Float
Float is the shares that can trade. Restricted shares sit outside that count when the source says so. The source is a filing or a named data page.
Two pages can print two counts on the same morning. Cite the page and the date. Do not average them into a third number nobody published.
An old float is a stale float. Check the date on the filing.
Short interest
Short interest is the count of shares that have been borrowed. It also comes from a filing or a named data page. The fee to borrow can change. If the page is not in front of you, the count is not known.
A rising print does not, by itself, mean borrowed shares are being returned. The borrow page has to show that.
What to skip
A chat recap of the float is not the filing. A count with no date is not usable.
General market news. Not investment advice. The author may hold the Runner Flag name and does not trade it before the 9:30 ET open on the publication day.