The grand jury, convened by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis in December 2022, was tasked with investigating “any and all wrongdoing” related to COVID-19 vaccines. After a year-long review of documents, interviews with key witnesses, and an examination of the vaccine production process, the jury’s 140-page report paints a damning picture of a system rife with conflicts of interest, lack of transparency, and ethical lapses.

“While we did not find criminal activity,” the report states, “we did find a pattern of deceptive and obfuscatory behavior on the part of sponsors and regulators that often straddled the line between ethical and unethical conduct.” The report emphasizes that the absence of criminal charges does not equate to an absence of problems. On the contrary, it highlights systemic flaws that, if left unaddressed, will continue to undermine public trust in vaccines and the institutions tasked with safeguarding public health.

A system in need of reform

The grand jury’s findings reveal a litany of issues plaguing the vaccine development and regulatory process. Among the most alarming revelations is the failure of pharmaceutical giant Pfizer to disclose adverse events in pregnant women during one of its key clinical trials. These events were omitted from published studies in the New England Journal of Medicine and only came to light because Pfizer was legally required to post trial results on ClinicalTrials.gov.

The report also criticizes the FDA for its lax enforcement of marketing restrictions on vaccine companies. For example, Moderna’s 2021 ad campaign, which featured a former athlete urging Americans to “protect the team” by getting vaccinated, was allowed to run despite promoting vaccination in general rather than a specific product. This blurring of lines between public health messaging and corporate advertising raises concerns about the FDA’s role as a regulator versus a cheerleader for the pharmaceutical industry.

Perhaps most troubling is the “revolving door” between the FDA and the pharmaceutical industry, a phenomenon documented in a 2024 investigation by Peter Doshi, Ph.D., senior editor at The BMJ. Doshi’s research revealed that departing FDA staff often take lucrative positions in the pharmaceutical sector, where they continue to influence regulatory decisions “behind the scenes.” This cozy relationship, the grand jury argues, undermines the FDA’s ability to act as an impartial watchdog.

Recommendations for change

The grand jury’s report is not merely a critique; it is a call to action. The jury offers six key recommendations to reform the vaccine development and regulatory process:

1. Address the revolving door: The public must confront the pervasive conflicts of interest created by the movement of personnel between government agencies and the pharmaceutical industry.
2. Disclose safety signals immediately: Vaccine makers should be required to publicly disclose safety signals as soon as they are identified, rather than waiting for confirmation. The report argues that treating the public as incapable of understanding nuanced information is “infantilizing and paternalistic.”
3. Conduct updated clinical trials: Pfizer and Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccines should undergo updated clinical trials to address lingering questions about their safety and efficacy.
4. Ban direct-to-consumer marketing: The practice of pharmaceutical companies advertising directly to consumers should be prohibited to prevent the manipulation of public perception.
5. Publish anonymized patient data: Vaccine makers must swiftly release anonymized individual patient data from safety and efficacy studies after receiving FDA licensure.
6. Remove legal immunity: Companies that fail to comply with data transparency requirements should lose their legal immunity from lawsuits.

A call for systemic change

The grand jury’s report is careful to avoid taking sides in the polarized debate over COVID-19 vaccines. It acknowledges that the vaccines have been hailed as a “triumph of science” by some and criticized as recklessly overpromoted by others. Both perspectives, the report suggests, contain elements of truth.

What the jury seeks is not to fuel ideological battles but to spark a much-needed conversation about systemic reform. “If this Final Report accomplishes nothing else,” the authors write, “we are optimistic that it can elevate the debate around the many nuanced and specific issues involving these pharmaceuticals by clearly describing and contextualizing them.”

Governor DeSantis echoed this sentiment in a statement on X, emphasizing that the status quo is untenable. “The American people deserve transparency on how Big Pharma is using their federal tax dollars,” he said, “and they deserve regulating entities that operate as watchdogs, not cheerleaders.”

A blueprint for the future

The grand jury’s findings and recommendations represent a critical step toward restoring public trust in the vaccine development process. By shining a light on the ethical and systemic issues that have plagued the system, the report provides a blueprint for meaningful reform.

As the nation grapples with the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, this report serves as a stark reminder that transparency, accountability, and ethical governance are not optional—they are essential to the health and well-being of the American people. The question now is whether policymakers, regulators, and the pharmaceutical industry will heed this call for change or continue to prioritize profit over public trust.

For those who value natural health and informed consent, the grand jury’s report is a vindication of long-held concerns about the influence of Big Pharma and the need for a more balanced, transparent approach to public health. The time for systemic change is now.

Sources include:

• ChildrensHealthDefense.org
• APNews.com
• X.com

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody alleged that the Department of Justice informed the state that it had to suspend its investigation into Routh, citing a federal law about prosecuting crimes against significant public figures.

“It was made known that they intended to shut down our investigation and invoke federal jurisdiction in doing so,” Moody said Dec. 18 at a press conference. “We didn’t believe it should be interpreted in the way that they suggested.”

At the same time, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis wrote that the federal government has “stonewalled Florida’s investigation of the Trump assassination attempt at every turn” and that he supports Moody’s attempts to move forward in their case against Routh.

“The tide will turn on January 20th and we fully expect that the federal roadblocks will be removed,” he wrote on social media, referring to the date that Trump will take office. “The would-be assassin needs to face the full force of justice and the people deserve the truth about the defendant’s history, motivations and plan.”

The Department of Justice did not respond to an Epoch Times request for comment on Dec. 19.

At the same time, Moody’s office obtained a warrant for Routh’s arrest in mid-September, hours after he was allegedly discovered lying in wait for Trump armed with a rifle in Palm Beach County, Florida. After reportedly being shot at by a Secret Service agent, he fled and was arrested on Interstate 95 in Martin County.

After his arrest, a car crash occurred that injured a 6-year-old girl traveling with her family, Moody said during a press conference. The crash occurred in connection with the pursuit of Routh along the interstate, according to officials.

“As a result of that [accident], we felt compelled to seek justice on her behalf and her family that will never be the same as they cope with her injuries,” she said at a press briefing on Dec. 18.

Moody said the crash occurred after officials shut down traffic on I-95 as they tried to apprehend the suspect. A spokesperson for Moody said prosecutors will file the new charge when Routh is in state custody.

The multi-vehicle crash happened about 30 minutes after Routh’s arrest on I-95, according to the state’s investigation, but Moody alleged it was a result of his actions as he was attempting to evade capture. The girl suffered serious injuries, Moody’s office stated.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit for Routh, the accident occurred while authorities were apprehending him, about three or four miles south of where they stopped his vehicle.

Northbound traffic along the major interstate was halted because of the risk of the traffic stop and because it was not clear whether any weapons or explosives were inside Routh’s car, according to the affidavit. Southbound traffic was also halted as officials attempted to investigate his vehicle.

On Sept. 15, the Secret Service stated that one of its agents allegedly discovered Routh with his gun barrel sticking through Trump’s course perimeter fence as the then-former president was playing a round of golf. The agent opened fire on Routh, prompting him to flee in his vehicle before sheriff’s officials and other law enforcement arrested him along I-95 later that day.

Federal prosecutors said that Routh, whose residence is listed in Hawaii, allegedly waited for the president for about 12 hours and that cellphone data revealed he was in the area around Trump’s golf course and Mar-a-Lago for a month before the alleged assassination attempt.

Later, prosecutors said they discovered Routh had written a note that was left with an acquaintance. The note admitted he wanted to assassinate Trump because of the decision by the first Trump administration to withdraw the United States from the Iran nuclear deal that was signed by the Obama administration. Social media accounts associated with Routh also showed he was an avid supporter of Ukraine during the Russia–Ukraine conflict and had attempted to recruit people to fight.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Now a study recently published in Earth and Space Science confirms that about “three dozen” luxury high rise buildings in South Florida are “sinking”, according to a new report from Fox News.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Miami, Florida Atlantic University, University of Houston, University of Hanover, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, and Caltech.

It found that 35 luxury condos and hotels in Florida’s Sunny Isles Beach, Surfside, Miami Beach, and Bal Harbour have experienced subsidence in recent years.

The study analyzed Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar data and found affected high-rises sank 2-8 centimeters from 2016 to 2023. The University of Miami noted such settlement is common during and after construction. Most impacted buildings were constructed after 2014.

“We found that subsidence in most high-rises slows down over time, but in some cases, it continues at a steady rate. This suggests that subsidence could persist for an extended period,” the study says.

The Fox News report says that study authors attributed the sinking to sand grains settling more densely in limestone layers, possibly influenced by construction vibrations, groundwater flow, tidal movements, or stormwater injection.

“The discovery of the extent of subsidence hotspots along the South Florida coastline was unexpected. The study underscores the need for ongoing monitoring and a deeper understanding of the long-term implications for these structures,” one study author commented.

Senate Bill 1011 would end the drop off of mail-in ballots at 7 p.m. on the Friday prior to Election Day, which would be a major change from the drop-offs that are available until polls close on Election Day currently.

Mail-in ballots dropped off closer to Election Day, also known as “late earlies,” are often attributed to the length of time it takes to count ballots in the Grand Canyon State.

“Today me and my colleagues will be introducing legislation to get election results night of. AZ will no longer be the laughing stock of the nation and the last to announce electoral votes. The bill will incorporate the key differences between AZ and FL,” Petersen tweeted Wednesday.

In addition, the bill would require an early voting certificate to be signed by a voter as opposed to a mail affidavit envelope for those voting early in-person.

“Arizonans deserve timely and transparent election results. House Republicans will introduce legislation to move up the deadline for dropping off early ballots, ensuring counties have adequate time to process them before Election Day,” incoming state House Speaker Steve Montenegro tweeted on Wednesday.

However, some Democrats have expressed concerns that the proposed changes could hinder the ability for people to cast their ballot by limiting the drop off time frame.

“This is voter suppression plain and simple. Voters overwhelmingly support accessibility over speed of results. Let every eligible voter VOTE,” Sen.-elect Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, tweeted.

If the bill, which will also have a House equivalent, passes the Republican majority legislature, it will land on Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs’ desk.

“Faster election results should not come at the expense of voters’ rights,” Christian Slater, spokesman for Hobbs, told The Center Square in a statement. “As the State’s former chief elections officer, Governor Hobbs is open to proposals to speed up the counting process, but any solution must protect Arizonans’ freedom to make their voices heard at the ballot box. She remains committed to a voting process that maintains accessibility and integrity for all Arizona voters and guarantees safe, secure and fair elections.”

The speed of results has been a focal point in Arizona in recent elections, as the state holds many elections that yield close results.

(Mercola)—In a landmark ruling, the U.S. District Court in the Northern District of Florida upheld a state law banning the sale and distribution of lab-grown or “cultivated” meat.¹ This law, enacted by the Florida Legislature, specifically prohibits companies from selling any meat or food product developed from cultured animal cells, like those grown in bioreactors.

The case centered on Upside Foods, a company at the forefront of cultivated meat technology, which argued that its lab-grown chicken should be treated like conventional poultry under federal law. However, under Florida’s new regulations, these products are barred from markets statewide.

For Upside Foods, this means any continued efforts to distribute their products in Florida could result in criminal penalties, civil fines and stop-sale orders. With this ruling, the court’s stance signals support for traditional meat production over cell-cultured alternatives in the Sunshine State.

Upside Foods’ Challenge to State Regulation

Upside Foods petitioned the court for an injunction to stop the ban’s enforcement, claiming that Florida’s restrictions contradicted federal law, namely the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA). They argued that the PPIA gives the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) exclusive authority over poultry inspection and labeling, which should extend to their cultivated chicken products.²

Upside Foods also cited its history of marketing and distributing lab-grown chicken in major markets like Miami, claiming that the Florida ban has hampered its business plans, including partnerships with chefs and local events.

However, during the court hearing, the judge found that Upside Foods failed to show its lab-grown chicken fell under USDA definitions of “poultry” or “poultry products” as intended in federal law, making it unlikely to succeed in its argument that federal law overrides state regulations.

Federal law defines poultry products as any carcass or product made from a bird, but the judge found this definition did not clearly encompass cultivated meats developed from cells instead of whole animals. Without a precise federal standard for cultivated meats, the judge ruled that Florida’s law could stand because it does not directly contradict any federal law regarding poultry.³

In his judgment, Chief Judge Mark E. Walker observed that since the USDA has yet to issue specific standards for cell-based meats, Florida has the authority to regulate these products as it deems appropriate. This ruling suggests that, for now, individual states have discretion in deciding how or whether cultivated meats can enter their markets.

Food Safety, Labeling and Ingredient Standards at Issue

Upside Foods also argued that Florida’s ban imposed inconsistent standards regarding ingredient labeling and food safety. Under the PPIA, only the USDA sets requirements for the labeling and composition of poultry products in the U.S. However, the judge did not find the ban imposed any new ingredient standards that would conflict with federal law, as it outright prohibits lab-grown meat rather than imposing complex labeling requirements.

The court noted that without specific federal guidelines for cultivated meat, there was no basis to conclude that Florida’s ban on the product’s sale created an inconsistent or “additional” ingredient requirement. Therefore, the judge upheld that Florida’s law does not impose conditions in conflict with the PPIA’s inspection and labeling requirements, allowing the state to exclude lab-grown products from shelves without breaching federal regulations.

This case highlights the ongoing debate over whether lab-grown meat will be regulated and accepted across U.S. markets, or if states will continue setting their own standards for such products. The court’s decision sets a precedent that could embolden other states to pass similar laws restricting lab-grown foods.

“We are not surprised by the judge’s rejection of Upside’s preliminary injunction,” Florida Sen. Jay Collins told Children’s Health Defense. “The dangers of cultivated meat far outweigh any misleading environmental claims. Floridians will not be lectured by billionaires like Bill Gates on how to feed their families.”⁴

High Environmental Costs of Cultured Meat Production

While lab-grown meat is often hailed as a sustainable alternative, research reveals its significant environmental footprint. A recent life cycle assessment (LCA) from the University of California, Davis, examined the “cradle-to-gate” environmental impacts of animal cell-based meat (ACBM).⁵

The findings suggest that cultivating lab-grown meat is more resource-intensive than traditional beef production. Specifically, cultured meat production requires substantial energy and water for creating growth mediums, refining cell-culture components and managing bioreactor systems.

The process also involves high greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel depletion. When growth medium purification is factored in — a necessity for safe production — the carbon emissions for cultivated meat rise dramatically, in some cases exceeding conventional beef’s emissions.⁶ The environmental burden of fake meat, therefore, may be higher than previously estimated, challenging the assumption that lab-grown meat is inherently eco-friendly.

Another major challenge in cultured meat production is the removal of endotoxins, toxic byproducts from bacterial contaminants. Endotoxins pose risks to cell health, and their presence in animal cell cultures requires purification methods that are both energy-intensive and costly.

The study highlighted that removing endotoxins from growth media could add up to 25 times more environmental impact than baseline levels.⁷ For example, purifying the medium for cultured meat production to meet food-grade standards consumes significant energy, exacerbating the production’s carbon footprint.

Current methods for endotoxin removal rely on advanced chemical processes, which drive up both resource use and emissions. This means the environmental toll from cultured meat production offsets its perceived sustainability benefits.

Dependence on Highly Refined Growth Mediums

Lab-grown meat relies on specific nutrients, proteins and vitamins to grow cells effectively in bioreactors. These refined components are typically sourced from animal byproducts like fetal bovine serum (FBS), which poses ethical and environmental issues. While alternatives to FBS are being explored, they still require a high degree of refinement to ensure cell safety.

Purifying these materials introduces significant environmental and financial costs, given the energy and resources needed to prevent contamination. The Davis study modeled scenarios involving refined mediums, finding that production of 1 kilogram of ACBM could demand over 1,000 liters of growth medium, depending on purity needs.⁸

This substantial input places further strain on the environment, countering claims that cultured meat is a low-impact alternative to livestock. Further, for lab-grown meat to become a staple, the industry must scale production, which would require extensive new infrastructure and energy investment.

The Davis study estimates that an industrial-scale lab-grown meat facility would demand nearly 10 million liters of bioreactor capacity.⁹ This massive infrastructure expansion would require high energy inputs and specialized facilities, which further add to its environmental costs.

Meeting production demands would also necessitate scaling the supply of growth medium components, intensifying the environmental load. Additionally, maintaining clean rooms and running bioreactors on a continuous cycle for mass production would multiply these energy requirements.

Lab-Grown Meat Poses Health Risks from Cellular Dysregulation

Lab-grown meat faces health risks linked to the process of cell culture. Culturing cells for meat requires extensive replication and division, raising the possibility of cellular dysregulation, a condition observed in cancer cells. Such uncontrolled cellular changes could alter the structure or nutritional properties of the meat, with unknown implications for human health.¹⁰

While production facilities may eliminate abnormal cell lines, the rapid, repeated cell divisions needed to create lab-grown meat introduce variability and the risk of unexpected biological behaviors. These concerns remain largely unexplored, as studies have yet to fully examine the health impact of long-term consumption of lab-grown meat.

Cultured meat’s nutritional profile may also lack the diversity and quality found in conventional meat. Lab-grown meat production allows some control over fat content but fails to naturally provide essential micronutrients like vitamin B12 and iron, both vital for human health.

Attempts to artificially enrich cultured meat with these nutrients risk compromising the natural matrix that enhances nutrient bioavailability in traditional meat. Moreover, studies suggest that the growth medium’s composition could inadvertently inhibit the absorption of certain micronutrients.¹¹ In other words, lab-grown meat could end up offering a nutritionally inferior product, lacking in essential compounds typically provided through whole animal sources.

Additionally, ethical debates persist. While lab-grown meat may use fewer animals, it still relies on animal-derived cells, negating its “cruelty-free” narrative. For consumers who value real, whole foods, lab-grown meat’s engineered origins are far from natural.

Fake Meat Is an Ultraprocessed Food Product

Fake meats are not primarily about health or environmental benefits; instead, they’re a means to phase out traditional farming and replace it with ultraprocessed, patent-controlled food products. If government and corporate entities gain control over food production through lab-grown options, they ultimately gain more control over the people.

Further, lab-grown meat products are examples of highly processed foods that come with a range of significant health risks. These ultraprocessed foods (UPFs) are a disaster for your health, even if they’re “animal-free” or “plant-based.”

A study using data from the UK Biobank analyzed the cardiovascular impacts of UPFs within plant-based diets, showing that a 10% increase in plant-based UPFs raised cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by 5% and increased CVD mortality risk by 12%.¹²

Conversely, every 10% increase in consumption of minimally processed, plant-based foods was associated with a 7% reduction in CVD risk and a 13% reduction in CVD mortality. These findings suggest that the degree of food processing — rather than simply whether a food is plant-based — plays a key role in health outcomes.

Despite the growing popularity of plant-based meat alternatives, the evidence warns that their ultraprocessed nature undermines any perceived health benefits. These findings bring attention to the risks associated with other highly processed alternatives, such as lab-grown meat, which involves extensive processing methods similar to UPFs.

A Step Toward Consumer Protection Against Experimental, Ultraprocessed Foods

Florida’s ruling sets an important precedent in safeguarding consumers from the risks associated with lab-grown meats. From unknown health impacts to high environmental costs, these ultraprocessed products carry serious concerns that traditional food systems do not.

This decision stands as a critical move toward ensuring food safety, transparency and public health. By maintaining standards that favor traditional food sources, this ruling moves us closer to safeguarding the food supply against lab-grown products that remain more hype than health.

• ^1, 2, 3 Upside Foods V. Wilton Simpson October 11, 2024
• ⁴ Children’s Health Defense, The Defender October 23, 2024
• ^{5, 6, 7, 8, 9} bioRxiv April 21, 2023
• ^10, 11 Front. Nutr., February 6, 2020, Sec. Nutrition and Food Science Technology, Volume 7 – 2020
• ¹² The Lancet Regional Health Europe August 2024, Volume 43, 100948

FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell confirmed on Saturday that Marn’i Washington was fired after whistleblowers revealed her explicit orders to “avoid homes advertising Trump” while canvassing Lake Placid, Florida. These instructions were not only given verbally but also documented in writing—raising serious questions about internal oversight at FEMA.

“More than 22,000 FEMA employees every day adhere to FEMA’s core values and are dedicated to helping people before, during and after disasters, often sacrificing time with their own families to help disaster survivors,” Criswell said in a statement. “Recently, one FEMA employee departed from these values to advise her survivor assistance team to not go to homes with yard signs supporting President-elect Trump.”

How can we trust an agency tasked with aiding all Americans when it allows political bias like this? It’s nothing short of disgraceful—this blatant disregard for neutrality is alarming.

“This is a clear violation of FEMA’s core values and principles to help people regardless of their political affiliation. This was reprehensible,” Criswell continued.

Criswell’s condemnation may sound strong on paper but does it reflect genuine accountability or merely damage control following public outrage? It begs the question: how many other employees share Washington’s views?

“I want to be clear to all of my employees and the American people, this type of behavior and action will not be tolerated at FEMA and we will hold people accountable if they violate these standards of conduct,” Criswell added.

Yet here lies another inconsistency: why did it take so long for decisive action against Washington? Reports indicate as many as 20 homes were neglected due solely because they displayed pro-Trump sentiments between late October and November—a staggering number considering these individuals desperately needed aid amid natural disasters.

Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna called the Daily Wire report “sickening,” voicing legitimate concerns about potential discrimination against her constituents impacted by Hurricane Helene and Milton.

I just took swift action for the American people, and I’m demanding answers from @FEMA_Deanne on why Americans were discriminated against by their government based on who they support in an election. The findings are revolting, and we need accountability.

You have until 11/25. pic.twitter.com/Jz2gQVmhpc

— Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (@RepLuna) November 9, 2024

“My district was one of the most heavily impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, and it has been sickening to hear that more than half of my constituents were discriminated against for their political beliefs,” she said.

Luna points out what should alarm us all—the audacity with which government officials operate under perceived impunity when targeting everyday citizens based on their politics.

“Big government bureaucrats despise everyday Americans because they are not politically expedient for them.”

Her assertion rings true; bureaucratic elitism breeds contempt towards those who dare oppose progressive narratives even in times when solidarity should prevail over partisanship.

“I demand answers from FEMA Administrator Criswell,” Luna declared passionately. “Congress must fully investigate this matter. The days of putting Americans and America last are over.”

Criswell must address hard-hitting inquiries surrounding how such disgraceful conduct persisted unchecked within her agency until now—not simply fire someone amidst mounting pressure without addressing systemic issues contributing toward this failure!

“It is completely unacceptable that a FEMA official was allowed to exploit Hurricane Milton…”

Disasters should unify us rather than expose our divisions—yet here we stand today witnessing politics hijack humanitarian efforts at precisely our nation’s weakest moments!

The House Oversight Committee will be holding a heading about this later in November.

BREAKING

I’m calling on FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell to appear & testify before the House Oversight Committee at a hearing on November 19.

FEMA has a responsibility to all Americans & @GOPoversight is committed to ensuring FEMA adheres to its disaster relief mission. pic.twitter.com/5HbWhHsgOI

— Rep. James Comer (@RepJamesComer) November 9, 2024

Trump’s administration must commit to a serious overhaul of FEMA.

Story generated from corporate media reports.

“On the forecast track, the center of Milton will move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico today, make landfall along the west-central coast of Florida late tonight or early Thursday morning, and move off the east coast of Florida over the western Atlantic Ocean Thursday afternoon,” NHC wrote in an advisory note.

The latest forecast states Milton will make landfall near Sarasota between 0200 ET and 0600 ET Thursday morning as a Category 4 storm.

One of the main concerns across the Tampa to Sarasota region will be the storm’s dangerous eye and eyewall unleashing record storm surges. Warnings have already been posted for much of Florida’s western coast.

Storm surge plus wave heights. Not good pic.twitter.com/SPpSM0o4MY

— The American Storm (@BigJoeBastardi) October 9, 2024

Not good.

Wow! Watch this catastrophic simulation of Hurricane Milton

Milton is predicted to hit as a Category 5 hurricane with storm surges up to 15 feet in the Tampa area then will move across Florida

If you are in Milton’s path with evacuation orders, leave now

Do NOT wait pic.twitter.com/Nfv6LIQ8Bv

— Kylie Jane Kremer (@KylieJaneKremer) October 8, 2024

“Tampa is on a knife’s edge, but Sarasota, Siesta Key, Venice, Englewood, Port Charlotte, and Punta Gorda continue to look to experience the worst of the storm surge under this scenario,” Ben Noll, a meteorologist with New Zealand’s National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research, wrote on X.

The overnight ECMWF nudges slightly north with #Milton, with the eye forecast to pass near the southern end of Tampa Bay.

Tampa is on a knife's edge, but Sarasota, Siesta Key, Venice, Englewood, Port Charlotte, and Punta Gorda continue to look to experience the worst of the… pic.twitter.com/DAqnVxHJ4v

— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) October 9, 2024

Noll continued.

As of early Wednesday, #Milton remained a category 5 storm with a central pressure of 907 hPa, continuing to rank in the top-10 most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record from a pressure perspective.

Landfall in #Florida is only about 20 hours away from now. pic.twitter.com/wUO3TdJ3za

— Ben Noll (@BenNollWeather) October 9, 2024

Since Sunday, evacuations in the state have been the largest since 2017.

According to the Florida Division of Emergency Management, here are the areas under mandatory evacuation orders:

Charlotte County; Citrus County; Collier County; Hillsborough County; Hernando County; Lee County; Levy County; Manatee County; Pasco County; Pinellas County; Sarasota County; St. John’s County and Volusia County;

And voluntary evacuation orders:

Glades County; Okeechobee County; Dixie County; Hardee County; Miami-Dade County and Union County.

Evacuation order map:

GTFO.

Officials are urging residents along Florida's Gulf Coast to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Milton, with the Tampa mayor saying, "If you choose to stay in one of those evacuation areas, you're going to die."⁣ pic.twitter.com/NTg683IJRH

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) October 8, 2024

Massive evacuations in Florida due to Hurricane Milton. This is I-75 in Tampa. pic.twitter.com/owHfH8v8sj

— T_CAS videos (@tecas2000) October 8, 2024

A mass evacuation is in progress in Sarasota, Florida, following the upgrade of Hurricane Milton to a Category 5. Here’s a look at the northbound traffic on I-75 as residents make their escape.@MyRadarWX #flwx #hurricane #milton pic.twitter.com/vC2pEvxLR2

— Jordan Hall (@JordanHallWX) October 7, 2024

Meanwhile, Tampa-area Sheriff Chad Chronister of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office told residents anyone who has not evacuated is “on their own.”

Chances are pretty strong that this is all just one big coincidence, that two of the most powerful hurricanes to hit the United States in modern history happened less than two weeks apart a month before the most important presidential election of our lifetimes.

Then again, who believes in coincidences? We discussed on today’s episode of The JD Rucker Show.