SpaceX Wants to Launch Starship from Florida

Elon Musk wants to launch SpaceX’s massive Starship rockets 44 times a year from Cape Canaveral, which has raised concerns among residents and drawn opposition from the company’s rivals.

The Federal Aviation Administration began a series of meetings on Tuesday to allow residents to voice their concerns. Two more in-person sessions will be held today, with a virtual meeting scheduled for next Wednesday.

Launches and landings at the Kennedy Space Center could restrict public access to Playalinda Beach for at least 60 days a year. Noise and environmental impact are also concerns.

Miami-Dade’s Legal Battle Against Hialeah

Miami-Dade County is suing the city of Hialeah over wastewater, claiming the city owes nearly $18 million in unpaid utility debt.

In a complaint filed in the circuit court, the county claims Hialeah violated its wholesale wastewater services agreement beginning in 2020 under former Mayor Carlos Hernández.

Interim Hialeah Mayor Jacqueline Garcia-Roves said the city won’t pay, disputing the county’s claim and blaming a faulty meter that misread the wastewater as air.

According to a letter from Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava’s office, the county had notified Hialeah in June 2023 that it owed over $27 million. While Hialeah made some payments in July and August that year, the outstanding balance remains.

Veterans Honored in Central Florida

Lady Lake American Legion Post 347 honored Vietnam veterans during a ceremony hosted by U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody.

During the event, 100 veterans were venerated. Moody presented lapel pins commemorating the veterans’ service and recognized surviving spouses of service personnel who were either killed during the war or have since died.

“Florida is the proud home to more than 1.4 million veterans, each a living reminder of service, sacrifice, and strength,” Moody said.

Post 347 is the largest American Legion post in the world, with more than 6,700 members as of 2019. Many are from The Villages, a nearby retirement community.

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➤ Tampa: The governor announced the completion of the Howard Frankland Bridge Replacement Project and the groundbreaking of an I-275 expansion, representing an investment of over $1.3 billion to reduce congestion and strengthen hurricane evacuation routes. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed two Winter Haven prosecutors, Julie “J.C.” Hill and Allison Fox, to fill judicial vacancies in the 10th Judicial Circuit. (More)

➤ Orlando: Florida’s second passport office will open within two years. The State Department signed a lease to establish the office north of the Orlando International Airport. (More)

➤ Martin County: Officials issued a bacteria alert in Stuart, affecting the waters near the Roosevelt Bridge, which were found to have high bacteria levels. Residents are urged not to swim or kayak in the area. (More)

➤ Flagler and Volusia Counties: In a series of videos, the state attorney warned parents and students that making false threats to shoot up or bomb a school will result in arrests and the parents being billed for the expense of a police response. (More)

➤ Polk County: The first of six town hall meetings will be held tonight for residents to give input on a plan to rezone county high schools. (See Details)

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➤ Florida Gators quarterback DJ Lagway appeared in a Chipotle commercial with former Florida basketball player Walter Clayton Jr. Lagway’s current NIL valuation sits at $3.7 million. (More)

➤ Miami Marlins rookie Jakob Marsee now has 29 hits and 24 RBIs through his first 25 games—one of only three players in MLB history to match those marks. The other two? Houston Astros superstar Yordan Alvarez and future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols. (More)

➤ Former USF football coach Jim Leavitt, 68, is facing theft and battery charges after a fight with an ex-girlfriend reportedly turned physical. It’s unclear whether the event will impact his induction into the school’s Hall of Fame this fall. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: MLB | Soccer | WNBA | U.S. Open

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➤ Frontier Airlines is adding six new big-city routes to and from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport as part of a larger route expansion to capture struggling rival Spirit Airlines’ customers. (More)

➤ Auditors allege that Visit Orlando, the region’s top tourism agency, improperly classified $20 million in public tourist-tax revenue as private funds. The mayor and several commissioners said they would like to see accountability. (More)

➤ Knaus Berry Farm, a longtime South Florida staple known for cinnamon rolls and milkshakes, will reopen at a new Miami location under new ownership. (More)

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➤ Researchers are working to make acerola the Sunshine State’s next big crop. Also known as a Barbados cherry, the tart “superfruit” is grown in the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central and South America. (See Photo)

➤ A Pinellas County woman was arrested for practicing cosmetic dentistry without a license. Emely Martinez used art supplies and Krazy Glue during patients’ procedures. (See Photo)

➤ A Seminole County man talked about being struck by lightning last week and the pizza shop owner who saved his life. (See Photo)

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Do you think parents should have to pay the cost of a threat caused by their child that results in a police response?

1. Absolutely
2. Depends on circumstances
3. No
4. Unsure

Wednesday’s Results:

Will you avoid dental amalgam fillings based on the Surgeon General’s Warning?

1. Yes: 69%
2. No: 31%

Which Florida island, intended for use as part of the John F. Kennedy Space Center, is a sanctuary for wildlife?

Show me the answer