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Dan Green worked in the Pentagon on 9/11, says courage he saw inspires him as he runs in CD 9

Republican congressional candidate Dan Green evokes memories of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in his latest television ad.

In a 30-second spot titled “Courage,” the Vero Beach Republican noted he was working at the Pentagon when American Airlines Flight 77 was hijacked and struck the building.

“On Sept. 11, 2001, when I walked into the Pentagon, I saw real courage that day,” Green says in the ad. “It’s what drove me to serve our country. And it’s what our nation needs in Washington, now more than ever.”

The attack killed 184 victims: 59 passengers and crew aboard Flight 77 and 125 people inside the Pentagon. It was one of four coordinated airline hijackings that day. Two planes struck the World Trade Center in New York, while passengers and crew aboard a fourth plane fought back against the hijackers before it crashed in Pennsylvania. The nation recently marked the 25th anniversary of the al-Qaeda-orchestrated attacks.

U.S. Chamber lines up behind Austin Rogers in CD 2 race

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce says Austin Rogers is the best person for voters to support in Florida’s 2nd Congressional District.

The nation’s biggest business advocacy group endorsed the Lynn Haven Republican.

“The U.S. Chamber is happy to announce our support and endorsement for Austin Rogers for Florida’s Second Congressional District,” said Moore Hallmark, Vice President & Managing Director of Regional Government Affairs.

“Austin is committed to fighting regulatory overreach and supporting pro-growth policies that will create jobs, grow the economy, and strengthen communities. The U.S. Chamber is proud to stand with him and looks forward to working together in the 120th Congress.”

The endorsement was among at least nine issued by the Chamber. The Chamber also endorsed U.S. Rep. Brian Mast, a Stuart Republican, for re-election. Rodney Davis, Head of Government Affairs for the Chamber, called Mast a “proven fighter” who “understands that free enterprise is the best path to creating opportunity, raising wages, lowering costs, and helping communities thrive.”

Florida Panhandle under hurricane watch ahead of Category 2 Isaias landfall

Hurricane Isaias could strike the northern Gulf Coast - potentially the Florida Panhandle - on Saturday as a top-end Category 2, or maybe even a major storm, the National Hurricane Center said.

Parts of the Panhandle are now under a hurricane watch or tropical storm watch, and up to five feet of storm surge is expected to lash the coast. Gov. Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency for 25 Florida counties in the north end of the state on Tuesday evening

“Floridians should take this time to get disaster plans in place and ensure their hurricane supply kit is stocked,” he said in a statement.

Isaias became a hurricane, the first of the season, just before midnight leading into Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

As of 5 a.m. Thursday. Hurricane Isaias had maximum sustained winds of 80 mph. The latest prediction calls for wind speeds of 110 mph at landfall, the very top of Category 2.

Blaise Ingoglia uses ‘ClaimYourCash’ program to return tens of thousands of dollars to colleges

Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia has returned more than $80,000 in unclaimed funds to three higher education institutions.

At a news conference, Ingoglia presented checks totaling $80,454 to the University of South Florida, Hillsborough College and Polk State College. USF received the largest share, $73,651. Hillsborough College received $4,384 and Polk State College $2,419.

The money was located through ClaimYourCashFL.gov, the state’s unclaimed property program, formerly known as Florida Treasure Hunt. Ingoglia announced the rebrand last month and marked the occasion by returning about $42,000 in unclaimed funds to the University of Central Florida.

“This is found money,” Ingoglia said. “It’s money that the (institutions) never planned on having but it’s there.”