IT IS SUNDAY, MAY 10TH. I’M NIKITA RAMOS WITH A LOOK AT YOUR NEWS TO GO ON THE TREASURE COAST. A HEARTWARMING REUNION BETWEEN FIRST RESPONDERS AND A LITTLE GIRL THEY HELPED SAVE AFTER A DOG ATTACK LAST YEAR LEFT HER WITH SEVERE FACIAL INJURIES. NOW, AFTER SURGERY AND RECOVERY, SHE’S BACK TO SEE THEM AGAIN. HEALTHY AND SMILING. HER FAMILY AND RESCUERS SAY IT IS AN EMOTIONAL MOMENT, SEEING JUST HOW FAR SHE HAS COME IN MIAMI. 11 PEOPLE ARE IN THE HOSPITAL AFTER A BOAT EXPLOSION. SEVERAL SUFFERED SEVERE BURNS AND MULTIPLE CREWS WERE CALLED TO RESPOND. MIAMI FIRE RESCUE SAYS THESE EXPLOSIONS SPIKED THIS TIME OF THE YEAR, AND BOATERS NEED TO TAKE KEY SAFETY PRECAUTIONS. CONDITIONS OF THOSE INJURED ARE STILL UNCLEAR. SAINT LUCIE COUNTY DEPUTIES ARREST A FORT PIERCE MAN AFTER WHAT THEY CALL A LENGTHY DRUG INVESTIGATION. THIS IS WHO THEY SAY IS 58 YEAR OLD HERIBERTO ORTIZ, ACCUSED OF TRAFFICKING ONE OUNCE LEVEL AMOUNTS OF FENTANYL. HE IS NOW FACING FEDERAL CHARGES AND REMAINS IN THE SAINT LUCIE COUNTY JAIL. NIKKI. AND ON THIS MOTHER’S DAY, IT IS GOING TO BE ANOTHER HOT AND HUMID ONE WITH FEELS LIKE TEMPERATURES IN THE UPPER 90S AND HUNDREDS. BUT AS WE HEAD INTO THIS EVENING, WE DO HAVE THE POTENTIAL FOR SOME ISOLATED SHOWERS AND STORMS AND A SMALL SLIVER OF THE TREASURE COAST. UNDER A LEVEL ONE OUT OF FIVE RISK OF SEVERE WEATHER. SO WE COULD SEE AN ISOLATED SEVERE STORM THROUGH THAT AREA LATER ON TODAY, WITH THE MAIN THREAT BEING SOME GUSTY WINDS AS WELL AS SOM
Former Florida Congressman Bill Posey, who represented Indian River County, dies at 78
Updated: 10:23 AM EDT May 10, 2026
Video above: News and weather for Sunday, May 10, 2026 A former U.S. House of Representatives member who represented Indian River County has died.Republican Rep. Mike Haridopolos, of Florida’s 8th congressional district, which includes Indian River County, announced Sunday morning that former Congressman Bill Posey died Saturday at age 78.A cause of death was not revealed.Posey was a Republican congressman from 2009 to 2025. Prior to redistricting in 2010, Indian River County was in the 15th congressional district which Posey won in 2008 and 2010.After redistricting in 2010, Indian River County was placed in the 8th congressional district that normally included Brevard County and part of Orange County.“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former United States Congressman Bill Posey, who passed away yesterday surrounded by the love of his family,” Haridopolos said in a statement on Sunday morning. “Bill dedicated his life to serving the people of Florida and our nation with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to public service. His passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned decades of leadership at the local, state, and federal levels. He approached public office not as a path to personal recognition, but as a solemn responsibility to serve others honorably, faithfully, and effectively.”Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 NewsAccording to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Posey was born on December 18, 1947, in Washington, D.C. Posey was a graduate of Cocoa High School in Brevard County. His political career included being a member of the Rockledge city council from 1976 to 1986, a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 to 2000 and the Florida Senate from 2000 to 2008.Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.Below is Rep. Haridopolos’ statement on the death of Posey: “It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former United States Congressman Bill Posey, who passed away yesterday surrounded by the love of his family.Bill dedicated his life to serving the people of Florida and our nation with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to public service. His passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned decades of leadership at the local, state, and federal levels. He approached public office not as a path to personal recognition, but as a solemn responsibility to serve others honorably, faithfully, and effectively.His legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched, the communities he strengthened, and the values he championed throughout his years of service. Those who knew Bill personally understood that beyond the titles and accomplishments was a kind, grounded, and deeply loyal man who loved his family above all else.During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and childhood sweetheart, Katie, and their two daughters, Cathi and Pamela. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Posey family, his friends, former staff members, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him. May they find comfort in the extraordinary impact of his life and service.Congressman Posey represented Florida in the United States House of Representatives from 2009 to 2025, following distinguished service in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. Throughout his career, he earned a reputation as a principled conservative, a steadfast advocate for fiscal responsibility and government transparency, and a tireless supporter of America’s space program and the communities he proudly represented along Florida’s Space Coast.Bill Posey will be remembered with gratitude, admiration, and profound respect. His dedication to public service, his love for Florida, and his steadfast belief in the promise of America will never be forgotten.”Other Republicans sent their condolences after learning of Posey’s death.FLORIDA SEN. ASHLEY MOODYCongressman Bill Posey was a friend, a true statesman, and a Florida legend who left our state better than he found it. His legacy of service to Florida and our nation will endure for generations. I had the pleasure of celebrating his granddaughter’s wedding with him just last weekend. He will be deeply missed.REP. BYRON DONALDS OF FLORIDA’S 19TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTMy friend, Rep. Bill Posey, passed away last night at the age of 78. Bill served the people of Florida in Congress, the Florida Senate, and the Florida House. Erika and I are praying for his wife Katie, and his entire family. Rest in Peace Bill, you were truly one of the best!REP. DANIEL WEBSTER OF FLORIDA’S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTI am heartbroken by this news. I love Bill Posey, he was a fierce, trustworthy friend and colleague. I will miss my friend.REP. JIMMY PATRONIS OF FLORIDA’S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTKatie and I are heartbroken on Bill’s passing, he was a true public servant and friend. Join us in praying for his wife Katie.REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDAThe Republican Party of Florida mourns the passing of former Congressman Bill Posey, a dedicated public servant and true Florida statesman.We are grateful for his many years of faithful service that made our state great. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA CHAIRMAN EVAN POWERSad to hear of the passing of Congressman Bill Posey. He was a transformative leader in Florida Politics in the Florida House, Florida Senate, and the halls of Congress. He will be missed.
Video above: News and weather for Sunday, May 10, 2026
A former U.S. House of Representatives member who represented Indian River County has died.
Republican Rep. Mike Haridopolos, of Florida’s 8th congressional district, which includes Indian River County, announced Sunday morning that former Congressman Bill Posey died Saturday at age 78.
A cause of death was not revealed.
Posey was a Republican congressman from 2009 to 2025.
United States Congress
Former U.S. Rep. Bill Posey
Prior to redistricting in 2010, Indian River County was in the 15th congressional district which Posey won in 2008 and 2010.
After redistricting in 2010, Indian River County was placed in the 8th congressional district that normally included Brevard County and part of Orange County.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former United States Congressman Bill Posey, who passed away yesterday surrounded by the love of his family,” Haridopolos said in a statement on Sunday morning.
“Bill dedicated his life to serving the people of Florida and our nation with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to public service. His passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned decades of leadership at the local, state, and federal levels. He approached public office not as a path to personal recognition, but as a solemn responsibility to serve others honorably, faithfully, and effectively.”
Your neighborhood: Local coverage from WPBF 25 News
According to the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, Posey was born on December 18, 1947, in Washington, D.C.
Posey was a graduate of Cocoa High School in Brevard County.
His political career included being a member of the Rockledge city council from 1976 to 1986, a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 1992 to 2000 and the Florida Senate from 2000 to 2008.
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
Below is Rep. Haridopolos’ statement on the death of Posey:
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of former United States Congressman Bill Posey, who passed away yesterday surrounded by the love of his family.Bill dedicated his life to serving the people of Florida and our nation with integrity, humility, and an unwavering commitment to public service. His passing marks the end of a remarkable career that spanned decades of leadership at the local, state, and federal levels. He approached public office not as a path to personal recognition, but as a solemn responsibility to serve others honorably, faithfully, and effectively.His legacy will endure through the countless lives he touched, the communities he strengthened, and the values he championed throughout his years of service. Those who knew Bill personally understood that beyond the titles and accomplishments was a kind, grounded, and deeply loyal man who loved his family above all else.During this difficult time, our thoughts and prayers are with his wife and childhood sweetheart, Katie, and their two daughters, Cathi and Pamela. We also extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Posey family, his friends, former staff members, and all who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him. May they find comfort in the extraordinary impact of his life and service.Congressman Posey represented Florida in the United States House of Representatives from 2009 to 2025, following distinguished service in both the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. Throughout his career, he earned a reputation as a principled conservative, a steadfast advocate for fiscal responsibility and government transparency, and a tireless supporter of America’s space program and the communities he proudly represented along Florida’s Space Coast.Bill Posey will be remembered with gratitude, admiration, and profound respect. His dedication to public service, his love for Florida, and his steadfast belief in the promise of America will never be forgotten.”
Other Republicans sent their condolences after learning of Posey’s death.
FLORIDA SEN. ASHLEY MOODY
Congressman Bill Posey was a friend, a true statesman, and a Florida legend who left our state better than he found it. His legacy of service to Florida and our nation will endure for generations. I had the pleasure of celebrating his granddaughter’s wedding with him just last weekend. He will be deeply missed.
REP. BYRON DONALDS OF FLORIDA’S 19TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
My friend, Rep. Bill Posey, passed away last night at the age of 78. Bill served the people of Florida in Congress, the Florida Senate, and the Florida House. Erika and I are praying for his wife Katie, and his entire family. Rest in Peace Bill, you were truly one of the best!
REP. DANIEL WEBSTER OF FLORIDA’S 11TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
I am heartbroken by this news. I love Bill Posey, he was a fierce, trustworthy friend and colleague. I will miss my friend.
REP. JIMMY PATRONIS OF FLORIDA’S 1ST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
Katie and I are heartbroken on Bill’s passing, he was a true public servant and friend. Join us in praying for his wife Katie.
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA
The Republican Party of Florida mourns the passing of former Congressman Bill Posey, a dedicated public servant and true Florida statesman.
We are grateful for his many years of faithful service that made our state great. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
REPUBLICAN PARTY OF FLORIDA CHAIRMAN EVAN POWER
Sad to hear of the passing of Congressman Bill Posey. He was a transformative leader in Florida Politics in the Florida House, Florida Senate, and the halls of Congress. He will be missed.