REAL ID sample

Planning To Fly or Cruise Soon? Make Sure You Have REAL ID.

April 7, 2025Posted inFlorida News, Florida Travel, National News
Sample REAL ID for Florida
Sample REAL ID from Florida DMV

As of May 7, 2025- just one short month from now- significant changes will take effect regarding identification requirements for Americans. With the coming enforcement of the REAL ID Act, individuals who want to board US domestic flights or enter government facilities will need to possess a REAL ID-compliant form of identification (And yes, Florida’s cruise terminals count as a government facility). There are only a few exceptions, such as states that issue what is known as “Enhanced ID” – Enhanced Driver’s Licenses (EDLs) issued by Washington, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, and Vermont.  The government says REAL ID requirements will be strictly enforced. Here’s how to make sure you are ready.

τ Coronae Borealis

Astronomers Say Star Will Go Nova Soon

April 7, 2025Posted inAviation and Space News, Florida News, Space News, Things to Do and See in Florida
τ Coronae Borealis going nova.
Visualization courtesy NASA

Astronomers worldwide are eagerly anticipating a rare celestial event: a star exploding. Even better, the explosion and its remnants will be visible to the naked eye, and it will be visible from Florida.

The event centers around T Coronae Borealis (T CrB), a binary star system located approximately 3,000 light-years from Earth in the constellation Corona Borealis. This system, comprising a white dwarf and a red giant, is expected to undergo a nova outburst in the very near future.

Op-Ed: Fiscal Fiasco–Tariffs Might Save Us from Our Own Stupidity

April 7, 2025Posted inEditorials and Opinions
Grok AI created image.

America—while we’ve been busy playing the world’s economic punching bag, other nations have been laughing all the way to the bank, raking in our dollars and slapping us with trade barriers so lopsided they’d make a funhouse mirror blush. For years, we’ve been in a tariff war—don’t kid yourself—but we’ve been the chumps who brought a butter knife to a gunfight.

Captain Brock Horner in dispute with another fisherman. - Screenshot

Charter Captain Arrested Following Viral ‘Boat Rage’ Incident in Punta Gorda

April 5, 2025Posted inFlorida News
Screen Capture of Brock Horner from Video by Gage Towles/Youtube
Screen Capture from Video by Gage Towles/Youtube

A Punta Gorda charter captain has been arrested following a heated confrontation on the Peace River that was captured on video and has since gone viral. The incident, which unfolded under the Barron Collier Bridge on April 1, involved Captain Brock Horner, 40, of Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters, and 22-year-old fisherman Gage Towles. Horner owns Tarpon Coast Fishing Charters in the southwest Florida town.

Gov. Ron DeSantis Presents Bonus to Bay County Deputy

Florida’s Law Enforcement Hiring Program Proving To Be A Success

April 4, 2025Posted inFlorida News

Florida officials announced that more than 7,800 bonuses have been awarded to newly hired law enforcement officers under the state’s recruitment bonus program​. The one-time payments – approximately $5,000 after taxes for each officer – are part of a statewide initiative launched in 2022 to attract new law enforcement recruits to Florida and recognize their service​.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presents the state's 4,000th bonus check to new recruit Bay County Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Belthrop last November. Credit: Rumble/Ron DeSantis
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis presents the state’s 4,000th bonus check to new recruit Bay County Sheriff’s Deputy Matthew Belthrop last November. Credit: Rumble/Ron DeSantis
Atlas V to Launch Heaviest Payload Yet with Amazon’s Project Kuiper Satellites on April 9

Atlas V to Launch Heaviest Payload Yet with Amazon’s Project Kuiper Satellites on April 9

April 4, 2025Posted inSpace News, Things to Do and See in Florida, United Launch Alliance

Amazon is set to launch its first 27 production satellites for Project Kuiper aboard a United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V rocket on April 9, 2025. The launch is scheduled for noon EDT from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with a three-hour launch window.

Atlas V lifts off. Credit: United Launch Alliance/Ben Cooper
Credit: United Launch Alliance / Ben Cooper
Hooters in New port Richey

Back to its Roots: Clearwater Founders Step in as Hooters Files for Bankruptcy

April 3, 2025Posted inFlorida Food, Florida News
Original Hooters The Original Hooters in Clearwater, Florida Photo: Hooters / Facebook
The Original Hooters in Clearwater, Florida Photo: Hooters / Facebook

Hooters, the iconic Clearwater-founded restaurant chain known for its chicken wings and distinctive “Hooters Girls,” has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The filing comes as part of a strategic plan to restructure the company and facilitate a sale to a group of franchisees, including some of the original Clearwater, Florida founders.

Florida Fun Fact

Florida Fun Fact

April 2, 2025Posted inFlorida Fun Facts
Gatorade

The world-famous drink Gatorade was invented in Florida! It was first created in 1965 by researchers at the University of Florida to help the school’s football team—the Florida Gators—stay hydrated during hot, humid games.

Airshow heritage flight

Sun ‘n Fun 51 Airshow Hotter than Ever

April 2, 2025Posted inAviation, Entertainment
F-35 roars past the crown during this high-speed past. Image by Richard P Gallagher | FMN

Lakeland, FL – April 1, 2025 – The skies above Lakeland Linder International Airport roared to life today as the 51st Annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo kicked off, marking the start of “Aviation’s Season Opener.” Running from April 1 to April 6, this week-long celebration of flight promises a thrilling lineup of airshow performers, a bustling vendor scene, and a host of family-friendly activities—all under the blazing Florida sun. With temperatures expected to climb into the high 80s and low 90s, attendees are gearing up for both high-flying action and the challenge of staying cool and safe.