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Palm Beach Post

Is Publix closing Florida stores due to sales slump? What's happening

Is Publix closing Florida stores due to sales slump? What's happening

As reported elsewhere, Publix has closed some Florida stores. But it may not be due to lagging sales.

Factbox-US House races to watch in the 2026 elections

Factbox-US House races to watch in the 2026 elections

By Nolan D. McCaskill WASHINGTON, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Republicans in the US House of Representatives are defending a narrow majority in November's midterm elections. History suggests Democrats will gain seats - they would need to net four to win control of the chamber.

Power outages, closures linger after Hurricane Isaias slams Gulf Coast

Power outages, closures linger after Hurricane Isaias slams Gulf Coast

Days after Hurricane Isaias slammed into the Gulf Coast and caused widespread damage, crews were still working to clear roads and restore power.

Post-tropical cyclone Isaias brings flood risks, 4 dead from storm

Post-tropical cyclone Isaias brings flood risks, 4 dead from storm

Isaias broke a two-year drought of U.S. hurricane landfalls, with the most recent being Hurricane Milton in October 2024.

Hurricane Isaias Leaves 356,000 Without Power in Gulf Coast

Hurricane Isaias Leaves 356,000 Without Power in Gulf Coast

Hurricane Isaias, the first Atlantic tropical cyclone of the 2026 season, made landfall near Destin, Florida, as a Category 2 storm on Friday. The storm caused widespread damage across the Gulf Coast, leaving 356,000 customers without power in southern Alabama and northwestern Florida as of Sunday afternoon. At its peak, nearly 800,000 homes and businesses were affected. The storm has since weakened into a post-tropical cyclone but continues to pose a risk of flash flooding in the mid-Atlantic region. (Source: Al Jazeera, Source time: Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMT)

Bahamas Court Case Pits Resorts Against Each Other, Threatening U.S.-Listed Queen Conch Nursery

Bahamas Court Case Pits Resorts Against Each Other, Threatening U.S.-Listed Queen Conch Nursery

A legal battle in the Bahamas Supreme Court is underway between rival resort developers, with the habitat of the U.S.-listed threatened queen conch caught in the middle. Miami-based Yntegra Group plans to dredge approximately 1.26 acres of North Bay at East Sampson Cay for a service dock for its Rosewood Exuma resort. Two neighboring developers, Turtlegrass Resort & Island Club and Over Yonder Cay, have filed a lawsuit to overturn the project's environmental approvals, arguing that the public consultation process was flawed and the project's combined environmental effects were not adequately assessed. Scientists from Shedd Aquarium have identified the area as a significant nursery for juvenile conch, recording one of the highest densities in a 2019 survey. The court's decision will focus on the legality of the project's approval process, not directly on the harm to the conch.

Ports Reopen After Hurricane Isaias Hits Florida

Ports Reopen After Hurricane Isaias Hits Florida

The U.S. Coast Guard, alongside agency partners, is working diligently to restore port operations following Hurricane Isaias, which made landfall near Destin, Florida, on Friday night as a Category 2 hurricane. The storm weakened quickly as it moved inland but caused significant disruptions, including three fatalities and widespread power outages affecting hundreds of thousands of residents. As of Saturday, ports in Gulfport, Mobile, and Pascagoula have resumed normal operations, with other nearby ports expected to follow soon. The Coast Guard has deployed seven aids-to-navigation (ATON) teams and five port infrastructure assessment teams to ensure the safe reopening of ports and the restoration of maritime commerce. Additional efforts include aerial assessments and the establishment of temporary VHF radio coverage to support recovery operations. A disaster declaration has been issued for Florida, and the National Guard is assisting with clearing debris and restoring road access.

Sumter County Reports Increased Mosquito Activity and Potential Virus Transmission, Urges Resident Precautions

Sumter County Reports Increased Mosquito Activity and Potential Virus Transmission, Urges Resident Precautions

Sumter County, Florida, is experiencing a rise in mosquito activity, with recent presumptive positive results indicating the potential transmission of viruses that could affect both humans and animals. Adverse weather conditions have hindered mosquito-control spraying efforts, prompting county officials to urge residents to take proactive measures to reduce their risk and protect the community. Sumter County Mosquito Control advises residents to 'Drain, Cover, Protect, and Report.' This includes eliminating standing water from common breeding sites like buckets, flowerpots, tires, and gutters; wearing long sleeves and pants, and using EPA-registered insect repellent; ensuring window and door screens are in good condition; and reporting excessive mosquito activity to the county. Residents can also sign up for AlertSumter to receive notifications about scheduled mosquito spraying.

Isaias Causes Power Outages and Heavy Rain Across Southeastern U.S.

Isaias Causes Power Outages and Heavy Rain Across Southeastern U.S.

Hurricane Isaias, which made landfall as a Category 2 storm in Florida, has weakened to a post-tropical cyclone but continues to impact the southeastern United States. Heavy rainfall, strong winds, and isolated flash flooding are being reported, particularly near the southern Appalachians. As of early Sunday, over 389,000 customers in Florida and Alabama remain without power, with additional outages in Georgia and the Carolinas. The storm is moving northward, bringing moderate to heavy rainfall to the central Appalachians and mid-Atlantic regions. Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has expressed concerns about potential tornadoes and urged residents to stay informed as conditions evolve.

Palm Beach Post

Final hours wind shear kept Hurricane Isaias from being bigger disaster

Final hours wind shear kept Hurricane Isaias from being bigger disaster

As crews clear roads and restore power, forecasters say accurate predictions and late weakening helped limit a potentially worse outcome.

Escambia County Experiences Significant Traffic Congestion Following I-10 Crash

Escambia County Experiences Significant Traffic Congestion Following I-10 Crash

A tractor-trailer overturned on I-10 near Nine Mile Road in Escambia County, Florida, on Friday morning, leading to substantial traffic congestion. The incident occurred around 11:55 a.m. when a 52-year-old driver from Elmont, New York, operating a straight truck towing another straight truck, lost control while navigating a construction area. The towed vehicle fishtailed and subsequently overturned, blocking both westbound through lanes of I-10. Emergency services transported the driver to a local hospital. The crash caused significant disruptions for motorists traveling on the interstate, highlighting the vulnerability of major roadways to single incidents, especially in construction zones. The Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) responded to the scene to manage the situation and investigate the cause of the accident.

Orange County Schools Combat Heat with Sunshades

Orange County Schools Combat Heat with Sunshades

Schools in Orange County, Florida, are implementing various measures to protect students from rising temperatures and the urban heat island effect. Hamlin Elementary School, for instance, has installed playground shades, fans, hydration stations, and double-paned, tinted windows to create a cooler and safer environment for students. These efforts come as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that the summer of 2026 was the hottest on record in 132 years. The urban heat island effect, which causes urban areas to be significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas, is particularly pronounced in Florida cities like Orlando and Tampa. According to a Climate Central study, 76% of students in the largest U.S. cities attend schools in extreme urban heat islands, where temperatures can be at least 8°F (4.4°C) higher than surrounding areas.