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Storms slam parts of Florida. Tampa Bay likely to stay hot and dry.

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Storms slam parts of Florida. Tampa Bay likely to stay hot and dry.


Powerful storms with damaging high winds threatened several states in the Southeast early Friday, as residents elsewhere in the U.S. cleared debris from deadly severe weather that produced twisters in Michigan, Tennessee and other states.

Storms rolled into Tallahassee, where numerous trees were toppled around the state’s capital city, authorities said Friday. Wind gusts of 71 mph were recorded by a weather station near the State Capitol Complex, the National Weather Service reported. Florida State University announced its campuses in Tallahassee were closed Friday due to the severe weather. Nonessential personnel, students and visitors should avoid campuses in Tallahassee until further notice, the school said in a social media post.

The city of Tallahassee said on the X social medial platform that “possible tornadic activity” caused the widespread damage in the Florida capital, especially to electric lines and numerous downed trees. The city said more than 66,000 customers are without electric service and 11 substations were damaged by the storm.

“Restoration will possibly take through the weekend,” the announcement said.

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Strong thunderstorms also were expected in Alabama near the Florida panhandle, where gusty winds could knock down tree limbs, the weather service said.

The severe weather is not likely to make it to the Tampa Bay area, where temperatures are starting to feel summer-like. Highs on Friday were expected to reach around 90 on Friday afternoon and rain chances were only at 20%, according to Spectrum Bay News 9.

Weekend weather should be similarly hot with with the chance of rain slim to none. However, rain chances increase to 30% on Monday and 50% on Tuesday, according to the forecast.

Though Tampa Bay will likely be spared from severe weather, parts of the rest of the state and nation were coping with storm damage.

In Mississippi’s capital city of Jackson, authorities on Friday were asking residents to conserve water after a power outage at one of its major water treatment plants. JXN Water, the local water utility, said in a statement that customers can expect reduced water pressure as workers assess damages due to storms that rolled through the region overnight. The weather service said Hickory Hills and surrounding areas near the coast were likely to get severe weather Friday morning and that hail with the potential to damage vehicles was expected.

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More than 320,000 homes and businesses across the South, from Mississippi to North Carolina, were without electricity Friday morning, according to the tracking website poweroutage.us. More than half in Florida, where lights and air conditioning were out for more than 180,000 customers.

Several tornado warnings and watches were issued by the National Weather Service on Friday morning, but were lifted by midday as the threat shifted to damaging high winds. Since Monday, 39 states have been under threat of severe weather and at least four people have died. On Wednesday and Thursday, about 220 million people were under some sort of severe weather risk, said Matthew Elliott, a Storm Prediction Center forecaster.

The weather comes on the heels of a stormy April in which the U.S. had 300 confirmed tornadoes, the second-most on record for the month and the most since 2011.

A storm was blamed for killing a 22-year-old man in a car in Claiborne County, north of Knoxville, officials said. A second person was killed south of Nashville in Columbia, the seat of Maury County, where officials said a tornado with 140 mph winds damaged or destroyed more than 100 homes.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee said the woman who died in Maury County was in a mobile home that was thrown several feet into a wooded area. Lee visited emergency managers and Tennessee Department of Transportation officials in the storm-stricken area Thursday.

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Torrential rains led to a flash flood emergency and water rescues northeast of Nashville, and the weather service issued a tornado emergency, its highest alert level, for nearby areas.

A 10-year-old boy was seriously injured in Christiana, southeast of Nashville, when he got caught in a storm drain and swept under streets while playing with other children as adults cleared debris, his father, Rutherford County Schools Superintendent Jimmy Sullivan, posted on social media.

The boy, Asher, emerged in a drainage ditch and survived after being given CPR, “but the damage is substantial,” Sullivan posted on Facebook, asking for prayers.

“Asher needs a miracle,” Sullivan wrote.

Dozens of people gathered at the school district’s offices for a prayer vigil Thursday. They bowed their heads and closed their eyes in prayer, and they sang “Amazing Grace” together.

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Schools were closed Thursday and Friday in Rutherford and Maury. In Georgia, some districts north of Atlanta canceled in-person classes or delayed start times because of storm damage overnight that included fallen trees on houses and vehicles around Clarkesville. No injuries were reported there.

Both the Plains and Midwest have been hammered by tornadoes this spring.

Tampa Bay Times staff writer Chris Tisch contributed to this report.



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Florida leaders react to Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death, remembering his legacy of public service

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Florida leaders react to Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death, remembering his legacy of public service


Florida elected officials from both chambers of Congress, along with the state’s two U.S. senators, are mourning the death of U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham, praising his decades of military service, national security work and bipartisan efforts on immigration. 

U.S. Sen. Rick Scott called Graham “a good friend and a dedicated public servant,” saying he and his wife, Anne, were “shocked and heartbroken” by the news.

“Lindsey was a good friend and a dedicated public servant for the people of South Carolina and the United States,” Scott said. “Through his time in the Air Force and in Congress, Lindsey dedicated his career to America’s national defense and freedom around the world. I was grateful to work with him. He will be greatly missed as a legislator and a friend.” 

FILE – Sen Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to the media before the CBS News Republican presidential debate at the Peace Center, Saturday, Feb. 13, 2016, in Greenville, S.C. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt, File)

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Rainier Ehrhardt


Florida’s other Republican senator, Ashley Moody, also honored Graham, describing him as a uniquely gifted communicator and lawmaker.

“My family and I mourn the sudden passing of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham,” Moody said. “There are people in this world who have the ability to change the air in a room through wit, humor, well-placed arguments, reason, or impassioned appeals. Lindsey Graham had the uncanny ability to pull them all off at once.” 

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South Florida lawmakers also reflected on Graham’s influence.

U.S. Rep. Carlos Giménez said Graham leaves behind “a legacy of dedicated public service, a commitment to national security, and an unwavering fight for freedom.”

Meanwhile, U.S. Rep. María Elvira Salazar highlighted Graham’s years-long work on immigration reform, noting he played a key role in discussions surrounding bipartisan immigration proposals, including the DIGNITY Act of 2025.

“Few people in Washington fought longer or harder to fix our broken immigration system than Lindsey Graham,” Salazar said, adding that she was grateful for his counsel and commitment to finding a legislative solution. 

Republican Congressman Byron Donalds, who is running for Florida governor, said Graham dedicated his life to serving the country both in the U.S. Air Force and in Congress.

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“He was an incredibly effective lawmaker who always led with courage and deep conviction,” Donalds said. “He always did what he thought was right even if it wasn’t popular, leaving behind a massive legacy of leadership that won’t be forgotten.” 

Miami-Dade’s tax collector honored Sen. Lindsey Graham, praising his steadfast support for freedom, democracy, and human rights, especially for his outspoken stance against Cuba’s communist dictatorship. The tribute, shared in both English and Spanish, thanked Graham for his leadership, his hope-inspiring words, and his unwavering commitment to liberty, saying his voice gave hope to millions dreaming of a free Cuba.

Graham served in the U.S. Senate for more than two decades after representing South Carolina in the U.S. House. Throughout his career, he became one of the Senate’s most influential voices on national security, foreign policy and immigration.

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His death prompted an outpouring of condolences from lawmakers across the country, including many in Florida who worked alongside him on defense, immigration and other legislative priorities. 





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Forget Florida, Retire To This East Coast City With River Views, Festivals, And Endless Outdoor Fun – Islands

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Forget Florida, Retire To This East Coast City With River Views, Festivals, And Endless Outdoor Fun – Islands






Most retirees clock out of their last day at work, grab their suitcases, and book a one-way flight to a place like Florida that has warm weather year-round. Yet, just along the U.S.-Canada border, a different lifestyle awaits — one that includes all four seasons, river views, and community-involved events. Welcome to Caribou, Maine: the “Most Northeastern City in the U.S.” 

The Aroostook River (as seen above) cuts through the middle of town, highlighting gorgeous waterfront views, dense foliage, and natural beauty that offers an ever-evolving backdrop with every season. From snowy Januarys to blooming Junes, retirees and visitors can stay active rather than just lie at the beach as many do in the Sunshine State. 

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Beyond the scenery, Caribou keeps a packed calendar of fun festivals running nearly year-round, from a winter wonderland carnival to weekly summer concerts downtown. In between events, it’s easy to fit in a daily walk on multi-use trails, kayak or canoe the river, or pick strawberries at a local farm. Caribou is a great alternative to consider for a family-friendly environment and small-town charm, especially for travelers (and retirees) who are looking to trade crowded beaches for quieter, closer-knit surroundings.

Fun festivals in Caribou, Maine

While Florida has beach towns that can pass for the Caribbean, one thing many retirees eventually miss is a sense of community. Caribou offers plenty of opportunities to connect with locals with a packed year-round calendar of events and festivals. The fun kicks off in February with the Winter Carnival and Snowmobile Festival, bringing everyone together in the heart of winter with races, bonfires, and fireworks. In summer, the Mi’kmaq Nation’s Mawiomi of Tribes brings traditional dancing and drumming to town, educating visitors on the Native American lifestyle through traditional meals, sunrise blessing ceremonies, and dancing.

Fall rounds things out with the Caribou Craft Fair, where roughly 140 artisans set up shop. The season wraps up with Oktoberfest, celebrating Bavarian heritage through craft beer brewing, live music, and delicious food. Finally, the city’s annual grand finale is Christmas in Caribou, showcasing detailed light displays, a Christmas tree lighting, and the charming Christmas Market. While these are all one-off events, the town ensures that locals and visitors are mingling often. Once the snow melts,”Thursdays on Sweden Street” shuts down the center of town for weekly live music, food vendors, and a beer garden.

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A short drive out of town extends the calendar even further. New Sweden, about 15 minutes northwest, hosts the Swedish-heritage Midsommar Festival in June, while Fort Fairfield, a 14-minute drive southeast, throws the Potato Blossom Festival every July. Presque Isle, roughly 20 minutes out, adds the Crown of Maine Balloon Fest, giving travelers a seasonal event that’s worth planning a trip around.

Things to do in Caribou, Maine

Caribou offers plenty of ground — and water — to cover for anyone craving variety in the great outdoors. The Aroostook River is a summer highway for paddlers, with canoes and kayaks a common sight. Anglers can fish from the shoreline with a single baited hook during the season, which runs from April 1 to September 30. A few miles away, Collins Pond Park’s 1.5-mile walking and biking path loops right along the water, with a playground on-site for visiting families with grandchildren.

For those wanting to cover more ground, the Aroostook Valley Trail is a 28-mile multi-use path connecting Caribou to nearby towns, popular for biking, walking, and snowmobiling depending on the season. Just outside town, at around 20 minutes by car, the Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge, dubbed Maine’s “green heart”, offers miles of trails for hiking, birdwatching, and cross-country skiing. Spectators can catch live music and races at the Spud Speedway Race Track and Event Center, and families can pick their own berries at McElwain’s Strawberry Farm.

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To reach Caribou, visitors can fly into Presque Isle’s Northern Maine Regional Airport (PQI), a 20-minute drive south, or Bangor International Airport (BGR), about three hours away. A once-daily CYR Bus Line route connects Bangor, one of Maine’s lesser-known little cities, to Caribou directly for those skipping the rental car. 





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Florida top-ranked signee selected in Round 4 of MLB draft

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Florida top-ranked signee selected in Round 4 of MLB draft


The Baltimore Orioles selected Florida signee Kevin Roberts Jr. with the 110th overall pick in the fourth round of the 2026 MLB draft.

Roberts, UF’s top-ranked signee, is expected to forgo his college career and is the only member of Florida’s signing class to not enroll for the summer. A slot value of $711,800 is a bit low for a highly touted high school recruit, but it would be a big whiff by the Orioles if they don’t get him signed.

Perfect Game ranks Roberts No. 19 overall and No. 8 among shortstops nationally. Most of that is because he is incredibly projectable at 6-foot-5-inch and 220 pounds with good speed. There’s good bat speed and solid pop in his bat, showing exit velocities in the mid-90s as a 16-year-old. Roberts is also very young. He won’t turn 18 for another two weeks, giving pro teams extra time to develop him.

The power is there, but he’ll need to refine the contact tool a bit. Still, with plus speed and a strong arm — he clocked fastballs at 94 mph when pitching — Roberts figures to make an easy transition to center field.

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Of course, it would have been nice for Florida to get Roberts on campus, but Florida has plenty of options in the outfield, and Brendan Lawson is returning at shortstop next season. If this is the only loss from Florida’s 2026 signing class, it’s a big win for Kevin O’Sullivan and the Gators.

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.





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