Florida
Tropical Depression 14 forms in Gulf, eyes Florida ahead of rapidly intensifying into Hurricane Milton
An alarming change in the forecast now shows the potential for a dangerous hurricane to strike the west coast of Florida later this week with damaging winds, life-threatening storm surge and torrential rain.
The budding cyclone was designated Tropical Depression Fourteen on Saturday morning by the National Hurricane Center, but it’s now expected to rapidly intensify into a hurricane by early to middle of next week, eventually reaching Florida on Wednesday.
The forecast with TD14 has evolved quite a bit in the last 24 hours, showing greater potential to be a more significant storm.
“I don’t like the way this is developing at all, and it’s going to happen pretty quickly,” says FOX Weather Hurricane Specialist Bryan Norcross. “It just means the odds are significantly higher (Saturday) than they were (Friday) that a memorable, impactful storm is going to impact Florida in the days ahead.”
What’s the latest with Tropical Depression 14?
Tropical Depression Fourteen is about 240 miles northeast of Veracruz, Mexico. It has peak winds of 35 mph and is moving northeast at 3 mph.
What’s the forecast for Tropical Depression 14?
TD Fourteen is forecast to pick up speed early next week and turn to the east/northeast across the central and eastern Gulf of Mexico, reaching hurricane strength on Monday with rapid strengthening likely during the early part of the week, according to the NHC. Once it reaches tropical storm strength, it’ll take the name Milton.
“The GFS (model) and the European (model) have a significant storm offshore (of Florida on Wednesday),” Norcross said. “How significant is this? Yes, it could be a hurricane. Decent chance. And these models, they say hurricane. Could it be a strong hurricane? Category two, Category three. We can’t even rule that out.”
He added: “There is really no good news in any of these various computer forecasts, but here we are.”
The NHC echoes those concerns.
“Regardless of the exact details of the intensity forecast, an intense hurricane with multiple life-threatening hazards is likely to affect the west coast of the Florida Peninsula next week,” the agency said Saturday morning.
How much rain is expected?
Forecast models show the heaviest rainfall is expected to be from the Interstate 4 corridor and southward, where a widespread area could see 5-8 inches of rainfall over the next week, with some areas nearing a foot of rain.
Because much of the rain will be spread out over several days, widespread flooding is not anticipated, but where thunderstorms repeatedly move over the same region, issues could arise.
The expected impacted region is farther south from where Hurricane Helene made landfall last week, so the hardest-hit areas of the Big Bend will not receive as much rainfall as locations such as Fort Myers, Orlando, Tampa and Miami.
In addition to the rainfall, rough seas will lead to threats of increased rip currents and erosion along beaches – a pattern that will continue well into next week.
Nathan Fish-USA TODAY
“The bottom line is we do have the potential for a significant, problematic, impactful storm coming toward Florida Tuesday, Wednesday-ish of next week,” Norcross said.
What’s to be expected with the rest of hurricane season?
The waters in the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf remain plenty warm for development, and October is typically the month with the most landfalls in South Florida.
According to NOAA historical data, more than 60% of landfalls in the region occur after the climatological peak of the hurricane season, which is Sept. 10.
The latest date a hurricane has ever hit the Sunshine State is Nov. 21, when Hurricane Kate slammed into the Florida Panhandle in 1985.
The National Hurricane Center continues to monitor Hurricane Kirk in the central Atlantic and Hurricane Leslie in the eastern Atlantic, but neither poses a direct threat to any landmasses over the next week.
There is also a new disturbance off the coast of Africa that is being tracked.
Florida
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.”
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.”
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.
“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.
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.
Florida
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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