Covering All Things Florida
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
For the large contingent of retirees in Florida, manufactured homes have often been one of the few remaining choices of affordable living options. But now, even affordable trailer parks are fading fast as Florida housing costs rise.
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.
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.
The FAA announced today the closure of both mishap investigations following launch anomalies during the Starship IFT-7 and New Glenn missions.
Elon Musk, the Department of Government Efficiency’s relentless taskmaster, gets flak for his brash, unemphatic biting style—yet delivers results that dwarf the whining of his critics. Sound familiar? The SR-71 Blackbird soared to once impossible heights and speeds due to innovators like Kelly Johnson, whose demanding approach and boundless thinking crushed notions of impossibility. Henry Ford churned out Model Ts while steamrolling naysayers who thought no one needs to go 40mphs. Tesla didn’t just invent—he illuminated the future, and we’re finally seeing it.
Effective April 11, 2025, Canadians planning to stay in the United States for more than 30 days will be required to register with U.S. immigration authorities.
SpaceX is planning to launch the privately-crewed Fram2 mission aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon tomorrow evening from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Liftoff is set for 9:46 PM ET.
