Good morning, Melbourne.

This morning, Brevard Zoo welcomed its first giraffe calf in six years.

The 119-pound female, named Gail after a local supporter’s suggestion, stood nearly 6 feet tall and bonded with her mother Kumi in the Africa Barn & remains under veterinary care as introductions continue.

Health First announced layoffs of 214 workers in Brevard County on Sept.

16. The cuts affected administrative roles and patient programs while impacted employees received a 60-day notice (with full pay and benefits) as part of cost-saving measures.

Florida’s Second Amendment Sales Tax Holiday, which began Sept.

1 and runs through Dec. 31, offers tax relief on outdoor gear such as tents, firearms, and fishing rods—savings start at 6% for eligible items in both stores and online. Shoppers planning holiday purchases can benefit from the deals.

Melbourne Police Department will join a Florida DOT program to enforce traffic laws along corridors with many pedestrian and bicycle crashes.

It will operate from October through May 2027 & be funded by UNF’s police technology institute.

EDC has asked NASA and the Presidential Commission to set up a Federal Academy on Florida’s Space Coast.

The group cited the region’s strong space infrastructure — a key asset — and skilled workforce to help nurture future space leaders.

Florida residents will set their clocks back to standard time Sunday, Nov.

1 at 2 a.m. as daylight saving time ends because permanent DST approved in 2018 still awaits congressional approval (pending Senate vote).

At The Turn Recovery, co-founder Jonathan Wilhelm explains that golf is more than a game and is used to help people recover from substance abuse.

He notes the sport provides focus and routine (a local health effort).

Health First in Brevard County notified 214 employees on Wednesday that their positions were eliminated; most cuts affected administrative roles, and those impacted will receive a 60-day paid notice (with job-search help) while clinical positions continue to be recruited.

Brevard HEAT improved to 9-2 after defeating Holy Trinity in a four-set match—middle hitters stepped up and senior Aine Hanley led with eight kills, and the team will compete in the Lake Howell Tournament on Sept.

18-19.

The Eastern Florida State College women’s volleyball team rallied on Wednesday in Daytona Beach to give No. 2 Daytona State College its first loss in a five-set match and will host No. 1 Miami Dade College on Saturday at 2 p.m. at Titan Field House, where admission is free + fans can watch live online.

Eastern Florida State College women's soccer team beat Polk State College 3-0 on Wednesday in a Region 8 Conference game as Akelia Johnson scored first and freshman Esme Johnson added two goals for a season total of six.

The Titans will face Daytona State College Saturday at 7 p.m.