SpaceX Launches Crew-12

SpaceX and NASA launched a new crew on Friday to the International Space Station, with its Falcon 9 rocket lifting off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 5:15 a.m.

Video captured the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket and its landing minutes later at an adjacent launch pad, a first for the Space Coast.

Crew-12 will run experiments on the International Space Station during their eight-month mission for future moon and Mars missions.

In January, NASA made an “unprecedented” decision to bring a crew home early from the International Space Station after a medical emergency in orbit, marking the first time in the station’s 25-year history that a mission has been cut short for health reasons.

Damage to Crops May Top $1B

The cost of freeze damage to Central Florida’s farmers from February’s cold snap might top $1 billion, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service said.

The economic impact follows an assessment of damage at various farms across the state.

A staffer at Lukas Nursery in Oviedo said, “Some of the things that we could salvage, we have salvaged, but you know, we took a hit just like everybody else.”

Blueberries were hit especially hard, with one farm estimating a 70-80% loss after the ice likely reached 100 pounds per plant.

Florida Zoos Celebrate Valentine’s Day

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➤ Jacksonville: An area Marine has been declared dead after reportedly falling overboard the USS Iwo Jima in the Caribbean on Feb. 7. (Details)

➤ Brevard County: The manhunt for a suspect who slipped out of his handcuffs and fled from two officers in Melbourne on Wednesday ended a day later with his capture at a home in Palm Bay. (More)

➤ St. Johns County: A panhandling ordinance passed in 2023 will no longer be enforced after two civil rights groups won a $90,000 settlement from the county. (More)

➤ Sarasota: The Sarasota Little League hosted its opening ceremonies on Thursday, marking its comeback after a $200,000 plus embezzlement case last fall. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: Students say “tradition is at risk” after Florida State University’s iconic Westcott fountain has been closed nightly due to safety concerns. Students traditionally had gone in the fountain at midnight on their 21st birthdays. (See Video)

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➤ The Miami Marlins signed 17-year-old Mexican pitcher Yanixan Resendiz—who can already throw 91 miles-per-hour—to a developmental deal. (More)

➤ Miami Heat sharpshooter Norm Powell will participate in tonight’s NBA three-point contest, while his teammate Keshad Johnson and Magic guard Jase Richardson will be featured in the dunk contest. (More)

➤ No. 24 Florida defeated the Louisiana Raging Cajuns 7-0 yesterday afternoon in an NCAA women’s tennis match at the Alfred A. Ring Tennis Complex in Gainesville. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: Olympics | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf

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➤ A woman recovering from third-degree burns got married in the chapel at HCA Florida Kendall Hospital in Miami on Thursday. (See Video)

➤ A Good Samaritan rescued a mother and three children after their vehicle flipped upside down in a canal in Martin County. (See Video)

➤ Three manatees that were rescued and rehabilitated at SeaWorld Orlando were released back into the wild at Blue Spring State Park. (See Video)

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Do you follow NASCAR?

1. Yes
2. Somewhat
3. No

Friday’s Results:

Do you consider yourself lucky?

1. No: 46%
2. Yes: 31%
3. In some ways: 23%

What makes the Florida Reef unique among coral reef systems?

Show me the answer