MOTORISTS on Interstate 4 in Florida in evacuation route  (Wikipedia).

What could be the most powerful storm to ever to hit Florida – Hurricane Milton–  is approaching and could make a direct hit on the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg.

According to the Associated Press, winds of up to  161 miles an hour could batter the area with huge storm surges and hurl deadly debris from the now-departed Hurricane Helene into the air.

Nearly 6 million people are under evacuation orders in 11 Florida counties. Hurricane Milton is expected to make landfall on the west coast late Wednesday. 

The storm is predicted to cross the central part of the state and pour up to 18 inches of rain as it moves toward the the Atlantic Ocean.

Milton’s path will likely spare Georgia and North Carolina from the damage with had been inflicted by Helene.

3.3% of high schoolers ‘trans’?

A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicated that about 3.3 percent of high school students identify as transgender.

The New York Times also reported that an additional 2.2 percent weren’t certain about their gender identity.

The survey also revealed that bullying was widespread, as well as sadness and suicidal thoughts on the part of those surveyed.

More than 20,000 high school students were surveyed by the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System in 2023. It was the first study of its kind.

Afghan national arrested in terror plot

The Department of Justice announced Tuesday that an Afghan national living in Oklahoma City who was allegedly planning on a terrorist attack in the U.S. on Election Day has been arrested.

ISIS, Islamic State, flag (Shutterstock)>

According to USA Today, Nasir Ahmad Tawhedi, 27, was charged with assisting the ISIS terrorist group in planning a violent attack “targeting large gatherings of people.” He told investigators that he and his brother-in-law – who was also arrested – expected to be killed and become martyrs.

“We will continue to combat the ongoing threat that ISIS and its supporters pose to America’s national security, and we will identify, investigate, and prosecute the individuals who seek to terrorize the American people,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Weather: Cooler, then warmer

Temperatures in our West Orange County cities will drop for a few days, and then make a modest rise. The forecast for Wednesday calls for a daytime high of 78 and an overnight low of 59. Fog is expected in the morning with sun in the afternoon. For Thursday through Saturday, skies will be partly cloudy and daytime temps will rise from 75 on Thursday, then step up to 81 and 80 on Friday and Saturday.

Great Thoughts

“It’s important to know when to stop taking feedback to heart. There’s more reward in taking a risk than in listening to the naysayers who don’t understand the mission.”

– Misty Copeland, ballerina