Good morning, Melbourne.

Speedy, a red-footed tortoise known for his social nature, has moved into the Kangaroo Walkabout exhibit at Brevard Zoo—joining kangaroos and emus after zookeepers decided he needed a more communal home.

Due to the government shutdown, federal SNAP benefits will not be available starting Nov.

1 and many local organizations are offering food help to those in need. Residents can find details via websites such as Second Harvest (covering Brevard, Lake, Marion, Orange, Osceola, Seminole, and Volusia counties), United Against Poverty, and Findhelp.org or by dialing 2-1-1.

Coastal Boxer Rescue invites pet lovers to attend its annual Woof Wag and Wiggle fundraiser at Wickham Park on Saturday, Nov.

1—from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event at the main pavilion on Parkway Drive supports the rescue's mission to rehome boxers through donations, vendor sales and fun games.

The Melbourne Orlando International Airport will honor 50 veterans during the Space Coast Honor Flight on Saturday, November 8 when they will arrive around 9:34 p.m. on a chartered Allegiant flight after a day of remembrance in Washington, D.C.+ A pre-flight party is scheduled at 8:30 p.m. featuring live music and food trucks, and a Walk of Honor will take place at 10:00 p.m. with free parking for all attendees.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket stands upright on the Cape Canaveral launch pad as it prepares for a test fire before its second mission that will carry NASA's ESCAPADE payload to Mars scheduled for no earlier than 7 p.m. November 8 — beachgoers in Brevard County can view the 321-foot rocket from nearby shores.

Space Prep finished processing three spacecraft for a launch next month from Cape Canaveral—marking a major step in its work with Exolaunch.

The companies managed fueling, packaging, and delivery to the integration facility for advanced technology missions.

Eight haunted restaurants and bars across Florida mix history, food, and ghostly lore to draw curious visitors.

Among these, Hell 'n Blazes Brewing Company in downtown Melbourne features flickering lights and unexplained sounds in its 120-year-old building—a reminder of its past as a bank, hardware store, funeral home and TV studio.

Brevard County has five elementary and middle schools ranked among Florida's top 50, with Freedom 7 Elementary School of International Studies rated highest at No. 13 as U.S. News & World Report based its evaluation on math and reading scores as well as school demographics.

Launch Credit Union will offer a special 0% loan to federal and contract employees missing paychecks during the government shutdown, with qualified members able to borrow up to $5,000 for 12 months or 24 months at 5.99% APR; the program runs until November 30 and applicants must provide proof of employment while loan specialists assist at any branch — ensuring timely financial relief.

Brevard County Emergency Management announced that it accepted cleanup requests from homeowners affected by recent flooding.

The program connected residents with volunteer groups to remove mud, ruined furniture, wet flooring and damp drywall—services were free but depended on volunteer availability.

Health First today launched a new cardio-oncology subspecialty to protect breast cancer patients' hearts.

The collaborative team—led by Dr. Kevin Campbell, Brevard County's only certified cardio-oncologist—uses advanced heart monitoring techniques to guide care from diagnosis to treatment.

Thursday night, Brevard County high school football games ended with big wins as the Cocoa Tigers shut out Rockledge 36–0 — Titusville Terriers won 37–3 over Astronaut — setting teams up for the playoffs.

Puppy Pals Live

7:30 p.m. — Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts — $30 — Enjoy an action-packed show featuring rescued dogs performing incredible tricks and hilarious stunts.

Florida’s Hottest Reggae Night

7 p.m. – Midnight — Nomads Canteen FL — Check out three premier reggae acts, Cloud9 Vibes, Floridaze, and The Rip for an unforgettable showcase of island rhythms.

LightWork Therapy and Recovery Event

7:00 PM — 705 E New Haven Ave, Melbourne, FL — Sold Out — Experience a fun painting class with local artist G-Susan Ricci in a creative atmosphere.

Tim Hawkins Live Comedy Show

7-10 p.m. — Calvary Chapel Melbourne — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening filled with laughter from the hilarious Tim Hawkins.

Rocky Water Brew Fest 2025

1-5 p.m. — Eau Gallie Square Park — Free parking — Sample the finest craft beers from small breweries across Florida.

Chevy Chase Live Q&A

8:00-9:30 p.m. — Maxwell C. King Center for the Performing Arts — Ticketed event — Celebrate holiday cheer with a screening of National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and a Q&A with Chevy Chase.

Trusts Made Simple: A Smarter Way to Protect Your Family and Assets

10:00 AM – 11:30 PM — One Senior Place — Free entry — Learn how trusts can simplify estate planning and protect your assets in this informative session with a Q&A.

A Christmas Carol

2-5 p.m. — Henegar Center For the Arts — Ticket pricing available — Experience the classic tale of redemption in a vibrant theatrical setting.