Your Florida Daily: Teen swept away by rip current, Brightline may extend railway to Tampa

Teams search for teen soccer player last seen in ocean

ORLANDO, Fla. – A 17-year-old is missing after rescuers along Florida’s Treasure Coast say a rip current swept him away near Jensen Beach.

Martin County Fire Rescue officials say they have been searching the ocean for Nick Alincy since Monday morning.

Sheriff’s officials say search teams used every tool at their disposal but so far there’s been no sign of the teen.

“We have an extensive area along the beach that we’re looking now. Really, this is a needle in a haystack type of a recovery operation,” said Chief Deputy John Budensiek, Martin County Sheriff’s Office.

Fire rescue officials have turned its search efforts over to the sheriff’s office.

According to a Facebook post from PSL Soccer Club, Alincy was a soccer player at St. Lucie West Centennial High School.

Local elections held today as Florida legislature advances special session bills

It’s election day in many cities across the state.

One of the biggest races decided today is Orlando’s mayor.

Buddy Dyer, who’s held office since 2003, is seeking his final reelection.

He’s going up against former Orlando commissioner Sam Ings, business owner Tony Vargas and Marine veteran Steve Dixon.

It’s an off-year election and leaders say turnout has been low, meaning each vote could make a big difference.

Meantime, the Florida House of Representatives is expected to pass several bills today that brought them to Tallahassee for a special session.

Among the legislation is a bill showing support for Israel amid its ongoing war with Hamas.

Another would set aside $35 million in security grants for nonprofits with most of that money specifically available for Jewish schools.

After the House votes today, the Senate is expected to pass the bills Wednesday before sending them to Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Tampa leaders test out new Brightline rail connection

With high-speed rail service now running from Miami to Orlando, an expansion to Tampa could be the next big thing for Brightline.

Leaders from the Bay area got to ride the train yesterday — stopping at multiple stations along the way.

Tampa Mayor Jane Castor says she wants to work with Brightline on an extension of the rail line.

“We know whenever somebody says how long does it take to get from Orlando to Tampa, the answer is ‘it depends,’” Castor said.

“I don’t know what time I’m going to get home, once we get a Brightline from Orlando to Tampa, I’ll know how long it takes.”

Castor says if an extension moves forward, it will be several years before it’s finished.

Random Florida Fact

The Odyssey 2001 Strip Club has been a Tampa landmark since 1971.

The UFO-like “spaceship” on its roof and its flashing multicolored lights is actually one of several dozen remaining Futuro Houses around the globe.

The rare Futuros were designed by a Finnish architect in the 1960s as portable ski chalets, but were later pitched as a futuristic housing solution.

The flying saucer homes were a dud but the one atop Tampa’s Odyssey 2001 is now the club’s VIP lounge.