Florida

Triple-core SpaceX Falcon Heavy launches GOES-U from Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Published

1 year ago

June 25, 2024

Triple-core SpaceX Falcon Heavy launches GOES-U from Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Double sonic booms sounded through the Space Coast Tuesday afternoon as not one, but two Falcon 9 side boosters landed. GOES-U, the latest weather satellite by the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration, was headed to geostationary orbit, 22.236 miles above Earth. Its science should help to revolutionize not only weather imaging here on Earth but look at space weather that could impact our planet.

NOAA’s GOES-U satellite rose into space atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy from Kennedy Space Center’s Pad 39A. The two-hour launch window opened at 5:16 p.m. EDT, but only an additional 10 minutes was needed to work around weather.

Launching atop a core Falcon 9 booster, supported by two shiny white Falcon 9s — the triple-core Falcon Heavy had given off a blinding five million pounds of thrust at liftoff. After boosting the satellite off the pad, the two new side boosters separated and landed at SpaceX’s Landing Zones 1 and 2 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The core booster, which was also new, was discarded over the ocean after doing its job.

When is the next Florida rocket launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule in Florida

Even though the rocket launched on Tuesday, the rocket was a bit late to the launch pad − not arriving until late Monday. SpaceX said an environmental control system, which keeps the satellite free of humidity and protected before launch, had been malfunctioning. This delayed the roll out of the rocket, as SpaceX teams opted to keep the spacecraft in the hanger to protect it until the system was fixed.

What is the GOES-U satellite?

This new weather satellite will not only enable earlier storm detection, but it will give forecasters more time to warn the public of approaching threats. GOES-U will also provide observation of the sun − which has been very active this year − to alert those who need to know about approaching solar flares.

Looking both down at Earth and out at the sun, GOES-U is set to join two other satellites, which are already in orbit as part of the GOES-R series. It will be the last of the GOES satellites, as a new generation of weather satellites is on the horizon.

The first of this series, GOES-R, was launched back in 2016 atop an Atlas V rocket. GOES-U will be the first − and the last − of the GOES satellites to be launched atop a Falcon Heavy.

This satellite will monitor much of the Western Hemisphere, including the Americas, the Caribbean, and Atlantic Ocean.

“National Weather Service colleagues tell us this technology has changed the game for weather prediction and forecasting,” Steve Volz, assistant administrator of NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service, said during a NASA press briefing.

“It is the bridge that connects today’s geostationary satellite technology with the technology of tomorrow, that promises to be more sophisticated and more impactful than what the GOES satellite series currently provides,” he said.

Like Earth technology, satellite technology can only be relevant for so long. GeoXO will be the series of satellites which will follow beginning in the 2030s. Development is currently in process.

SpaceX launch statistics

The launch of GOES-U brought SpaceX’s ninth launch for the NASA launch services program.
With the launch vehicle first flying in 2018, this was the 10th Falcon Heavy launch to date.
As SpaceX is launching Falcon 9 rockets from both coasts, this marked the company’s 65th mission of the year.

Upcoming Falcon Heavy Flights

The next Falcon Heavy launch scheduled is NASA’s Europa Clipper mission, which will be no earlier than October.

As for the next Florida launch, a Falcon 9 rocket will carry a Starlink mission on Thursday from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40. SpaceX has not announced a launch time, yet the Geospatial Navigational Warning and FAA Advisory states the launch window opens at 7 a.m. EDT.

Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@floridatoday.com or on X: @brookeofstars.

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Florida

Florida Lottery Powerball, Lotto, Cash4Life results for Oct. 25, 2025

Published

16 hours ago

October 26, 2025

Press Room

Florida Lottery Powerball, Lotto, Cash4Life results for Oct. 25, 2025

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 Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025

Winning Powerball numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

02-12-22-39-67, Powerball: 15, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

03-24-46-58-61, Powerball: 07

Winning Florida Lotto numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

05-09-22-30-32-50

Check Florida Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto Double Play numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

11-18-21-46-50-53

Check Lotto Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash4Life numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

05-06-12-19-60, Cash Ball: 03

Check Cash4Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Fantasy 5 numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

Midday: 06-08-15-19-21

Evening: 18-27-28-30-35

Check Fantasy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

Morning: 12

Matinee: 09

Afternoon: 11

Evening: 12

Late Night: 07

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 2 numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

Midday: 1-8, FB: 5

Evening: 6-0, FB: 8

Check Pick 2 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

Midday: 3-7-5, FB: 5

Evening: 0-7-5, FB: 8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

Midday: 6-5-1-1, FB: 5

Evening: 3-8-4-6, FB: 8

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Oct. 25 drawing

Midday: 6-4-1-3-5, FB: 5

Evening: 6-5-0-1-8, 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:

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.
Cash4Life: 9 p.m. daily.
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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Florida

Leanne Wong Wins Silver in World Championships All-Around – Florida Gators

Published

2 days ago

October 24, 2025

Press Room

Leanne Wong Wins Silver in World Championships All-Around – Florida Gators

JAKARTA, Indonesia — Gator grad Leanne Wong soared to World Championships silver today at Indonesia Arena, matching her 2021 finish in a thrilling repeat showdown with Russia’s Angelina Melnikova. Just a tenth of a point separated the two all-around leaders in the final standings.

Wong, sitting fourth before the final rotation, delivered a clutch Cheng vault that earned the highest vault score of the day (14.466) and launched her into the lead—until Melnikova’s closing floor routine edged her out for gold.

➡️ Vault

➡️ Leanne Wong

➡️ 14.466 pic.twitter.com/MIgCB6EG69

— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) October 23, 2025

The one-two all-around finish was a repeat of the 2021 World Championships, when Melnikova and Wong also went one-two.

“Of course it’s disappointing to see your name go to second place, but overall I’m happy with the competition,” Wong said, according to the FIG. “I just take it a competition at a time, and I was happy to make it to the Worlds and to be winning a medal.”

U.S. teammate Dulcy Caylor took 13th in the final standings.

Another Gator looks for World Championships hardware tomorrow. Rising sophomore Skye Blakely earned a place in the uneven bars final after posting a score of 14.166 to qualify seventh. That final will take place Friday, Oct. 24 at 3 a.m. ET.

Coverage of the World Championships event finals streams live on Peacock.

13.800 gets Leanne Wong’s AA pursuit underway 🇺🇸
Live Scores: https://t.co/5yEgB1qUxF#ARTWorlds2025 #Gymnastics pic.twitter.com/GlSrMkHwng

— FIG (@gymnastics) October 23, 2025

➡️ Balance Beam

➡️ Leanne Wong

➡️ 13.500
Watch live on Peacock! pic.twitter.com/erHhBjfUay

— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) October 23, 2025

➡️ Floor Exercise

➡️ Leanne Wong

➡️ 13.200
Advertisement

Watch live on Peacock! pic.twitter.com/hZFhKsLu5j

— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) October 23, 2025

World Championships All-Around Final Scores

World Championships All-Around Top 15
Place	Name	Nation	Total
1	Angelina MELNIKOVA	AIN	55.066
2	Leanne WONG	USA	54.966
3	Qingying ZHANG	CHN	54.633
4	Kaylia NEMOUR	ALG	54.564
5	Asia D’AMATO	ITA	53.532
6	Rina KISHI	JPN	53.232
7	Aiko SUGIHARA	JPN	53.132
8	Abigail MARTIN	GBR	52.998
9	Naomi VISSER	NED	52.299
10	Ruby EVANS	GBR	52.066
11	Liudmila ROSHCHINA	AIM	51.999
12	Breanna SCOTT	AUS	51.798
13	Dulcy CAYLOR	USA	51.532
14	Alba PETISCO	ESP	51.399
15	Kaia TANSKANEN	FIN	51.266

2025 FIG World Championships Schedule – Women
Senior women’s competition schedule:

Friday, Oct. 24 | 3 a.m. ET | Vault & Uneven Bars Final | Peacock

Saturday, Oct. 25 | 3 a.m. ET | Balance Beam & Floor Exercise Final | Peacock

Tape-Delay

Sunday, Oct. 26 | 12 p.m. ET | Women’s All-Around Final | NBC

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Will SNAP benefits be sent to Florida recipients in November? What to know about shutdown

Published

3 days ago

October 23, 2025

Press Room

Will SNAP benefits be sent to Florida recipients in November? What to know about shutdown

A potential federal government shutdown could delay November SNAP benefits for nearly 3 million Floridians.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has alerted states that funding will run out if the shutdown continues past Nov. 1.
October benefits will still be issued, and any existing balance on EBT cards can still be used.

Nearly 3 million Floridians who rely on food stamps to provide or supplement their food budget may see their benefits for November delayed if the federal government shutdown continues past Nov. 1.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture sent a memo to state administrators of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, earlier this month, alerting them that funding is running out and they won’t receive disbursements for November if the shutdown persists. SNAP provides low-income families monthly benefits to afford healthy food.

That will affect the 42 million Americans currently receiving SNAP benefits, including 2.8 million in Florida, the state Department of Children and Families confirmed. The program is funded by the federal government but administered by each state.

“If the federal government shutdown continues into November, SNAP benefits for the month of November will not be issued until federal funding is restored,” an alert on Florida’s SNAP website says. “You may receive notices about your eligible benefit amount, but you will not receive any benefits deposited to your EBT card during this time.”

SNAP benefits for October will continue and DCF is still processing initial applications and renewals, DCF spokeswoman Anna Archambault confirmed in an email. Newly approved recipients may receive notification about November eligibility, but will not get benefits yet.

Here’s what to know.

What is SNAP, the former food stamp program?

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) is a federal program that provides assistance to low-income seniors, people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other individuals and families with low incomes to help them buy nutritious food.

It grew out of the nearly century-old national food stamp program and was renamed in the 2008 farm bill. SNAP is part of the federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

Why aren’t SNAP benefits going out in November?

The federal program is administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In Florida, SNAP is managed by the Florida Department of Children and Families Office of Economic Self-Sufficiency (ESS).

The federal government shutdown is affecting large areas of the federal government, including the Agriculture department. SNAP benefits were already obligated for October but further funding may be delayed.

How does SNAP work?

Once you are approved to receive SNAP benefits, you receive an Electronic Benefits Transfer Card (EBT), a physical, reloadable card like a debit card that can be used at participating retailers to buy approved items or to withdraw cash at specified locations.

Monthly benefits appear on the card’s balance. Sales tax cannot be charged on items you buy with an EBT card.

Can I still use the balance on my EBT card?

Yes, you still can use your existing SNAP benefits, which roll over every month if not used. You can check your EBT card’s balance at ebtEDGE.com or by calling 888-356-3281.

Who is eligible to receive SNAP benefits in Florida?

SNAP eligibility is based on income, resources, and the size of your household. Eligibility rules are set at the federal level but individual states may change them. In Florida:

You must be a Florida resident and a U.S. citizen or qualified noncitizen and be able to prove your identity. You must have a Social Security number or proof you have applied for one.
Individuals aged 16 – 59 must meet General Work Requirements for SNAP unless exempt, such as being unable to work, caring for young children or incapacitated persons, or being a student. Additionally, adults aged 18 – 59, unless exempt, must work or participate in the SNAP Employment and Training Program (SNAP E&T).
Most households must pass a gross income limit less than or equal to 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL). Some household expenses such as shelter expenses, dependent care, medical expenses, child support paid, utility deductions, earned income deduction may be subtracted from the total monthly income in the food assistance budget.
Households must report when their total monthly gross income exceeds 130% of the Federal Poverty Level for their household size and when work hours of able-bodied adults fall below 80 hours per month. The household must report these changes within 10 days after the end of the month of the change.
Most food assistance households may have assets such as vehicles, bank accounts, or property and still get help. Households with a disqualified member must meet an asset limit of $2,500 ($3,750 if the household contains an elderly or disabled member.

Requirements for SNAP benefits became more restrictive since the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 expanded the 80-hour-a-month work requirement for SNAP by increasing the age limit on able-bodied adults without dependents from 49 to 54. The Florida Department of Children and Families expanded its own definition to include adults up through 59 years old and increased the mandatory employment and training program (SNAP E&T) from 80 hours every month to 120.

What can I buy with SNAP benefits in Florida?

Households can use food assistance benefits to buy breads, cereals, fruits, vegetables, meats, fish, poultry, dairy, and plants and seeds to grow food for their household to eat.

Households cannot use food assistance benefits to buy nonfood items such as pet foods, soaps, paper products, household supplies, grooming items, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, vitamins, medicines, food to eat in the store, or hot foods.

Who is ineligible for Florida SNAP benefits?

Reasons for SNAP ineligibility include:

Conviction of drug trafficking
Fleeing a felony warrant
Breaking SNAP Program rules
Noncitizens without a qualified status
Students attending an institution of higher education at least half time, in some circumstances

Contributing: Gray Rohrer, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida

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