Good morning, Melbourne.

SpaceX + ULA are set to launch today from Florida; SpaceX will send its Falcon Heavy carrying a ViaSat broadband satellite from Kennedy Space Center at 10:21 a.m., and later ULA will launch 29 Amazon Leo satellites from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 8:52 p.m.

The Space Coast Chess Festival brought together over 250 competitors from across Florida today in Brevard County — including student players — with Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey making the ceremonial first move to kick off the competition organized by Peter Koretsky and his team.

Juvenile green sea turtle Poinsettia was rescued from the Indian River Lagoon and treated at the Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Center at Brevard Zoo until recently.

It returned safely to the ocean today — a win for local marine life protection.

Wildlife experts report that Burmese pythons are gradually moving north from the Everglades, with some sightings approaching nearby wetlands & suburban areas.

Local officials urge residents to report any encounters to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and to avoid handling the snakes.

Bobby Freeman of McCoy Freeman Group explains that pricing homes competitively during the first 7 to 10 days draws strong buyer interest on the Space Coast, including here in Melbourne, while overpricing can slow sales.

Charles 'Phil' Smith, Eastern Florida State’s first scholarship athlete, earned nine varsity letters in football, basketball and track at Cocoa High in 1961, receiving All-State honors; he later broke records and coached local schools (a revered figure) as he is honored by the Space Coast Sports Hall of Fame.

High school football practice started today in Brevard County as nine teams scheduled jamboree games while others planned intrasquad scrimmages or no games — two teams also saw coaching changes at local schools.

Eastern Florida State College softball swept St. Petersburg College with scores of 8-0 and 8-1 on Saturday at Titan Softball Complex to improve to 37-13 overall and 23-11 in the Citrus Conference — the 11th-ranked team will host Miami Dade College in a Tuesday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

Space Coast ModelFest 2026

9 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Azan Shriners Center — $5 — Celebrate creativity and craftsmanship at a vibrant model contest with various themed categories.

Aaron Wolf Concert

7-10 p.m. — Pineapples — Tickets available — So-Cal reggae artist Aaron Wolf returns to the Moon Room with local support from Pine Tree Drive.

Shrek - The Musical

8-11 p.m. — Henegar Center For the Arts — Tickets from $81 — Enjoy a fun-filled evening with the unforgettable musical adaptation of a beloved fairy tale.

Brevard Community Mental Health Symposium

8 a.m.–3 p.m. — Melbourne Auditorium — Free entry — Engage with mental health experts and resources in the community.

Shrek - The Musical

8-11 p.m. — Henegar Center For the Arts — Tickets start at $81 — Experience the laughter and fun of Shrek brought to life on stage.

Cake Social for Women

4-5:30 p.m. — Serenity Venue — Ticket required — Bring a cake and make new friends while sampling delicious desserts together.

Shrek - The Musical

2-5 p.m. — Henegar Center For the Arts — Tickets start at $105 — Enjoy a whimsical live adaptation of the beloved animated classic.

Beetlejuice Musical

7:30-10:30 p.m. — Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts — Ticket prices vary — Experience the ghost-with-the-most in this hilarious and touching musical adaptation of Tim Burton's classic film.