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Mustache to make return to space with this week’s SpaceX Crew-12 launch

Mustache to make return to space with this week’s SpaceX Crew-12 launch

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It’s been quite a while since a mustache has made its way to space. Rookie NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway is about to change that.

Acting as pilot on this week’s planned launch of the SpaceX Crew-12 mission to the International Space Station, active Navy commander was clean shaven when introduced as an astronaut candidate in 2021. But now he’s got what he calls a classic naval aviator mustache going on.

“The mustache is a lot of fun. The crew has enjoyed it,” he said Sunday during an interview from quarantine at Kennedy Space Center. “We’ve had a bunch of laughs about it. Some of out support staff, particularly our flight surgeons, have grown mustaches as well, in support and solidarity of my mustache.”

NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, Crew-12 pilot, arrives Friday, Feb. 6,... NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, Crew-12 pilot, arrives Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. (Kim Shiflett/NASA) Crew members of NASA's SpaceX Crew-12 mission, from left to... Crew members of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission, from left to right, Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway and Jessica Meir, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Sophie Adenot, participate in a news conference from Astronaut Crew Quarters inside the Neil A. Armstrong Operations and Checkout Building at Kennedy Space Center on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. (Kim Shiflett/NASA) The SpaceX Crew-12 crewmates, from left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev,... The SpaceX Crew-12 crewmates, from left, Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev, NASA astronaut and pilot Jack Hathaway, NASA astronaut and commander Jessica Meir and European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot, performed a launch day rehearsal at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 ahead of the planned launch aboard the Crew Dragon Freedom later in the week. (Courtesy/SpaceX)

1 of 3 NASA astronaut Jack Hathaway, Crew-12 pilot, arrives Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, at the Launch and Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center. (Kim Shiflett/NASA)

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Hathaway, his mustache, and three crewmates — commander and fellow NASA astronaut Jessica Meir, European Space Agency astronaut Sophie Adenot and Roscosmos cosmonaut Andrey Fedyaev — are set to lift off in the Crew Dragon Freedom atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 no earlier than Friday at 5:15 a.m. for an eight-month stay aboard the International Space Station. read more

Walmart buys land in Orlando tourism corridor once slated for AREA15

Walmart buys land in Orlando tourism corridor once slated for AREA15

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Walmart has continued its recent buying spree, scooping up prime real estate in the heart of Orlando’s tourism corridor where an immersive art and event center called AREA15 was once planned.

The company paid $35 million to Cornerstone Collard Vineland, LLC, a partnership between South Florida-based The Cornerstone Group and Winter Park-based Michael Collard Properties. The transaction closed last week, according to a report in GrowthSpotter.

Mariel Messier, with Global Communications at Walmart, said by email Friday: “We don’t have anything to share, right now.”

The 16.4-acre parcel Walmart bought is bordered by Interstate 4 to the west, a Cheesecake Factory restaurant on the north side, Regency Village Drive to the east and Lake Street on the south side. The land is well-located between Walt Disney World and Epic Universe near the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets, with easy access to I-4 via the new Daryl Carter Parkway interchange which opened in July.

Walmart has two supercenters within three miles of the site — to the south at 3250 Vineland Rd. in Kissimmee and the north at 8990 Turkey Lake Rd. in Orlando. read more

Orlando Gay Days ‘paused’ this year as sponsors bailed, group says

Orlando Gay Days ‘paused’ this year as sponsors bailed, group says

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Orlando GayDays, the summer celebration of diversity and gay pride that brings tens of thousands of LGBTQ+ visitors to Central Florida for parties, competitions and theme park meet-ups, won’t take place this year, event organizers announced in a Sunday post on Facebook.

“GayDays has been an important part of the community for many years and we understand the interest and concern,” event co-owner Josh Duke said in an email Monday to the Orlando Sentinel, confirming the cancellation of the event scheduled for June 2026 but calling it “a pause — not an ending.”

The social media announcement, first reported by Watermark, a news site focused on LGBTQ+ issues and communities, cited a number of issues including the loss of key sponsorship support that “made it impossible to deliver the experience our community deserves.” The group offered no specifics about any past sponsors who are not continuing.

“At this time, the situation is still developing,” Duke said.

In December, organizers billed this year’s celebration — the 35th — as “bigger, bolder and brighter than ever.” read more

What you need to know before making financial gifts

What you need to know before making financial gifts

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Christine Benz of Morningstar

If you have gifting to loved ones on your mind, here are some considerations related to taxes and logistics.

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Gifting logistics

Unless you’re writing a check from your bank account, the logistics of gifting funds can get a bit complicated.

If you want to gift from your IRA, your only option is to sell a chunk of it, then pay any taxes due, then write a check. That’s not terrible, so long as you understand the tax implications. IRA withdrawals are typically subject to ordinary income tax, along with penalties if you’re not yet 59½. You could also trigger some knock-on tax effects like the income-related monthly adjustment amount. In other words, gifting from your IRA isn’t as seamless as making a qualified charitable distribution from your IRA or naming someone as a beneficiary of your IRA. read more

Trial against Meta in New Mexico focuses on dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media

Trial against Meta in New Mexico focuses on dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media

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By MORGAN LEE, Associated Press

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — A trial focused on the dangers of child sexual exploitation on social media and whether Meta misrepresented the safety of its platforms began Monday in New Mexico with opening statements.

It’s the first stand-alone trial from state prosecutors in a stream of lawsuits against major social media companies, including Meta, over harm to children, and one that is likely to highlight explicit online content and its effects.

Prosecutors told a jury that Meta failed to disclose what it knew about harmful effects of its platform on children, in violation of state consumer protection laws. Meta also is accused of creating a public nuisance.

“The theme throughout this trial is going to be that Meta put profits over safety,” attorney Donald Migliori, representing the state of New Mexico in its suit against Meta. “Meta clearly knew that youth safety was not its corporate priority … that youth safety was less important than growth and engagement.” read more