L0032962 Back of female with measles Credit: Wellcome Library, London. Copyrighted work available under Creative Commons Attribution only licence CC BY 4.0 http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
A disease that many of us remember from childhood — and thought we’d seen the last of — is making an unwelcome return to Florida. As of early February 2026, the state has confirmed at least 21 measles cases, a sharp jump from just 29 for all of 2025. The outbreaks are popping up from the Gulf Coast to North Florida, and health officials are urging residents to check that they and their families are up to date on vaccinations.
There’s a certain smugness that radiates from northerners when they see a Floridian shivering at 58 degrees. “That’s not cold,” they’ll say, wrapped in their smug little sweatsuits they brought “just in case,” while locals scramble for dusty space heaters purchased during the Great Freeze of 2010.
But here’s the thing about Florida weather those yankees don’t understand: Florida cold is a different cold. A sneakier cold. A meaner cold. A cold that has learned to adapt to its humid, subtropical environment and attack from angles that dry, honest northern cold would never dream of.
Just offshore in Key West The Florida Keys have always attracted a certain type of character. Hemingway held court and wrote here. Jimmy Buffett built an empire on its sun-soaked vibe and wrote unforgettable songs about…
The Sunshine State handed over its most electrifying title in 2025, though Floridians still face the highest statewide risk
For decades, Florida wore the “Lightning Capital of America” crown like a badge of honor—or at least a very loud warning sign. That era ended in 2025 when Oklahoma, of all places, snatched the title away.
Battery fire from a cellphone’s old Lithium battery. Via YouTuibe
If you have a drawer full of random chargers, mystery cables, and a couple of old lithium-ion batteries you keep meaning to deal with, you’re not alone. Floridians are great at sunshine, seafood, and driving too slow in the left lane, but we’re not so great at battery disposal. Some people have paid dearly for not getting rid of their old batteries: a massive fire and a lost home. That’s not exaggerating, it happens, and more often than you might think.
Tampa International Airport. Credit: Tampa International Airport
Thanksgiving travel is already picking up across the country, and Florida is one of the busiest starting points and destinations. Hundreds of thousands of passengers will pass through Miami, Orlando, and Tampa this week, and that means traffic, crowds, and long lines. A little extra planning makes the difference between a smooth start and a hectic one. Here are some tips and reminders to help you have as stress-free an experience as possible:
Blue Origin recovered its New Glenn booster for the first time ever today following a launch from Cape Canaveral. The recovery makes the company only the second in history to develop a reusable booster. Photo: Blue Origin
Blue Origin notched a major success this afternoon as its towering New Glenn rocket roared away from Launch Complex 36, completing the company’s second orbital flight and sending a pair of NASA spacecraft on a long journey toward Mars. The launch, designated NG-2, lifted off at 3:55 p.m. Eastern after a week marked by weather delays, solar activity concerns, and heightened anticipation along Florida’s Space Coast.
Departure dropoff for MCO’s Terminals A and B. Some call this place “where you enter the maw of the beast.” Photo: Orlando International Airport
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today that it will implement ground stops at Florida’s busiest airport due to a lack of flight controllers due to the federal shutdown. The move is expected to cause even more major delays and disruptions at Orlando International Airport for travelers flying in and out of one of the country’s major destinations. The airport is already labeled one of the ten worst in the US in most lists, and this latest snag is sure to make the normally poor experience even worse.
Things aren’t going so well on a Florida-bound cruise. A gastrointestinal illness outbreak has struck Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas, sickening close to 100 individuals during its 13-night voyage from San Diego to Miami. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 98 passengers and one crew member have reported symptoms consistent with norovirus, including vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping. Norovirus is a highly contagious virus often linked to outbreaks on cruise ships.
Publix, Satellite Beach Photo: Barbara Ingram/Google Reviews
It could only be “Florida Man”. Shoppers at a Publix on Highway A1A in Satellite Beach got more than BOGO deals last Sunday — they also got an accidental tour through what police say was one man’s personal revenge gallery.
Lake Winterset brawl. Photo: Polk County Sheriff’s Office
Here’s your roundup of Florida headlines from the past 24 hours !
1. Man Convicted for Impaling Girlfriend with Bedpost
In Hallandale Beach, Adam Crespo (49) was found guilty of second-degree murder for the 2019 death of his girlfriend, Silvia Galva (32). The Broward County jury deliberated for under two hours before reaching a verdict. Prosecutors countered Crespo’s claim that it was a tragic accident, citing the wound’s angle and depth as evidence of intent. A friend heard the couple arguing, followed by Galva’s scream, before Crespo called for help. Prosecutor Jaclyn Broudy stated he was “pissed off and wanted her out.” Sentencing is set for October 31. — Read more.
After a brief spring spike, drivers across Florida are experiencing lower gas prices compared to last year, but costs still differ widely by region, according to new AAA data released Monday. Some areas of the state fare better than others, but overall, with the summer travel season in full swing, motorists are doing very well.
