24 Hours of Daytona

Porsche Penske Triumphs Again: The 2025 Rolex 24

January 26, 2025Posted inFlorida Sports, Motorsports
Action at the 24 Hours of Daytona. Photo: Eric Moore / FMN
Photo: Eric Moore / FMN

Porsche Penske Goes Back-to-Back in GTP Glory

The 2025 Rolex 24 at Daytona delivered another unforgettable chapter in endurance racing history. This iconic event, the opening round of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, brought 24 hours of drama, determination, and high-speed excellence to Daytona International Speedway. At the end of the grueling race, it was Porsche Penske Motorsport that emerged victorious for the second consecutive year, with the No. 7 Porsche 963 claiming the overall win in the GTP class.

The maiden underwater flight test of the Trident II D-5

Where Does The Term “Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly” Come From?

January 24, 2025Posted inSpace News, SpaceX
The maiden underwater flight test of the Trident II D-5, was an utter fiasco that very nearly resulted in serious damage to the launching submarine, the USS Tennessee, which is just below the surface in this photograph. The timing of the failure could not have been worse: Congress, skeptical that the program could get back on schedule, was prepared to shift its production funds to another project.
Credit: U.S. Navy

In the world of aerospace engineering, even the smallest miscalculation can lead to catastrophic failure. And in the past few years, a phrase has emerged as a humorous way to describe those unfortunate events: “rapid unscheduled disassembly,” often shortened to RUD. This technical-sounding euphemism, often deployed in the aftermath of rocket explosions, has become a staple in modern spaceflight jargon, is widely used when a rocket fails and has entered into common vernacular. But where did the phrase come from?

Historic Snowfall Blankets Florida Panhandle, Shattering Records

Historic Snowfall Blankets Florida Panhandle, Shattering Records

January 23, 2025Posted inFlorida News
Photo- Sheriff's deputy blocks frozen highway in Florida snowstorm
A Walton County, Fla., Sheriff’s Office on a snow-covered Interstate 10 on Jan. 21, 2025. Walton Co. Sheriff | X

A rare and powerful winter storm swept across the U.S. Gulf Coast this week, bringing a rare and unprecedented Florida snowfall and frigid temperatures to Gulf coast states unaccustomed to such severe winter weather. The storm, which began on January 20, 2025, led to significant disruptions, including road closures, power outages, and at least ten fatalities. Three days later, Florida still isn’t through with the effects of the storm with some roads still blocked.

$500 Billion Stargate AI Project Launched with Data Centers, Cancer Cures, and 100K Jobs on Horizon

$500 Billion Stargate AI Project Launched with Data Centers, Cancer Cures, and 100K Jobs on Horizon

January 21, 2025Posted inFlorida News
Trump and Altman photos

L-R Open AI CEO Sam Altman, President Donald Trump, Oracle Chairman Larry Ellison Photos: Wikipedia/Oracle

President Trump announced late today a $500 billion multi-national private investment in a new US company known as Stargate. According to Trump, Stargate will consist of several Artificial Intelligence (AI) data centers to be built around the US and create more than 100,000 jobs nationally.

Brevard County Republicans Hold “Trump Wave” to Celebrate Inauguration

Brevard County Republicans Hold “Trump Wave” to Celebrate Inauguration

January 20, 2025Posted inFlorida News
Trump supporters' wave to passing traffic. Image by Richard P Gallagher | FMN
A Trump supporter waves to passing traffic. Image by Richard P Gallagher | FMN

Cocoa, FL – This afternoon, the intersection of Wickham Road and Pineda Causeway in Brevard County, Florida, was alive with the spirit of patriotism as local Republicans came together for a “Trump Wave.” Organized by the Brevard Republican Executive Committee, the event was a vibrant demonstration of support for the newly inaugurated President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The Bardin Booger

The Bardin Booger: Florida’s Own Bigfoot

January 20, 2025Posted inAnother Roadside Attraction, Florida Travel, Florida Wildlife, Things to Do and See in Florida
A depiction of the “Bardin Booger” via Jaxlore.com

Florida, known for its sunny beaches, theme parks, vibrant wildlife, and nightlife, has a rich tradition of eccentric lore of ghostly legends and even cryptids — animals that resemble humans but often have ape-like characteristics as well.

Migration To Florida Slows As South Carolina Leads Growth

Migration To Florida Slows As South Carolina Leads Growth

January 19, 2025Posted inFlorida News, Moving To Florida
Moving to Florida slowed in 2024. Image: File
Moving to Florida slowed in 2024. Image: File

The 2024 U-Haul Growth Index report is out, and it reveals some interesting numbers. The company uses their cargo vehicle rental data to determine annually what states people are leaving, and where they are heading. While not all-encompassing, the report has been a fairly reliable indicator of overall migration trends in the continental United States.

The Curtain Falls on TikTok: Ban Enacted in U.S., Millions of Users and Businesses in Limbo 

The Curtain Falls on TikTok: Ban Enacted in U.S., Millions of Users and Businesses in Limbo 

January 19, 2025Posted inNational News, Politics
TikTok logo image
TikTok is no longer in the US…for now.
Washington, D.C. – January 19, 2025 

In an unprecedented move against a social media platform, the United States has officially banned TikTok, effective from today, due to concerns over national security, privacy, and foreign influence. The TikTok ban decision marks the culmination of years of scrutiny and legislative action against the Chinese-owned app, which boasts over 170 million American users, including those in Florida. 

Trial and Triumph – An Emotional Day For Two Competing Launch Companies

Trial and Triumph – An Emotional Day For Two Competing Launch Companies

January 16, 2025Posted inBlue Origin, Space News, SpaceX, Starship
Space X's Starship (L) and Blue Origin's New Glenn (R) both had success ful launches but faced challenges during Thursday's flight tests. Images: SpaceX / Blue Origin

Space X’s Starship (L) and Blue Origin’s New Glenn (R) both had success full launches but faced challenges during Thursday’s flight tests. Images: Richard P Gallagher-FMN / Blue Origin

January 16th proved to be an emotional roller coaster for private space exploration. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX achieved notable successes tempered by huge challenges during their respective rocket launches from Florida and Texas.