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Tag: Orlando

  • Decaying leaves: The gift that keeps on giving

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    When you think of autumn, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Pumpkin spice? Cooler weather?

    For many, it’s the leaves transforming.

    With most of the country past peak foliage, those leaves have likely fallen and are littering lawns and streets. It’s a great time to think about what to do with the leaves as they fall.

    What You Need To Know

    • Fall foliage has reached peak or past peak across most of the country

    • Fallen leaves are biodegradable

    • Composting is one of the many options for decaying leaves

    While stepping on a crunchy leaf is extremely satisfying, the leaves take over yards, sidewalks and streets.

    Sometimes when it rains, fallen leaves clog storm drains and can be a hazard while walking. So, it’s no surprise that many want to clean up these dead leaves.

    People commonly bag the fallen leaves and consider the leaves trash.

    But what if there were more environmentally friendly ways to take care of these dying leaves?

    (Pic by Remi Lynn)

    When you bag the dried autumn leaves and put them on the curb, they end up as trash in a landfill. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard waste accounts for nearly 20% of all garbage generated in the United States each year. That’s over 31 million tons.

    As the leaves and other yard waste sit in landfills, they produce methane, which can pollute nearby air and soil.

    So what are the alternatives?

    Alternatives to leaf bagging

    Realistically, leaves can remain in the yard where they fall. You can chop them with a mulching mower or even a regular lawnmower.

    Leaves are biodegradable, meaning that bacteria or other living organisms can decompose them. While whole leaves take a longer time to break down (about two to three years), cut-up leaves decompose faster (about one year) and can provide plenty of nutrients for the soil.

    (Photo by Chris Thompson)

    You can use whole and/or chopped leaves in gardens and flower beds as mulch.

    If you still don’t want leaves scattered all across the lawn, composting is a great way to beautify your lawn and garden in multiple ways.

    To compost decaying leaves, chop them with a mower and combine them with green material (grass clippings work great here). Keep the combination moist and well mixed. It will probably take until spring to break down, but the result is a nutrient-rich fertilizer for any plants or crops.

    If DIY composting isn’t your thing, check out local groups that collect leaves for composting. Happy leaf collecting!

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Britney Hamilton

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  • Decaying leaves: The gift that keeps on giving

    [ad_1]

    When you think of autumn, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Pumpkin spice? Cooler weather?

    For many, it’s the leaves transforming.

    With most of the country past peak foliage, those leaves have likely fallen and are littering lawns and streets. It’s a great time to think about what to do with the leaves as they fall.

    What You Need To Know

    • Fall foliage has reached peak or past peak across most of the country

    • Fallen leaves are biodegradable

    • Composting is one of the many options for decaying leaves

    While stepping on a crunchy leaf is extremely satisfying, the leaves take over yards, sidewalks and streets.

    Sometimes when it rains, fallen leaves clog storm drains and can be a hazard while walking. So, it’s no surprise that many want to clean up these dead leaves.

    People commonly bag the fallen leaves and consider the leaves trash.

    But what if there were more environmentally friendly ways to take care of these dying leaves?

    (Pic by Remi Lynn)

    When you bag the dried autumn leaves and put them on the curb, they end up as trash in a landfill. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, yard waste accounts for nearly 20% of all garbage generated in the United States each year. That’s over 31 million tons.

    As the leaves and other yard waste sit in landfills, they produce methane, which can pollute nearby air and soil.

    So what are the alternatives?

    Alternatives to leaf bagging

    Realistically, leaves can remain in the yard where they fall. You can chop them with a mulching mower or even a regular lawnmower.

    Leaves are biodegradable, meaning that bacteria or other living organisms can decompose them. While whole leaves take a longer time to break down (about two to three years), cut-up leaves decompose faster (about one year) and can provide plenty of nutrients for the soil.

    (Photo by Chris Thompson)

    You can use whole and/or chopped leaves in gardens and flower beds as mulch.

    If you still don’t want leaves scattered all across the lawn, composting is a great way to beautify your lawn and garden in multiple ways.

    To compost decaying leaves, chop them with a mower and combine them with green material (grass clippings work great here). Keep the combination moist and well mixed. It will probably take until spring to break down, but the result is a nutrient-rich fertilizer for any plants or crops.

    If DIY composting isn’t your thing, check out local groups that collect leaves for composting. Happy leaf collecting!

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Britney Hamilton

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  • Florida sets execution date for man who fatally shot couple in 1987

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    TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A man convicted of fatally shooting a man and woman during a home invasion robbery and later confessing to three other killings is scheduled to be put to death in December under a death warrant signed Tuesday by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, who is setting a record pace for executions.

    Frank Athen Walls, 58, is scheduled to die by lethal injection Dec. 18 at Florida State Prison. Walls would be the 19th person set for execution in Florida in 2025, with DeSantis overseeing more executions in a single year than any other Florida governor since the death penalty was reinstated in 1976. The previous record was set in 2014 with eight executions.

    DeSantis signed the death warrant two days before the execution of Richard Barry Randolph. Another convicted killer, Mark Allen Geralds, is set to die Dec. 9.

    Walls was convicted of two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, burglary and theft and sentenced to death in 1988. The Florida Supreme Court later reversed the conviction and ordered a new trial, where Walls was again convicted and sentenced to death in 1992.

    According to court records, Walls broke into the Florida Panhandle mobile home of Eglin Air Force Base airman Edward Alger and his girlfriend, Ann Peterson, in July 1987. Walls tied the couple up, but Alger managed to break free and attack Walls. Walls cut Alger’s throat and then shot him in the head when the airman continued to fight. Walls then went to attack Peterson and shot her as she struggled.

    Walls was arrested the day after the bodies were found when his roommate tipped off police about Walls’ odd behavior. During a search of the home, investigators reported finding items from the crime scene, and Walls later admitted to the killings.

    After his conviction, DNA evidence linked Walls to the May 1987 rape and murder of Audrey Gygi. Walls pleaded no contest, avoiding another trial and possible death sentence. Walls also admitted responsibility for the killings of Tommie Lou Whiddon in March 1985 and Cynthia Sue Condra in September 1986 as part of a deal with prosecutors.

    Attorneys for Walls are expected to file appeals to the Florida Supreme Court and the U.S. Supreme Court.

    So far 43 people have been executed in the U.S. in 2025. Florida leads the way with a flurry of death warrants signed by DeSantis. The state’s most recent execution was the Nov. 13 lethal injection of Bryan Frederick Jennings, who was convicted of raping and killing his neighbor.

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    Associated Press

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  • At Uptown Eats in St. Petersburg with biscuits in the oven

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Uptown Eats owner Dan Schmidt makes hot buttermilk biscuits in thirty minutes.

    From frittatas to biscuits, Uptown Eats is a from-scratch kitchen — including those hot buttermilk biscuits.

    Schmidt offers a biscuit recipe that takes 30 minutes: 10 for prep and 20 for baking.


    Buttermilk Biscuits

    Ingredients:

    4 cups all-purpose flour

    4.5 tsp baking powder

    1.5 tsp baking soda

    1 tsp sugar

    1 tsp salt

    2 cups very cold buttermilk

    1 cup (2 sticks) melted, but not hot unsalted butter

    plus 1 tbsp melted butter for brushing top of biscuits


    Method:

    Melt 1 cup (2 sticks) of unsalted butter and let cool

    1. Adjust oven rack to middle position and preheat to 450 degrees.

    2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper (if using) to prevent sticking.

    3. In a large mixing bowl combine all dry ingredients, whisking slowly but thoroughly.

    4. In a small bowl combine cold buttermilk with melted (but not hot) butter, mix with a fork…you should see butter chunks form.

    5. Add the butter/buttermilk mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix roughly with a spoon, fork or your hands to form a shaggy dough just until the dry ingredients are incorporated (do not over mix).

    6. Turn the dough out from the bowl onto a lightly floured work surface, pressing or rolling the dough into a 1.5-inch-thick sheet.

    7. For classic cut biscuits:

    Cut individual biscuits with a lightly floured 3-inch ring biscuit cutter (or other shape) by pressing straight down into the dough without twisting. Combine scraps to form a new sheet of dough and form remaining biscuits.

    For drop biscuits:

    Using a portion scoop, ice cream scoop, or your hands form uniform biscuit balls using all of the dough. 

    8. Place each biscuit 2 inches apart onto the baking sheet. Brush each biscuit top with melted butter.

    9. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 – 20 minutes, until golden brown. Enjoy!


    Tips:

    • Remember COLD buttermilk and NOT-HOT melted butter!
    • Don’t over mix the dough! Keep it shaggy. You want the cold butter chunks to stay intact in the dough without melting!
    • Press your biscuit cutter straight down without twisting. This helps the biscuits to rise up evenly.

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Kroger closing automated fulfillment centers

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    PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. — Kroger said Tuesday it’s closing three automated fulfillment centers as part of an effort to make its delivery operations faster and more profitable.

    What You Need To Know

    • Kroger said Tuesday it’s closing three automated fulfillment centers as part of an effort to make its delivery operations faster and more profitable
    • The nation’s largest grocer will close facilities in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin; Frederick, Maryland; and Groveland, Florida, in January
    • Kroger partnered with British online grocer Ocado in 2018 to build warehouses where robots would pick and pack grocery delivery orders. But Kroger said earlier this fall that for many orders, it’s faster and cheaper to fulfill them in stores
    • Kroger is also expanding its partnerships with third party delivery companies, including DoorDash, Uber Eats and Instacart


    The nation’s largest grocer said it will close facilities in Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin; Frederick, Maryland; and Groveland, Florida, in January. The company said it will monitor the performance of its five remaining facilities.

    “We are taking decisive action to make shopping easier, offer faster delivery times, provide more options to our customers, and we expect to deliver profitable sales growth as a result,” Kroger Chairman and CEO Ron Sargent said in a statement.

    Kroger partnered with British grocery technology company Ocado Group in 2018 to build warehouses where robots would pick and pack grocery delivery orders. Initially, the companies planned 20 locations, but only eight have been built so far.

    Kroger said it will incur a $2.6 billion charge in its fiscal third quarter related to the closure of its operations. The company said it expects the closures will improve its e-commerce operating profit by $400 million in 2026.

    Ocado shares fell 16% Tuesday on the London Stock Exchange. Kroger shares were up 1% Tuesday morning on the New York Stock Exchange.

    During a conference call with investors in September, Sargent said that in most locations, it makes sense to use stores to fulfill delivery orders instead of centralized warehouses.

    Stores are closer to customers, so orders can be delivered more quickly and cheaply, Sargent said. He said Kroger is capable of delivering orders in less than two hours from 97% of its 2,700 U.S. stores.

    “Stores are our most important asset,” Sargent said.

    Sargent said that in some high-density areas with strong delivery demand, automated fulfillment facilities are delivering better results.

    At the same time, Kroger is also leaning more heavily into partnerships with third-party providers. In September, the company said it was expanding its partnership with DoorDash. DoorDash offered delivery of sushi, flowers and prepared meals from Kroger starting in 2022, but it now offers delivery of Kroger’s full assortment of products.

    Last month, Kroger announced a similar expanded partnership with Uber Eats. And earlier this month, Kroger said it was working with Instacart to expand express delivery from its stores. Kroger will also be one of the first retailers to offer access to Instacart’s AI assistant, which builds delivery orders automatically based on customers’ preferences and provides meal ideas.

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    Associated Press

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  • Falcon 9’s first-stage booster for Starlink launch has impressive history

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — At the moment, Mother Nature is giving SpaceX a pretty nice forecast for its Starlink launch on Tuesday evening.

    And that is good news for the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster, which has a very impressive launch resume.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Starlink 6-94 mission will take off from Space Launch Complex 40
    • This Falcon 9’s first-stage booster has an impressive history

    SpaceX stated it will send up its Falcon 9 rocket with the Starlink 6-94 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 7:12 p.m. ET. 

    The launch window will open from 6:29 p.m. ET to 10:29 p.m. ET, meaning the California-based company has during this time slot to send up its Falcon 9 rocket.

    The 45th Weather Squadron gave a 95% chance of good liftoff conditions, with the only concerns being the cumulus cloud rule.

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    A solid dozen?

    If all goes well, this will be the 12th mission for the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster called B1085.  

    It has an impressive resume, from first launching the Crew-9 mission to the International Space Station, to sending up two commercial companies’ lunar landers — with Firefly Aerospace being the first company to successfully land on the moon — to taking up four people in the civilian Fram2 mission to explore Earth’s polar regions.

    1. Crew-9 mission
    2. Starlink 6-77 mission
    3. Starlink 10-5 mission
    4. RRT-1
    5. Blue Ghost and HAKUTO-R
    6. Fram2 mission
    7. Starlink 6-93 mission
    8. SXM-10 mission
    9. Eumetsat MTG-S1 mission
    10. Starlink 10-20 mission
    11. Starlink 10-27 mission

    After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket should land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas, which will be in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    The 29 satellites will head to low-Earth orbit to join the thousands already there once deployed.

    SpaceX owns the Starlink company, where the satellites provide internet service to many areas of the round Earth.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been recording Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell documented the following:

    • 8,994 are in orbit
    • 7,716 are in operational orbit

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Catch the dazzling Leonid meteor shower

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    The Leonid meteor shower is one of the most famous and historically significant celestial events, occurring every November, with tons of meteors available to view.

    What You Need To Know

    • Meteors appear to radiate from a point within the constellation Leo

    • Best viewing hours are between midnight and dawn
    • The Leonids are known to feature fast-moving meteors



    We’re lucky enough to witness this celestial show from now until Nov. 20. This meteor shower is caused by Earth’s passage through the dusty trail left behind by the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. This small comet orbits the Sun roughly every 33 years, creating a river of cosmic stardust in its wake.

    How to see the shower

    The best time to look is typically in the hours after midnight and before dawn when the constellation Leo climbs highest in the eastern sky. The shower is active throughout this month, but its peak usually occurs around Nov. 18. Below is a forecast loop of cloud cover through early morning of the 21st. 

    For optimal viewing, find a location far from city lights, lie flat on your back, and simply look up, allowing about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark. 

    Science behind the shower

    The Leonids are renowned for their exceptional speed, clocking in at around 158,000 mph, making them one of the fastest annual meteor showers. This high velocity directly results from the comet’s orbit, going around the Sun in the opposite direction to Earth.

    Because the comet’s debris hits our atmosphere nearly head-on, the resulting flashes are typically bright and leave behind glowing trails or produce colorful fireballs. These meteors appear brighter than the brightest stars and the planet Venus.

    Even in a typical year, when observers might see a modest rate of 10 to 20 meteors per hour, the sheer intensity of the Leonids ensures a captivating display.

    Why this shower is so special

    The Leonids are in a class of their own among other meteor showers for the sheer volume of meteors to see. While most meteor showers are consistent year over year, the Leonids are capable of bursts of activity where the rate of visible meteors skyrockets to over 1,000 per hour.

    This phenomenon occurs approximately every 33 years, coinciding with the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle’s closest approach to the Sun. During these rare events, Earth passes through a particularly dense, fresh debris field. Historically, these storms have been awesome, with the 1833 and 1966 events being among the most famous, where meteors “fell like rain.”

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Nathan Harrington

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  • Catch the dazzling Leonid meteor shower

    [ad_1]

    The Leonid meteor shower is one of the most famous and historically significant celestial events, occurring every November, with tons of meteors available to view.

    What You Need To Know

    • Meteors appear to radiate from a point within the constellation Leo

    • Best viewing hours are between midnight and dawn
    • The Leonids are known to feature fast-moving meteors



    We’re lucky enough to witness this celestial show from now until Nov. 20. This meteor shower is caused by Earth’s passage through the dusty trail left behind by the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle. This small comet orbits the Sun roughly every 33 years, creating a river of cosmic stardust in its wake.

    How to see the shower

    The best time to look is typically in the hours after midnight and before dawn when the constellation Leo climbs highest in the eastern sky. The shower is active throughout this month, but its peak usually occurs around Nov. 18. Below is a forecast loop of cloud cover through early morning of the 21st. 

    For optimal viewing, find a location far from city lights, lie flat on your back, and simply look up, allowing about 30 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark. 

    Science behind the shower

    The Leonids are renowned for their exceptional speed, clocking in at around 158,000 mph, making them one of the fastest annual meteor showers. This high velocity directly results from the comet’s orbit, going around the Sun in the opposite direction to Earth.

    Because the comet’s debris hits our atmosphere nearly head-on, the resulting flashes are typically bright and leave behind glowing trails or produce colorful fireballs. These meteors appear brighter than the brightest stars and the planet Venus.

    Even in a typical year, when observers might see a modest rate of 10 to 20 meteors per hour, the sheer intensity of the Leonids ensures a captivating display.

    Why this shower is so special

    The Leonids are in a class of their own among other meteor showers for the sheer volume of meteors to see. While most meteor showers are consistent year over year, the Leonids are capable of bursts of activity where the rate of visible meteors skyrockets to over 1,000 per hour.

    This phenomenon occurs approximately every 33 years, coinciding with the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle’s closest approach to the Sun. During these rare events, Earth passes through a particularly dense, fresh debris field. Historically, these storms have been awesome, with the 1833 and 1966 events being among the most famous, where meteors “fell like rain.”

    Our team of meteorologists dives deep into the science of weather and breaks down timely weather data and information. To view more weather and climate stories, check out our weather blogs section.

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    Meteorologist Nathan Harrington

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  • Woman to be sentenced for falsely accusing astronaut wife of space crime

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    HOUSTON — Federal prosecutors say a case that was widely reported to be the first case of “space crime” has come to an end after a 50-year-old Kansas woman pleaded guilty to falsely accusing her now ex-wife of illegally accessing an online bank account from the International Space Station in early 2019.

    What You Need To Know

    • In March 2019, Summer Heather Worden, 50, accused her “estranged spouse,” NASA astronaut Col. Anne C. McClain, of illegally accessing her bank account from the International Space Station

    • At the time, the case was widely reported to be the first case of “space crime”

    • In April 2020, Worden was indicted on charges of lying to federal officers in the case, and on Nov. 13, she pleaded guilty to one of the charges as part of a plea deal

    According to a plea agreement in the case, Summer Heather Worden had accused NASA astronaut Col. Anne McClain (identified in court documents as “Person A” and as an “estranged spouse” in a U.S. Attorney’s Office statement) of illegally accessing her bank account twice in January 2019 while she was serving aboard the ISS.

    Worden told investigators on March 19, 2019, that McClain had “guessed the password and illegally accessed her bank account,” one she had opened in September 2018, “to prevent (McClain) from accessing her accounts.”

    “However, Worden had actually opened the account in April 2018,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office statement said. “Both parties had accessed it until January 2019, when Worden changed the credentials.

    “The investigation revealed Worden had granted her spouse access to her bank records from at least 2015, including her login credentials.”

    In an Aug. 24, 2019, post on Twitter (now X), McClain said that there was “unequivocally no truth to these claims. We’ve been going through a painful, personal separation that’s now unfortunately in the media.”

    She concluded by saying she had “total confidence in the (NASA Office of the Inspector General) process.”

    Court records in Travis County, Texas, show that Worden and McClain divorced in early 2020.

    As part of the plea agreement, Worden faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. 

    She is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 12, 2026, and information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas says she will remain free on bond until that hearing.

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    Mark Boxley

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  • Bear hunt protest, Florida ACA costs

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    Bear Warriors United protests Florida’s upcoming bear hunt, and a new report outlines the impact of ending ACA subsidies for Florida residents.


    Local groups hold protest in Tallahassee against Florida’s upcoming bear hunt

    Activists held a large demonstration on Monday in Tallahassee to protest Florida’s upcoming bear hunt.

    They are urging state leaders to rethink the state’s upcoming bear hunt.

    The bear hunt will last for 23 days, starting on Dec. 6 and ending Dec. 28. It’s been more than a decade since the last statewide bear hunt.

    More than 100 people gathered outside the Florida Capitol to call the state’s upcoming hunt both unsound and unneeded.

    “The FWC was entrusted to protect wildlife, to protect it, for the people to manage it,” Bear Warriors United Attorney Raquel Levy said. “And it’s destroying the very thing it’s entrusted to protect.”

    Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission argue the hunt will help manage the bear population and salvage the habitat, too.

    “While we have enough suitable bear habitat to support our current bear population levels … we will not have enough habitat at some point in the future,” the agency said in a statement.

    Under the rules of the hunt, 172 bears are planned to be taken across 31 Florida counties. Bows, guns and traps have all been approved in the hunt.

    “Sierra Club isn’t against all hunting,” Sierra Club of Florida Senior Managing Organizer Cris Costello said. “We’re against hunting that isn’t part of a sane, science-based management policy.” 

    The last hunt lasted only two days and hunters killed roughly 295 black bears.

    Bear Warriors United has sued to stop the hunt, and a hearing on the matter is scheduled for next week.

    New report outlines which Florida districts will be hardest hit after ACA subsidies end

    Some congressional districts in Florida will be among those hardest by the expiration of the enhanced federal subsides to pay for health insurance through the Affordable Care Act.

    Florida has the most Affordable Care Act enrollees in the country with an estimated 4.7 million enrollees.

    A non-partisan research group, the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, recently released an analysis of how the end of enhanced subsides to pay for ACA coverage will affect residents of each congressional district in the state.

    Florida’s 3rd Congressional District, which includes Gainesville, and South Florida districts will be some of the hardest hit districts in the country. In the 3rd Congressional District, a 45-year-old making $32,000 per year would see a nearly $1,500 annual increase in premiums if the enhancements go away. One reason for the differences among congressional districts is that health care costs vary from community to community.

    “It’s more just local health care costs vary a lot, just in small areas, even from hospital to hospital,” CBPP Senior Fellow Gideon Lukens said. “And, so, different districts, you’ll have greater, smaller health care costs, and you also have, like, local markets where insurers and providers are negotiating different rates.” 

    The enhanced ACA tax credits will expire at the end of the year if Congress and the president do not extend them. Experts say their disappearance will likely make health insurance too expensive for some Americans.

    “There’s five districts where over 30% of the population is enrolled in marketplace coverage, and in every district in Florida, over 10% is enrolled,” Lukens said. “So this is like, you know, a lot of people around you have marketplace coverage and are going to be looking at these big increases if the extensions, the enhancements are expected.”

    According to Lukens, the higher premiums will hit small businesses and the self-employed especially hard.

    “I think they make up about a quarter every year of  marketplace coverage,” he said. “So it’s particularly important for those groups.”

    As part of the short-term government funding deal that passed last week, Republican Senate Majority Leader John Thune committed to holding a vote next month on extending the subsidies, though it’s not clear if it has enough Republican support to pass. And in the House, Speaker Mike Johnson has not promised to take up the bill. 

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    Ybeth Bruzual, Holly Gregory, Phillip Stucky, Jason Delgado, Spectrum News Staff, Associated Press

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  • FAA ends commercial space launch-limit times

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    Daytime and early-evening launches resume nationwide.

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Court date for lawsuit challenging Florida’s bear hunt set for Monday

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    FLORIDA — A judge will hear arguments about Florida’s bear hunt on Monday. The conservation group, Bear Warriors United, filed an injunction on top of a recently filed lawsuit.

    They want to stop the hunt until further studies can be completed about bear populations in Florida.

    The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) website says the state’s bear population is upwards of 4,500 and says there is an increase in encounters with people.

    They also say the hunt prevents road deaths and malnutrition.

    Since 2006, there have been 42 documented incidents of bear and human contact in Florida. That means bears physically touching someone, not just a sighting or close encounter.

    There has only been one confirmed fatal attack in the state’s history.

    FWC issued permits in four bear hunting zones for December.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Pinellas teens sleep outside to learn about homelessness

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    ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — It’s a harsh reality, but several people in the Tampa Bay community are spending their night on the street.

    Nearly 2,000 people are experiencing homelessness in Pinellas County in a single night, according to the Pinellas County Point in Time Count. 

    What You Need To Know

    • At St. Raphael Catholic Church, about 20 teens slept outside with minimal shelter to learn what it’s like to be houseless

    • The kids could only bring three items. Some brought boxes, pillows, and tarps

    • Guest speakers, like Pinellas Hope representatives, talked to teens about the issue

    • They also made donations to shelters


    On Saturday night, dozens of teens slept outside without shelter to get a glimpse into the life of a person experiencing homelessness.

    Out in a field behind the St. Raphael Catholic Church, about 20 teens slept outside with almost nothing.

    “I slept in a cardboard box,” said Hudson Maphet, a teen participating in the program.

    They were only allowed to bring three items. Maphet brought a pillow a blanket and deodorant. It’s all part of the homeless retreat where teens from five churches are learning what it’s like to be houseless.

    “I’m kind of used to the cold, so it didn’t hit me too hard until I decided to walk around in socks in the cold, wet grass. It was not it,” Maphet said.

    Participants heard from experts about the issue. The director of the temporary emergency shelter, Joe Pondolfino of Pinellas Hope, spoke to the group Saturday night. He said he was hoping to clear up any misconceptions the teens had.

    “It’s not about just looking at somebody on the street corner and saying, ‘Oh, what did they do wrong?’ It’s really what happened to them. So it’s really important to look at each person individually and it’s important for the next generation to help us tackle this problem,” said Pondolfino.

    And the problem is not going away. Pondolfino said Pinellas Hope is seeing about 20 new people a week.

    “It tells me that the problem still exists. It’s not gotten much better at this point, even though we do have some great successes. It’s something that we can’t take our eye off the ball,” he said.

    After hearing from Pondolfino and sleeping in the wet grass, Maphet said even though they are teenagers, there are little things they can do to make a difference.

    “Just a conversation, just a ‘How are you?’ A handshake — something, something of acknowledgment, because most of those people out there, they feel like they’re invisible and they’re very much so seen,” Maphet said.

    It was more than an experience, it was also an outreach event.

    Teens packed up lunches along with hygiene products that will be distributed to shelters like Pinellas Hope.

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    Tyler O’Neill

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  • Lacy helps No. 6 Ole Miss rally past Florida for 34-24 win

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    By  CHRIS BURROWS

    OXFORD, Miss. (AP) — Kewan Lacy rushed for 224 yards and three touchdowns, including the go-ahead score on the first play of the fourth quarter, and No. 6 Mississippi rallied past Florida 34-24 on Saturday night.

    The Rebels (10-1, 6-1 Southeastern Conference, No. 7 CFP) finally put the Gators away with 1:43 left on Lacy’s 31st and final carry, a 4-yard touchdown. Ole Miss took over on downs after Florida went for it on fourth-and-9 at its own 4, and Sage Ryan broke up D.J. Lagway’s desperation heave at midfield.

    As coach Lane Kiffin’s squad took a knee in the final minute, Ole Miss fans chanted “We want Lane!” in a bid to persuade their sought-after coach not to bolt for another school — possibly Florida. And Lacy celebrated with a postgame slam dunk on a portable basketball goal at midfield.

    The Rebels have won at least 10 games in four of the past five seasons, including three straight, and this victory solidified their chances to make the College Football Playoff.

    Florida (3-7, 2-5) has lost 20 consecutive games away from Gainesville against ranked opponents since beating Georgia in 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida. That streak will extend to 2026 since the Gators’ final two games are at home.

    The Gators certainly had their chances. They led 24-20 at halftime, and Ole Miss came up empty twice at the goal line in the second half, with Trinidad Chambliss throwing incomplete on fourth-and-goal from the 1 in the third quarter and on fourth-and-goal at the 3 in the fourth.

    Chambliss still had a productive night, going 26 of 35 for 301 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He was sacked five times, including twice by Jaden Robinson.

    Ole Miss finished with 538 yards of total offense, while the Rebels’ defense held the Gators scoreless with only 103 offensive yards in the second half.

    In the first half, Lagway ran for a 5-yard touchdown, Jadan Baugh scored on a 2-yard run following Jayden Woods’ interception, and Lagway connected with J. Michael Sturdivant for a 57-yard TD pass.

    Chambliss threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to De’Zhaun Stribing and Lacy ran for a 3-yard score, but Ole Miss failed to score touchdowns on two red-zone drives, with Lucas Carniero converting on field goals of 27 and 23 yards.

    Lagway was 16 of 31 for 218 yards but threw a fourth-quarter interception on a tipped ball to Wydett Willliams on Florida’s only series in Ole Miss territory.

    The takeaway

    Florida: The Gators’ tailspin continued as they were eliminated from contention for a bowl appearance. Florida was more engaged than during last week’s collapse at Kentucky, but interim coach Billy Gonzales’ squad couldn’t pull off the upset. The Gators’ pursuit of Kiffin gets more interesting each week.

    Ole Miss: The Rebels finished 8-0 at home and enhanced their hopes of hosting an opening-round game in the CFP. Kiffin will remain a high-profile candidate for vacancies in the Power Four and even in the NFL.

    Poll implications

    Avoiding an upset keeps Ole Miss in an elite group of five teams in the top 10 with one loss or fewer. The Rebels could move into the top five after No. 4 Alabama’s loss to Oklahoma.

    Up next

    Florida: Hosts No. 21 Tennessee on Saturday.

    Ole Miss: After an open date, visit Mississippi State in the Egg Bowl on Nov. 28.

    ___

    Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here and here (AP News mobile app). AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

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    Associated Press

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  • Florida families struggle post-shutdown as SNAP backlogs persist

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — The government shutdown may be over, but the aftershocks are still hitting millions of families who rely on SNAP benefits. Advocates say the delays and confusion won’t disappear overnight.

    What You Need To Know

    • SNAP delays from the shutdown left families choosing between groceries and basic bills

    • No Kid Hungry says 1 in 5 Florida children lack guaranteed meals

    • Heart of Florida United Way reported a 114% spike in 211 calls for food assistance

    • Advocates warn the surge in need may continue through the holiday season as SNAP backlogs clear


    Families are now untangling weeks of missed paychecks and backlogged SNAP benefits.

    “You know, you really saw families having to make really difficult choices,” said Sky Beard, Florida Director of No Kid Hungry. “Having to make tradeoffs about ‘am I going to pay the electric bill or am I going to make that run to the grocery store so that my children have access to food?’” 

    Beard says during the shutdown, the lapse in SNAP benefits, affected more than 40 million Americans, including 16 million children.

    She added that in Florida, one in five kids are living in homes where meals are not a guarantee. During this time, kids were hit hard, and are still feeling the ripple effects.

    “We saw over the last couple weeks how critically important SNAP is to addressing food and security across Florida, across the country. We’ve also seen really how fragile that food system is,” Beard said.

    Many nonprofits, including Heart of Florida United Way, say they’re seeing the aftermath firsthand. Calls to their 211 hotline spiked by 114% as families searched for help and answers.

    “Individuals were calling to try to find the nearest food bank, (asking) where they would be able to find a meal to put on the table for their family. Maybe even for that evening. That was a tremendous increase,” said Graciela Noriega-Jacoby, COO of Heart of Florida United Way.

    The shutdown, Noriega-Jacoby says, created far more than a gap in benefits, it created weeks of uncertainty for many families.

    “One of the things that we don’t see from the impacts of the federal shutdown is this fear, the anxiety, the stress that is put upon so many people who rely on basic needs — food, housing, even child care,” she said.

    Advocates say it could take weeks for SNAP benefits to fully catch up. The weight of playing catch-up is heightened, and the surge in need may last well into the holiday season.

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    Ashley Engle

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  • DOUBLE LAUNCH: SpaceX to send up two Falcon 9 rockets during same launch window

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    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — Hang on to your seats, because this will be a rare treat and a first: SpaceX is attempting to launch two Falcon 9 rockets at the same time on Friday night.

    What a way to kick off the weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • If all goes well, SpaceX will also launch the Starlink 6-85 mission at the same time
    • A total of 58 Starlink satellites could be launched between the two missions

    One is the Starlink 6-89 mission, which will leave Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX stated.

    The launch window will open at 10:01 p.m. ET until 2:01 a.m. ET, Saturday.

    So, it means the California-based company needs to launch its Falcon 9 rocket during that time frame.

    The 45th Weather Squadron has given about a 95% chance of good liftoff conditions, with no forecast concerns.

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    If all goes well, SpaceX will also launch the Starlink 6-85 mission at the same time, with the same number of satellites: 29.

    However, it would not be uncommon for one of these missions to be pushed back to later in the launch window or a different day entirely.

    So, space lovers better cross their fingers for this one.

    Going up

    This will be the eighth mission for this Falcon 9’s first-stage booster called B1092.

    Its previous missions include the following:

    1. Starlink 12-13 mission
    2. NROL-69 mission
    3. Bandwagon-3 mission
    4. GPS III-7 mission
    5. Starlink 10-34 mission
    6. USSF-36 mission
    7. Starlink 10-61 mission

    After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket will land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas that will be in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    The SpaceX-owned Starlink company will see 29 of its satellites go to low-Earth orbit to join the thousands already there.

    They will provide internet service to many parts of Earth, once they are deployed and in their orbit.

    Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics’s Dr. Jonathan McDowell has been documenting Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 8,942 are in orbit
    • 7,716 are in operational orbit

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    Anthony Leone

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  • DOUBLE LAUNCH: SpaceX to send up two Falcon 9 rockets during same launch window

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    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — Hang on to your seats, because this will be a rare treat and a first: SpaceX is attempting to launch two Falcon 9 rockets at the same time on Friday night.

    What a way to kick off the weekend.

    What You Need To Know

    • If all goes well, SpaceX will also launch the Starlink 6-85 mission at the same time
    • A total of 58 Starlink satellites could be launched between the two missions

    One is the Starlink 6-89 mission, which will leave Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A on the company’s Falcon 9 rocket, SpaceX stated.

    The launch window will open at 10:01 p.m. ET until 2:01 a.m. ET, Saturday.

    So, it means the California-based company needs to launch its Falcon 9 rocket during that time frame.

    The 45th Weather Squadron has given about a 95% chance of good liftoff conditions, with no forecast concerns.

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    If all goes well, SpaceX will also launch the Starlink 6-85 mission at the same time, with the same number of satellites: 29.

    However, it would not be uncommon for one of these missions to be pushed back to later in the launch window or a different day entirely.

    So, space lovers better cross their fingers for this one.

    Going up

    This will be the eighth mission for this Falcon 9’s first-stage booster called B1092.

    Its previous missions include the following:

    1. Starlink 12-13 mission
    2. NROL-69 mission
    3. Bandwagon-3 mission
    4. GPS III-7 mission
    5. Starlink 10-34 mission
    6. USSF-36 mission
    7. Starlink 10-61 mission

    After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket will land on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas that will be in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    The SpaceX-owned Starlink company will see 29 of its satellites go to low-Earth orbit to join the thousands already there.

    They will provide internet service to many parts of Earth, once they are deployed and in their orbit.

    Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics’s Dr. Jonathan McDowell has been documenting Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 8,942 are in orbit
    • 7,716 are in operational orbit

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Strawberry Festival announces 2026 music lineup

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    PLANT CITY, Fla. – The Florida Strawberry Festival has announced its musical lineup for the 2026 event.

    Among the artists performing on the Wish Farms Soundstage are festival staples The Oak Ridge Boys, Alabama, Jo Dee Messina and the Bellamy Brothers.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida Strawberry Festival has announced its musical lineup for the 2026 event

    • Each year, over 600,000 visitors enjoy the Festival’s headline entertainment

    • MORE INFORMATION: Florida Strawberry Festival

    Other groups playing toward the end of the festival are Dierks Bentley, Marshall Tucker Band and The Offspring.

    “As we unveil our headline entertainment for BerryFest26, I couldn’t be more proud to share this year’s theme  Still Growing’  which perfectly reflects both our community’s spirit and the Festival’s continued evolution,” said Florida Strawberry Festival President Kyle Robinson. “We’re honored to welcome an incredible lineup of artists, including Forrest Frank, Alabama, Riley Green, Dierks Bentley, Ty Myers, Lonestar, and many more, whose talent and energy will light up our stage.”

    Each year, over 600,000 visitors enjoy the Festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its strawberry shortcake.

    The 91st Annual Florida Strawberry Festival will take place February 26 – March 8, 2026. For more information, visit www.flstrawberryfestival.com.

    Advance tickets for gate admission and headline entertainment shows will go on sale Thursday, Dec. 11, 2025 at 8 a.m. EST at the Amscot Main Ticket Office located at 2209 W. Oak Avenue in Plant City, and can be purchased online at www.flstrawberryfestival.com, on the Festival’s app, or by phone at 813-754-1996.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • DOUBLE LAUNCH: SpaceX to launch nearly 30 Starlink satellites

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — This might be an extremely rare treat for space lovers: SpaceX plans to send up two Falcon 9 rockets at the same launch time on Friday night. 

    What You Need To Know

    • If all goes well, SpaceX will also launch the Starlink 6-89 mission at the same time
    • A total of 58 Starlink satellites could be launched between the two missions

    One is the Starlink 6-85 mission, which will leave from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, stated SpaceX. 

    The launch window will open at 10:01 p.m. ET until 2:01 a.m. ET, Saturday.

    That means SpaceX needs to launch its Falcon 9 rocket during that time frame.

    The 45th Weather Squadron has given about a 95% chance of good liftoff conditions, with no forecast concerns.

    Find out more about the weather criteria for a Falcon 9 launch.

    If all goes well, SpaceX will also launch the Starlink 6-89 mission at the same time, with the same number of satellites: 29.

    However, it would not be uncommon for one of these missions to be pushed back to later in the launch window or a different day entirely.

    Going up

    This will be the 24th mission for the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster B1078. It has had 23 missions under its wide belt, including a crewed one:

    1. Crew-6
    2. SES O3b mPOWER
    3. USSF-124 mission
    4. Bluebird
    5. Starlink 6-4
    6. Starlink 6-8
    7. Starlink 6-16
    8. Starlink 6-31
    9. Starlink 6-46
    10. Starlink 6-53
    11. Starlink 6-60
    12. Starlink 10-2
    13. Starlink 10-6
    14. Starlink 10-13
    15. Starlink 6-76
    16. Starlink 12-6
    17. Starlink 12-9
    18. Starlink 12-16
    19. Starlink 6-72
    20. Starlink 6-84
    21. Starlink 12-26
    22. Starlink 10-26
    23. Nusantara Lima

    After the stage separation, the first-stage rocket will land on the droneship Just Read the Instructions that will be in the Atlantic Ocean.

    About the mission

    The 29 satellites from the Starlink company, owned by SpaceX, will be heading to low-Earth orbit to join the thousands already there.

    Once deployed and in their orbit, they will provide internet service to many parts of Earth.

    Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been recording Starlink satellites.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 8,942 are in orbit
    • 7,716 are in operational orbit

     

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    Anthony Leone

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  • 911 services restored in some Citrus, Marion counties

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    Officials in both counties reported that issues with their 911 systems have been resolved.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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