Minggu, 23 Agustus 2026

1,000 Launch Goal, Fire Detroys Jaws Souvenirs, and AI Dashcam

Sunday, August 23, 2026

Good Morning! On this day in 1992, Hurricane Andrew strengthened to a category four storm. Two days later it came ashore near Homestead as a Category 5 and leveled much of south Miami-Dade.

For now, the taxpayer-funded Loop Road in Palm Coast will go to nowhere after developer Raydient pulled plans to build a 22,000-home development. Learn more in Around Florida.

In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, Ayla counted down the 10 renovations homeowners regret most. Seventy-four percent of homeowners who renovated in the last five years wish they'd done something differently, and the most regretted upgrades aren't what you'd expect. Ayla broke down where these projects go wrong and shared simple tricks that could save you from making the same mistakes. So before you pick up a paintbrush or a sledgehammer, find out whether your dream upgrade is one homeowners wish they could undo. And if you've already survived a remodel, see if your biggest regret made the list. Tune in here!

It’s easy to overlook what happens behind prison walls, but for thousands across Florida, it’s where they’re searching for a fresh start. Access to hope, guidance, and purpose can change everything. That’s what today’s partner, Prison Fellowship, is helping make possible.

Trump Sets 1,000-Launch Goal for 2030

President Trump signed a memorandum Thursday setting a goal of more than 1,000 rocket launches and reentries a year from American soil by 2030.

It's the first rewrite of national space transportation policy since 2013, directing agencies to speed permitting and environmental reviews, expand launch infrastructure, and identify new launch sites.

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center are expected to carry much of that load. Meeting the target could require significant upgrades to launch pads and range systems in Brevard County.

A Falcon 9 carrying 29 Starlink satellites lifted off from Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 40 at 11:14 a.m. Friday, a day after crews halted the countdown 30 seconds from liftoff.

The first-stage booster, on its 30th flight, landed on the droneship A Shortfall of Gravitas in the Atlantic. The policy also calls for American astronauts back on the moon by 2028.

Recount Begins in Lake County

Lake County election workers began a machine recount Saturday in the Republican primary for Florida's 11th Congressional District, where 393 votes separate the top two candidates.

Businessman Joe Strada leads former Lake County Property Appraiser Carey Baker 27,389 to 26,996 out of 81,777 votes cast. Secretary of State Cord Byrd ordered the recount Friday; Florida law requires one when the margin falls at or below 0.5%.

If the recount narrows the gap to 0.25% or less, state law requires a hand recount. Orange and Sumter counties are running their ballots again as well.

Lake County Supervisor of Elections Alan Hays completed the required logic and accuracy test Friday evening. "A recount requires the same level of precision and commitment as the election itself," Hays said.

Rep. Dan Webster is retiring after holding the seat since 2011. The winner faces James Pericola, D, in the Nov. 3 general election.

Review Opened in Super Speeder Deputy Case

The Florida Highway Patrol opened a review Friday of a February stop in which a trooper let an off-duty Brevard County deputy go after clocking him at 111 mph.

Trooper Joshua Provencher stopped Michael Fultz on U.S. 192 near Melbourne on Feb. 9 and cited him for going 9 mph over. Fultz paid $255 and never appeared in court.

Under Florida's "Super Speeder" law, drivers going 100 mph or more in a dangerous manner face arrest and up to 30 days in jail.

Video shows Provencher said the rider was going to jail before learning he was a deputy. "Obviously you and I are buddies. I'm not trying to show favoritism, either," he told Fultz.

Sheriff's investigators concluded the stop met the law's criminal threshold and that Fultz admitted it. He was named Deputy of the Year a month later and resigned in May in lieu of termination.

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➤ Panama City Beach: Fire destroyed the Jaws Souvenirs shop on Thomas Drive early Friday, with about 100 firefighters on scene at the peak. (See Video)

➤ Palm Coast: Raydient withdrew its plans Friday for a 22,000-home development west of U.S. 1, ending the city's Westward Expansion for now. Taxpayers have already spent $126 million on the Loop Road cutting through the site. (See Details)

➤ Walton County: The state health department issued an advisory Friday after confirming a locally acquired human case of West Nile virus. South Walton Mosquito Control is spraying and emptying standing water, and officials are asking residents to use repellent and report dead birds. (More)

➤ Orange County: The Sheriff's Office closed its Sloth World investigation without recommending charges, finding no evidence of intentional harm despite a known death toll of at least 58 sloths. Eight survivors have cleared quarantine at the Central Florida Zoo in Sanford. (Read Story)

➤ Marion County: Gilligan Racing LLC officials say they are making significant progress toward developing a new world-class thoroughbred racing facility, with several potential sites identified. (More)

➤ Miami: The police department introduced Samson, an 18-month-old German Shepherd trained over three months to detect firearms. He's paired with Sgt. Jesse Rodriguez, an 18-year veteran, and Chief Edwin Lopez said K-9s often give seven to 10 years of service. (Watch)

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➤ The Tampa Bay Rays released final agreement documents Friday for a proposed ballpark across from Raymond James Stadium as part of a deal that would move the team from St. Petersburg to Tampa. The Tampa City Council is scheduled to vote on the deal Thursday. (More)

➤ Inter Miami's Lionel Messi was fined by Major League Soccer for slapping Philadelphia Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan on the back of the neck during stoppage time of Wednesday's 2-2 draw. The league did not disclose the amount. (More)

➤ Former Florida State quarterback Tommy Castellanos entered the transfer portal after a Kentucky judge granted him a temporary restraining order clearing the way for a fifth college season. (More)

➤ The Miami Heat are expected to sign five-time All-Star Klay Thompson to a two-year deal worth nearly $13 million following his buyout from the Dallas Mavericks. (More)

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A single Bible can be the beginning of real change for someone behind bars. It offers encouragement, clarity, and a sense of direction when it’s needed most.

If you’re looking for a way to give that’s direct and meaningful, this is it.

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➤ Laura Del Valle Aponte turned 105 on Friday, making her the oldest resident of Weston. Born in Puerto Rico in 1921, she celebrated at Jubilee Assisted Living with several generations of family, including a great-grandson granted military leave to attend. (See Video)

➤ University of South Florida researchers are developing an AI dashcam that flags damaged pavement, missing signs, and blocked roads as a vehicle drives, aiming to map storm damage within hours. Sarasota County officials plan to test it, and researchers expect to finish this fall. (More)

➤ Anna Maria Island Turtle Watch logged no new nests this week and says nesting season may be over, but 179 nests remain in the sand waiting to hatch. (See Report)

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➤ Most Americans think eating sweets for breakfast is unhealthy. But according to Stanford researchers, there's one delicious “dessert” that Costa Ricans in the famous "blue zone" there eat each morning. So, what's the #1 “dessert” food that helps Costa Ricans live healthy, lean, and energetic past 100?

The following stories are featured exclusively on The Flyover Podcast—a daily show that gives you the most important headlines in under 15 minutes, straight from the heart of the country. Clicking the link will take you directly to these stories:

➤ A brief tariff pause ended with the U.S. and Canada locked in a new trade fight. (Hear More)

➤ A father’s decision left his young son stranded thousands of feet up Mount Fuji. (Listen Now)

➤ The night sky is set to deliver a lunar show that will not be matched until 2028. (Podcast Available)

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➤ Most of us could use a few more healthy habits, but they don't have to be complicated. Quince has a wellness product that's become part of many of our daily routines. We think it's worth checking out if you're looking to make small improvements that add up over time. (More)

The nation’s first jellyfish museum just opened in Pompano Beach. It's home to more than 25 jellyfish species from around the world and combines real aquariums with 3D projections.