Florida
When the word ‘big’ isn’t big enough: FLORIDA TODAY looks at NASA’s VAB and giant cruise ship
![When the word ‘big’ isn’t big enough: FLORIDA TODAY looks at NASA’s VAB and giant cruise ship When the word ‘big’ isn’t big enough: FLORIDA TODAY looks at NASA’s VAB and giant cruise ship](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/06/23/PBRE/74184146007-vab-30.jpg?auto=webp&crop=3028,1703,x0,y342&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Take a look inside KSC’s Vehicle Assembly Building
Florida Today reporter Brooke Edwards talks with KSC’s Elizabeth Kline about the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building’s past, present and future
Sometimes it’s fun to go big.
Sunday’s FLORIDA TODAY takes a deeper look at an iconic Space Coast building and a new boat docking at Port Canaveral — and in both cases, the word “big” isn’t even big enough to describe them.
Let’s start with the boat. Look for Business Editor Dave Berman’s detailed report on our Style cover of everything you need to know about Utopia of the Seas, the world’s second largest cruise ship, which started its twice-weekly sailings from Port Canaveral this weekend.
Dave’s story on this new Royal Caribbean ship covers everything from what to expect in the restaurants to the ship’s famous godmother. Here are some fun numbers from Dave’s story that really illustrate the size of this floating city: Utopia features 18 decks (including 16 passenger decks); 2,834 staterooms; a crew of 2,290; and is 1,188 feet long. It has 22 restaurants; 13 bars and lounges; five pools; eight hot tubs; two casinos with more than 370 slot machines and nearly 30 table games; two rock-climbing walls; and a mini-golf course.
Got Olympics Fever?: ‘A lot of jet lag’: L3Harris engineer Canyon Barry heads to Olympics for 3×3 basketball
Next up in the go big category is NASA’s Vehicle Assembly Building. Whenever I drive over the State Road 520 causeway, I’m always awed by the site of the VAB in the distance. Space Reporter Brooke Edwards decided to take a deeper look at its history and future timed around the 55th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, which, of course, the VAB was constructed to support.
The VAB stands 525 feet, making it the equivalent to a 50-story structure. That’s taller than the Statue of Liberty and just under half the size of the Empire State Building. But what’s so remarkable about this building is that it’s all one giant single-story structure; it’s not subdivided like a typical skyscraper. And, of course, what’s even more remarkable is what it represents: our nation’s space ambitions, both those already achieved and those still being planned.
“You kind of think about it, the elevator cars themselves are original to the building, and you think about the past and think ‘all those people have stood where I’m standing right now’,” Elizabeth Kline, the element operations manager for the VAB, told Brooke.
I hope you not only spend time with our VAB story but also go to floridatoday.com to scroll through the accompanying photo galleries. Our photographers have captured stunning images of this historic building through the years.
Other stories I hope you don’t miss in Sunday’s FLORIDA TODAY:
- Our front page story on Brevard County’s budget proposal for next year. Dave Berman walks you through the priorities — and what this budget would mean for your taxes. It’s probably no surprise that roads and other transportation-related infrastructure from bridges to sidewalks are top priorities. And topping that to-do list is widening and improving Ellis Road.
- Education Reporter Finch Walker showcases some of Brevard’s talented youth who competed this month in the Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics during the NAACP national convention in Las Vegas.
- Get some insight on investing from our financial planner columnist.
- For all those pickleball fans out there, Trending Reporter Michelle Spitzer tells you about an indoor pickleball facility coming to Brevard. Playing indoors might be particularly welcome to those of us who are extra vulnerable to insect bites. Michelle also gives us the scoop on mosquitoes and why they bite some people more than others.
- Finally, today is National Ice Cream Day. Read our story inside Sunday’s newspaper then get out there and enjoy a scoop (or two). What’s your favorite flavor? Mine is mocha chip.
Starting this week, we’ll be rolling out our local August primary election preview stories. We’ve got reporters working on many of the key races around Brevard County, so look for those stories at floridatoday.com and in your newspaper. Our goal is to make sure you have as much information as you need before casting your ballot.
Executive Editor Mara Bellaby can be reached at mbellaby@floridatoday.com. Thank you for subscribing and supporting local journalism.
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Florida
Florida man arrested for ‘written threats to kill’ Trump, Vance days after assassination attempt
![Florida man arrested for ‘written threats to kill’ Trump, Vance days after assassination attempt Florida man arrested for ‘written threats to kill’ Trump, Vance days after assassination attempt](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/newspress-collage-z4twwknuh-1721527318632.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&1721512987&w=1024)
BETHEL PARK, Penn – A Florida man was accused of making “written threats to kill” former President Trump and Sen. JD Vance and their families just days after a Pennsylvania man attempted to assassinate the 45th president.
The Jupiter Police Department announced that 68-year-old Michael M. Wiseman was arrested on Friday for charges for written threats to kill.
Authorities alleged that Wiseman wrote threats against the Republican presidential nominee and vice presidential nominee on his Facebook account and also made to members of the Trump and Vance families.
The police department said it was notified of the threats, including bodily harm, by multiple members of the community.
Jupiter, Florida is about 20 miles, or an approximately 30-minute drive, north of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach.
“JPD coordinated the investigation with the United States Secret Service and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office,” the department said. “JPD officers took Wiseman into custody without incident.”
The threat came just days after Trump was shot at in a shocking attempt on the president’s life at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
Here’s the latest on the assassination attempt against Donald Trump:
On Saturday, July 13, as Trump was talking about immigration, the first shot from the would-be assassin was fired.
On Sunday, the FBI identified the gunman as Thomas Matthew Crooks.
He was 20 years old and lived in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, about 50 miles from the rally site.
He graduated with an associate’s degree in engineering from a local community college and worked at a nursing and rehabilitation center.
So far, investigators have not revealed Crooks’ motive.
Florida
The U.S. Supreme Court puts Florida, Texas social media laws on hold
![The U.S. Supreme Court puts Florida, Texas social media laws on hold The U.S. Supreme Court puts Florida, Texas social media laws on hold](https://america.cgtn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/NPE-SCOTUS-FL-SOCIAL-MEDIA-PKG-STRAPPED.00_04_04_21.Still002.jpg)
The U.S. Supreme Court this month delayed a final ruling on whether states can limit the ability of social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube, to block content they deem objectionable. The case stems from laws passed in Texas and Florida, and involves competing arguments for free speech.
CGTN’s Nitza Soledad Perez explains.
Related
Florida
Saharan dust shields hurricane development, but watch out for Florida heat Saturday
![Saharan dust shields hurricane development, but watch out for Florida heat Saturday Saharan dust shields hurricane development, but watch out for Florida heat Saturday](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/07/20/NDNJ/74481130007-accuweather-rain-forecast-20240720.jpg?auto=webp&crop=631,354,x1,y0&format=pjpg&width=1200)
Why are there no tropical storms happening right now?
With all the warnings about how dangerous the 2024 hurricane season could be, you may be wondering where all the storms are.
While the National Hurricane Center continued its confidence that there would be no tropical activity in Atlantic areas for the next week, Saharan dust and a few tropical waves were what forecasters watched Saturday.
The real impact for Florida on Saturday will come from the heat. The entire Florida peninsula can expect triple-digit heat indexes with some in Southwest Florida predicted for 110 degrees, and 106 as far north as Jacksonville. Heat advisories are in effect for seven South Florida counties.
A wave of Saharan dust is expected to arrive in South Florida Saturday morning and move north, arriving around Cape Canaveral by Sunday. The dust is expected to be thickest in South Florida, dissipating as it moves north.
➤ Track all active storms
Tropical moisture may increase Florida’s rain chances starting Monday, but, according to Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger, it won’t be anything organized. Saharan dust, high wind shear and other factors are expected to keep the tropics quiet for the days ahead.
The Hurricane Center is monitoring three tropical waves.
The peak of hurricane season runs from mid-August through mid-October. If your hurricane supplies are running low, or you haven’t started an emergency kit, Florida’s next sales tax holiday the end of August can help you save money.
Possible impact of tropical wave on Florida
A tropical wave is expected to approach the Florida peninsula Sunday, bringing downpours and gusty thunderstorms. A couple of waterspouts could occur, according to AccuWeather.
“As the tropical wave approaches and moves northwestward across the state from Sunday to Tuesday, an uptick in the showers and thunderstorms will occur with the potential for some to bring flooding downpours, strong wind gusts and even waterspouts near the beaches,” AccuWeather Lead Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva said.
The tropical wave is not forecast to develop into a tropical depression or a named tropical storm.
Florida weather radar: Track storms as they move across state
How long will tropics remain quiet?
The Saharan dust and winds are keeping the tropics quiet now, but forecasters say that will likely change.
“The favorable conditions that yielded Beryl are likely to return at some point in August, and that will probably yield an extended burst of hurricane activity,” said Dr. Ryan Truchelut, chief meteorologist at WeatherTiger.
“WeatherTiger’s real-time forecast remains for around twice the amount of storm activity in a normal hurricane season.”
The next storm of the season will be Debby.
Extreme heat continues across Florida. See weather watches, warnings
Portions of Southeast, South, Southwest Florida: Head index of 105-110 expected today.
Counties under a heat advisory include:
- Glades
- Hendry
- Palm Beach County
- Collier County
- Broward County
- Miami-Dade County
- Monroe
What is NOAA tracking in Atlantic basin?
The National Hurricane Center said no tropical cyclone activity is expected over the next several days.
Elsewhere in the tropics, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring three tropical waves. Here’s the latest update from the NHC as of 8 a.m. July 20:
- Tropical wave 1: An eastern Atlantic wave was identified via satellite imagery. It’s producing some showers.
- Tropical wave 2: In the central Caribbean, this wave is expected to move from the Windward Passage to northern Colombia and helping to induce scattered to numerous showers with embedded thunderstorms over Hispaniola and regional waters as well as across the Windward Passage and the waters between eastern Cuba and Jamaica. These storms may produce heavy downpours, lightning and gusty winds.
- Tropical wave 3: Another tropical wave over the Yucatan Peninsula and Guatemala is moving westward and producing scattered showers and may produce gusty winds or stronger storms in parts of the region.
Who is likely to be impacted?
A tropical wave is expected to bring tropical moisture to Florida starting Sunday.
Forecasters urge all residents to continue monitoring the tropics and to always be prepared. That advice is particularly important for what is expected to be a very active hurricane season.
When is next Florida hurricane tax-free supplies holiday?
Save on hurricane supplies between Aug. 24 and Sept. 6. This will be the final tax-free holiday for 2024 when it comes to emergency supplies and it comes during the busiest period of the hurricane season.
Can’t afford a generator or weeks of food? Here are the basics you should have on hand.
Eligible items included in the tax-free holiday include:
- A portable generator used to provide light or communications or preserve food in the event of a power outage with a sales price of $3,000 or less.
- A tarp or other flexible waterproof sheeting with a sales price of $100 or less.
- An item normally sold as, or generally advertised as, a ground anchor system or tie-down kit with a sales price of $100 or less.
- A smoke detector or smoke alarm with a sales price of $70 or less.
- A fire extinguisher with a sales price of $70 or less.
- A carbon monoxide detector with a sales price of $70 or less.
- A nonelectric food storage cooler with a sales price of $60 or less.
- A portable power bank with a sales price of $60 or less.
- A gas or diesel fuel tank with a sales price of $50 or less.
- A portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather-band radio with a sales price of $50 or less.
- A package of AA-cell, AAA-cell, C-cell, D-cell, 6-volt, or 9-volt batteries, excluding automobile and boat batteries, with a sales price of $50 or less.
- A portable self-powered light source (powered by battery, solar, hand-crank, or gas) with a sales price of $40 or less, including: flashlights, lanterns and candles.
- Eligible light sources and radios qualify for the exemption, even if electrical cords are included in the purchase.
- Reusable ice (ice packs) with a sales price of $20 or less.
➤ See full list of items, including pet and cleaning supplies, exempt from sales tax
When is the Atlantic hurricane season?
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.
When is the peak of hurricane season?
The peak of the season is Sept. 10, with the most activity happening between mid-August and mid-October, according to the Hurricane Center.
National Hurricane Center map: What are forecasters watching now?
Systems currently being monitored by the National Hurricane Center include:
Interactive map: Hurricanes, tropical storms that have passed near your city
Excessive rainfall forecast
What’s next?
We will continue to update our tropical weather coverage daily. Download your local site’s app to ensure you’re always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here.
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