Mick's Morning News- Wednesday

Hurricane Melissa Makes Landfall In Jamaica As Cat 5 Storm

(Miami, FL) -- Hurricane Melissa slams Jamaica as a Category 4 storm. Forecasters expect it to unleash life-threatening floods, several feet of rain, and landslides. It's currently packing maximum sustained winds of 150 miles per hour, making Melissa one of the most powerful hurricanes to make landfall in the Atlantic Basin. Along the Florida coast, folks can expect high wind, rain, and dangerous beach conditions. 

Volusia County Sheriff's Office Using AI For Non-Emergency Calls

(DeLand, FL) -- The Volusia County Sheriff's Office credits a new tool for increased efficiency. An AI system called Ava has been handling non-emergency phone calls for the last couple months. Ava asks callers the same questions a dispatcher would, and if it considers the call to be an emergency, the call is redirected to 9-1-1. The VCSO says Ava has successfully handled over 98 percent of all non-emergency calls. Sheriff Mike Chitwood tells Fox 35 that Ava is not frustrating to use, and it makes dispatchers better and more accurate. 

Frankel, Wasserman Schultz Criticize Trump For Freezing SNAP Benefits

(Washington, FL)-- Denying SNAP benefits to those in need is about as cruel as you can get. That's what Democratic Congresswoman Lois Frankel said recently about the withholding of food assistance benefits. Unless the federal government reopens by November 1st, SNAP benefits will be frozen for about three-million people across the state. Democratic Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz says President Trump can release up to six-billion dollars in contingency funds, but, so far, he has refused to do so. She tells the South Florida Sun Sentinel food assistance shouldn't be an issue at all.

Woman Sues SeaWorld After Getting Hit By Duck

(Orlando, FL) -- An encounter with a duck is the subject of a lawsuit against SeaWorld Orlando. Orange County's Hillary Martin sued the theme park Monday over an incident seven months ago. She says she was riding the Mako roller coaster when a duck flew into her, knocked her unconscious and caused permanent injuries and mental suffering. Martin is seeking 50-thousand dollars in damages. She claims SeaWorld created a zone of danger by putting the ride over or near a body of water and creating a higher risk of bird strikes. 

Dr. Seuss Manuscript To Be Published In 2026

(Undated) -- Fans of Dr. Seuss can expect the release of a newly discovered manuscript next year. The manuscript features the "Cat in the Hat" and "Sing the 50 United States," and it will be published by Random House Children's Books on June 2nd, just in time for America's 250th anniversary. The manuscript was found earlier this year in archival materials at the Geisel Library at the University of California, San Diego and the beloved author also left behind a cover sketch and notes on the overall art direction.

Today in History

2012, Hurricane Sandy left death and destruction in several Northeastern states, including New York and New Jersey.

1998, 77-year-old Senator John Glenn blasted off back into space aboard the Space Shuttle Discovery, 36-years after he blazed the trail for American astronauts. 

1969, the U.S. Supreme Court ordered an end to all school segregation "at once."