FAQ

• U.S. Rep. Cory Mills is facing a Department of Justice criminal investigation, according to multiple published reports, adding to an already growing list of legal troubles for the Central Florida Republican.
• The focus of the DOJ investigation remains unclear. A source told multiple outlets that at least one person was contacted last year about finances and allegations of misconduct, according to those reports.
• The DOJ inquiry is not Mills’ first brush with investigators. The House Ethics Committee launched a separate investigation into the congressman in November. That probe covers potential misuse of office, unreported gifts, and sexual misconduct involving his former girlfriend. Mills has denied any wrongdoing.
• The new investigation follows a judge’s decision earlier this month to dismiss a lawsuit that sought to remove Mills from the Aug. 18 Republican primary ballot. The plaintiff, a political opponent, argued that Mills’ qualifying paperwork was not properly notarized. That opponent is appealing the ruling.

Through the 2000's and 2010's I think the general consensus was Tampa and Orlando were more or less neck and neck as cities, and that Orlando had the better Downtown. But fast forward to today, and it seems like Orlando has really stagnated, while Tampa is in boom mode.

Downtown Orlando has no major construction projects (200+ feet tall) right now, and hasn't had any since Society completed construction 3 years ago. Meanwhile, Tampa has the 500 foot One Tampa under construction, the 400 foot Pendry under construction, Related Group just broke ground on a 24 story tower, the 300 foot Midtown East and AER projects were just completed, etc. plus numerous projects proposed from Gas Worx, to Water Street Tampa, Ora Tower, Ybor Harbor, and a planned building boom in Tampa Heights.

Likewise, St. Pete and Ft. Lauderdale, two cities that were always considered a tier below Orlando, have almost eliminated the gap, and most people would agree both have more lively Downtowns than Orlando at this point. Both of those cities are boom cities and both now have taller skylines than Orlando. The tallest building in Orlando would only be the 4th tallest building in St. Pete and the 7th tallest building in Ft. Lauderdale. This is mainly due to a burst of projects completed in those cities in the past 3 years.

It seems like Orlando is now more similar to Jacksonville, while Tampa has elevated into the clear cut #2 city in Florida only after Miami.

Thoughts?

Hey, I had insurance with Direct Auto until June 28, and my new insurance with GEICO starts on June 29. But Direct Auto is trying to charge me $150 for an alleged 24-hour lapse in coverage.
Their argument is that their policy ends at 12:01 a.m. on June 28, meaning I’d be uninsured for the rest of that day, which I’m skeptical about.
Am I being scammed out of this, or should I actually be worried about this supposed “24-hour” gap?

I moved into this house a month ago and its the first time its happened. I caught this little guy in my bathroom, far away from any doors or opening. I know there harmless and I quickly put him back outside. How often does this happen to you?

Croc for scale