Florida’s Tourism Surge Signals Economic Boost Amidst Global Travel Revival

November 19, 2023Posted inFlorida News
Tourists on Beach
Photo: UCF.edu

Florida tourism is experiencing a significant resurgence, hinting at a potentially record-breaking year. The state’s tourism marketing agency, Visit Florida, reported that around 35.066 million visitors traveled to Florida during the third quarter of 2023. This marks a 1.4 percent increase over the same period in 2022 and a 7.9 percent rise from 2019, the year before the pandemic. The new numbers set a record high for 3rd quarter tourism in the state.

Flood Watch Issued for Southeast Florida Coast as Heavy Rain Looms

November 15, 2023Posted inFlorida News
NWS Radar Miami
National Weather Service Radar Miami 11/15/23 11:33AM

Wednesday, November 15, 2023 – Over seven million residents along Florida’s eastern coast, from Cape Canaveral to Miami, are bracing for potentially severe flooding. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch effective from Wednesday to Thursday, encompassing major urban areas such as Melbourne, West Palm Beach, and Fort Lauderdale.

Tampa International Airport Anticipates Record Crowds For Thanksgiving Travel

November 15, 2023Posted inFlorida News
Thanksgiving travel period could top 80,000 passengers
SWA jet taxis out at TPA
A Southwest Airlines Flight Taxis Out At TPA. Photo: Mark Stone/FMN

Tampa International Airport (TPA) is bracing for a record-breaking Thanksgiving travel period, with daily passenger volumes anticipated to average around 80,000 during the 11-day holiday stretch from November 16 to November 26. This surge in traffic is expected to peak on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and the subsequent Sunday, with estimates suggesting as many as 84,000 to 87,000 passengers on each of these days.

Tampa Teacher Turned Soldier: Jesse Davidson’s Journey to the Front Lines of Israel-Hamas Conflict

November 14, 2023Posted inFlorida News
Jesse Davidson fights in the IDF
Tampa Teacher Jesse Davidson serves in the Israeli Defense Force Reserves. He was called to active duty following the October 7th massacre by Hamas. Photo: Jesse Davidson/Facebook

Since the October 7th attack on Israel by Hamas, members of Florida’s Jewish community have responded in a multitude of different ways. Some fight the battle here at home, facing stepped up antisemitic activities, while others are taking an even more direct approach to fighting terror.

Florida House Bill Seeks to Protect Historical Monuments, Impose Penalties for Removal

November 13, 2023Posted inFlorida News, Politics
An African-American Man ponders confederate monuments
Getty Images

Tallahassee, FL – A new bill introduced in the Florida House of Representatives for the 2024 session has sparked a heated debate over the protection and preservation of historical monuments in the state. House Bill 395, proposed by Representative Dean Black (R) of Jacksonville, aims to enforce stringent measures against the removal or alteration of historical monuments and memorials, including those commemorating Confederate figures.

Federal Judge Upholds Florida Law Barring Transgender Athletes from Women’s Sports Teams

November 13, 2023Posted inFlorida News
Law

Tallahassee, FL – In a decision last week, U.S. District Judge Roy Altman upheld a controversial Florida law prohibiting student transgender athletes who are biological males from participating in women’s and girls’ sports teams. This ruling came on Monday as part of a 39-page decision in response to a lawsuit challenging the 2021 law.

Florida Lawmaker Introduces Cease-Fire Resolution, Heated Debate Ensues

November 9, 2023Posted inFlorida News, Politics
Florida Rep Angie Nixon (D) Jacksonville
Florida Rep. Angie Nixon (D) Jacksonville debates in the Florida House Photo: AP File

In a contentious and emotionally charged Special Session, the Florida House of Representatives became an arena of intense debate over a resolution introduced by Rep. Angie Nixon, a Democrat from Jacksonville. The resolution, which pleaded for a cease-fire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, swiftly ignited controversy and drew criticism from within her party as well as across the aisle.

Updated: SpaceX Set to Launch Starlink 6-27 Tonight -Everything You Need To Know

November 8, 2023Posted inAviation and Space News, Falcon 9, Florida News, Space News, SpaceX, Starlink
A SpaceX Falcon 9 Stands on the pad
Falcon9 rocket on LC40 during the pre-launch vent. 8-31-23 Photo: Richard Gallagher / FMN

Update

Launch occurred at 12:05am on 11-8-23 from LC40 at CCASA in Florida. SpaceX successfully launched a Falcon9 rocket caring 23 Starlink satellites. The first stage booster B1073 which has made 11 other launches and landings again successfully landed at sea on the barge Just Read the Instruction.

Image highlights of Starlink Group 6-27 launch on 11-8-23. Photos by Richard Gallagher / FMN
Video by Richard Gallagher / FMN

Join other Space Coast spectators tonight under the stars as SpaceX marks its 81st rocket launch this year with the launch of Starlink 6-27. Tonight’s mission (11/7/23) will add more Starlink satellites to the growing global satellite constellation. SpaceX is targeting a launch window between 11:01pm and 3:00am. Launch updates and photographs of this launch attempt will be added to this article when available.

2023 Florida Freedom Summit Concludes in Kissimmee

November 6, 2023Posted inFlorida News, Politics
Florida Freedom Summit

The 2023 Florida Freedom Summit, hosted by the Republican Party of Florida, was a high energy showcase of the GOP presidential candidates and their visions for the future of the country. The event, held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center in Kissimmee, Florida, on November 4th, attracted more than 3,000 attendees who cheered and booed the speakers throughout the day.