SpaceX Brings Starship Launches to Florida

SpaceX is expanding its operations in Florida, bringing Starship production and Super Heavy launch capabilities to the Space Coast. A launch is expected by the end of this year.

The expansion represents a $1.8 billion capital investment by SpaceX and is expected to create 600 new full-time jobs on the Space Coast by 2030.

A 100-acre project will be built next to its HangarX location at NASA’S Kennedy Space Center and will include a new integration facility called Gigabay.

SpaceX will transport Super Heavy boosters and Starship upper stages from its headquarters in Texas to Florida while continuing infrastructure development at Starbase, Texas.

Judge Delays Ruling on Social Media Ban

A Tallahassee federal judge told lawyers in a landmark social media case that it would be a “hard row to hoe” for state officials to justify a complete ban on social media for young teenagers, signaling his skepticism about the viability of a new Florida law championed by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The judge has not yet ruled on a request for a preliminary injunction to further block the new law from taking effect, stating that a decision may come within three weeks. The law was initially set to take effect Jan. 1.

The law would ban social media accounts for children younger than 14, regardless of parental approval. The judge said Florida “picks and chooses when parents make a decision” for their children, highlighting potential inconsistencies in the state’s approach to parental rights.

Number of Under-Insured Drivers Grows

A new study from the Insurance Research Council shows a spike in the number of Florida drivers without insurance or with insufficient coverage.

The study found that around 20% of drivers in Florida don’t have insurance, ranking seventh in the nation, while 38% are underinsured, the second-highest of all states.

Despite laws requiring proof of insurance to drive legally, officials say Florida’s minimums for personal injury protection, property damage liability, and bodily injury liability are too low.

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➤ Tallahassee: Legislators are set to consider 1,822 proposals over the next 60 days, including condo insurance, civil servant salaries, and gun regulations. (More)

➤ Orlando: The city is evaluating the feasibility of purchasing two Greyhound buses to transform into homeless shelters. (See Video)

➤ Polk County: An alligator attacked a woman, biting her on the elbow while she was kayaking at Tiger Creek Preserve. She was airlifted to the hospital. (See Video)

➤ Palm Beach County: A $16 million project is underway to stop the rapid erosion of the shoreline around Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse. (More)

➤ Keystone Heights: An app that alerts law enforcement about suspicious activity and threats was turned off over the weekend in Clay County after a user data leak. (See Details)

➤ Fort Pierce: Around 120,000 people are expected to visit the St. Lucie County Fair, which started last weekend and will continue through March 9. (See Photo)

➤ The Florida Panthers ended the Tampa Bay Lightning’s eight-game win streak with a 2-1 win on Monday night after Aleksander Barkov’s two second-period goals. (More)

➤ The Miami Heat dominated the Washington Wizards 106-90 on Monday night, leading by as many as 26 points with three minutes left. Heat forward Bam Adebayo became the team’s all-time leader in double-doubles. (More)

➤ Tampa Bay Rays young star Junior Caminero showcased his power with two home runs in the team’s spring training game on Sunday. (More)

Yesterday’s results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | Soccer 

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➤ Beginning May 7, Jacksonville businesses will have access to more loan money through a capital initiative announced by the JAX Chamber. (See Details)

➤ A former PepsiCo executive is bringing Philly Pretzel Factory, the Philadelphia soft-pretzel chain, to several locations in Central Florida. (More)

➤ Osceola County commissioners are considering a redevelopment deal for the long-abandoned 900-room Orlando Sun Resort. (More)

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➤ A Tampa Bay-based jewelry company that features designs inspired by New York City and the TV series Sex in the City took its products to the Oscars. (See Photos) 

➤ A Ferrari once owned by the president is up for auction. The luxury coupe has 9000 miles, Daytona Seats, a Rosso Corsa red finish, a Trump vanity plate, and the original title signed by Donald J. Trump. (See Video)

➤ A walking tour of Palm Beach offers an inside look at America’s first resort destination, with a portion of ticket sales going to a local nonprofit. (See Video)

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Have you visited the Kennedy Space Center?

1. Yes
2. No

Tuesday’s Results:

How long of a drive would you make to get to a restaurant?

1. 16-30 minutes: 36%
2. 31-60 minutes: 27%
3. 0-15 minutes: 20%
4. More than an hour: 17%

What treaty signed with Spain made the Floridas part of the U.S.?

Show me the answer