Florida

The Crew-13 astronauts have arrived at Kennedy Space Center in Florida ahead of a planned October 1 launch to the International Space Station. Their arrival begins final training and quarantine procedures before liftoff. It is the next rotation of crew heading to the orbiting laboratory under NASA's commercial crew program.

A suspect linked to a scam ring operating from inside a Georgia prison has been arrested after a Florida woman lost $15,000 in Bitcoin, according to WSB-TV. Investigators say inmates allegedly ran fraud schemes targeting victims remotely, convincing them to send cryptocurrency payments. The case highlights how incarcerated individuals have continued orchestrating scams using phones and digital currency.

Florida is weighing whether fossil fuels or solar power should drive its electricity grid, with the question framed around which option would lower energy bills for residents. The debate touches on the state's abundant sunshine, growing solar adoption, and the costs of continuing reliance on natural gas and other fossil fuels, as utilities and consumers weigh affordability against long-term energy strategy.

Haitian community members gathered at a church in North Miami to rally in support of Temporary Protected Status holders, urging measures to protect them from losing their legal residency protections. The event, covered by local station WSVN, highlights ongoing concern in South Florida's large Haitian community over the future of the TPS program and the uncertainty facing those who rely on it.

The US Space Force has deployed a kinetic-kill laser as part of the defense systems protecting Cape Canaveral, Florida. The weapon is intended to intercept incoming threats such as drones or missiles directed at the launch complex. The move reflects growing military investment in directed-energy weapons for protecting critical space launch infrastructure.

SpaceX is counting down to another Starship launch from its Texas facility, with guides telling audiences how to follow the flight live. The flight is being framed as a potentially historic step for the vehicle, which SpaceX intends to use for deep-space missions. Launch coverage is being carried by news outlets in Florida, where attention on the company's operations is high.

King tides are inundating streets across South Florida, with water pooling in low-lying neighborhoods in and around Miami. Forecasters and officials warn that the seasonal flooding is expected to continue and possibly worsen in the coming days as tides peak. Residents are being advised to prepare for standing water and street closures during this year's highest tides.

Urban environments may be preparing invasive species to spread further, according to reporting carried by Mid Florida Newspapers. The idea is that city conditions—heat, disturbance and constant transport links—help adaptable plants and animals tolerate stresses they would later face as they expand into new regions, making cities potential launch pads rather than barriers for invasions.

A Cuban national has been convicted of using a Florida travel agency as a front to smuggle people across the US border, according to the US Attorney's Office. Prosecutors say the business was used to facilitate illegal crossings. The case highlights ongoing federal efforts to target smuggling networks operating behind legitimate businesses in Florida.

Democratic Representative Darren Soto is campaigning to keep his congressional seat after Florida's redistricting reshaped his district. The Puerto Rico-born lawmaker says he is confident about winning re-election despite new boundaries that could make the race more competitive. Coverage focuses on how the map changes affect his chances and his standing with Puerto Rican voters in the region.

Brendan Farrington, who covered Florida politics for the Associated Press for decades, has died at the age of 60. Farrington was a familiar byline on the state's political coverage, reporting on governors, legislatures and elections in one of the country's most closely watched political battlegrounds. Colleagues and Florida political figures are paying tribute to his long career.

Students at Florida Tech are taking part in a simulated Mars mission, living as astronauts would on the red planet with limited outside support. Participants describe the experience with the warning 'you're on your own', reflecting the isolation and self-reliance the simulation demands. The project highlights growing student involvement in space exploration research as Florida continues to position itself at the center of the aerospace industry.

Florida news outlets report that readers in Brevard County are most engaged by stories on Donald Trump, Flock safety cameras, and state politics. The topics reflect ongoing local debates over surveillance technology on public roads and Trump's continuing influence in Florida's political landscape. Letters and commentary from residents suggest these issues are top of mind across the region.

Police in West Palm Beach, Florida have arrested a suspect in the fatal shooting at Ontario Place. The person now faces a murder charge in connection with the killing. Authorities have not released further details about the victim or circumstances, and the case is expected to proceed through the local courts as investigators continue their work.

A triple murder trial in Polk County, Florida is wrapping up, with local outlets covering the final stages of proceedings. The case involves three killings, and residents are following the trial closely as jurors prepare to consider a verdict.

An inmate incarcerated in northwest Florida has been found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and solicitation of murder. The conviction means the inmate, who was already in state custody, now faces additional penalties for plotting a killing from behind bars. Details about the intended target, sentencing, or timeline have not been widely reported beyond the guilty verdict itself.

Police have identified the victim of a fatal shooting in West Palm Beach, Florida, as a 31-year-old minister. Authorities have not released further details about the circumstances of the shooting or any suspects. The identification of a young clergyman among the victims has drawn attention to gun violence in the area.

Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida is set to host a Sunday game between the Chicago Cubs and the Boston Red Sox. The matchup at the home ballpark of the Tampa Bay Rays is drawing attention as an unusual venue for two visiting clubs, with Major League Baseball listing the game on its schedule for Sunday.

A political committee called the Better Jacksonville Committee has been formed, which Florida Politics reports is the latest sign that state Representative Wyman Duggan is preparing to launch a campaign for Jacksonville mayor. The filing adds to indications that the Republican lawmaker is moving toward a bid, giving him a vehicle to raise and spend money ahead of an official announcement.

Florida news is centering on three stories: a lightning strike in the state, the countdown to NASA's Artemis moon mission launching from Kennedy Space Center, and utility FPL issuing credits to customers. The Artemis countdown is drawing national attention as NASA pushes forward with its return-to-the-moon program, while the FPL credits affect residents' bills.

A hunter caught 96 Burmese pythons in the Florida Everglades and won the top prize in the state's annual Python Challenge. The invasive snakes have devastated native wildlife in the Everglades, and the competition enlists the public to help remove them. The winning haul is drawing attention to both the scale of the invasion and the unusual contest.