Florida
When the word ‘big’ isn’t big enough: FLORIDA TODAY looks at NASA’s VAB and giant cruise ship
Take a look inside KSC’s Vehicle Assembly Building
Florida Today reporter Brooke Edwards talks with KSC’s Elizabeth Kline about the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building’s past, present and future
Sometimes it’s fun to go big.
Sunday’s FLORIDA TODAY takes a deeper look at an iconic Space Coast building and a new boat docking at Port Canaveral — and in both cases, the word “big” isn’t even big enough to describe them.
Let’s start with the boat. Look for Business Editor Dave Berman’s detailed report on our Style cover of everything you need to know about Utopia of the Seas, the world’s second largest cruise ship, which started its twice-weekly sailings from Port Canaveral this weekend.
Dave’s story on this new Royal Caribbean ship covers everything from what to expect in the restaurants to the ship’s famous godmother. Here are some fun numbers from Dave’s story that really illustrate the size of this floating city: Utopia features 18 decks (including 16 passenger decks); 2,834 staterooms; a crew of 2,290; and is 1,188 feet long. It has 22 restaurants; 13 bars and lounges; five pools; eight hot tubs; two casinos with more than 370 slot machines and nearly 30 table games; two rock-climbing walls; and a mini-golf course.
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Next up in the go big category is NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building. Whenever I drive over the State Road 520 causeway, I’m always awed by the site of the VAB in the distance. Space Reporter Brooke Edwards decided to take a deeper look at its history and future timed around the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, which, of course, the VAB was constructed to support.
The VAB stands 525 feet, making it the equivalent to a 50-story structure. That’s taller than the Statue of Liberty and just under half the size of the Empire State Building. But what’s so remarkable about this building is that it’s all one giant single-story structure; it’s not subdivided like a typical skyscraper. And, of course, what’s even more remarkable is what it represents: our nation’s space ambitions, both those already achieved and those still being planned.
“You kind of think about it, the elevator cars themselves are original to the building, and you think about the past and think ‘all those people have stood where I’m standing right now’,” Elizabeth Kline, the element operations manager for the VAB, told Brooke.
I hope you not only spend time with our VAB story but also go to floridatoday.com to scroll through the accompanying photo galleries. Our photographers have captured stunning images of this historic building through the years.
Other stories I hope you don’t miss in Sunday’s FLORIDA TODAY:
- Our front page story on Brevard County’s budget proposal for next year. Dave Berman walks you through the priorities — and what this budget would mean for your taxes. It’s probably no surprise that roads and other transportation-related infrastructure from bridges to sidewalks are top priorities. And topping that to-do list is widening and improving Ellis Road.
- Education Reporter Finch Walker showcases some of Brevard’s talented youth who competed this month in the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics during the NAACP national convention in Las Vegas.
- Get some insight on investing from our financial planner columnist.
- For all those pickleball fans out there, Trending Reporter Michelle Spitzer tells you about an indoor pickleball facility coming to Brevard. Playing indoors might be particularly welcome to those of us who are extra vulnerable to insect bites. Michelle also gives us the scoop on mosquitoes and why they bite some people more than others.
- Finally, today is National Ice Cream Day. Read our story inside Sunday’s newspaper then get out there and enjoy a scoop (or two). What’s your favorite flavor? Mine is mocha chip.
Starting this week, we’ll be rolling out our local August primary election preview stories. We’ve got reporters working on many of the key races around Brevard County, so look for those stories at floridatoday.com and in your newspaper. Our goal is to make sure you have as much information as you need before casting your ballot.
Executive Editor Mara Bellaby can be reached at mbellaby@floridatoday.com. Thank you for subscribing and supporting local journalism.
Florida
Florida man arrested for tossing away newborn kittens accused of threatening family member: ‘Dead man walking’
Tyler Holtz is accused of threatening a family member days after being arrested on animal cruelty charges. Courtesy: Putnam County Sheriff’s Office
HAWTHORNE, Fla. – Less than a week after a Florida man was accused of throwing five newborn kittens in the trash, he ended up back in jail after deputies said he threatened to kill a family member.
The backstory:
On April 25, 2026, deputies with the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office went to a Hawthorne home after a witness told them she had removed two plastic bags containing five kittens from a trash can after hearing the animals whining inside.
The deputy said that the kittens still had umbilical cords attached and were not thriving.
Putnam County Animal Control went to the home and determined that the kittens were about five hours old. The mother cat was not located.
According to PCSO, the person who found the kittens tried to get them emergency medical help, but four died. The fifth kitten was being treated at a veterinary office in Ocala.
A neighbor who lived on the property said that he caught Tyler Holtz, 36, placing the bags in the garbage can.
Holtz was arrested on May 1 and charged with five counts of animal cruelty and abandoning an animal to die.
He was released on a $12,500 bond, on the condition that he wouldn’t commit another crime.
Dig deeper:
Approximately three days later, deputies said Holtz sent text messages to a family member stating that the victim was “a dead man walking” as well as giving details of firearms and access to weapons.
The victim reportedly told deputies he was scared for his life and that Holtz was known to have a firearm.
Deputies located Holtz during a traffic stop. He was charged with sending a written threat to kill. He is being held at the Putnam County Jail on no bond.
The Source: This article was written with information posted on social media by the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office.
ORLANDO, Fla. – Over the past couple of years, experts have noticed a heavy decrease in lovebugs across Central Florida.
However, that trend may have just been reversed.
Lovebugs are known for flying through the air while getting “stuck” together during their explosive breeding seasons, causing plenty of splatters on the front of people’s cars.
But in recent years, Florida natives have noticed a stark drop in the number of these pests flitting about.
During a 2024 conversation with Dr. Norman Leppla — a professor at the University of Florida specializing in pest management — he explained that lovebugs’ disappearance was part of a larger trend.
“I really don’t know why, but we’re having a crisis globally with the loss of insect species and all kinds of other organisms just plain disappearing. And we’re quite worried about it,” he said at the time.
[ Where did all the lovebugs go?]
But this week, News 6 reached out for a follow-up after several members in the newsroom noticed more lovebugs in the air this year.
“Your newsroom members are correct in noticing more lovebugs than last year,” Leppla wrote. “I have seen some in North Central Florida during the past couple of weeks where there were none last year. They certainly aren’t abundant, however.”
According to Leppla, the number of lovebugs you see flying around depends on the survival of larvae, which in turn depend on continuous moisture to feed and develop.
Female lovebugs can lay hundreds of eggs, but if the environment is too dry or submerged for too long, the larvae end up dying — resulting in fewer lovebugs.
Typically, lovebug season pops up twice per year in Florida: in April to May, and August to September.
Per Leppla, lovebugs actually reached nuisance levels last month down south in places ranging from the Florida Keys up through Ft. Myers.
“They probably occurred in swarms along the lower east coast, as well,” he continued. “They will continue to be relatively abundant in local habitats where larvae can develop. Lovebugs will exist as far north as the climate will enable the larvae to survive.
However, lovebugs aren’t originally from Florida.
They actually hail from the Yucatán in Mexico, having traveled into the Gulf Coast through Texas during the early-to-mid 1900s. In the Sunshine State, they weren’t seen until around 1950.
That means that even if lovebugs really did disappear from Florida, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re gone for good.
“They live in that tropical habitat, and they came here as our habitat became more conducive to lovebugs,” Leppla previously explained. “That’s usually what happens. And so they spread, and they can certainly just recede right back to the tropics.”
[ Don’t touch these fuzzy Florida bugs!]
But that begs the question: what are the impacts of lovebugs possibly disappearing from Florida?
The short answer? Not much.
In fact, lovebug guts reportedly contain an enzyme that can eat through the clearcoat of a vehicle, which can damage the vehicle’s paint. As such, it could be good news for drivers.
“It’s not going to cause a lot of issues for the folks here in Florida,” Leppla stated. “Only the car wash people.”
Leppla gave News 6 a few tips to keep the pesky insects away. Here’s what you should know:
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Lovebugs are attracted to light colors, so you can avoid wearing light-colored clothing and being near light-colored walls to not draw them in
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They are also bad flyers, so you can use a fan to blow them away
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Lastly, lovebugs don’t fly at night and take a break around noon, so if you limit outdoor exposure during the morning and afternoon times you may be able to avoid them
Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
When does voting end for 2026 HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida? 5 pm ET Friday, June 19, 2026, on hgtv.com and foodnetwork.com.
Voting is underway for the 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Florida − who’s going to win?
The home and garden network’s sweepstakes contest began last month, and those interested in the $1.3 million grand prize − a fully furished poolside paradise near Orlando and some cool cash − have just over a month to try their luck.
Voting continues twice a day at HGTV and Food Network sites. Here’s what we know.
What to know about 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Florida
The three-bedroom, three-bath HGTV Smart Home in Apopka, which is about 20 miles from Orlando, boasts a so-Florida vibe with its upscale tropical, relaxed decor. But what makes it a “smart home?” The state-of-the-art technology, functionality and mindful use of space when it came to the design. Or so says the designers and hosts of the 2026 HGTV special, Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt. The HGTV reality show hosts, who live in Tampa, made the inside and outside living spaces comfortable and compatible with Florida’s relentless summer heat, yet magazine cover-worthy.
Over the years, the Kleinschmidts have hosted “100 Day Dream Home,” “White House Christmas 2024,” “100 Day Hotel Challenge” and “Barbie Dreamhouse Challenge,” all on HGTV. Their inside knowledge as Florida residents came into play with the 2026 HGTV Smart Home design.
It’s not the first time the home and garden network picked a site in the Sunshine State for its sweepstakes contest: Most recently, the 2024 HGTV Dream Home was on Anastasia Island, Florida, near St. Augustine, and the 2021 HGTV Smart Home was in Naples on the West Coast of the state.
How much is 2026 HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida, worth?
The grand prize for the 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Apopka, Florida, is worth more than $1.3 million. The newly built, fully furnished resort-style home about 20 miles from Orlando is a 3,000-square-foot three-bedroom, three-bathroom home with a pool and outdoor living space. The winner of the HGTV Smart Home sweepstakes contest will receive the keys to the home, the furnishings and decor inside and out, plus $100,000 in cash.
The home was built by Hartizen Homes with interior design by husband-and-wife HGTV stars Brian and Mika Kleinschmidt.
The outside living space includes a swim-up bar, outdoor projector, putting green and gourmet grill station. Inside, the HGTV Smart Home evokes an upscale Florida design featuring a game room, movie theater lounge with multiple screens, open-concept living spaces and lots of skylights.
What does 2026 HGTV Smart Home in Florida look like? Tour it with hosts Mika and Brian Kleinschmidt
HGTV Smart Home 2026 sweepstakes in Florida. See features, video tour
HGTV Smart Home in Apopka, Florida, by Orlando is worth $1.3 million. Voting is April 21, 2026, through June 19, 2026, at hgtv.com and foodnetwork.com
Video courtesy of HGTV
When does voting end for 2026 HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida?
According to sweepstakes contest rules, voting for the HGTV Smart Home 2026 giveaway runs 9 a.m. ET Tuesday, April 21, 2026, to 5 p.m. ET Friday, June 19, 2026. During that time, viewers can enter twice daily at hgtv.com/smart and foodnetwork.com/smarthome. A one-hour special about the 2026 HGTV Smart Home sweepstakes contest aired April 24, though streaming is available on HBO Max and Discovery+.
Photos of 2026 HGTV Smart Home near Orlando, Florida
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.
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