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Tag: Orlando

  • Colorado staple Applejack Wine & Spirits sells to Florida company

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    Applejack Wine & Spirits, a staple of the Denver area since the 1960s, has been sold to ABC Fine Wine & Spirits in Orlando, Florida.

    ABC, one of the country’s largest family-owned and operated alcohol beverage retailers, announced the purchase Friday. The company said in a statement that the sale marks its first out-of-state acquisition in 90 years and is the start of plans to expand nationwide.

    “This is a milestone in ABC’s history and a major step toward our overall expansion plans,” said Charles Bailes III, ABC chairman and CEO. “Applejack has an exceptional reputation in the industry and is an iconic beverage retailer in Colorado.”

    Applejack was founded in 1961 in Wheat Ridge. It also has stores in Thornton and Colorado Springs.

    Former Applejack CEO and owner Jim Shpall said he has known Bailes for about 30 years and called ABC “great, great operators.”

    Shpall said Herb Becker was Applejack’s original owner. The store opened in the Applewood shopping center in Wheat Ridge. At that time, Interstate 70 didn’t reach past Wadsworth Boulevard or Kipling Street, Sphall said.

    Alan Freis, Shpall’s father-in-law, bought the business in 1980.

    “I had been practicing law. An opportunity arose to go into the business and I started at Applejack in 1994,” Shpall said. “Effectively, until just now, in 65 years of history, it has been run by just three people.”

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    Judith Kohler

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  • Mom Monday | Raising awareness for women’s heart health, navigating summer camps

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    Mom Monday | Raising awareness for women’s heart health, navigating summer camps

    Central Florida parenting resource Orlando Mom Collective CEO and owner, Eryn Vargo, joins WESH 2 to discuss women’s heart health and planning for summer camp

    IT’S JUST A GREAT DAY FOR THE ORANGE COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT. MAYOR. ALL RIGHT. JASON ALSO A NEW START OF THE WEEK AND NEW MONTH. FEBRUARY IS AFFECTIONATELY KNOWN TO HIGHLIGHT LOVE. SO WE’RE KICKING IT OFF WITH A SPOTLIGHT AND A POTENTIALLY LIFE SAVING FORM OF SELF-LOVE AND SELF-CARE. JOINING ME NOW, THE WONDERFUL ORLANDO MOM COLLECTIVE FOUNDER AND OWNER, ERIN VARGO. ERIN, WELCOME. THANKS FOR HAVING ME. OKAY. LOVING THE SWEATER. SO CUTE. SO ADORABLE. OKAY, SO WE KNOW THAT FEBRUARY IS HEART MONTH. YOU’RE PART OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION’S WOMAN OF IMPACT CAMPAIGN. LOVE THIS. I WAS A PART OF IT LAST YEAR. I’M SO EXCITED FOR YOU. TELL ME ALL ABOUT TIT’S REALLY E PART OF IT. THE GOAL IS TO PROMOTE HEART HEALTH AWARENESS, FUNDRAISING, AND JUST MAKING A BROADER IMPACT TO SAVE WOMEN LOCALLY. SO I’M REALLY EXCITED TO BE A PART OF IT, I LOVE IT. OKAY, SO TELL US, WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT? THE CALL FOR ACTION, WE ALL KNOW IS WOMEN, THAT THIS IS SOMETHING, THAT IT’S A SILENT KILLER FOR US. LIKE WE NEED TO TAKE CARE OF OURSELVES AND OUR HEARTS. ABSOLUTELY. IT’S THE NUMBER ONE KILLER OF WOMEN. AND A LOT OF WOMEN DON’T REALIZE THAT. SO THE POINT OF THE CAMPAIGN IS TO BRING AWARENESS, TO TALK ABOUT IT, TO GET MORE WOMEN INVOLVED, TO UNDERSTAND THE SYMPTOMS BECAUSE THEY ARE DIFFERENT THAN MEN’S SYMPTOMS. AND SO IT’S JUST REALLY LIKE ADVOCACY AND GETTING PEOPLE INVOLVED. I LOVE THIS OKAY. SO WESH 2’S NANCY ALVAREZ WILL BE EMCEEING THIS YEAR’S GO RED FOR WOMEN LUNCHEON. THIS IS THE PICTURE OF US LAST YEAR. SO LIKE I MENTIONED, I WAS PART OF THE EVENT. I WAS A WOMAN OF IMPACT AND NANCY WAS HOSTING. SO THIS IS AWESOME. THE EVENT WILL TAKE PLACE THIS FRIDAY AT NATIONAL WEAR RED DAY. ORLANDO, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, WILL JOIN NANCY RIGHT HERE ON SUNRISE. FOR MORE ON THIS IMPORTANT TOPIC. YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS IT AND CATCH NANCY AT THE EVENT IF YOU CAN. IT’S A REALLY GOOD TIME. ERIN. I’M SO HAPPY YOU’RE PART OF THIS. THANK YOU. I’M EXCITED. OKAY, SHIFTING GEARS A LITTLE BIT, I KNOW WE’RE TALKING ABOUT LOVE, BUT ALSO, BELIEVE IT OR NOT, WE HAVE TO START THINKING ABOUT PLANNING FOR SUMMER BECAUSE BEFORE YOU KNOW IT, THE SUMMER CAMP LINEUP, YOU NEED TO KNOW IT. AND YOU NEED TO GET THOSE APPLICATIONS IN. RIGHT? ABSOLUTELY. AND IT’S CRAZY TO THINK ABOUT BECAUSE WE’RE FREEZING RIGHT NOW AND WE’RE THINKING ABOUT SUMMER, BUT WE DO BECAUSE A LOT OF CAMPS FILL UP REALLY FAST. SO IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT TO JUST KNOW WHAT’S AVAILABLE FOR YOUR KIDS. THERE’S SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES BASED ON AGE, INTEREST, LOCATION. AND SO WE HAVE A SUMMER CAMP GUIDE WHERE WE KIND OF HIGHLIGHT ALL THE DIFFERENT CAMPS THROUGHOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA, WHETHER THEY’RE STEM CHURCH, EDUCATIONAL, VIRTUAL SPORTS. WE JUST HAVE SO MANY LISTED IN OUR GUIDE. AND AND WE’RE SO GRATEFUL THAT LAUNCH ORLANDO SPONSORED THAT GUIDE THIS YEAR. AND YOU CAN GO TO ORLANDO.COM. AND YOU CAN SEE ALL THE AVAILABLE CAMPS. AND THEN WE EVEN DO A CAMP EVENT WHERE PARENTS THAT HAVE MAYBE NOT HAD A CHANCE EARLY ON, LIKE JANUARY OR FEBRUARY TO BOOK CAMPS. THEY CAN COME TO OUR CAMP EXPO AND MEET SOME LOCAL CAMPS AND STILL BOOK EVEN AT THE BEGINNING OF MAY. OKAY. EXCELLENT. ALL RIGHT. SO FOR FOR THE CAMPERS, LIKE I LIKE WE TALKED ABOUT IT. YOU’RE THINKING SPRING BREAK. BUT REALLY THOUGH YOU HAVE TO DO THIS NOW BECAUSE LIKE YOU SAID, THEY DO FILL UP. KIND OF TAKE ME THROUGH. WHY IS IT SO IMPORTANT, THOUGH, TO GET THE KIDS KEEPING THEM ACTIVE THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER MONTHS, INCLUDING THAT SUMMER SLIDE? PEOPLE TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME, BUT YOU WANT TO AVOID THAT. THAT’S REALLY THE BIGGEST REASON IS KEEP THEM ACTIVE, KEEP THEM ENGAGED, KEEP THEM LEARNING, DOING SOMETHING WITH THEIR BODIES, THEIR MINDS SO THEY’RE NOT STUCK ON DEVICES ALL DAY LONG. I MEAN, IT IS DANGEROUS WITH THE HEAT, SO THERE’S PLENTY OF REALLY GREAT CAMPS THAT ARE INDOORS THAT STILL ALLOW FOR THEM TO BE OUTSIDE. BUT THE THE IDEA IS TO NOT HAVE THAT SUMMER SLIDE AND TO KEEP THEM ENGAGED ALL THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER. EXCELLENT. OKAY. SO AND TELL US WHERE FOLKS CAN GO IF THEY’RE WATCHING THIS RIGHT NOW AND THEY WANT TO LEARN MORE. ERIC ORLANDO.COM. NOT ONLY CAN YOU FIND ALL OF OUR SUMMER CAMP INFORMATION, YOU CAN ALSO JOIN MY TEAM FOR WOMEN OF IMPACT WITH THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION. EXCELLENT. OKAY, I WANT TO BACKTRACK JUST A LITTLE SMIDGE BECAUSE WE STILL HAVE A LITTLE BIT OF TIME. SO BEFORE YOU LEAVE, LET’S TALK ABOUT YOUR HEART CAMPAIGN. WHAT IS YOUR PLAN? HOW ARE YOU GOING TO DO YOUR FUNDRAISING? HOW ARE YOU GETTING THE WORD OUT? I’M USING MY ORLANDO MOM PLATFORM, OBVIOUSLY, TO SHARE THROUGHOUT CENTRAL FLORIDA, BUT ALSO TO GET WOMEN THAT ARE, IN MY CIRCLES JUST INVOLVED, WHETHER TO JOIN MY TEAM AND DONATE OR TO HELP ADVOCATE AND SHARE THE INFORMATION. THE IDEA REALLY IS TO JUST GET AS MANY WOMEN INVOLVED AS POSSIBLE. SO I AM FUNDRAISING. I DO HAVE A GOAL. I’M A LITTLE NERVOUS ABOUT IT, BUT I THINK IT WILL BE GREAT AND I JUST REALLY AM LOOKING FOR WOMEN THAT WANT TO JOIN MY TEAM BECAUSE HEART HEALTH IS IMPORTANT TO THEM, OR THAT IT’S IMPACTED THEIR LIVES ALSO. SO GREAT. I HAVE TO TELL YOU, THERE IS ONE OF OUR GROUPS LIKE THEY HAD HER AND HER DAUGHTER LIKE MADE ALL THESE BRACELETS AND THEN WE’RE SELLING THEM, WHICH WAS SUCH A CUTE LITTLE THING TO DO. AND THEY DID THAT THE DAY AT THE LUNCHEON. SO THERE ARE A LOT OF CREATIVE WAYS TO DO IT. AND YOU HAVING THE PLATFORM, YOU CAN HOST SOME BIG FUN EVENT AND EVERYONE WILL COME AND DONATE TO YOUR CAMPAIGN, I’M SURE. SO YES. AWESOME. OKAY. WELL, THANKS SO MUCH FOR JOINING US TODAY. LOTS TO CHECK OUT ON ORLANDO MOM COLLECTIVE ON WESH.COM. WE’LL HAVE ALL THE INFORMATION. GOOD LUCK ERIN, AND DON’T FORGET CATCH NANCY. THE LUNCHEON IS THE 14TH, RIGHT? NO, IT’S THIS FRIDAY. THIS FRIDAY? THAT’S RIGHT. OKAY. THAT’S RIGHT. DAY IS THE SIX TWO. SO WEAR RED OKAY. EVERYTHING IS THIS W

    Mom Monday | Raising awareness for women’s heart health, navigating summer camps

    Central Florida parenting resource Orlando Mom Collective CEO and owner, Eryn Vargo, joins WESH 2 to discuss women’s heart health and planning for summer camp

    Updated: 10:06 AM EST Feb 2, 2026

    Editorial Standards ⓘ

    Orlando Mom Collective CEO and owner, Eryn Vargo, joins WESH 2 to discuss women’s heart health and planning for summer camp.Click here to learn more.

    ORLANDO, Fla. —

    Orlando Mom Collective CEO and owner, Eryn Vargo, joins WESH 2 to discuss women’s heart health and planning for summer camp.

    Click here to learn more.

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  • NASA says it detected leak on Artemis II moon rocket during testing

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    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — On Monday afternoon, NASA stated that its teams detected a leak on its Artemis II moon rocket during the wet dress rehearsal.

    In an update, NASA stated that its teams have been able to fill the Space Launch System rocket’s core stage.

    What You Need To Know

    • The leak exceeded allowable limits, NASA stated
    • The wet dress rehearsal of the Orion capsule and the SLS rocket has teams loading more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic fuel into the rocket, conducting a launch countdown and practicing safely removing the fuel from the rocket

    “Teams have stopped the flow of liquid hydrogen through the tail service mast umbilical interface into the core stage after leak concentrations exceeded allowable limits,” the U.S. space agency stated.

    NASA stated that by stopping the flow of fuel, it lets engineers conduct troubleshooting processes that were first developed during Artemis I in 2022.

    During three separate occurrences, NASA detected liquid hydrogen leaks on the Space Launch System rocket during the Artemis I mission.

    “Liquid oxygen continues to flow into the core stage, and liquid hydrogen continues to flow into the upper stage,” NASA stated about the Artemis II wet dress rehearsal.

    In a new update, NASA stated that fixing the leak has “proved unsuccessful”.

    “After teams temporarily resumed fast fill of liquid hydrogen operations into the core stage, initial steps to correct the leak proved unsuccessful. The leak rate at the interface of the tail service mast umbilical continues to exceed the allowable limits. Liquid hydrogen filling operations on both the core stage and upper stage are paused as the team meets to determines next steps,” NASA explained.

    It was stated during the live feed that at 3:48 p.m. ET that the core stage liquid hydrogen fast fill has resumed.

    In a 4:41 p.m. ET update, NASA stated, “NASA teams have completed filling the core stage of the SLS (Space Launch System) rocket with liquid hydrogen and transitioned to topping mode. … Engineers continue to watch the leak at the interface of the tail service mast umbilical, but the liquid hydrogen concentration in the umbilical remains within acceptable limits.”

    During one of the launch attempts of Artemis I, that there was a leak at that same section. 

    In another update early in the evening, the U.S. space agency confirmed that the rocket has been filled with fuel, but the teams are keeping an eye on the leak.

    “Engineers continue to monitor liquid hydrogen concentration levels in the tail service mast umbilical, where a leak was previously detected. Levels are currently stable,” NASA stated.

    The wet dress rehearsal of the Orion capsule and the SLS rocket has teams loading more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic fuel into the rocket, conducting a launch countdown and practicing safely removing the fuel from the rocket.

    Once the Artemis II stacked rocket is ready for launch, it will send NASA’s Cmdr. Gregory Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut mission specialist Jeremy Hansen to the moon in a flyby mission.

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Buffalo Soldiers, representing Black soldiers throughout our history

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    TAMPA, Fla. — Gasparilla krewes are the social and service organizations that you’ll see commandeering floats and throwing beads at parades throughout the Tampa Bay Area.

    That included the Buffalo Soldiers.

    Their float is a moving history lesson about the accomplishments of Black soldiers serving our country in all the nation’s wars, going back to the beginning.

    “A lot of them joined to fight for our freedom,” sand Krewe president Chris Bailey. “Once they finished and went back into their community, they weren’t welcome. They were treated like outsiders still.”

    The krewe, active since the mid-1980s, teaches lessons that are important to the Black community and the greater community at large, offering scholarships and mentoring for young Black children.

    It’s something they want children to learn.

    “Hopefully have them ask questions, at least ask us, or ask their teachers when they go back to school. What was it? Who are these people and how come we were never taught about them?” said Bailey.

    It’s Bailey’s wish and that of his Buffalo Soldiers Krewe to “Know your history.”

    Gasparilla

    Clad in a modified 1866 U.S. Army uniforms, the Buffalo Soldiers Krewe are living history.

    But in parades, they might as well be gods handing out gold. “Just getting some little plastic beads excites them—if it’s big beads, little beads it doesn’t matter—they just want beads, “ said Bailey. “So going out and handing kids beads or selecting kids out of the crowd specifically to give beads to not just throw them at them—it excites them it excites us it makes it all worthwhile.”

    All the fun comes back to this—educating people about history, celebrating where they are now, and helping young community members make their future. 

    “I get my feelings—my good feelings — from helping one person at a time. If I could help just one person, I’m good,” said Krewe member Antionette Stokes. “One person, one bead at a time.”

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    Virginia Johnson

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  • Looking back at the Artemis I mission

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    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — As all eyes are on the crewed Artemis II that will see the return of humans to the moon, it pays to look back at the challenges Artemis I had to overcome, such as liquid hydrogen leaks and two hurricanes.

    What You Need To Know

    • In 2022, NASA attempted to launch the uncrewed Artemis I mission many times, with either mechanical problems or Mother Nature getting in the way
    • Don Platt, director of Florida Tech’s Spaceport Education Center, explains what happened to the heat shield during the Orion’s re-entry
    • NASA explained that first Artemis I was a test of the Space Launch System rocket and the Orion capsule

    The crewed Artemis II will have NASA’s Cmdr. Gregory Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialists Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen go to the moon for a flyby mission.

    But back in 2022, NASA attempted to launch the uncrewed Artemis I mission from Launch Pad 39B many times, with either mechanical problems or Mother Nature getting in the way.

    See the previous attempts right below.

    From the moment Artemis I launched the Space Launch System rocket and how Orion orbited the moon and returned in a splashdown, all looked OK. Except NASA engineers noticed that something was not right with the capsule’s heat shield.

    When Artemis I was re-entering Earth’s atmosphere at 25,000 mph (40,234 kph), a material called Avcoat that was on the heat shield did not work as designed.

    The Avcoat material is designed to protect a spacecraft from extreme temperatures by burning away as it heats up, instead of sending that heat to the capsule itself.

    And the temperatures the Orion experienced during re-entry was 5,000 degrees Fahrenheit (2,760 degrees Celsius).

    Instead of burning away during re-entry, the Avcoat broke up into chunks.

    Don Platt, director of Florida Tech’s Spaceport Education Center, explained what NASA saw.

    “Now what they saw with the Artemis I mission was that the erosion rate or how much of the material disappeared, as that got heated up and and went through the upper reaches of the atmosphere, was up more than they thought it would be. And, so of course, the problem with that is that, well, is there enough margin and why is it heating up more than we anticipated that it would? So that, of course, they had to go back to the drawing board then …,” he explained to Spectrum News.

    [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P5GNMXtHyU[/embed]

    NASA stated it has resolved the problem, but the issue with the heat shield was the reason why the Artemis II and III missions were pushed.

    Artemis II was supposed to be launched in 2025, and Artemis III was going to take off in 2025, but it was pushed back to 2026, with the current launch date being mid-2027.

    Platt said NASA used that time to improve on the heat shield.

    “NASA has spent time doing additional testing, beefing up the heat shield a little bit in places where it might need it. And, of course, they’ve had a couple of years to go through all of that and, make sure they are indeed ready to go now,” he said.

    Spectrum News reached out to NASA for comment and has not yet heard back.

    However, during a 2024 press conference, engineers and experts were able to re-create the conditions that the heat shield experienced during re-entry and developed a new method to be applied to the heat shield, said Amit Kshatriya, the deputy associate administrator for the Moon to Mars Program Office within the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate.

    Officials highlighted that had there been a crew inside the Orion during Artemis I, they would have been safe and comfortable during re-entry, even with the heat shield issue.

    NASA had previously stated that the purpose of the Artemis I was to iron out any issues that came up and that they were generally very pleased with how the mission went.

    And even though those issues have been ironed out, NASA is currently conducting a wet dress rehearsal on the Artemis II before sending up the four astronauts who will be the first humans to go back to the moon in more than 50 years.

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  • Astronauts poised for moon trip aboard Artemis II

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    There has not been a human presence on or near the Moon since the astronauts from 1972’s Apollo 17 mission walked on the surface of Earth’s satellite.

    Now, 50+ years later, the Artemis Project is working toward a long-term goal to first establish a permanent base on the Moon, and then use the Moon as a feasible way to facilitate human missions to Mars.

    The Artemis II flight will send four astronauts on a planned ten-day mission to fly to, circle, and return from the Moon.  We speak to experts to talk about the significance of the mission, Florida’s role in it, and how all of mankind stands to benefit.  

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    Allison Walker

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  • Farm owner speaks on importance of conserving land

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    HARDEE COUNTY, Fla. — With more people calling Florida their home comes increased development, but one state program is working to preserve agricultural land as growth continues.

    What You Need To Know

    • The Rural and Family Lands Protection Program was established in 2001, designed to protect important agricultural lands through land conservation easements
    • Over 500 applications were submitted to the program in 2025
    • Farmer Ned Hancock applied to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program about a year ago to protect his family’s land for generations to come
    • The interest in the program has increased by 90% since 2023


    Over 500 applications were submitted to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program statewide in 2025.

    In a quiet corner of Hardee County sits land that’s been in Ned Hancock’s family since 1855.

    “Outside of their love of God and their love of their family, nothing meant more to them than this land,” said Hancock.

    Though his family didn’t originally farm the property, Hancock knew he wanted to put it to use.

    He started in the citrus industry and later expanded into cattle. Today, the family owns over 3,500 acres, known as Charlie Creek Marsh.

    Hancock said the land isn’t just part of his history — it’s his livelihood.

    “Every agricultural endeavor has its challenges and its ups and downs, so we’re hoping that the next 20 years make up for the last 20 years,” he said.

    That’s why Hancock applied to the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program about a year ago.

    The program protects rural land through permanent agricultural land conservation easements, even as surrounding areas grow. 

    About three miles of Hancock’s family property is now part of the program, a decision he said benefits not just his farm, but the community as well.

    “For generations now, it’s going to be just like this,” he said. “It’s going to be cleaning up our water, clearing up our air, creating wildlife corridors.”

    According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, interest in conservation programs has increased by over 90% since 2023.

    “Our agricultural landscapes are what’s left of green space in our state. It’s what much of our wildlife is utilizing to continue to thrive in a rapidly growing state,” said Conservation Florida President and CEO Traci Deen.

    Since the program started in 2001, officials said over 200,000 acres of working agricultural land have been preserved.

    For Hancock, it’s about protecting the future so farmers like him can preserve their way of life for generations to come.

    “I hope 150 years from now, some of my descendants are saying, ‘Man, I’m glad they did this,’” he said.

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    Lizbeth Gutierrez

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  • Magic find keys to success in time for clash with Spurs

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    (Photo credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)

    The Orlando Magic will look to build on a momentum-changing comeback win when they battle the host San Antonio Spurs on Sunday afternoon.

    The Magic head to San Antonio with a two-game winning streak, the most recent victory a 130-120 home victory over the Toronto Raptors on Friday. Desmond Bane scored 16 of his 32 points in the fourth quarter and sank seven 3-pointers to lead Orlando back from a 14-point deficit.

    The Magic dominated the final period, outscoring Toronto 44-21.

    ‘It just continues to say what we’re capable of doing,’ Magic coach Jamahl Mosley said. ‘We can sit and watch this and learn from it. What were the things that allowed us to be successful here? That was sharing the basketball, playing with intention, and getting back in transition to keep them from easy baskets.’

    Anthony Black connected on all 14 of his free-throw attempts while scoring 25 points for Orlando, with Wendell Carter Jr. adding 23 points and Paolo Banchero dropping in 20. Jalen Suggs (14 points, 10 assists) produced a double-double in the win.

    ‘I thought tonight was really huge,’ Suggs said after the win on Friday. ‘You never want to lose at home. It really was a mindset to come out through fatigue and through mistakes and play hard and leave it all out there.’

    Orlando’s back-to-back wins came on the heels of a four-game losing streak that began with a setback to the Memphis Grizzlies in London.

    ‘We started having real dialogue before the overseas trip, just being intentional about what we want on both ends of the floor,’ Bane said. ‘We have been putting that into action.’

    The Spurs head home for the second game of a back-to-back after a 111-106 loss to the Hornets in snowy Charlotte on Saturday afternoon. The game was moved up to facilitate San Antonio’s return home as difficult travel conditions out of North Carolina were expected.

    The Spurs were just as cold as the weather outside for three quarters, trailing by as many as 20 points before rallying to within two when Stephon Castle hit a pair free throws with 1:37 to play.

    Rookie guard Dylan Harper paced San Antonio’s seven double-figure scorers with 20 points off the bench. Castle and Victor Wembanyama each finished with 16 points while Devin Vassell and Julian Champagnie had 13 points apiece. De’Aaron Fox and Harrison Barnes both hit for 11.Barnes played 25 minutes but came off the bench for the initial time in a Spurs uniform. It was the first time since Jan. 14, 2016, when he was with Golden State that has the 33-year old Barnes (who has played 352 games in a row) did not start, breaking a streak of 775 regular-season games as a starter.’We all occupy a role, and the main focus is winning,’ Barnes said of coming off the bench. ‘So it’s just trying to figure out ways to impact the game, to still be vocal, to do my part, to help contribute to winning.’

    San Antonio coach Mitch Johnson said bringing Barnes off the bench was part of a plan to get Vassell back into a starting role. Vassell played in his third straight game after missing 13 contests with an adductor injury.

    ‘I just felt like Devin the last couple of games didn’t quite find his rhythm, and I thought maybe just getting him back to that starting lineup could maybe get him back in that fold,’ Johnson said.

    San Antonio has alternated losses and wins over its past five games since Jan. 20 and went 8-7 in the month of January.

    The Spurs captured the first meeting between the teams 114-112 on Dec. 3 in Orlando.

    -Field Level Media

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  • Property tax relief measures in Florida could help buyers and sellers, if passed

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    ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are considering several proposals that, if voters approve, would potentially reduce property taxes for homeowners across the state. While it’s not clear which proposal lawmakers might choose, any reduction in property taxes could have an effect on the housing market.

    What You Need To Know

    • Florida lawmakers are reviewing proposals to reduce property taxes

    • An Orlando Realtor says lower property taxes could help buyers afford more expensive homes

    • Proposed measures will be decided by voters in November


    Sayerlen Cardier says her days of renting are hopefully coming to an end. The neurosurgery nurse practitioner says she’s ready to own her own home.

    “A place where my family can meet and I know it’s my place,” said Cardier.

    But what kind of home depends on what she can afford. If she doesn’t have to pay as much on property taxes, she might be able to spend more on a home.

    “Would give you more money in your pocket to distribute, even buying a better place, or a better location, or even paying more on your principal so you can get rid of your debt a little sooner,” said Cardier.

    Cardier’s real-estate agent, Rosa Hughes, says less money spent on property taxes means buyers have more money to potentially spend on a higher-priced home, or renovations.

    “The money they’re not paying in property taxes they can use for improvements, funds they can save for the future, a lot of things,” said Hughes.

    Luckily for Cardier, in the last year, it’s already become more of a buyer’s market. 

    Data collected by the Orlando Regional Realtor Association shows home prices in Central Florida have cooled off in the last year. After median prices continued to rise over the course of 2024, prices were mostly flat year-over-year in December 2025, with the median price of a home being just above $380,000.

    Hughes says if property taxes are lowered, buyers may be able to spend more on a home, which could lead to a resurgence in home values.

    “If we reduce property taxes, the buyer has more of a chance to go up in the price, that means the value of the property will go up,” said Hughes.

    That could be good for sellers whose homes appraise at a higher value.

    About to jump back into homeownership, Cardier says she’s encouraged by the possibilities Florida lawmakers are considering.

    “Would be great that somebody sees some sort of relief,” said Cardier. “And if it’s for everybody, that would be wonderful.”

    If any of the property tax measures are passed by the state legislature, they will be put on the ballot for voters to decide in November.

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    Jeff Allen

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  • ‘Rare arctic outbreak’ causes NASA to delay Artemis II fueling test

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    KENNEDY SPACE CENTER — The “rare arctic” chill that has been sweeping Florida has caused NASA to push back its wet dress rehearsal of the Artemis II moon rocket, the U.S. space agency stated on Friday morning.

    What You Need To Know

    • It means the new date for the wet dress rehearsal will be early next week
    • The new earliest launch date is now Sunday, Feb. 8, but that is tentative

    “Over the past several days, engineers have been closely monitoring conditions as cold weather and winds move through Florida. Managers have assessed hardware capabilities against the projected forecast given the rare arctic outbreak affecting the state and decided to change the timeline. Teams and preparations at the launch pad remain ready for the wet dress rehearsal,” NASA stated.

    This means that the original wet dress rehearsal has been changed from Saturday, Jan. 31, to Monday, Feb. 2.

    This also means that the earliest launch date to send four humans to the moon will not be Friday, Feb. 6, but now no earlier than Sunday, Feb. 8.

    Scroll down to see the launch attempt dates for Artemis II.

    However, the new launch date is tentative and based on how the wet dress rehearsal turns out. The rehearsal is to test the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and the Orion capsule.

    The U.S. space agency explained what the testing of the Artemis II rocket will be like.

    “The upcoming wet dress rehearsal is a prelaunch test to fuel the rocket. During the rehearsal, teams demonstrate the ability to load more than 700,000 gallons of cryogenic propellants into the rocket, conduct a launch countdown, and practice safely removing propellant from the rocket without astronauts inside the spacecraft,” stated NASA.

    Once the test is complete and if all goes well (include Mother Nature playing nice), then the Artemis II will see four people — NASA’s Cmdr. Gregory Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut mission specialist Jeremy Hansen — go to the moon for a flyby mission.

    The quartet has been in quarantine in Houston since Friday, Jan. 23, 2026.

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    Anthony Leone

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  • SpaceX hits milestone after launching more than 11,000 Starlink satellites

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — It was a chilly morning for anyone who stayed up late to watch SpaceX launch nearly 30 Starlink satellites launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station very early Friday morning.

    With Friday morning’s launch of the Starlink 6-101 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, more than 11,000 Starlink satellites are now in orbit around the Earth

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 11,000 Starlink satellites have been launched since 2019

    Going up

    This is only the fifth mission for the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster and all four of its missions have been Starlink launches.

    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.

    And we do mean thousands. Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been recording Starlink satellites and their launches.

    And according to his records, there have been 11,034 Starlink satellites that have been launched since the very first batch in 2019.

    But not all of them are fully operational. Or at all. Some are no longer in working order because of age, technical mishaps, or being directed to burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 9,573 are in orbit
    • 8,297 are in operational orbit

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    Anthony Leone

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  • FAA recommends 44 launches per year for SpaceX’s Starship

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — SpaceX passed another milestone in its effort to bring its Super Heavy Starship rocket to the Space Coast.

    What You Need To Know

    • The report recommended that SpaceX could pursue up to 44 launches per year from Kennedy Space Center
    • This also includes 88 landings, 44 for Starship and 44 for the Super Heavy rocket booster
    • Super Heavy is the rocket booster part of the vehicle; the spacecraft is called Starship

    On Friday, the FAA released a 444-page “Record of Decision” on a final environmental impact statement.

    The report recommended that SpaceX could pursue up to 44 launches per year from Kennedy Space Center. This also includes 88 landings, 44 for Starship and 44 for the Super Heavy rocket booster.

    The agency previously released an environmental impact statement to allow up to 76 launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

    SpaceX would still need to complete mitigation work and get approval for a launch license from the FAA before those launches could begin.

    Some residents have voiced concerns about beach access or noise related to the launches.

    The agency acknowledged impacts on commercial flights, in particular, international flights, due to the need for ground stops and re-routing.

    The FAA also considered that launches could cost the National Parks Service revenue due to required closures of parts of the Canaveral National Seashore.

    And that sonic booms could expose some Brevard County residents to noise during late-night operations, but still stuck with the recommendations to approve.

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    Spectrum News Staff

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  • Students studying about the next mission to the moon, history of flight

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    BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — All eyes are on the upcoming Artemis II mission to the moon because America hasn’t been to the moon in more than 50 years, and some Brevard County students are following along and learning about the history of flight.

    What You Need To Know

    • Some Viera Middle School students are learning about the history and future of flight

    • They are part of a program created through a partnership between FlightWorks Alabama and Airbus U.S. Space and Defense 

    • Some students are building model airplanes, and others are building their own space capsules

    • Teachers are helping the students understand the importance of developing a talent pipeline for future engineers and aviators

    The students learned Friday that NASA delayed a key test, the wet dress rehearsal, because of expected cold temperatures. The wet dress rehearsal, a simulated launch day for the team and the fueling of the rocket to check for issues before the real liftoff, is now scheduled for Monday, Feb. 2, with a potential launch on Sunday, Feb. 8.

    In one classroom at Viera Middle School, students are studying the dawn of aviation.

    It all began when the Wright brothers took flight in Kitty Hawk, N.C. in December 1903. Their Wright Flyer was the first to achieve sustained, powered and controlled flight.

    Those students are building their own model planes.

    Seventh-grader Olivia Toler and her peers are cutting, sticking and gluing their models as part of the We Build it Better program, which was created through a partnership involving Airbus U.S. Space and Defense.

    It has reached 600,000 students in classrooms across the United States, United Kingdom and France and was created to help students like Toler understand the importance of developing a talent pipeline for future engineers and aviators.

    “Something like in the field of aerospace and launching rockets,” Toler said about a potential career.

    Down the hall in Lynn Dotson’s class, her students are focused on the future of flight.

    Every Friday in her classroom, it’s Artemis “Fri-yay,” where students learn something new about the moon mission.

    This time, it’s all about the Orion capsule, which will take the four-person crew to the moon.

    Liam Stevens and his friends built their own capsules out of plastic and Styrofoam cups.

    They put chocolate on the inside and are applying gradual heat to test the strength of the mock heat shield.

    “Testing it, seeing what’s wrong and trying to fix it,” Stevens explained.

    Dotson took time away from teaching in schools to be an educator at NASA. Now she’s back in the classroom mentoring future engineers — maybe even preparing them for spaceflight.

    “What if they become astronauts?” Dotson said, smiling.

    She said she is excited her students are immersing themselves in studying Artemis.

    “How cool would that be? I could be the one that inspired them — and the other teachers here. That’s our job,” Dotson said. “We are inspiring the next generation.” 

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    Greg Pallone

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  • Blue Origin puts a pause on New Shepard launches to focus on the moon

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    NATIONWIDE— Space will not be a destination for paying customers for a while, at least not through Blue Origin.

    What You Need To Know

    • Blue Origin stated it wants to focus on its “lunar capabilities”
    • NASA has tapped Blue Origin and other companies for the Artemis III mission

    The company announced Friday that it would pause its reusable New Shepard rocket flights for at least two years.

    Those are the ones that sent passengers, including Katy Perry, Gayle King, Jeff Bezos, Michael Strahan, and William Shatner, above the Kármán line to experience weightlessness.

    The majority of the passengers have not been celebrities who went beyond the line to the edge of space, at 62 miles/100 kilometers above the planet’s surface.

    Blue Origin had run more than a dozen of those flights, with the most recent one having lifted off just over a week ago, on Jan. 22.

    The company stated it will shift resources to accelerate its “lunar capabilities.”

    “Blue Origin today announced it will pause its New Shepard flights and shift resources to further accelerate development of the company’s human lunar capabilities. The decision reflects Blue Origin’s commitment to the nation’s goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent, sustained lunar presence,” stated Brett Griffin, director of Blue Origin’s public relations.

    In October 2025, then NASA acting Administrator Sean Duffy said the U.S. space agency is considering Blue Origin and other companies to handle the task of returning humans to the moon’s surface because SpaceX’s Starship was behind schedule.

    “Now, SpaceX had the contract for Artemis III. By the way, I love SpaceX and it’s an amazing company, but the problem is, they are behind. They pushed their timelines out and we are in a race against China. The president and I want to get to the moon in this president’s term. So, I’m going to open up the contract and I’m going let other space companies compete with SpaceX, like Blue Origin. Whatever one gets us there first to the moon, we are going to take. If SpaceX is behind and Blue Origin can do it before them, good on Blue Origin,” he wrote on X at the time.

    During a September 2025 media tour of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket facility in Florida, Spectrum News asked U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, who is the chairman of the U.S. Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, if NASA had any backup plans if Starship was behind schedule.

    He only said that the only focus at that time was Artemis II, which will see four astronauts flyby the moon in NASA’s Space Launch System rocket and the Orion spacecraft.

    Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 1 lunar lander is set to have an uncrewed launch to land on the moon sometime in 2026, and the Blue Moon Mark 2 lunar lander will be taking humans back to the moon’s surface for the Artemis V mission.

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    Spectrum News Staff, Anthony Leone

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  • Average age of first-time homebuyers at all-time high

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    PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. — The National Association of Realtors reports the average age of first-time homebuyers is at an all-time high at age 40. The association also says the share of first-time homebuyers has hit a historic low of 21%.

    Twenty-year-old Christina Copelan is bucking that national trend. She bought her Clearwater home a few months ago when she was 19.

    “It feels really great, like, I am very proud of myself,” said Copelan.

    Graduating from high school at age 15, she said becoming a homeowner was an early goal. She works as a personal assistant for a property manager and a financial services company and started saving soon after graduation.

    “The biggest thing was living at home with my parents. I think because I didn’t have many bills. But yeah, really, really saving and being super frugal,” said Copelan, who was able to close on her home in a couple of years. She and her family are now renovating it themselves.

    “Instead of just buying it and living in it. I get to, you know, put something into it instead of just occupying it,” said Copelan, who enjoys adding her personal touch.

    She is not the norm, according to recent numbers released from the National Association of Realtors.

    The association adds that the all-time high age of 40 for first-time homebuyers can create a trickle-down effect on personal finances.

    “Delayed or denied homeownership until age 40 instead of 30 can mean losing roughly $150,000 in equity on a typical starter home,” said Shannon McGahn, NAR Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer.

    Liane Jamason has been in real estate for 18 years and has responded to the shift.

    “I think it’s because we’re having some affordability problems and also interest rates being a little bit higher may have skewed that number a little bit,” said Jamason.

    The broker owns Corcoran Dwellings in St. Petersburg, and while she acknowledges the national trend, she said that she and her agents are seeing a different trend in local first-time buyers.

    “We’re seeing really closer to low twenties to low thirties here,” said Jamason.

    “I mean it’s a young vibe here and especially in downtown St Pete, so I think people love that and really want to get in while they can.”

    And with a market Jamason describes as steady, buyers of all ages are aiming to get closer to closing on a home of their own.

    “It’s very it’s very cool to tell other people like my age that is possible,” said Copelan, who is also a landlord and rents the other half of her duplex. She hopes to inspire the younger generation of future homeowners.

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    Melissa Eichman

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  • How to keep your pets safe during cold spells

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    WISCONSIN — As temperatures continue to plummet, it’s important to keep your pets warm, dry and safe.

    The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals released these safety tips on its website ahead of the cold spell:

    If you’re too cold, so is your pet

    If left outside in the cold, pets can freeze, become disoriented, get lost, get hurt or even killed. Pets should be kept inside, where it’s warm and safe.

    ASPCA also said pets should not be left in the car alone. In cold weather, cars can act like refrigerator, keeping cold air inside. This could freeze your pet, lead to health problems or kill them.

    Make sure to wash and dry your pet’s feet and tummy after a walk or outdoor time

    On walks, pets can step in ice, salt or other chemicals that could hurt their feet and paw pads. ASPCA recommended bringing a dry, clean towel on long walks if you need to clean off irritated paws.

    ”Don’t forget to check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes,” ASPCA said.

    Rub petroleum jelly into your pet’s paw pads before you head out the door

    This helps protect them from salt and chemicals. Booties are another great option to protect paws outside.

    (Pixabay)

    Keep your home humidified and your pet dry

    Towel drying your pet as soon as they head inside will help keep their skin healthy, avoiding flakes or itchiness.

    ”Repeatedly going into the cold and then coming back to a warm home can cause this skin reaction in pets,” ASPCA said. “Again, paying close attention to their feet and in-between their toes will help prevent and treat skin irritation in the winter.”

    Do not shave your pets down in the winter

    A dog’s coat is like, well, a coat. The longer it is, the more warmth they’ll have.

    If you have a long-haired dog, feel free to trim them down to avoid things getting caught in their fur or hair, such as ice balls, salt crystals or de-icing chemicals. Those can all dry out their skin.

    If you have a short-haired pet, bundle them up in a coat, sweater or turtleneck.

    Skip baths if possible during cold spells

    Too many baths could get rid of oils in your pet’s skin, increasing the odds of their skin getting dry or flaky. During the winter, opt for moisturizing shampoo. Ask your vet if they have any recommendations.

    (AP Photo)

    Clean antifreeze spills

    Antifreeze can kill your pet.

    ”Additionally, cold weather chemicals like ice melts can be dangerous when ingested, so always be mindful and keep chemicals up and out of paws’ reach,” ASPCA said.

    Feed your pets more

    ASPCA said pets burn extra energy throughout the winter in order to stay warm. The extra calories and plenty of water are needed when it’s chilly.

    Make sure they’re cozy at night

    Your pet should be sleeping off the floor and away from any drafts. Consider adding a blanket to their bed to keep them extra toasty.

    (Christopher Miller)

    Stay together, and on a leash, when you’re outside

    Don’t let your dog off leash during a snowstorm, onto snow or on ice.

    ”Dogs can lose their scent in the snow and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure your dog always wears an ID tag,” ASPCA said.

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    Aly Prouty

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  • SpaceX hits milestone with more than 11,000 Starlink launches

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    CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — You might want to grab a light coat if you plan on staying up late to watch SpaceX launch nearly 30 Starlink satellites very early Friday morning.

    And more than 11,000 Starlink satellites have been launched. 

    What You Need To Know

    • More than 11,000 Starlink satellites have been launched since 2019

    The Falcon 9 rocket will send up Starlink 6-101 mission from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, stated SpaceX.

    The launch window will open at 11 p.m. ET, Thursday, and remain open until 3 a.m. ET, Friday, which means SpaceX has during that time period to send up its Falcon 9.

    Currently, the liftoff time is 12:51 a.m ET, Friday. It was set for a Friday launch at 11:01 p.m. ET and then 11:24 p.m. ET. No word on why the liftoff time was pushed back.

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

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

    Going up

    This is only the fifth mission for the Falcon 9’s first-stage booster and all four of its missions have been Starlink launches.

    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.

    And we do mean thousands. Dr. Jonathan McDowell, of Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, has been recording Starlink satellites and their launches.

    And according to his records, there have been 11,034 Starlink satellites that have been launched since the very first batch in 2019.

    But not all of them are fully operational. Or at all. Some are no longer in working order because of age, technical mishaps, or being directed to burn up in the Earth’s atmosphere.

    Before this launch, McDowell recorded the following:

    • 9,573 are in orbit
    • 8,297 are in operational orbit

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    Anthony Leone

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  • Central Florida man reflects on Challenger disaster 40 years later

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    ORANGE CITY, Fla. — Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of one of the darkest days for NASA — the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

    All seven astronauts on board were killed when the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 28, 1986. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Wednesday marks 40 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on Jan. 28, 1986

    • Just over a minute after lifting off, the Challenger broke apart, killing all seven astronauts on board
    • Volusia County resident and space enthusiast Jeffrey Ault, who captured it all on his Super 8 camera, says he remembers the tragedy like it was yesterday


    Many people across Florida and the country watched as it all unfolded, including Volusia County resident Jeffrey Ault, who says he remembers that day like it was yesterday.

    Ault was one of many on the shoreline of the Banana River near Port Canaveral who were watching the launch live that day.

    He says he was the only person to have shot it all on a Super 8 movie camera.

    Although Ault says it was a memorable January day, it was for all the wrong reasons.

    Challenger crew members: Michael J. Smith, front row left, Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, back row left, S. Christa McAuliffe, Gregory B. Jarvis, and Judith A. Resnik. On Jan. 28, 1986, they lost their lives when the space shuttle Challenger blew up after liftoff. (NASA)

    Like many space enthusiasts, Ault says he followed the Apollo program and built rocket models ever since he was a kid. So, to witness a tragedy like the Challenger explosion was devastating for him.

    It was also his first time seeing a launch in person. 

    One thing that Ault says he remembers very clearly is how cold it was that day.

    He says the launch had been delayed several times because of weather concerns, and that he didn’t know whether it was going to happen.

    Even though the Challenger launch resulted in tragedy, Ault says a lot still can be learned from it to this day.

    “I think the space program — back with the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle program — brought Americans together, brought people from all over the world together,” he says. “And hopefully, as we move forward, maybe we could get some of that unity and positive feeling back throughout this country.”

    Ault says he will never forget the speech that then-President Ronald Reagan made in honor of those who died in the tragedy, and to remind Americans what astronauts put on the line every time they go into space.

    “You really have to give credit to the masterminds, the engineers who work on this, and then the brave astronauts that are putting their lives at risk for this travel,” Ault says. “And the Challenger taught us that it is very dangerous.”

    To keep their memories alive, the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony is held every year around the time of the Challenger disaster. This year, it took place on Jan. 22.

    The event serves to memorialize the lives lost not only in the Challenger tragedy, but the seven astronauts who died aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, which broke up during re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003, and the three astronauts from Apollo 1, who died when a fire broke out in their capsule during preflight testing on Jan. 27, 1967.

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    Sasha Teman

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  • Central Florida man reflects on Challenger disaster 40 years later

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    ORANGE CITY, Fla. — Wednesday marks the 40th anniversary of one of the darkest days for NASA — the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster.

    All seven astronauts on board were killed when the shuttle broke apart 73 seconds after lifting off from Kennedy Space Center on Jan. 28, 1986. 

    What You Need To Know

    • Wednesday marks 40 years since the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster on Jan. 28, 1986

    • Just over a minute after lifting off, the Challenger broke apart, killing all seven astronauts on board
    • Volusia County resident and space enthusiast Jeffrey Ault, who captured it all on his Super 8 camera, says he remembers the tragedy like it was yesterday


    Many people across Florida and the country watched as it all unfolded, including Volusia County resident Jeffrey Ault, who says he remembers that day like it was yesterday.

    Ault was one of many on the shoreline of the Banana River near Port Canaveral who were watching the launch live that day.

    He says he was the only person to have shot it all on a Super 8 movie camera.

    Although Ault says it was a memorable January day, it was for all the wrong reasons.

    Challenger crew members: Michael J. Smith, front row left, Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Ronald E. McNair; Ellison S. Onizuka, back row left, S. Christa McAuliffe, Gregory B. Jarvis, and Judith A. Resnik. On Jan. 28, 1986, they lost their lives when the space shuttle Challenger blew up after liftoff. (NASA)

    Like many space enthusiasts, Ault says he followed the Apollo program and built rocket models ever since he was a kid. So, to witness a tragedy like the Challenger explosion was devastating for him.

    It was also his first time seeing a launch in person. 

    One thing that Ault says he remembers very clearly is how cold it was that day.

    He says the launch had been delayed several times because of weather concerns, and that he didn’t know whether it was going to happen.

    Even though the Challenger launch resulted in tragedy, Ault says a lot still can be learned from it to this day.

    “I think the space program — back with the Apollo program, the Space Shuttle program — brought Americans together, brought people from all over the world together,” he says. “And hopefully, as we move forward, maybe we could get some of that unity and positive feeling back throughout this country.”

    Ault says he will never forget the speech that then-President Ronald Reagan made in honor of those who died in the tragedy, and to remind Americans what astronauts put on the line every time they go into space.

    “You really have to give credit to the masterminds, the engineers who work on this, and then the brave astronauts that are putting their lives at risk for this travel,” Ault says. “And the Challenger taught us that it is very dangerous.”

    To keep their memories alive, the NASA Day of Remembrance ceremony is held every year around the time of the Challenger disaster. This year, it took place on Jan. 22.

    The event serves to memorialize the lives lost not only in the Challenger tragedy, but the seven astronauts who died aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia, which broke up during re-entry on Feb. 1, 2003, and the three astronauts from Apollo 1, who died when a fire broke out in their capsule during preflight testing on Jan. 27, 1967.

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    Sasha Teman

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  • Florida gov candidates spar; Ingoglia takes on St. Pete

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    Rep. Byron Donalds and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner spar on X over school choice legislation, and Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia asserts that St. Pete over spent $49 million over six years.


    Florida Republican governor candidates spar over school choice legislation

    When it comes to school choice, Florida law provides universal choice education scholarships to cover almost $9,000 in private school vouchers. The legislation that created the voucher program became a flash point today in the governor’s race.

    It started with a social media post by Rep. Byron Donalds, who is running for governor.

    He was in Tallahassee where he used to serve as a lawmaker and took credit for passing school choice bills. But one of Donalds’ opponents in the Republican primary for governor, former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, took issue with that.

    “Hey everybody. I’m actually back in Tallahassee and in my time at the state House.” Donalds said Wednesday on X. “We were arguing for universal choice and we got that passed during my time in the Florida House. It’s National School Choice Week, and we want to make sure that everybody understands that our number one mission is to make sure that every child, regardless of zip code, is getting the best education possible. So it’s actually kind of ironic that I’m back here in Tallahassee, kind of where it all began to a degree, where we argued for school choice here. Delivered universal school choice here. We want to see that same thing happen for every child in America. God bless you guys. Take it easy.”

    “Byron, you know that’s a lie. Let’s have an honest campaign with voters. So I wake up this morning to see Congressman Donalds on video, literally claiming that he was here in the Florida House when we passed Universal School Choice,” Renner said on X. “Byron, you know that’s a lie because I passed universal school choice in 2023. You were nowhere near Tallahassee. You passed the Hope scholarship HB one, which was political theater and barely moved the needle. That was not universal school choice. And you know it. I know you have a thin, thin record both in the House and in Congress, but do me a favor and don’t run on mine. Let’s have an honest campaign with voters. Let’s tell them about my experience and yours, my record and yours, and let them make a decision. Honestly.”

    Florida CFO Blaise Ingoglia asserts that St. Pete government overspent $49 million over 6 years

    Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia held a press conference in St. Pete today, saying that the city has overtaxed and overspent more than $49 million over a 6-year period.

    Ingoglia said he reached that number by looking at the base budget plus inflation plus population, and says what should be an “acceptable budget growth.”

    He says the city has only added just over 11,500 to the population, and says that the budget for the city grew by $133 million.

    However, he did not get into specifics of exactly what the city overspent on.

    “This is the number that when we took their old budget, adjusted for inflation and population and compared it to what it actually was, that you are being overtaxed in our estimation $49 million dollars that’s a lot money for a relatively small budget,” Ingoglia said.

    The CFO said that his office has been auditing cities across the state and reports that it has found more than a billion dollars in overspending and overtaxing.

    St. Pete Mayor Kenneth T. Welch responded to the allegations in a statement.

    “Today, Florida’s CFO asserted statements about the City of St. Petersburg’s budget and said that any response or rebuttal from local government would just be a ‘spin.’ He made it clear that any clarification or correction would be local governments ‘justifying excessive and wasteful spending.’ We just received the report and while we work to verify his statements, the City of St. Petersburg remains transparent throughout our budget process. As we do every year, all year round, we encourage residents with questions about the City’s budget to review the documents posted on our website at www.stpete.org/budget,” Welch said.

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    Saundra Weathers, Spectrum News Staff

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