Florida
Florida Holocaust Museum closing down until 2025 for renovations
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — People travel from all over to visit the Florida Holocaust Museum.
Starting this fall, the first phase of the Museum’s Transformative Renovation and Expansion Project will begin. The museum will be closed starting July 22.
Some of the renovations that will happen during this first phase are making more space for artifacts, enhanced security measures and a second story balcony.
The museum is a safe space for history to live. It will close its doors for the rest of the year.
“We are a leader and a loud voice in the battle against antisemitism, using the lessons of the Holocaust. Sadly, that’s not going to change either because we are needed more than ever and so, this is really a part of the growth,” said interim CEO, Michael Igel.
One of the big artifacts coming to the museum is the ship, Thor.
“The idea that Thor will now be here, the Danish rescue fishing boat, will be in the museum is really a huge moment and a huge opportunity in the history of the museum,” Igel said.
Neighboring businesses, like Florida CraftArt, said they are excited to see what’s in store for the Museum.
“We’re super excited about it, I mean, anytime there’s an expansion at a museum, it takes about that much time,” said CEO for CraftArt, Jorge Vidal. “It doesn’t surprise me and it’s great they’re able to collapse the timeline for a year.”
To keep visitors and staff extra safe, there will be enhanced security measures.
“For someone who has a mission like that, that’s so important, I would imagine they need the best security,” Vidal said.
“It’s not a shoulders down moment at all, it’s actually a look what’s about to come. So, no rest for the weary, but we’re not tired at all,” Igel said.
Even though people will not be allowed inside, the Museum will continue to be a resource for the community, and continue to share the stores of those who are no longer able to.
“We stand on the shoulders of the victims and the survivors of the Holocaust,” Igel said.
The Museum is planning to reopen in early 2025.
FORT MYERS, Fla. – An injured manatee and her calf are recovering after authorities on a boat rescued them from the Orange River near Fort Myers on Thursday.
What we know:
The Lee County Sheriff’s Office said its Marine Unit, Advanced Technology Support Unit, drone pilots and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission helped in saving the pair after the mother was found hurt in the water and in need of medical attention.
READ: Missing Florida man found stuck in mud without food or water for days: PFD
Video shows authorities pulling the frantic manatees safely onto the boat in netting before taking them to shore.
Courtesy: Lee County Sheriff’s Office
Both animals will be taken to ZooTampa for evaluation and medical care.
What we don’t know:
LCSO did not say the extent of the mother’s injuries.
By the numbers:
As of Feb. 20, there have been 85 manatee deaths across Florida in 2026, according to the FWC. Last year reportedly saw a total of 632 manatee deaths.
Dig deeper:
Earlier this month, the FWC began investigating a spike in manatee deaths, specifically in Lee County, where officials say 25 were found dead within a week.
READ: FWC investigating spike in manatee deaths over the past week
The FWC believes these manatee deaths could be from several factors: cold stress, a lack of seagrass and polluted waterways.
The Source: Information for this story was provided by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Trump threatens tariffs on countries that supply oil to Cuba
Trump warned Cuba to reach an agreement with the U.S. after signing an executive order to impose tariffs on countries that supply the island with oil.
HAVANA (Reuters) – Four people were killed and seven others were wounded on Feb. 25 after a speedboat from Florida entered Cuban waters and opened fire on Cuban forces, who returned fire, Cuba’s Interior Ministry said.
All four dead were aboard the Florida-based speedboat, and another six were injured, Cuba said. In addition, the Cuban commander of border patrol boat was wounded, Cuba said.
The wounded foreign attackers were evacuated and received medical attention, Cuba said.
The incident took place amid heightened tension between Cuba and the United States, which has blocked virtually all oil shipments to the island, increasing pressure on the Communist-run government. American forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas on Jan. 3, removing a key Cuban ally from power.
“Faced with the current challenges, Cuba reaffirms its commitment to protecting its territorial waters, based on the principle that national defense is a fundamental pillar for the Cuban state in safeguarding its sovereignty and stability in the region,” the Cuban statement said.
Reporting by Daniel Trotta in Havana.
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