Florida High

A Florida-based pastor accused of involvement in the 2021 assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moïse has gone on trial. The case is part of the broader legal proceedings surrounding the killing, which implicated a network of suspects including former soldiers, Colombian mercenaries, and business figures. The trial renews attention on the unresolved questions about who ordered the assassination.

SpaceX is counting down to another Starship launch from its Texas facility, with guides telling audiences how to follow the flight live. The flight is being framed as a potentially historic step for the vehicle, which SpaceX intends to use for deep-space missions. Launch coverage is being carried by news outlets in Florida, where attention on the company's operations is high.

The Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs are facing off in a rare neutral-site series, moved to Florida because of messy weather in Boston. The unusual arrangement has drawn attention from baseball fans, since regular-season MLB games are almost never played at neutral venues. Coverage from CBS Sports highlights the novelty of a big-market matchup shifting south mid-series.

Cape Canaveral Spaceport is set to receive laser weapons designed to shoot down drones, according to reporting by The War Zone. The deployment would give the Florida launch site a directed-energy defense against unauthorized unmanned aircraft that could threaten rockets, satellites and other sensitive hardware during launch operations. Details on the specific systems, timing and which agencies will operate them have not been released, but the plan signals growing concern about drone threats to US space infrastructure.

The US Space Force is acquiring directed-energy laser systems to shoot down drones flying over Cape Canaveral, Florida, home to a major space launch complex. The weapons are intended to protect rockets, spacecraft and infrastructure from small unmanned aerial threats near the busy spaceport. Details on which systems will be fielded and when remain limited, but the move reflects growing concern about drone threats to critical launch sites.

The Carolina Hurricanes are hosting the Florida Panthers in their season opener, following a Stanley Cup banner-raising ceremony before the game. The matchup between two Eastern Conference contenders is drawing attention from hockey fans, with the banner celebration adding extra weight to an already high-profile opening night in Carolina.

A voting rights group has accused the administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis of voter intimidation ahead of the midterm elections. The allegation, reported by WUSF, lands as Florida remains a closely watched battleground and election officials across the country face heightened scrutiny over voting access and enforcement tactics in the final stretch before the midterms.

SpaceX launched a Falcon Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-97 mission for the US National Reconnaissance Office from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The classified payload's purpose has not been disclosed, consistent with standard practice for national security launches. The mission highlights the growing role of commercial launch providers in delivering US government spy satellites into orbit.

Florida has carried out the execution of a 77-year-old man convicted of killing a woman in a hammer attack. The execution, reported by the Associated Press, adds to the state's recent run of death penalty cases and is drawing attention to Florida's aggressive use of capital punishment and questions about executing elderly inmates.

The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are facing off in a Stanley Cup playoff series, drawing heavy attention from hockey fans. The matchup between the two Eastern Conference rivals has become one of the most talked-about topics on social media, with supporters debating the outcome, key players, and each team's chances of advancing toward the Cup final.

Florida is projected to jump into the top 10 of the college football rankings in the next Top 25 poll, according to a projection by CBS Sports. Michigan and Penn State are both expected to fall out of the rankings entirely following their latest results, a notable shake-up among traditional power programs in the sport.

Representative Maria Elvira Salazar has introduced H.R. 10505, the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Reauthorization Act of 2026, in the US House of Representatives. The bill would reauthorize existing US conservation programs that protect tropical forests and coral reefs. The measure has been filed ahead of current authorizations, with details of funding levels and duration not yet widely reported.

Brendan Farrington, who covered Florida politics for the Associated Press for decades, has died at the age of 60. Farrington was a familiar byline on the state's political coverage, reporting on governors, legislatures and elections in one of the country's most closely watched political battlegrounds. Colleagues and Florida political figures are paying tribute to his long career.

Students at Florida Tech are taking part in a simulated Mars mission, living as astronauts would on the red planet with limited outside support. Participants describe the experience with the warning 'you're on your own', reflecting the isolation and self-reliance the simulation demands. The project highlights growing student involvement in space exploration research as Florida continues to position itself at the center of the aerospace industry.

The Florida Panthers and Carolina Hurricanes are meeting in a matchup widely framed as a clash between the top two teams in the NHL's Eastern Conference. Sports outlets, including CBS Sports, are highlighting the game as a measuring stick for both clubs and are pointing fans to streaming options to watch the National Hockey League contest live.

JD Vance's speech at Lakeland International Airport's Sun n Fun Expo Center in Florida drew protesters and hecklers who interrupted the event. The disruption came despite what critics describe as heavy security and repression of protesters elsewhere in the United States this year. Attendees and observers shared accounts of the heckling, framing it as a sign of ongoing public anger toward the Trump administration and its policies.

Donald Trump has been accused of flouting disclosure rules in his defamation case against the BBC, with the dispute involving BBC director-general Tim Davie and proceedings connected to Florida. The claim centres on whether Trump's legal team properly complied with court disclosure requirements as the case moves forward.

Florida news outlets report that readers in Brevard County are most engaged by stories on Donald Trump, Flock safety cameras, and state politics. The topics reflect ongoing local debates over surveillance technology on public roads and Trump's continuing influence in Florida's political landscape. Letters and commentary from residents suggest these issues are top of mind across the region.

Researchers at the University of South Florida are working to improve tools used to forecast storm surge, the often deadliest element of hurricanes. The effort comes as Florida's Gulf Coast remains highly exposed to rising seas and intensifying storms, and better predictions could give residents and emergency managers more accurate warnings and more time to evacuate ahead of landfall.

SpaceX is launching a crewed mission from Florida, with live coverage available as the rocket lifts off. The flight continues the company's role flying astronauts to space for NASA, and viewers worldwide are following the liftoff in real time. Details on the crew and destination were not provided in initial reports.

Health officials and commentators are warning that Florida may be on the verge of a measles outbreak. Concerns center on the state's vulnerability to the highly contagious virus and whether cases could spread quickly if containment measures fall short. The alert has drawn attention to vaccination coverage and public health readiness in the state.

Residents of Brandon, Florida are facing a damp end to the day, with a 47% chance of rain forecast for around 5 PM. The morning began mostly clear and warm at 73°F, but humidity is very high at 96% and winds are light from the northeast. Air quality is rated good. Drivers heading home should expect wet roads as the evening commute approaches.

Democrat José Javier Rodríguez has launched a statewide advertising campaign called 'Give 'Em Hell' in his race for Florida attorney general. The campaign rollout marks a push to raise his profile in a contest that could shape the balance of legal power in the state. Details on ad spending and messaging beyond the campaign's name remain limited.

A nonpartisan analyst says the Republican Party's hold on the governors' races in Florida and Texas is weakening. The assessment suggests Democratic prospects in the two largest Republican-led states are improving ahead of upcoming elections. Analysts are weighing whether shifting voter sentiment, candidate choices or broader political trends are behind the narrowing contests in both states.

A triple murder trial in Polk County, Florida is wrapping up, with local outlets covering the final stages of proceedings. The case involves three killings, and residents are following the trial closely as jurors prepare to consider a verdict.

A designer couch is on sale in St. Petersburg, Florida, with a price tag of $1 million, according to FOX 13 Tampa Bay. The listing has drawn attention locally, with people reacting to the extraordinary sum being asked for a piece of furniture.

TJ Wiggins has been found guilty in connection with a 2020 triple murder, according to Fox 13 Tampa Bay. The verdict closes a chapter in a case that has drawn attention in the Tampa Bay area since the killings occurred. Details of the sentencing and the identities of the victims were not included in the initial report.

Florida is set to execute Curtis Beasley, 77, by lethal injection on Tuesday evening for a 1995 murder. The case is drawing attention because it would be the state's 16th execution this year, underscoring Florida's unusually high pace of executions. Commenters are sharing the news widely, with reaction focused on the inmate's age and the growing number of death sentences carried out in the state.

Orange County Sheriff John Mina has endorsed Republican Ryan Elijah's congressional campaign in Florida. The backing from one of the region's most prominent law enforcement figures gives Elijah a notable name in local politics as he seeks the seat. Details of the race and other endorsements remain limited so far.