Good Morning! On this day in 1861, President Abraham Lincoln ordered a naval blockade of Confederate states, including Florida. Because of its long coastline and key ports like St. Augustine and Pensacola, Florida became a major focus of Union naval activity at the start of the Civil War.
Jeep enthusiasts won’t want to miss the “World’s Largest Jeep-Exclusive event,” which kicked off on Friday in Daytona Beach. See Around Florida for details.
In case you missed it, this week on The Flyover Podcast, host Ayla Brown unpacked a new report that suggested Joe Biden’s first choice for Vice President in 2020 was not Kamala Harris. Who was it, and what ultimately drove the Kamala Harris selection? Listen here.
Today’s sponsor, the knēNest Pillow, is designed to relieve nighttime pain and improve sleep by keeping your body properly aligned for deeper, more restorative rest.
Daytona Beach 🌤️ 86°/68° | Ft. Myers 🌤️ 89°/67° | Jacksonville ⛅ 85°/59° | Key West 🌤️ 82°/75° | Miami ⛅ 83°/73° | Ocala 🌤️ 87°/60° | Orlando 🌤️ 89°/67° | Pensacola 🌦️ 72°/53° | Port St. Lucie ⛈️ 87°/70° | Tallahassee ☁️ 74°/50° | Tampa 🌤️ 86°/65°
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Blue Origin’s Planned Rocket Launch
Blue Origin was set to launch its New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station this morning at 6:45 a.m. ET.
This is the third-ever flight of the 320-foot-plus long heavy-lift rocket, a mission known as NG-3. The mission will deliver AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 broadband satellite—described as the largest satellite ever commercially deployed in low-Earth orbit—into space.
A key milestone for the mission is Blue Origin’s plan to reuse a first-stage booster for the first time, a pivotal step toward allowing New Glenn to launch more frequently and compete more directly with SpaceX.
Distillery Explosion Sparks Fire in Inverness
A still at Storm Distillery in downtown Inverness, exploded Friday morning, sparking a massive fire that injured three people and forced the temporary closure of the downtown courthouse square.
The blast was powerful enough to be heard more than a mile away. The fire spread to Hometown Deli, a neighboring business attached to the distillery, with debris and pieces of the still scattered outside.
Three people were hospitalized, one with severe injuries. The Inverness Fire Department, Citrus County Fire Rescue, and the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office all responded to the scene.
The Florida State Fire Marshal’s Office is leading the investigation into the cause of the explosion. No further details have been released.
Spring Festivals Feature Music, Food, and Fun
The coastal flavors, sights, and sounds of Florida will be on full display at upcoming festivals that remind us why spring in the South is something worth showing up for. Mark your calendar and plan ahead for these fun festivals.
The 10th Annual Tampa Riverfest is a free, two-day event that will be held May 1-2, along the Tampa Riverwalk from Curtis Hixon Park to Water Works Park. The festival features live music, food vendors, and water activities along the Hillsborough River.
Amelia Island’s Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival is a spring tradition that puts the shrimping community front and center. Celebrating its 61st year, the free festival, featuring local arts and crafts, live music, a parade, and of course seafood, will take place May 1-3 in historic downtown Fernandina Beach.
The Treasure Coast Country BBQ & Music Festival will take place at Indian River Fairground on May 1-3 in Vero Beach. This classic Southern-style festival with BBQ, live country music, and family-friendly activities is now in its third year.
Flying together with our sponsor
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➤Tallahassee: Florida State University marked the one-year anniversary of the campus shooting that killed two people and injured at least six others, with students and faculty observing a moment of silence and laying flowers near the student union where the attack occurred. (More)
➤Daytona Beach: Known as the “World’s Largest Jeep-Exclusive Event,” Jeep Beach 2026 kicked off on Friday and runs through April 26. Over a quarter of a million visitors and 40,000 Jeeps are expected for the festival which includes off-roading courses, concerts, and a shoreline parade, while also raising money for local charities. (More)
➤Broward County: A collision between a pickup truck and a semi-truck near I-75 and Indian Trace Boulevard left one person trapped inside the pickup, who was extracted by Broward Sheriff Fire Rescue crews and airlifted to Broward Health in stable condition. (More)
➤Bradenton: City leaders are moving forward with a $30 million project that will revitalize LECOM Park, adding new turf baseball fields, a football field, expanded parking, and a community resource center. Construction is set to begin in May. (More)
➤Pasco County: A new 911 communications center has opened in Dade City, which will operate alongside the existing center in New Port Richey as the county’s second full-time public safety answering point. The expansion comes following a 15% population surge over the past five years. (More)
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➤The Orlando Magic crushed the Charlotte Hornets 121-90 on Friday night in the final game of the NBA play-in tournament to earn the No. 8 seed in the playoffs and the right to face the top-seeded Detroit Pistons in the first round. The series kicks off tonight at 6:30 p.m. ET. (More)
➤The Tampa Bay Lightning will take on the Montreal Canadiens today at 5:45 p.m. ET, beginning a best-of-seven playoff series as the team looks to advance past the first round for the first time since 2022. (More)
➤Florida gymnasticssenior Riley McCusker won the NCAA uneven bars national championship on Thursday, coming just one judge short of a perfect 10 score. (More)
➤ Thirty Years of Work Shouldn’t Be Left Fully Exposed. Thirty years of saving. One unexpected shift can change everything. Many Americans are starting to question how protected their retirement really is. Augusta helps you understand options like physical gold in your IRA, clearly and without pressure. Get the free Gold IRA guide and explore your options. (LEARN MORE)
Flying together with our sponsor
Wake up without aches with the knēNest Knee Pillow—designed for side sleepers seeking better alignment and deeper sleep. Its unique cradle design supports your knees, hips, and spine while reducing pressure and discomfort. Stay cool, sleep comfortably, and feel the difference in just one night. Experience smarter, more restful sleep tonight. (LEARN MORE)
➤The Central Florida Zoo shared an inside look at how “the rarest big cat in the world” gets its teeth cleaned. Two of the zoo’s Amur leopards recently received a comprehensive veterinary exam which included a dental cleaning. (See Video)
➤More than 500 moms, dads, and babies attended the “World’s Greatest Baby Shower” last week—a free event hosted by the Healthy Start Coalition of Bay, Franklin, and Gulf counties, featuring dozens of resources on topics like safe sleep, car seat safety, and more. (More)
➤A Florida couple was stranded in the open ocean for over six hours after their boat’s anchor failed while they were scuba diving 5 miles offshore near Boca Grande. They survived by swimming to a buoy and using a dive light to signal for help, which was eventually spotted by rescuers who pulled them to safety. (More)
Flying together with our sponsor
➤ The real reason your hands and feet tingle (It’s not what you think). That numbness or tingling many dismiss as aging may actually be linked to a hidden vitamin deficiency. Your body could be signaling something deeper—unrelated to circulation or arthritis. Discover what might be causing these symptoms and why it matters. (Learn more)
Last Sunday, demolition experts in Miami completed the controlled implosion of the former Mandarin Oriental hotel, on Brickell Key, a man-made island at the mouth of the Miami River.
Blue Origin’s Planned Rocket Launch
