Florida
What channel is Florida basketball vs. Mississippi State on today? Time, TV for UF’s game
Swampcast talks Nick Saban retirement, Florida Gators basketball vs. Arkansas
The Sun’s Kevin Brockway and David Whitley talk Nick Saban’s retirement and the Florida basketball-Arkansas matchup with Bob Holt of the ADG.
Florida basketball will begin a critical two-game homestand Wednesday night when it hosts Mississippi State at the O’Connell Center.
The Florida Gators (12-6, 2-3 SEC), 7-1 at home this season, are coming off their first true road win of the season, winning 79-67 at Missouri.
“We controlled the game,” Florida basketball coach Todd Golden. “Once we got a little bit of a lead in the second half, generally, on an opponent’s home floor they’re going to make some runs and you’re going to have to hang on to it a little bit. But our guys did a good job of finishing it from start to finish in the second half. I feel like that’s the kind of game we can build on, obviously, for these two home contests.”
Inside test: How will Florida basketball stop MSU big man Tolu Smith? It’s a ‘tall’ order for the Gators
Road success: Balanced scoring lifts Florida basketball to first road win of season at Mizzou
Mississippi State (13-5, 2-3 SEC) returns all five starters from a team that reached the NCAA Tournament, including preseason All-SEC forward Tolu Smith III, who is averaging 19.7 ppg and 7.7 rpg.
Freshman guard Josh Hubbard (14.2 ppg, 36.9 percent from 3-point range) also has provided a spark for the Bulldogs off the bench this season.
Four of UF’s five starters average in double figures, led by Iona transfer guard Walter Clayton Jr., who is averaging 15.8 points per game.
After Mississippi State, UF will conclude its week-long homestand Saturday against Georgia (noon, ESPN2).
Florida basketball vs. Mississippi State start time
Florida basketball and Mississippi State are slated to tip off at 8:30 p.m. ET on Wednesday from the O’Connell Center in Gainesville.
Florida basketball vs. Mississippi State betting odds
Per FanDuel as of Tuesday night, Florida is a 3.5-point favorite over Mississippi State. The over/under is set at 155.5 points.
What channel is Florida basketball vs. Mississippi State on today?
Florida and Arkansas will air on the SEC Network and will stream on WatchESPN.com. Mike Morgan will handle play-by-play duties, with Mark Wise as the analyst.
How to listen to Florida basketball-Mississippi State on radio
The Florida-Arkansas game will air on AM 850 and FM 98.1 in Gainesville and across the state on the Gator Radio Network. Sean Kelley will handle play-by-play duties, with former Gator great Lee Humphrey as the color analyst.
Florida
Palm Bay, Florida parents of premature twins held NICU wedding
Brevard County couple gets married in NICU after birth of premature twins
A Florida couple, told they may not be able to have children, welcomed premature twins and had an impromptu NICU wedding.
Provided by AdventHealth for Children
Ben and Danielle Cassidy were told they likely wouldn’t be able to have children.
But this year they will celebrate Mother’s Day just months after having an impromptu wedding in the AdventHealth for Children hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit shortly after Danielle gave birth to twins prematurely — a week before the Palm Bay couple was scheduled to get married.
Both babies, Joshua and Rhett, are doing well despite arriving nine weeks ahead of schedule on Jan. 19, 2026, just one day after their scheduled baby shower. With a proper wedding out of the question with two premature babies in the NICU, a nurse took action.
Issabel Kenkel, the nurse behind the ceremony, said she was already in wedding planning mode for her own upcoming nuptials when she found out the Cassidy family’s ceremony would be interrupted.
“I couldn’t just let them do something small. They needed decorations and something fun, so I spoke to the music therapist and the chaplain,” Kenkel said. In short order, a wedding was being planned for their hospital room and the couple was saying their vows in the company of their safely delivered newborns.
“When we found out we could request staff members to be on our team, that’s when we requested Issabel and having that kind of consistency from someone who has such a big heart and is so kind,” Danielle said.
The hospital ceremony was all the more special because of the Cassidy family’s own health struggles.
“I have five autoimmune diseases and didn’t really think I would have kids. It’s been a rough journey. When Ben and I met, we were floored at how much a miracle it was to have kids,” Danielle said.
Ben, who battled and beat cancer, said he was worried that his prior treatment would result in negative health outcomes for his future children. Having twins for him was an unexpected blessing.
“When we found out we were pregnant, we found it so shocking. We said, wouldn’t it be great if it was twins? It filled out our hopes and dreams list,” Ben said. “They’ve been miracles for sure.”
The Cassidy couple said there was so much fear and uncertainty when their twins were born nine weeks early. Being able to get married right away just made them feel all the better about the future.
“It was nice getting married because we didn’t have to wait any longer to make it official. It made it that much harder for her to get rid of me,” Ben said.
“The unknown made it scary,” Danielle added. “We had no idea how long we would be in the hospital. Our wedding was going to be at the beach with immediate family and parents. Having NICU babies, we realized we’d never be able to get to the beach. It was really special having the people who care for our babies be part of the ceremony.”
The couple hadn’t even planned to have a band at their wedding ceremony and now the hospital’s music therapist was performing live for them and the chaplain was conducting the ceremony, something nurse Kenkel said was just part of her job.
“The babies are going to have the best outcomes if the families are taken care of and going home happy,” she said. “Being in the NICU is already so stressful. This is just one more thing I could do to take care of my patients.”
Tyler Vazquez is the Growth and Development Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY. Contact Vazquez at 321-480-0854 or tvazquez@floridatoday.com. X: @tyler_vazquez.
Florida
Florida man taken into custody related to call threatening business
The Vero Beach Police Department took a man into custody May 8 in connection with a threatening phone call directed toward a business.
The agency received information at 5:21 p.m. May 7 about a threatening call to Thrive IRC Inc. at 2300 5th Ave. in Vero Beach, according to a news release. The call included someone threatening to come to the business with an AK rifle and “light the building up.”
Detectives began investigating the threat and identified Michael Sean O’Brien, 27, of Vero Beach, as the person associated with the phone number used during the call.
O’Brien was taken into custody at about 3:30 p.m. May 8 without incident. He was charged with the false report concerning the use of firearms in a violent manner, which is a second degree felony, according to the news release.
O’Brien was booked in the Indian River County Jail at 6:13 p.m. May 8 but was released at 1:36 p.m. May 9 after posting the $5,000 bond, according to the jail website.
No additional information was available the afternoon of May 9.
Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.
Florida
Florida woman on 2026 “100 Women to know in America” list
Charmaine Hickey, of Lang Realty in Port St. Lucie, was named in KNOW Women’s “100 Women to KNOW in America” list.
A Treasure Coast woman was named in a “100 Women to know in America” list for 2026.
KNOW Women is a global media company dedicated to giving women leaders connections and visibility. The company released a list of “100 Women to know in America” for 2026 to highlight the most influential women in business and leadership.
Charmaine Hickey, who works for Lang Realty in Port St. Lucie, was on the list.
“Charmaine’s recognition on a national stage like this comes as no surprise,” said Scott Agran, president of Lang Realty in a news release. “Her leadership, integrity, and commitment to both her profession and her community exemplify what this award stands for. She represents the very best of our industry.”
Hickey holds many industry designations and is known for her expertise in complex real estate transactions, as well as her client-first approach defined by honesty, patience and attention to detail, according to the news release.
Her community involvement includes serving on nonprofit boards, mentoring emerging leaders and supporting initiatives focused on education, women, families and youth.
“I am truly honored to be recognized among such an inspiring group of women,” said Hickey in the news release. “This award reflects not just individual achievement, but the power of community, mentorship, and lifting others as we grow. I’m grateful to be part of a network of women who are building meaningful impact every day.”
To see the full list go to theknowwomen.com.
Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com, 317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.
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