclusive. Florida leads the Western Hemisphere in canoe discoveries, with more than 200 sites and artifacts dating back as far as 7,000 years.

USA Water Polo and the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) have partnered to expand high school water polo across Florida, citing the state’s year-round pool weather, strong aquatic facilities, and existing programs as ideal foundations for growth. Leaders from both organizations emphasized the sport’s benefits. The collaboration aims to preserve and grow the sport by bringing it to more schools statewide.

A week before the Seminoles biggest game of the year, they were beaten in a double overtime game against the unranked University of Virginia. Thomas Castellanos and the Noles defense had a piss-poor performance, throwing two interceptions and allowing 46 points, respectively. This is a rough look for Florida State as they prepare for an in-state rivalry game against the Hurricanes on Oct. 4th.

The Miami Marlins had a 7-game win streak heading into a 3-game series with the Phillies last week, following the last series of the year against the Mets. If the Marlins would have won all of the final 6 games, they would have found themselves in playoff contention. They unfortunately fell short of that goal, but in the process, they improved their record by 17 wins from 2024. Most importantly, they knocked the New York Mets out of the playoff race.

Miami Seaquarium is officially closing. The historic venue is set for a major transformation under a proposed deal that was revealed in federal bankruptcy court. Developers plan to demolish the marine park and redevelop the site into a mixed-use waterfront destination, featuring a marina, restaurants, retail spaces, and a modernized saltwater aquarium. The 38-acre property on Virginia Key would also include dry-dock storage, public baywalks, and a conservation center. This shift would mark a departure from decades of dolphin and sea lion shows, with a new focus on educational programming and family-friendly attractions designed to better reflect Biscayne Bay’s natural environment.

The Dolphin Company, current operator of the Seaquarium, has agreed to shut down the park in 2025 and relocate all marine mammals by the end of this year. County leaders, including Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Commissioner Raquel Regalado, have endorsed Martin’s proposal, describing it as an opportunity to preserve the legacy of the Seaquarium while moving past the controversies of recent years, including eviction proceedings over alleged animal mistreatment.

Before the project can move forward, Martin must secure approval from both a federal bankruptcy judge and the Miami-Dade County Commission. Court records indicate Martin will pay $23 million to acquire the lease. If approved, the redevelopment will retain one iconic piece of the Seaquarium’s history: the golden geodesic dome designed by Buckminster Fuller. The plan has been framed as a “new era” for the site, combining Miami’s tradition of marine life education with modern amenities and expanded public access to Biscayne Bay.

Tyreek Hill’s season has ended… but hey, the Dolphins got their first win of the season. The cheetah-speed receiver suffered a knee dislocation with multiple torn ligaments, including his ACL, during Miami’s win over the Jets. With one ugly twist of fate, Hill’s career is on pause until at least 2026. According to Hill’s agent Drew Rosenhaus, the surgery went well. 

For the Dolphins, it’s a brutal loss. No longer do they have a game-breaker that can beat the defense on any given play. Jaylen Waddle must now step (waddle?) into the WR1 role. A patchwork supporting cast, including rookies Malik and Tahj Washington, veteran Nick Westbrook-Ikhine and tight end Darren Waller, will move into bigger roles. Even De’Von Achane might get split out wide just to fill the void left by Hill’s absence.

As for Hill, he was reportedly cracking jokes while being carted off the field, because nothing says “I just shredded my ACL” like never having to catch a pass from Tua again. On a serious note, the history isn’t kind: only three wideouts over 30 years of age have ever returned from ACL tears to top 750 yards. Miami fans can only hope he becomes the fourth. Otherwise, they may be left with old memories instead of new moments of Cheetah.