Some cruise lines are having to change up some of their ships’ itineraries or port dates to keep out of the way of Tropical Storm Ernesto, which was bashing the northern Caribbean Tuesday evening with heavy rain, strong winds and rough seas as it approached Puerto Rico.

Cruise ships change itineraries to dodge Ernesto

Norwegian Cruise Line’s recently announced plans for the 2026 spring and summer in North America include nine ships in the region. Cruise Industry News looks at the highlights of the deployment, which will mark the company’s return to Philadelphia. Return to Philadelphia. Ship: Norwegian Jewel. Homeport:. Philadelphia (United...

Norwegian’s 2026 Summer Cruise Deployment Highlighted by Unique Mix

Florida State

As Tropical Storm (now Hurricane) Debby approached Florida's West Coast earlier this past weekend, Margaritaville at Sea adjusted schedules for two voyages of Islander. On Saturday, Port Tampa Bay issued this weather-related statement: "The Islander was originally scheduled to return to Port Tampa Bay on Sunday, August. 4, 2024, and will now return on Monday, August 5, 2024. Additionally, the Islander's August 4 departure was rescheduled to August 5."

This Week in Cruise: Hurricane Forces Changes, New and Updated Ships

Disney is going big into cruising accelerating investments in its cruise line. The company shocked its loyal fans by revealing plans for four additional newbuilds and today Germany’s Meyer shipbuilding reported it has received the order which is “the highest order value in the history of Meyer Werft.”

Disney Inks Largest Ever Order for Meyer to Build Four Cruise Ships by 2031

Savannah, GA

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contributor

Daily Coffee Press

Newly returned indictments in the Southern District of Georgia include felony charges for illegal firearms possession and drug distribution, while additional defendants have been sentenced to federal prison or await further proceedings after pleading guilty to federal gun charges.

Federal Charges in Southern GA: Indictments and Sentences for Firearms and Drug Offenses

Writers represent independent, third-party users who have joined our contributor program and self-verified their accounts. Writers are expected, like all users, to adhere to our Community Standards.

writer

J. Souza

A retired military officer who had been struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) tragically died after jumping from the world’s largest cruise ship last month, authorities confirmed.

Cruise Passenger Who Jumped from World's Largest Ship After Dispute Suffered with PTSD

Colorado State

David Heitz

A bill quietly introduced this spring in the Colorado legislature to decriminalize the possession of drug paraphernalia obtained by harm reductionists has become law. As low-key as the legislation was introduced, the bill was signed into law without fanfare June 6. It garnered little to no media attention.

Colorado legalizes needles, pipes for meth and crack if obtained by harm reduction group

Tampa, FL

Jacksonville, FL

Jacksonville Today

Three men and a woman have been arrested on murder charges in connection with the fatal shooting of Charles Jones , a Jacksonville rapper known as Julio Foolio,” outside a hotel in Tampa.

4 arrested in slaying of Jacksonville rapper Julio Foolio

Newark, NJ

Paterson, NJ

Morristown Minute

NEWARK, N.J. – Jasmine McGregor, 32, and Jhenelle Lewis, 35, both of Paterson, New Jersey, have pleaded guilty to conspiring with a physician to distribute oxycodone, a powerful opioid, without legitimate medical justification. The announcement was made today by U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger.

Paterson Residents Conspired with Physician to Illegally Distribute Opioids

Denver, CO

No, pallet shelters for people experiencing homelessness don’t fold into caskets. It’s a question a reader posed one of the first times I wrote about pallet shelters. I find the pallet shelters to be more palatable than ice fishing tents. The Colorado Village Collaborative operates both micro-communities and the so-called Safe Outdoor Spaces with the tents. We all learned the tents are not safe when a fire roared through a CVC Safe Outdoor Space, destroying the compound quickly. Officials never disclosed a cause of the fire.

Opinion: No, pallet shelters for homeless in Denver, Aurora don’t fold into caskets

Massachusetts State

Dianna Carney

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, is still looking for a forever home for an adorable six-year-old French bulldog named Joannie. The local animal rescue explains: “Joannie was found as a stray extremely emaciated and less than half her current weight now. She was missing fur on her body, face and ears. She has been nursed back to health and is doing wonderfully. While her age and exact history is unknown, it is clear she has mothered more than enough litters in her short lifetime.”

Meet The "Extreme Snuggler" French Bulldog Still Looking For Love

Pompano Beach, FL

Akeena

In a shocking revelation, Kings Mart, a grocery store in Pompano Beach, has been slapped with a series of severe health violations by the Florida Department of Agriculture. The inspection, carried out by Francis Odio, uncovered a disturbing range of problems that have led to the immediate closure of several sections of the store.

An inspection found bugs in the food and rodent poop on the shelves at a Florida grocery store

Camden, NJ

Cornelius, NC

CAMDEN, N.J. – Lisa Smith, 61, of Cornelius, North Carolina, has admitted to her role in a fraudulent scheme involving over $3.5 million in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today that Smith pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Karen M. Williams in Camden federal court on July 17, 2024, to a charge of bank fraud conspiracy.

Woman Pleads Guilty to $3.5M COVID Relief Scam

A Black woman may be leading the presidential ticket of a major political party for the first time, but for Jacksonville’s Black conservatives, political values trump a candidate’s personal identity.

Republicans look to shore up support among Black conservatives in Jacksonville

Chicago, IL

Foodie in Chicago

Shortly before 3 AM, people in the Chicago area may have felt their houses shake as a 3.4-magnitude earthquake occurred about 60 miles west of the city. (CHICAGO) The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported a 3.4-magnitude earthquake around Somonauk, IL. Somonauk is in DeKalb and LaSalle Counties, 64 miles west of Chicago.

Did You Feel the Earthquake?

Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Paradise is experiencing a delay in its return to Port Tampa Bay due to Tropical Storm Debby. Initially set to dock early Monday morning, August 5, the ship’s arrival has been postponed as the port remains closed. In an update on Monday, Carnival informed...

Cruise Lines Forced to Extend Sailings as Tampa Port Closure Impacts Operations

New Jersey State

New Brunswick, NJ

NEWARK, N.J. -A Middlesex County man, Kenneth Strickland, 57Kenneth Strickland, 57, from New Brunswick, has been convicted of his involvement in a large-scale conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and heroin. U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced that Strickland was found guilty on July 29, 2024, of all six counts in a superseding indictment.

NJ Man Convicted in Large-Scale Fentanyl & Heroin Trafficking

Quincy, MA

Get ready for an afternoon filled with live music, fun activities, and local vendors. The Friends of Ruth Gordon Amphitheater has invited the community to join them for the Friends Rock Music Festival on Sunday, August 11th from 2 PM until 8 PM. This free-to-attend festival promises a day filled with a diverse lineup of artists and bands, offering something for every music lover. Performances will include:

Live Music, Delicious Food & More: Don't Miss This Free Music Festival in Quincy

Sandy Paws Rescue Inc., a foster-based rescue in Massachusetts, has recently introduced a tiny 8lb dog named Bingo who is looking for her forever home. Bingo is a 3-year-old Shih Tzu mix with an adorable appearance and a sweet disposition. However, she needs a patient and understanding owner who recognizes that "dogs are not toys, and not all dogs love to be picked up right away," explains Sandy Paws Rescue Inc. This little lady requires some decompression time upon arriving at her new home to settle in comfortably.

Meet The Sweet Little Lady Looking For Love

Kansas State

Missouri State

CJ Coombs

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) helps to locate missing children. Since July 1, 2024, according to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), 174 children have been reported missing in the U.S. Since January 1, 2024, there was a total of 1,445 reported missing in the country.

Missing Missouri children as of July 17, 2024, according to the NCMEC

NewsBreak

One-on-One With John Waggoner: A Look at Victory Cruise Lines' Relaunch

Last week, Victory Cruise Lines opened sales for its new 2025 season on the Great Lakes with the 190-passenger Victory I and Victory II. So, Travel...

One-on-One With John Waggoner: A Look at Victory Cruise Lines' Relaunch

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