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Yahoo
5 days ago
- Yahoo
Yikes! A look at some of the biggest Burmese pythons caught in Florida snake hunt
The Florida Python Challenge 2025 is in full swing. The annual snake hunt started at 12:01 a.m. July 11. It will end at 5 p.m. July 20. Participants have until July 20 to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible from several locations in South Florida, including the Florida Everglades. The annual event began as a loosely planned scramble in the Everglades, an experiment in incentive-based extermination, a novelty that in subsequent years would help spawn reality TV shows, attract a rock star and entice celebrity chefs. 'The Python Challenge has a cult-like following,' said Marshall Jones, whose family owns Mack's Fish Camp in western Broward County. 'People travel from far and wide to come to it. They camp in tents, bring their RVs, all to catch one of these elusive slithering monsters.' What is the Florida Python Challenge? The Florida Python Challenge is a python removal competition. Participants have nine days to kill as many Burmese pythons as possible. The 2025 python removal competition started at 12:01 a.m. July 11. It will end at 5 p.m. July 20. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons. Why hunt Burmese pythons? Burmese pythons are an invasive species that pose a threat to wildlife in the Everglades. Florida pays hunters annually to catch the snakes. The competition helps protect the Everglades habitat and all its native animals by removing the invasive Burmese pythons. State-approved hunters can win up to $10,000 this year. Here are some of the biggest Burmese pythons caught in the Florida Python Challenge annual snake hunt Can you use a gun to kill a python in the Florida Python Challenge? Participants are not allowed to use firearms to kill pythons during the Florida Python Challenge because there's no established firearm season at the competition locations during the timeframe. Novices must humanely kill their captured pythons immediately after catching them. You can use air guns and captive bolts to kill pythons at any time of day or night. Read more on the rules: Can you use a gun to kill a python in the Florida Python Challenge? Here's the rules Laura Lordi is Digital Editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at llordi@ This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida python challenge: Biggest snakes caught during Everglades hunt Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Florida recruiting 2026 football summer commitment tracker: Who's going where?
It's summertime. That means more time at the beach, road trips and, of course, high school football players making college announcements and giving the highly coveted verbal commitments. The USA TODAY Florida Network will be tracking the top commitments from around the state all summer. Advertisement Some of the top players on the USA TODAY Florida Network top 100, including St. Thomas Aquinas defensive back Justice Fitzpatrick and Milton athlete Kaiden Hall both announced their decisions during the first few days of June. Fitzpatrick (No. 14 top 100, No. 2 safety in the state) committed to Georgia. Hall (No. 23, No. 1 athlete) chose to stay in state and commit to play for the Gators. Fitzpatrick and Hall join a list of five- or four-star players who have committed in the 2026 class, including American Heritage quarterback Dia Bell (No. 2, Texas), IMG offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe (No. 5, USC) and Bolles wide receiver Naeem Burroughs (No. 7, Clemson). Several of the top players in the state remain uncommitted and are taking official visits this month. That list includes Chaminade-Madonna running back Derrek Cooper (No. 1), Jake Kreul (No. 3) and Miami Northwestern wide receiver Calvin Russell Jr. (No. 4). Advertisement Bookmark this page to stay up to date on the latest commitments, changes and other developments: Jordan Crutchfield, Vero Beach ATH Fort Pierce Westwood athlete Jordan Crutchfield plays to the camera after scoring his second touchdown at the Palm Beach Gardens spring jamboree on Saturday, May 18, 2025. Verbal commitment: Kentucky (June 11) USA TODAY Florida rank: No. 58 overall, No. 3 ATH Canon Pickett, Tampa Bay Tech OL Tampa Bay Tech offensive lineman Canon Pickett at spring football practice, May 14, 2025. Verbal commitment: Miami (June 10) USA TODAY Florida Network rank: No. 66 overall, No. 6 IOL Adam Land, Mosley TE Verbal commitment: Mississippi State USA TODAY Florida Network rank: No. 100 overall, No. 3 tight end Johnnie Jones, Berkeley Prep OT Verbal commitment: UCLA (June 9) USA TODAY Florida Network rank: No. 63 overall, No. 6 offensive tackle Kekua Aumua, IMG Academy TE Verbal commitment: Florida (June 9) Advertisement USA TODAY Florida Network rank: No. 90 overall, No. 2 tight end Daylen Green, Gadsden County LB Gadsden County Jaguars receiver Daylen Green (8) lines up during the first half of a spring football game against the Community School of Naples Seahawks at Community School of Naples in Naples, Fla., on Thursday, May 22, 2025. Verbal commitment: Arkansas (June 9) USA TODAY Florida Network rank: No. 67 overall, No. 6 linebacker Brayden Charney, Cardinal Newman OT Verbal commitment: Syracuse (June 9) 247Sports Rank: 3-star, No. 137 offensive tackle in the nation Justin Williams, Buchholz RB Buchholz Bobcats Justin Williams (13) eludes Oakleaf Knights Fareed Coleman (2) in the second half. The Bobcats hosted the Knights at Citizens Field in Gainesville, FL on Friday, November 29 2024 in the Class 6A-Region 1 Final. [Doug Engle/Ocala Star Banner] Verbal commitment: Florida (June 8) USA TODAY Florida Network rank: No. 49 overall, No. 3 running back Chancellor Campbell, Lakewood OT The First Academy's Chancellor Campbell at the 2025 Under Armour Next camp in Orlando, Feb. 23. Verbal commitment: Florida (June 8) USA TODAY Florida Network rank: No. 70 overall, No. 6 offensive tackle Kaj Baker, Somerset Academy RB Verbal commitment: UCF (June 8) Advertisement 247Sports Composite Rank: 3-star, No. 38 ATH in the nation Justin 'JJ' Edwards, Edgewater LB Verbal commitment: Rutgers (June 8) 247Sports Composite Rank: 3-star, No. 60 linebacker in the nation Jabari Brady, Monarch WR Verbal Commitment: Missouri (June 7) USA TODAY Florida Network rank: No. 45 overall, No. 7 WR Justice Fitzpatrick, St. Thomas Aquinas S Defensive back Justice Fitzpatrick (left) looks to break on a ball during the Battle 7-on-7 tournament on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 at Mills Pond Park in Fort Lauderdale. Verbal commitment: Georgia (June 3) USA TODAY Florida Network rank: No. 14 overall, No. 2 safety Kaiden Mall, Milton ATH Verbal Commitment: Florida Milton's Kaiden Hall (3) pulls in a pass along the sideline against Pensacola in their football game at Milton High School on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Verbal commitment: Florida (June 3) USA TODAY Florida Network Rank: No. 23 overall, No. 1 ATH G'nivre Carr, IMG IOL IMG Academy IOL G'nivre Carr after a film session, May 8, 2025. Verbal commitment: Florida (June 1) Advertisement USA TODAY Florida rank: No. 72 overall, No. 7 IOL Kymistrii Young, Cardinal Mooney WR Verbal commitment: Purdue (June 1) USA TODAY Florida rank: No. 75 overall, No. 13 WR This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida recruiting 2026 college football summer commitment tracker
Yahoo
06-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
YouGov survey finds just 28% back Trump in feud. Musk fared even worse at 8%.
The bickering between the world's most powerful man and the world's richest man captivated the political world on June 5, but a poll suggests the rest of the country is over the melodrama. A poll taken by YouGov asking respondents who they sided in the feud this week between President Donald Trump electric car and space guru Elon Musk found 52% saying neither. Just 28% picked the president, and a meager 8% backed Musk. Musk's support was even less than the "I don't know" response — 11%. Fewer than half, 41%, said they would back Trump's threat to cancel government contracts held by Musk's companies, with even fewer, 21%, saying they opposed such retaliation. Big Beautiful Bill fight deepens: Trump threatens Musk over federal contracts, subsidies Asked if they believed Trump and Musk will reconcile and work together again, 28% said yes and 31% replied no – 41% Moreover, just 35% said they thought the United States would be better served by the two men working together while 31% replied the national interest was better served with the two engaged in conflict. Another 35% said they were not sure. YouGov surveyed 3,812 adults in the poll after a day's worth of sharp salvos and bitter insults on social media. Antonio Fins is a politics and business editor at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at afins@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: YouGov poll on Donald Trump and Elon Musk feud
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Yahoo
Lion Country Safari welcomes two female African lion cubs, launches live cub cam
Lion Country Safari, the drive-through park that is home to more than 85 species of animals in Loxahatchee, celebrated the birth of two African lion cubs in April, 2025. The cubs are currently bonding with their mother in a private area and are expected to make their public debut in the lion habitat in the coming months. They received their first health check on May 6, and the park's animal care staff say both cubs are in good health and developing well. The park is home to a pride of 12 African lions — five males and seven females — the largest group of its kind under human care within Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions. The lions live in a 6-acre habitat equipped with specialized dens for birthing and daily care. The female cubs, sired by 10-year-old Vander and 5-year-old Mara, are currently unnamed. The park is inviting the public to vote for their favorite names on Lion Country Safari's website. Click here to vote For the first time in the park's nearly 60-year history, a live 'Cub Cam' has been launched, allowing global viewers to watch the cubs nurse, play, and grow in real time. Click here for the live stream Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@ Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lion Country Safari zoo welcomes African lion cubs, livestream cub cam
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Five things to know about the county's $100,000 down payment plan for first-time home buyers
For first-time eligible homeowners, a state program administered by the county is offering residents up to $100,000 that can be used as a down payment toward the purchase of a home. The State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) Program is a Florida-based initiative that offers a huge assist for affordable housing. The goal is to help low and moderate-income families access affordable homeownership and rental housing. Local governments receive funds based on a population-based formula and then counties must outline their strategies. Funds are awarded as a deferred loan secured by a recorded mortgage, but the loan is forgiven at the end of the 30-year term. Here are five things to know and how the process works: The online application portal will open Monday, May 5 and close Friday, May 23, or until 100 applications have been submitted. About 40 awards are expected to be issued this year, with most of them at the $100,000 level. The program is only for first-time homebuyers, according to Sherrian Smith, who helps oversee the program. The county's allocation this year from the state is $3 million. Applications must be submitted online and will be processed on a first-submitted, first-qualified, first-served basis, subject to the money being available. Applicants must have a valid drivers' license or state identification card for all adult household members. An applicant may not currently own or have liquid assets exceeding $200,000. You can check the documents checklist webpage and also a list of eligibility requirements. Other things to know: A valid email address is required. Only one application per household will be considered. If the application is missing documents, the application will be marked incomplete. The applicant must complete and upload all required fields on the application for all household members 18 years and older. The application can be completed on a computer, laptop, smartphone, tablet or iPad. Internet Explorer does not support the application portal. Once someone is approved, the applicant must then find a house that falls within the program's guidelines and obtain a first mortgage for it. It is expected to take up to six weeks for county officials to begin making awards. The loan is forgiven at the end of the five-year term. Payment is deferred until one of the following events occurs: Sale of the property, transfer of property, property is no longer owner occupied or term has expired. The SHIP program in Palm Beach County is overseen by the county Department of Housing and Economic Development, Mortgage and Housing Investments. For more information about the program, applicants should visit the department's website. Mike Diamond is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. He covers Palm Beach County government and issues impacting homeowner associations. You can reach him at mdiamond@ Help support local journalism. Subscribe today. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 5 things to know about $100,000 down payment plan for first-time homeowners
