Good Morning, Sunland
It's Tuesday! It's the last day of school for the students, and teachers, your last day is tomorrow. I want to give a big shout out to all the teachers in my life. Thank you for everything you do. Enjoy summer!
🎉 Juneteenth Event: I'll be out at this event and want to bring some light to it. Come through if you can. Celebrating with the community.
💜 Bernadette Urbina is now a member! Thank you so much for the support! Thank you to everyone supporting the newsletter! If you want to help keep this going, support here.
In today's newsletter:
🚀 Fort Pierce could become recovery hub for SpaceX and Blue Origin rockets
🎓 Preeminent university funding not approved in Florida
⚖️ Florida files lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman
🐕 Florida records 183 dog attacks on mail carriers in 2025
🎂 Sweet Desires turning 3 with anniversary week in Vero Beach
Alright, let's jump right in!
In today's newsletter:
Ja'Min Devon
Founder, Sunland News
🟠 Main Squeeze: The Port of Fort Pierce could become a recovery hub for SpaceX and Blue Origin rockets
A draft update to the Port of Fort Pierce's master plan includes a proposed Launch Vehicle Recovery Facility that would make the port a staging ground for recovering rocket components after launches from Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center 🚀.
Why it matters: Apparently Port Canaveral is running out of room. The launch cadence from Florida is projected to increase 300% to 500% over the coming decades and the existing port infrastructure cannot keep up. Fort Pierce's proximity to Cape Canaveral, deepwater access and available upland space puts it in position to serve as what the draft plan calls a critical relief valve for the state's space infrastructure capacity.
What the facility would look like 📋:
🛳️ A dedicated controlled access area with a high capacity wharf approximately 700 feet in length
🏗️ Heavy duty apron up to 100 feet wide to support mobile harbor cranes and recovered rocket boosters
🚀 Large enough to accommodate one autonomous drone ship like those used by SpaceX and Blue Origin plus support vessels
🔒 Dedicated access road connecting to North Second Street with a security checkpoint
🔧 Could also be used for mega yacht maintenance and repair, already one of the port's main uses
Worth noting: The draft plan specifically calls out Texas as a growing competitor, noting that SpaceX is investing heavily in launch and recovery capabilities there. Florida needs to expand its spaceport infrastructure or risk losing business to other states 👀.
The draft master plan is 256 pages and was discussed at a community meeting at the Fort Pierce Yacht Club last night. It is an update to the port's existing master plan approved in 2020.
What's next: The draft plan still needs to go through the full approval process before anything moves forward 📅.
💬 What do you think about Fort Pierce becoming part of Florida's space economy? Tell us right here
🥳 Out-of-Towner: Events Worth the Drive!
Monday, June 1 – Saturday, June 6
🎂 Sweet Desires is Turning 3 – Anniversary Week – Sweet Desires Espresso Bar & Bakery, 670 21st Street, Vero Beach. | All week | Details
Tuesday, June 2 – Sunday, June 7
🎭 Beetlejuice – The Musical – Kravis Center for the Performing Arts, 701 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach. | 7:30 PM nightly | Ticketed | Details
Friday, June 5 – Sunday, June 7
🛍️ West Palm Beach Antique Festival – South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach. | Fri, June 5 | 12 PM | $10 | Details
Friday, June 5
🐂 2026 South Florida Mini Bull World Qualifier Series – Overpass Arena, 300 90th Ave, Vero Beach. | Gates 5:30 PM | Show 7:30 PM | Details
Saturday, June 6
🇵🇭 Summer Festival 2026 – South Florida Fairgrounds, West Palm Beach. | 10 AM – 6 PM | Details
Sunday, June 7
🎤 Yung Miami Performing Live – Ivy Palm Beach, 106 N Military Trail, West Palm Beach. | 10 PM | Ticketed | Details
Send More Events Here
💧 The Last Drop: Universities, AI Lawsuit, Dog Attacks
🎓 Preeminent university funding not approved – Legislature did not approve state funding for elite research schools this year. UF, FSU, USF, and FIU received no additional funding. UCF will not receive preeminent status it was seeking. Senate proposed $50 million, House proposed eliminating the program entirely. Budget details
⚖️ Florida files lawsuit against OpenAI and Sam Altman – Attorney General filing suit alleging company marketed ChatGPT without sufficient warnings of potential harms. Lawsuit filed
🐕 Florida records 183 dog attacks on mail carriers in 2025 – State ranks among top states for postal worker incidents. Jacksonville and Miami in top 20 nationally. Pet owners can be liable for medical expenses, lost wages, damaged clothing, and compensation. USPS launching dog bite awareness campaign Monday. USPS report
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