Month: December 2025

Port Canaveral Named Best U.S. Cruise Port

Port Canaveral in Brevard County has been voted the best U.S. cruise homeport for the sixth consecutive year by Cruise Hive readers. The port now hosts seven major cruise brands, over 1,000 sailings annually, and handled 8.6 million passengers in Fiscal Year 2025.

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Brevard County Opens Cold Weather Shelters Through New Year

Brevard County opend its cold weather shelters Tuesday as temperatures began to drop across the region. Locations include Melbourne First Church of the Nazarene, Matthew’s Hope, and the Titusville Civic Center. Residents needing warmth or safety are being strongly urged to use the shelters during the cold snap.

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Freeze Watches And Warnings In Effect Across Central Florida

The National Weather Service issued freeze watches and warnings for multiple Central Florida counties from late Tuesday night through this morning. Temperatures were being forecast to drop to the 20s and 30s north of Orlando, with wind chills as low as 25. Here in Brevard County, we have reports this morning of temperatures in the […]

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Melbourne Police Investigate Brightline Death Of 75 Year Old Man

Melbourne police are now releasing some information about their investigation into the death of a 75 year old man who was struck by a Brightline passenger train last Friday evening around 7:15 near Fee Avenue. The man’s body was recovered and sent to the Rockledge medical examiner’s office. His name has not yet been released.

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Public Meeting Set On Blue Origin Wastewater Permit

Brevard County residents will get a chance to weigh in on Blue Origin’s industrial wastewater permit next month. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection will host a public meeting January 30 in west Cocoa. The meeting follows growing opposition to the permit renewal at the company’s facility on Merritt Island.

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Brevard Zoo Mourns Loss Of Sloth Lorenzo

Brevard Zoo is mourning the loss of Lorenzo, the first sloth ever born at the zoo. The 7 year old two toed sloth was humanely euthanized after a sharp decline in his condition.

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Free Lyft Rides Offered In Brevard County For New Years Eve

A Melbourne attorney is offering ten thousand dollars in free Lyft rides to cut down on drunk driving in Brevard County. Andrew Pickett is providing one twenty dollar voucher per person for rides between midnight and eleven a m on New Year’s Day. Riders must register online through the law firm’s website, with all trips […]

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Google Tests Long Requested Gmail Address Changes With Limits

Google appears to be rolling out a long awaited feature allowing Gmail users to change their email addresses while keeping their existing data. The option is quietly appearing on a Google support page, though it has not been formally announced and is not yet widely available in the United States. Under the plan, the old […]

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AAA Tow To Go Program Aims To Prevent Holiday Drunk Driving

AAA is continueing to offer its Tow to Go program here in Florida to curb impaired driving. The service runs through 6am Friday, providing free rides and vehicle tows within a 10-mile radius for drivers who’ve had too much to drink. It’s available to members and non-members alike.

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Central Florida Faces Freeze Watch and Cold Temperatures for New Year’s Eve

A cold front moving into Central Florida will bring wind chill temperatures in some northern parts of the region in the 20s and 30s on New Year’s Eve, with highs only reaching the upper 50s. A freeze watch has been for several areas. Temperatures are expected to warm into the mid-60s on New Year’s Day […]

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Concrete Poles to Create Artificial Reef Off Brevard Coast

The Orlando Utilities Commission is providing 160 concrete utility pole sections, totaling 500 tons, for a new artificial reef about 15 miles offshore in Brevard County. The reef will create habitats for fish and marine life, support local fishing and diving, and reduce landfill waste. The poles will be placed in 80 to 85 feet […]

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Brightline Seeks Up to 100 Million in Debt Amid Default Warnings

Brightline is pursuing up to $100 million in additional debt to support operations and potential legal costs as credit agencies warn of default risks by early 2027. The company has listed a Fort Lauderdale parking garage for $20 million to boost cash.

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Florida Prepares for New Laws Including Minimum Wage Hike and Plastic Bag Ban

Starting January 1, 2026, Florida will see several new laws take effect. The state’s minimum wage rises to $11 per hour, restrictions on flavored vaping products will aim to curb youth use, and single-use plastic bags will be banned at retail stores.

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Central Florida Gardeners Urged to Protect Plants Ahead of Cold Snap

As temperatures drop in much of Central Florida, some gardeners are taking steps to shield sensitive plants from frost and freezing conditions. Experts recommend covering plants with blankets, using heat lamps, and watering soil to retain warmth. They say preparation now can prevent damage and help gardens survive the upcoming cold weather.

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Beef Prices Expected to Stay High Amid Ongoing Supply Challenges

You should brace for continued high beef prices as the meat industry continues to face supply chain disruptions that began to show up around this time in 2021. While some relief may be on the way, experts say significant price drops are unlikely soon.

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Trump Meets Zelensky At Mar A Lago To Discuss Ukraine War

On Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. Trump praised Ukrainians for defending their homeland as the leaders continued discussions aimed at ending the ongoing war in Ukraine…

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Florida Gas Prices Fall Slightly Over Past Week

Florida drivers are paying an average of $2.78 per gallon for regular gas, down 14 cents from last week, according to AAA. Diesel averages $3.57, a six-cent drop. Year-over-year, regular gas is down 32 cents. West Palm Beach has the state’s highest prices at $2.93, while Panama City reports the lowest at $2.57. Here in […]

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Brevard Sheriff Invites Residents To Join Citizens Academy

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey is inviting residents to attend the Brevard County Sheriff’s Citizens Academy starting January 26. The program offers a behind-the-scenes look at law enforcement operations, including SWAT, Bomb Squad, and Aviation units. Participants will learn how the agency’s 1,700 personnel work to keep the community safe. Spots are limited, and interested […]

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Grandmother Dies In Christmas Eve Fire On Merritt Island

Investigators now say that deadly mobile home fire on Whaley Road in north Merritt Island on Christmas Eve claimed the life of 68 year old Holly Marchica. Others were displaced, including one person who escaped by climbing out a window. Fire investigators have still not determined the cause. GoFundMe accounts have been set up to […]

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Central Florida Faces Plunge In Temperatures Ahead Of New Year

Central Florida is set for a sharp drop in temperatures as a cold front moves tonight into Tuesday. Northern counties could see morning lows between 25 and 30 degrees, with Orlando near freezing. Here in Brevard County, it will be cold but not quite as bad. Winds will be strong early but taper by Wednesday […]

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Delta Flight Diverted To Tampa After Odor Detected

A Delta Air Lines flight headed from Orlando to Los Angeles made an emergency landing in Tampa after an odor was detected on board. Flight 504, an Airbus A321, was carrying 194 passengers and six crew members. The plane landed safely with no reported injuries. Emergency crews were on standby. Delta says passengers were placed […]

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Woman Killed After Falling Off Motorcycle On I 95

A Florida woman was killed after falling off the back of a motorcycle on Interstate 95 in Volusia County. Florida Highway Patrol says the 34 year old woman apparently fell asleep, then fell from the bike, and struck a guardrail on northbound I 95. She was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver was arrested […]

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Christmas Eve Fire Kills One In Merritt Island Mobile Home

One person died on Christmas Eve in a mobile home fire on Whaley Road in Merritt Island. Neighbors reported seeing the home fully engulfed around 11 a.m., and by the time emergency crews arrived, the fire had consumed the structure. Five people lived in the home, and authorities have not identified the victim or the […]

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Motorcycle Rider Dies In High Speed Crash In Rockledge

A man died in a motorcycle crash Saturday after his bike was clocked at over 100 mph in Rockledge. The crash occurred on Fiske Boulevard when 21-year-old Elijah Kit’s motorcycle collided with a vehicle entering the Phillips Landing Subdivision. Kit’s 18-year-old girlfriend, a passenger on the bike, was injured and is recovering in the hospital. […]

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Surfing Santas Draw Record Crowd At Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach saw its biggest Surfing Santas event ever on Christmas Eve, with more than 10,000 spectators watching hundreds of costumed surfers hit the waves. Highlights included a Santa and elf surfing in a sleigh, dueling Barbies, Christmas trees, and even a surfing parrot.

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One Killed In Christmas Day Crash On I-95 Near Pineda Causeway

A Christmas Day crash on Interstate 95 in Brevard County left one woman dead and snarled southbound traffic. The Florida Highway Patrol says a pickup veered off the roadway, hit a barrier, went airborne, and struck a second vehicle. The other driver was not hurt. Debris also struck a third car with no injuries. The […]

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Trooper Injured After High Speed Chase Ends In Crash On I-95

A Florida Highway Patrol trooper was injured on Christmas Day after a pursuit on Interstate 95 near Titusville ended in a crash. The trooper used a PIT maneuver to stop a 19-year-old driver who reached speeds up to 130 mph, causing both vehicles to collide. The trooper was airlifted with non-life-threatening injuries. The driver and […]

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Florida Cements Status As Space Industry Powerhouse

Florida is closing out a record year in space, with more successful missions than ever before. Launches from Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. Commercial spaceflight also surged, led by SpaceX with repeated launches and crewed missions to the International Space Station.

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Central Florida Faces Frigid Temperatures As New Year Approaches

Central Florida will see an unexpected cold snap as 2025 comes to a close, with temperatures dropping well below seasonal averages. Folks will need to be bundling up in layers to stay warm while enjoying outdoor events and New Year’s celebrations. Meteorologists say the chill will linger into the start of 2026, marking a rare […]

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New GDP Report Shows Strong Third Quarter Growth

A new GDP report released Tuesday shows the U.S. economy grew at an annual pace of 4.3 percent in the third quarter, the strongest growth in two years. The report points to higher consumer spending and business investment. Homeland Security adviser Stephen Miller…

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House Oversight Probes $9 Billion Minnesota Fraud Scheme

The House Oversight Committee is investigating a massive fraud scheme in Minnesota, where officials say 9 billion dollars may have been stolen. Florida Republican Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna says a federal criminal investigation is needed to hold those responsible accountable….

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New Texts Released In Titusville Teen’s Cruise Ship Death Investigation

Newly released court records show more than 100 pages of texts tied to a custody dispute connected to the death of 18 year old Anna Kepner aboard a Carnival cruise ship. The messages reveal early concerns from Kepner’s stepmother about keeping details quiet as investigators looked into the teen’s death. A 16 year old stepbrother […]

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Cocoa Police Investigate Murder Suicide

Cocoa police are investigating what they are calling a murder suicide involving a 65 year old man and his 82 year old stepfather. Officers say the shooting happened Sunday night in the Hidden Valley subdivision. Investigators say the man shot his stepfather, then killed himself. Police have not released names or a motive.

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Victory Casino Cruises Marks 14 Years Of Operations

Victory Casino Cruises is celebrating 14 years as America’s largest gaming cruise operator sailing from Port Canaveral. The casino has welcomed over 3 million passengers, contributed more than 25 million dollars to the port, and created 350 local jobs. The four-deck cruise features 600 slot machines, 27 table games, a sportsbook, and live entertainment, while […]

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Florida Lawmakers Consider Eliminating Vehicle Registration Stickers

Florida drivers may no longer have to display registration stickers under a proposal lawmakers say could reduce fraud and cut costs. Supporters argue electronic verification through license plate readers makes stickers unnecessary. Opponents warn the change could hinder law enforcement and raise privacy concerns. No official plans have been approved yet.

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Florida Personal Debt Climbs Sharply Over Last Decade

New research shows Floridians are carrying more personal debt than ever. Data from Debt Relief Karma finds the average Florida resident now owes about 58,000 dollars, a 41 percent jump over the past decade. That ranks Florida 12th nationally for the fastest growth in personal debt.

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New Port Richey Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Threats

A 79 year old New Port Richey man has pleaded guilty to sending threats to kill multiple federal officials. Federal prosecutors say Benjamin Rubin admitted to interstate transmission of threats made in February 2025. Rubin faces up to 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

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US Economy Grows At Fastest Pace In Two Years

The U.S. economy expanded at a 4.3 percent annual rate in the third quarter, the fastest growth in two years. Government and consumer spending, along with exports, helped drive the surge, according to the Commerce Department.

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Surfing Santas Set to Hit Waves on Christmas Eve in Annual Event

Surfing Santas will return to the waves again today, with local surfers dressed as Santa Claus taking part in the annual holiday tradition at Cocoa Beach. The event draws larger and larger crowds each year, and combines holiday spirit with surfing action, entertaining families and visitors alike.

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AAA Activates Tow To Go Program To Prevent Holiday Drunk Driving

AAA is launching its Tow to Go program this holiday season here in Florida to curb impaired driving. The service runs from 6 this evening through 6am Friday, Jan. 2, providing free rides and vehicle tows within a 10-mile radius for drivers who’ve had too much to drink. It’s available to members and non-members alike, […]

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