The morning edition

SpaceX aims for a dawn Cape launch to the space station as Panhandle power restoration nears the finish line

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Tuesday, October 13, 2026

Good Morning! On Oct. 13, 1947, the first show at the Weeki Wachee Springs underwater theater opened, with mermaids performing synchronized ballet moves while breathing through air hoses hidden in the scenery. Newton Perry, a former U.S. Navy man who trained Navy frogmen, had built an 18-seat theater into the limestone six feet below the surface. When the mermaids heard a car coming on U.S. 19, they ran to the road in their bathing suits to beckon drivers into the parking lot, then jumped into the spring to perform.

In This Issue: a dawn SpaceX cargo launch to the space station, Panhandle power restoration nearing the finish line, dengue gaining a foothold near Apopka and what Isaias aid households can get now. Plus: Byron Donalds' plan for insurance costs, 52 Hawaiian Bros restaurants headed to Florida, Reinhart's two goals in Buffalo, FIU volunteers measuring the King Tide and a historical society's doors open again on Longboat Key.

Weather: Sunny skies cover nearly all of Florida Tuesday, with only a chance of storms in the Keys. Highs run from 83° to 88°. (NWS)

Tropical: There are no active storms in the Atlantic; NHC is watching an elongated area of low pressure several hundred miles west of the Cabo Verde Islands, with a low (20 percent) chance of formation through 7 days. Florida's Isaias state of emergency now covers 30 counties after Executive Order 26-212 added Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas. (National Hurricane Center)

Clarification: Our Sunday and Monday editions said Florida's Isaias state of emergency covered 27 counties. Executive Order 26-212, signed and dated Oct. 10, covers 30, adding Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas.

Rip Current Report: No beaches carry a high rip current risk Tuesday; the risk is moderate on the Atlantic from Nassau through St. Johns and from Volusia through Martin. It is low along the Panhandle from Escambia through Franklin, from Palm Beach through Miami-Dade, in Collier and on the Gulf coast from Levy through Lee. (NWS)

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About 120,000 Floridians Still Without Power as Isaias Restoration Nears Completion in Most Panhandle Counties

Some 120,000 Florida customers were still waiting for power Monday afternoon, three days after Hurricane Isaias, the Florida Phoenix reports. Speaking in Pensacola, Gov. Ron DeSantis gave these county figures:

Bay: essentially fully restored.
Okaloosa: more than 96%.
Washington: more than 91%.
Walton: 80%. Remaining CHELCO customers there are expected back Monday night into early Tuesday, and all Walton schools have power again.

The heaviest damage was inland in Santa Rosa County, where gusts tore roofs off homes. DeSantis said Milton saw stronger gusts than Destin, where the eye came ashore.

The Florida National Guard has cleared 1,700 miles of roadway. It has also handed out more than 4,000 cases of water, 1,700 meals, 2,600 bags of ice and 2,200 tarps, DeSantis said. FDOT says 93% of traffic signals in storm-hit areas are working, 320 of them on generators. Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson said farmers, ranchers and growers with Isaias damage in 30 listed counties can apply for state disaster-recovery loans of up to $500,000 for infrastructure repairs, even if they already borrowed after earlier storms.

SpaceX Targets a 6:33 a.m. Cape Canaveral Launch of Dragon's 35th Space Station Resupply Mission, With Sonic Booms Expected

SpaceX is set to launch a Falcon 9 carrying the Dragon CRS-35 cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station at 6:33 a.m. Tuesday from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, ClickOrlando reports. A backup opportunity is set for 6:08 a.m. Wednesday. Central Florida residents should expect sonic booms as the first-stage booster returns to Landing Zone 40, on what will be its eighth landing.

This Dragon capsule has flown three previous resupply missions: CRS-26, CRS-29 and CRS-33. After a flight of about 52 hours, it is expected to dock with the station on its own around 11 a.m. Thursday.

Dengue Gains a Foothold Near Apopka as Orange County Reaches Five Local Cases and Plans Aerial Spraying

Two more locally acquired dengue cases have been confirmed in Orange County, both in the Apopka area, bringing the county's total to five, according to the Florida Department of Health. Mosquito Control officials said the new cases are near earlier ones and that dengue appears to be spreading there. The county plans aerial spraying on top of door-to-door work, with at least 48 hours' notice. So far, none of the mosquitoes trapped and tested near the cases has shown active virus.

The new cases add to the state's record outbreak. As of last week, Florida had reported 296 cases, the most in its history, 259 of them in Hillsborough County, and the state reported its first dengue death last month. DOH-Orange spokesperson Kent Donahue said the agency and Mosquito Control continue surveillance and targeted prevention.

Federal Help for Individual Isaias Victims Hinges on a Major Disaster Declaration as Florida Opens Insurance Villages and Supply Sites

Federal aid for individual households isn't available yet. DeSantis said the state has been approved for a pre-landfall emergency declaration, and that once counties send damage assessments he expects Florida to cross the threshold for a major disaster declaration. "Once that's approved, that would open up the ability to do individual assistance," he said.

For now, residents can file insurance claims. Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia told residents to contact their insurers first and not to sign contracts with anyone until they've checked licenses and paperwork. The state is setting up insurance villages where residents can meet with agents in person:

Destin: open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Thursday.
Pensacola: opening this week, according to the CFO.

Points of distribution for water and food are running across the Panhandle, including four more opening Monday in Santa Rosa County, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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❖ Miami-Dade — FIU Volunteers Measure the King Tide for Flooding Research: Miami: FIU's Sea Level Solutions Center sent citizen-science volunteers out during the Oct. 10 King Tide for its annual Sea Level Solutions Day, measuring flood depth and water quality for a database used to track urban flooding.

❖ Tampa Bay — Moffitt Researchers Advance a Dendritic Cell Therapy for Breast Cancer: Tampa: Moffitt Cancer Center researchers are working to advance a dendritic cell therapy for breast cancer that trains a patient's own immune cells to attack the tumor.

❖ Orlando — Multisensory Therapy Studio Clarity Coming to Winter Garden: Winter Garden: Clarity, a multisensory therapy studio, is coming to Winter Garden, with bookings opening Nov. 30.

❖ Jacksonville — Humane Society Launches Big-Dog Campaign as Adoptions Fall About 23%: Jacksonville: Jacksonville Humane Society launched its "Go Big. Go Home Together." campaign after big-dog adoptions (dogs over 30 pounds) fell from 2,185 in 2022 to 1,679 in 2025, about 23%, said CEO Lawrence Nicolas.

❖ Broward — Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Adds a Tool to Fight EV Battery Fires: Coral Springs: Coral Springs-Parkland Fire Department showed off its new Cold Cut Cobra System, which cuts through metal and concrete at about 4,500 psi so crews can get water into burning EV battery packs, attics and e-bike fires.

❖ Palm Beach — Spady Museum Opens Interactive Program for People Living With Alzheimer's: Boca Raton: The Spady Cultural Heritage Museum opened an interactive exhibit program for people living with Alzheimer's and their caregivers.

❖ Gulf Coast — Southwest Florida Eagle Cam Turns 15: North Fort Myers: The Southwest Florida Eagle Cam at Pritchett Farm is celebrating 15 years of streaming the nesting bald eagles.

❖ North Florida — Pensacola Church Volunteers Rally After Isaias: Pensacola: Olive Baptist Church volunteers plan to help more than 80 residents with Hurricane Isaias debris cleanup, and Brownsville Church's "Operation Blessing" is serving hot meals and supplies to hundreds.

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❖ Donalds Lays Out Insurance Plan: Keep Tort Reform, Drop a Hurricane-Era Surcharge, Expand Home Hardening — At an affordability roundtable in Tampa on Monday, Republican gubernatorial nominee Byron Donalds said he would keep Gov. Ron DeSantis' tort reform in place, reform the state's insurance regulatory structure, drop a 25% surcharge he said dates to Hurricane Wilma, expand home-hardening programs and make post-storm permits automatic, Tampa Bay 28 reports. Democrat David Jolly has proposed moving hurricane and wind risk from insurers to a state disaster fund, which he says would cut rates up to 70%.

❖ No Florida College Has Opted Into the New Program Letting Staff Serve as Armed Guardians on Campus — No Florida college or university has publicly opted into the expanded Guardian Program that lawmakers passed this year in HB 757, according to tracking by Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action, the Florida Phoenix reports. The law lets professors and others appointed by a university president carry weapons on campus after 144 hours of training, drug tests and psychological evaluations. USF said it is reviewing the requirements with the Board of Governors. Co-sponsor Rep. Susan Valdés, a Hillsborough County Republican, said schools have "an avenue" if they need it.

❖ Jolly Says Undecided Black Voters Could Decide the Governor's Race — Democrat David Jolly said in Tallahassee on Monday that the roughly 10% of Black voters who are undecided could decide the governor's race, the Florida Phoenix reports. He appeared with running mate Gwen Graham, U.S. Rep. James Clyburn of South Carolina and former U.S. Rep. Al Lawson. Jolly said he has about 80% of Black voters. An NBC 6 poll has him at 76%, with Republican Byron Donalds, who would be Florida's first Black governor, at 10%.

Correction: A Monday item misstated Sanders' support for Nixon; he donated $250,000 from his political committee to her campaign, per the Florida Phoenix.

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❖ Hawaiian Bros Signs Deal for 52 Florida Restaurants in Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville and Tampa — Hawaiian Bros Island Grill has signed a development agreement with franchisee Southern Rock Restaurants for 52 Florida restaurants in Orlando, Jacksonville, Gainesville and Tampa over six years, with 24 planned in the first three, according to a company announcement reported by WFTV. The chain, launched in 2018 with more than 80 restaurants in 14 states, has not named locations or opening dates.

❖ FlyUSA Opens 50,000-Square-Foot Private Jet Hangar at Tampa International Airport — Private aviation company FlyUSA has opened a 50,000-square-foot hangar on Tampa International Airport's north side, bringing 20 of its 30 regional aircraft under one roof. The hangar's tail door fits jets up to Boeing 737 size, TBBW reports. It will be the company's main maintenance base with about 30 employees as FlyUSA aims to manage 100 jets and reach $500 million in annual revenue by 2032. A second 50,000-square-foot hangar is planned in Lakeland.

❖ Dutch Bros Plans First Treasure Coast Shop in Fort Pierce, Its 43rd in Florida — Dutch Bros Coffee plans to open its first Fort Pierce location, at 2050 S. U.S. Highway 1, in early 2027. The company said Monday it will be its 43rd Florida shop and its third on the state's east coast, CBS12 reports.

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Reinhart Scores Twice, but Sabres Beat Panthers 5-3 as Markstrom Exits Early

Noah Ostlund scored the go-ahead power-play goal 7:15 into the third period, and the Buffalo Sabres beat the Panthers 5-3 Monday afternoon. Sam Reinhart scored twice and Anton Lundell added a goal, and Brady Tkachuk got his first point with Florida. Starting goalie Jacob Markstrom left after allowing two goals on 11 shots in the first period; coach Paul Maurice said Markstrom felt something tighten but "there's no injury there." Florida (2-2-2) has lost two straight and plays at Columbus on Tuesday night.

Rays Lose Shane McClanahan for the Postseason

Shane McClanahan will not pitch for the Rays in the postseason, manager Kevin Cash said Sunday, and the left-hander will not be added to the AL Championship Series roster. McClanahan, who missed 2024 and 2025 after Tommy John surgery and a nerve issue, went 10-7 with a 3.36 ERA in 24 starts this season before landing on the injured list with left forearm tightness in early September. "I think he's got to be up there for Comeback Player of the Year with the time that he missed," Cash said.

Hafley Says Dolphins Will Use Bye to Fix Ball Security After 0-5 Start

Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley said Miami will use its bye week to fix ball security and execution after Sunday's 31-24 loss to Cincinnati dropped the team to 0-5, Local 10 reports.

Scoreboard

Mon Oct 12 — Sabres 5, Panthers 3 FINAL

Mon Oct 12 — Guardians 7, Rays 3 (ALCS G1, FINAL)

Schedule (all times ET)

Tue Oct 13: Panthers at Blue Jackets, 6:15 p.m., Scripps Sports

Tue Oct 13: Lightning at Rangers, 7:15 p.m., The Spot

Tue Oct 13: Guardians at Rays, ALCS Game 2, 8 p.m., TBS/truTV

Tue Oct 13: FIU at Jacksonville State, 8 p.m., ESPNU

Wed Oct 14: NYCFC at Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV

Wed Oct 14: Orlando City at Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m., Apple TV

Thu Oct 15: Rays at Guardians, ALCS Game 3, 6 p.m., TBS/truTV

Thu Oct 15: Kraken at Lightning, 7 p.m., The Spot

Thu Oct 15: Canucks at Panthers, 7 p.m., Scripps Sports

Fri Oct 16: Rays at Guardians, ALCS Game 4, 6 p.m., TBS/truTV

More Scores: NFL | MLB | NHL | NCAAF | WNBA

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Florida regular averaged about $4.07 a gallon Monday (AAA, as of 10/12/26), down about 2 cents from Sunday (about $4.09). That is about 28.7 cents under the national average of about $4.36. West Palm Beach–Boca Raton is the most expensive metro at about $4.26, and Pensacola is the cheapest at $3.957.

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❖ Celebrating Pine Islanders: Jennifer Senary: Jennifer Senary's grandparents opened the General Store in Saint James City in 1970, and she remembers standing on their seawall as dolphins came up to her. "This place has always been like magic to me," she said. She and her husband moved there from Colorado in 2022.

❖ Keys College Foundation Awards $229,252 to 121 Students: The College of the Florida Keys Foundation's 14th annual Scholarship Social honored 121 students who received $229,252 in scholarships. Nebraska native Lauryn Robinson, a marine resource management student and 2026 AJ Hally Marine Scholarship recipient, said, "I grew up about as far from the ocean as you can get, but I always knew that's where I belonged."

❖ After a Summer of Locked Doors, Longboat Key Historical Society Is Open Again: All summer, Instagram host Sheila Loccisano checked on the Longboat Key Historical Society every Thursday at noon, and every video ended with a locked door. Last Thursday the doors were finally propped open; President Michael Drake said a sign explaining the summer closure had simply disappeared. The shack, built in 1926 and once the laundry room of the Whitney Beach Resort, holds treasures including the earliest known photos of the key and an old eastern diamondback rattlesnake skin.

❖ Tallahassee's Bethel Missionary Baptist Church Marks 156 Years: Bethel Missionary Baptist Church, founded in 1870, celebrated 156 years with guests including the Rev. Al Sharpton and attorney Ben Crump. "This church was founded by former slaves," Sharpton said. The Rev. R.B. Holmes has led the church for 40 years, a span that has brought a charter school, senior housing and a family life center.

❖ Canaveral National Seashore's Story Reaches Back to 2000 B.C.: Spanish explorers named the cape area Cañaveral, meaning canebrake, and called the area to the north Los Mosquitos after the biting insect that still thrives there. The 57,661-acre seashore, authorized by Congress in 1975, grew out of land the federal government acquired for the space program. It has the longest undeveloped stretch of oceanfront left on Florida's east coast and more federally protected plant and animal species than any national park except the Everglades.

❖ Twelve Eastern Florida State College Employees Honored With STARS Awards: Eastern Florida State College recognized 12 employees, nominated by their peers, with STARS Awards at Monday's Board of Trustees meeting. The award stands for Superlative, Teamwork, Attitude, Responsibility and Service, and honorees work in areas from campus security and the call center to shipping and receiving. "Each of this year's recipients has made a meaningful impact," said college President Jim Richey, who established the awards 11 years ago.

Today’s Quote

"Tuesday is just Monday with the kinks worked out."

— original / Front Porch

Florida Almanac

Moon: Waxing crescent Tuesday, Oct. 13 (about 9% illuminated). First quarter is Sunday, Oct. 18, and full moon is Monday, Oct. 26 (USNO).

Sunrise / Sunset: In Orlando on Tuesday, sunrise is at 7:25 a.m. and sunset at 6:58 p.m. EDT, for about 11 hours, 33 minutes of daylight. Times vary across the state, and Pensacola is on Central time.

Gardening Notes: It's collard season: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions says to plant them September through April in North Florida, September through February in Central Florida and September through January in South Florida, about 12 to 24 inches apart in full sun. From seed, they're generally ready to harvest in 70 to 90 days.

Coastal / Red Tide: FWC's latest update (Oct. 9) found background to very low red tide levels along the Gulf Coast and none on the East Coast.

Florida by the Numbers

Since the 1940s, more than 4,548 planned public artificial reefs have been placed in state and federal waters off Florida's coast, according to FWC.