Blue Origin Rocket Explodes During Test
(Cape Canaveral, FL) --Work is underway to determine why a rocket exploded at Cape Canaveral. Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded around 9:00 last night during a hotfire test at Space Force Station's Launch Complex 36. No one was hurt, and there's no word on how it happened.The rocket was supposed to be part of a launch next week. This should not affect two launches planned for today at Complexes 40 and 41 by SpaceX and United Launch Alliance.
Bezos Reacts To Explosion
(Undated) --Blue Origin's founder is sharing his thoughts on the explosion. Jeff Bezos posted a statement on X last night after a New Glenn rocket exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. He writes "it's too early to know the root cause, but we're already working to find it." Bezos adds "very rough day, but we'll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying" because "it's worth it."
NASA Administrator Reacts To Rocket Explosion
(Washington, DC) -- The explosion of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket shows spaceflight is unforgiving. That's what NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman wrote on X last night. He also says developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult.Isaacman adds "we will work with our partners to support a thorough investigation of this anomaly, assess near-term mission impacts and get back to launching rockets."
Special Session On Florida Budget Ends
(Tallahassee, FL) --After weeks of closed-door negotiations, Florida lawmakers have finally reached a deal on a new state budget -- just ahead of today's deadline for the special legislative session. The budget agreement comes after House and Senate leaders spent weeks divided over education funding, tax cuts, and overall state spending. The final spending plan is now expected to head to the House and Senate floors for a vote following a mandatory 72-hour holding period.
Miami-Dade County Teachers To Vote On Having Union
(Miami, FL) --Voting is underway to determine if teachers in Miami-Dade County will continue to have a union. Teachers started receiving ballots in the mail yesterday. Under a new state law, a majority of the teachers have to vote to form a union.United Teachers of Dade President Antonio White says the law is absolutely an attempt to kill us off. He also tells NBC 6 that Republicans may like to call it the free state of Florida, but when you look at how they legislate, they're taking all the power from the people.
FL Congressman Supports Bill To Preserve AM Radio
(Tampa, FL) --A Florida congressman wants to keep AM radio in vehicles. Congressman Gus Bilirakis is in favor of a bill that would require carmakers to keep AM radios standard and free. He calls it a critical lifeline during hurricanes and other emergencies.Supporters of the effort say the push comes as some automakers phase out AM radio in certain vehicles, especially electric models. The bill is advancing in the House.
Florida Gold Bar Theft Linked To Nationwide Scam
(Bradenton, FL) --A Florida police investigation has uncovered a link to a nationwide gold bar scam targeting older adults.Detectives in Bradenton say an 80-year-old veteran lost about one-point-four-million dollars after scammers posed as federal agents and convinced him to convert his savings into gold.The victim was told the money would help with an investigation, and he handed over the gold in multiple transactions.Federal prosecutors say one suspect tied to the scheme has now been sentenced to more than 15 years in prison, as authorities warn at least 12 victims were scammed out of more than six-million dollars.
Pilot Program To Turn DC Lightposts Into EV Chargers
(Washington, DC) --A new type of electric vehicle charger could soon make its debut in Washington, DC. A company called Voltpost has devised a way to turn lightposts into EV chargers using each pole's existing electric infrastructure.The city has awarded a grant to the company to help refit up to 16 lightposts.
Today in History
2019, the World Health Organization no longer considered being transgender as a mental illness.
1999, the space shuttle "Discovery" completed the first-ever docking with the international space station.
1790, Rhode Island became the last of the original 13 colonies to ratify the Constitution.