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Is there a sunken nuclear bomb near Florida? Here’s what to know

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Is there a sunken nuclear bomb near Florida? Here’s what to know


TYBEE ISLAND, Ga. – Off the coast of Georgia, a massive bomb potentially sits in the water after having been flown out from Florida decades prior.

According to NPR, the whole incident began in 1958 when a B-47 bomber plane took off from Homestead AFB in Florida with the 7,600-pound nuclear bomb in tow, heading out to meet up with another bomber for a training exercise.

During an open house at Boeing Plant 2 in Seattle, Washington, people walk around to view the lineup of Boeing bomber planes. This lineup at the northend of Boeing Field includes the B-29, B-47 “Stratojet,” and the B-52 “Superfortress.” (Photo by © Museum of Flight/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty Images) (Museum of Flight/Getty Images)

HOW DID IT HAPPEN?

The plan was to reportedly simulate an attack on the Soviet Union as part of the exercise, and everything was going well — until another training mission mistakenly crashed into the B-47 carrying the bomb.

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As a result, the pilot chose to let loose the bomb over the water off Tybee Island in Georgia before making an emergency landing in a nearby swamp.

Tybee Island Lighthouse (Photo by J. Miers via Wikimedia/Creative Commons)

The bomb didn’t go off even after dropping into the ocean below, though that could be because the nuclear material needed to set such bombs off was typically kept separate from the weapon until it was needed, the BBC reports.

DID THEY FIND IT?

Federal officials spent over two weeks searching for the bomb in the aftermath, but it was ultimately determined to be irretrievable.

While a receipt written by the pilot shows that the necessary capsule wasn’t added to the bomb before the training exercise — meaning it wouldn’t be at a huge risk of detonation — other federal officials have claimed otherwise, such as a former Assistant Secretary of Defense W.J. Howard, who claimed that the bomb was “complete.”

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“He concluded that despite our best efforts, the possibility of an accidental nuclear explosion still existed,” a declassified report reads.

Nowadays, the bomb is thought to be covered by several feet of silt on the seabed, but if the explosives within are still intact, it could pose a major hazard to the environment. As such, federal officials have determined that it should be left undisturbed — even by further recovery attempts.

CAN AN ATOMIC BOMB GO OFF UNDERWATER?

If it’s actually off the coast of Tybee Island, then yes: the bomb can still detonate, even underwater.

In 1946, the U.S. tested an atomic bomb at the Bikini Atoll — in the Pacific Ocean far southwest of Hawaii — by suspending it below several ships filled with pigs and rats.

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After it was set off underwater, nearly all of the animals died, either thanks to the initial explosion or from the radiation poisoning afterward. And the area is still irradiated to this day.

The Baker test during Operation Crossroads, a series of two nuclear weapons tests conducted by the United States at Bikini Atoll. 25th July 1946. The purpose of the operation, which included two shots, ABLE and BAKER, was to investigate the effect of nuclear weapons on naval warships. Mushroom-shaped cloud and water column from the underwater Baker nuclear explosion. Photo taken from a tower on Bikini Island, 3.5 miles (5.6 km) away. Marshall Islands, Pacific. (PHoto by Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images) (2015 Galerie Bilderwelt/Getty Images)

WHAT HAPPENS IF IT DETONATES?

For starters: it doesn’t appear as likely that the bomb will explode.

While Howard initially claimed the bomb was complete, a military spokesman told The Atlantic in 2001 that they’d spoken with him, and “he agreed that his memo was in error.”

But if the bomb did manage to get outfitted with a plutonium trigger and detonated, it would erupt into an explosion with a mile-wide radius — and thermal radiation reaching 10 times that distance, according to the Savannah Morning News.

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That would no doubt cause havoc within the immediate proximity, but on the bright side, Tybee Island is well over 100 miles (roughly a two-hour drive) from Florida’s border. This means Florida residents have little to fear from the direct impacts of such an explosion.

So you can sleep tight knowing you’re not likely to find yourself on the worse end of a nuclear weapon.

That being said, there are still plenty of other scary things in Florida to keep you up at night.


Get today’s headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily:

Copyright 2024 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.

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NW Florida authorities make two more arrests in murder case

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NW Florida authorities make two more arrests in murder case


WALTON COUNTY, Fla. (WALA) – The Walton County Sheriff’s Office, Florida posted on its Facebook page Saturday the latest arrests in the murder of Jason Coulthart.

Here is the post:

TWO ADDITIONAL ARRESTS IN JASON COULTHART HOMICIDE; JOHNSON STILL AT LARGE

WALTON COUNTY, FLA — The Walton County Sheriff’s Office has made two additional arrests in connection with the murder of Jason Coulthart, marking the fourth and fifth individuals charged in relation to the ongoing investigation.

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On July 10, 2026, Michael Ray White, 74, and Kathleen Morris, 59, of Santa Rosa Beach, were arrested for accessory to a capital felony after the fact and obstruction.

According to investigators, White knowingly provided assistance to Johnson as she evaded law enforcement between June 25 and June 30, 2026.

Evidence shows White initially denied knowing Johnson while talking to investigators but later admitted she was at his home on multiple occasions during that period.

White also allowed Johnson and a second suspect, Martin Leaverton, to stay at the home, provided supplies, and later coordinated moving Johnson to a second location.

Morris, who resides at the same address, was also arrested in connection with the case after admitting she assisted Johnson by transporting her, providing supplies, and misleading deputies regarding Johnson’s presence at the residence.

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Text messages recovered from Morris’s phone further corroborate her involvement in helping Johnson avoid capture.

Interviews with additional witnesses, including Martin and Sandra Leaverton, provided further confirmation that both White and Morris knowingly sheltered Johnson and assisted her efforts to elude law enforcement.

The Leavertons admitted retrieving Johnson’s belongings, supplying her with a cell phone, and attempting to find out‑of‑state refuge for her. They are still behind bars at the Walton County Jail.

The discovery of Coulthart’s remains occurred on June 25, 2026, following two independent statements provided to the Niceville Police Department regarding a body located on a property on Sunset Lane in Freeport.

A residential search warrant was executed that same day, leading to the discovery of human remains. An arrest warrant for Johnson was issued on June 26, 2026. This week, the remains were confirmed to belong to Jason Coulthart.

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Johnson remains at large. She is considered dangerous, and anyone who has seen her or has information on her whereabouts is urged to contact the Walton County Sheriff’s Office immediately.

“Anyone found to have helped or is still assisting Isabelle Johnson avoid arrest will be charged accordingly,” said Sheriff Michael Adkinson. “If you give her a place to stay, help her hide, or lie for her, you will face consequences. This is a homicide case. We will not allow anyone to get in the way of this investigation.”

Anyone with information is asked to call the Walton County Sheriff’s Office at (850) 892‑8111 or contact Emerald Coast Crime Stoppers at (850) 863‑TIPS.

Copyright 2026 WALA. All rights reserved.



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Florida Lottery Mega Millions, Jackpot Triple Play results for July 10, 2026

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Florida Lottery Mega Millions, Jackpot Triple Play results for July 10, 2026


The Florida Lottery offers several draw games for those hoping to win one of the available jackpots.

Here’s a look at the winning numbers for games played on Friday, July 10, 2026.

Winning Mega Millions numbers from July 10 drawing

02-39-44-46-56, Mega Ball: 23

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Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Jackpot Triple Play numbers from July 10 drawing

11-15-32-40-45-46

Check Jackpot Triple Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 11-20-21-24-25

Evening: 06-11-15-20-33

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Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 10 drawing

Morning: 15

Matinee: 13

Afternoon: 09

Evening: 04

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Late Night: 08

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

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Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

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Winning Pick 2 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 6-0, FB: 5

Evening: 0-4, FB: 8

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 7-5-3, FB: 5

Evening: 5-8-1, FB: 8

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Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 2-2-4-2, FB: 5

Evening: 0-4-4-1, FB: 8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from July 10 drawing

Midday: 4-4-6-0-0, FB: 5

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Evening: 9-2-9-8-1, FB: 8

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Where can you buy Florida Lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your prize

  • Prizes of $599 or less: Claim at any authorized Florida Lottery retailer or Florida Lottery district office.
  • Prizes for $600 to $1 million: Must be claimed in person at any Florida Lottery district office for games that do not offer an annual payment option.
  • Prizes greater than $1 million and all prizes with an annual payment option: Must be claimed at Florida Lottery headquarters, except Mega Millions and Powerball prizes, which can be claimed at any Florida Lottery district office.

You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.

Florida law requires public disclosure of winners

If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:

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  • Full name
  • City of residence
  • Game won
  • Date won
  • Amount won
  • Name and location of the retailer where the winning ticket was purchased.

When are the Florida Lottery drawings held?

  • Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Florida Lotto: 11:15 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
  • Jackpot Triple Play: 11:15 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
  • Fantasy 5: Daily at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m.
  • Cash Pop: Daily at 8:45 a.m., 11:45 a.m., 2:45 p.m., 6:45 p.m. and 11:45 p.m.
  • Pick 2, 3, 4, 5: Daily at 1:30 p.m. and 9:45 p.m.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Florida digital producer. You can send feedback using this form.



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Snake hunters gather in Florida to kill invasive pythons for $25,000 in prizes

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Snake hunters gather in Florida to kill invasive pythons for ,000 in prizes


The day has finally arrived. On July 10, hundreds of professional and amateur snake hunters entered the annual Florida Python Challenge, a 10-day race to remove as many of the invasive animals as possible from the Everglades. The person who bags the most snakes will earn a $10,000 first-place prize, while another $15,000 in payouts will go to various other categories, including for the longest snake captured.

Conservationists estimate between 100,000 and 300,000 Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) live across the state’s subtropical regions, where they have thrived as apex predators since their accidental introduction into the wild during the 1970s. Pregnant females can lay upwards of 70 eggs at a time, and each hatchling can reach an adult length of 13-feet long. Despite their population explosion, only around five percent of all pythons are spotted by the average onlooker. That means only one in about 20 snakes are noticed on any given day.

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The python hunt ends on July 19. Credit: Joe Raedel via Getty Images

Over 600 people registered to participate in this year’s Florida Python Challenge as of July 7, according to Naples Daily News. Last year saw more than 900 local and international competitors, and the largest snake captured measured nearly 16 feet long. The annual event isn’t a free-for-all, however. Every hunter must complete a safety course prior to scouring for snakes, and while guns are allowed on private land with owner’s permission, all pythons must be euthanized as humanely as possible.

It may come as a surprise, but beheading one of the massive, coiling predators absolutely isn’t an ethical means of disposal. Because the snakes possess extremely slow metabolisms and can survive with very low amounts of oxygen, they can remain conscious (and in immense pain) for a prolonged period of time after decapitation. Instead, hunters are recommended to draw an imaginary line from each eye to the opposite jaw bone, then locate where those paths intersect. Then can then use a sharp rod or screwdriver to impale the top of the head before moving the tool in a multilateral direction to ensure an immediate loss of consciousness and a quick death. No one said python hunting was for the squeamish.

The Florida Python Challenge will end at 5 p.m. EDT on July 19, with champions announced soon afterwards.

 

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Andrew Paul is a staff writer for Popular Science.


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