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Jacksonville Beach admits city tech services have been hacked – Florida Politics

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Jacksonville Beach joins 2 other Florida cities that have had their tech services hacked within the past 5 years.

It appears Jacksonville Beach is the latest Florida municipality to suffer a cyberattack that hobbled city services.

The coastal community in Duval County shut down many of its city services and closed City Hall after information technology systems for the city of about 25,000 people mysteriously shut down.

Effective immediately, the City of Jacksonville Beach will shut down due to Information Systems issues, a statement said on the citys website.

Now, city officials have confirmed there was a breach of security for the Northeast Florida citys tech services.

We recently confirmed the issues are the result of a cybersecurity event. We are working to restore our systems and services as quickly as possible. As our investigation into this matter is ongoing, we are unable to provide further details at this time, said a statement on the Jacksonville Beach website just after 4 p.m. Tuesday.

This isnt the first time a Florida city had its municipal services interrupted by aggressive hackers. Two cities sustained cyberattacks within one month in 2019.

Lake City and Riviera Beach both had their services corrupted after aggressive hackers targeted their technological infrastructure five years ago. Both paid more than six figure ransom payments to hackers to get their cyber data returned to them.

Jacksonville Beach officials acknowledged they have contacted law enforcement officials and are conducting an investigation.

The development literally led to most city services coming to a halt in Jacksonville Beach. City Hall, all recreation and parks services and other associated services have been put on hold. Emergency services, waste collection and first responder services remain operational along with Beaches Energy, the electrical service.

Jacksonville Beach officials didnt estimate when full city services will return.

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Jacksonville Beach admits city tech services have been hacked - Florida Politics

SpaceX launches private Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the ISS (video) – Space.com

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SpaceX launched Northrop Grumman's robotic Cygnus spacecraft today (Jan. 30), sending the freighter and its 4 tons of cargo toward the International Space Station.

The Cygnus lifted off atop a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida today at 12:07 p.m. EST (1707 GMT).

The launch kicked off the 20th operational cargo mission for Cygnus. SpaceX was not involved in the previous 19; they all lifted off atop Antares or Atlas V rockets.

Related: Facts about Cygnus, Northrop Grumman's cargo ship

The Falcon 9's first stage returned to Earth as planned today, acing its touchdown at Cape Canaveral about 8 minutes and 20 seconds after launch. It was the 10th launch and landing for this particular booster, according to a SpaceX mission description.

The Cygnus, meanwhile, deployed from the Falcon 9's upper stage in low Earth orbit around 14 minutes and 45 seconds after launch. The freighter then began making its own way to the International Space Station (ISS).

If all goes according to plan, Cygnus will arrive at the orbiting lab at 4:20 a.m. EST (0920 GMT) on Thursday (Feb. 1). You can watch its rendezvous and docking activities live here at Space.com, courtesy of NASA.

Northrop Grumman named this Cygnus vehicle after Patty Hilliard Robertson, a NASA astronaut who died in a private plane crash in 2001. She was selected to the astronaut corps in 1998 and was supposed to fly to the ISS in 2002.

The freighter is packed with more than 8,200 pounds (3,720 kilograms) of supplies and scientific hardware. Among the research gear is a cartilage-growing experiment that could help address joint damage and disease here on Earth and a European Space Agency project that will test the 3D printing of metals in microgravity.

You can learn more about this cargo mission, called NG-20,via NASA's overview.

Cygnus will spend about six months docked to the ISS, then head back down for a fiery destruction in Earth's atmosphere.

One experiment aboard Cygnus, called the Kentucky Re-entry Probe Experiment-2, will gather data during this death dive, taking "measurements to demonstrate a thermal protection system for spacecraft and their contents during re-entry in Earth's atmosphere, which can be difficult to replicate in ground simulations," NASA officials wrote in their NG-20 mission overview.

Cygnus is one of three robotic cargo craft that currently service the ISS, along with SpaceX's Dragon capsule and Russia's Progress vehicle. Progress, like Cygnus, is an expendable spacecraft, but Dragon is reusable, surviving the trip through Earth's atmosphere and splashing down softly under parachutes in the ocean.

Editor's note: This story was corrected at 4:40 p.m. EST on Jan. 30 to state that Patty Hilliard Robertson was supposed to fly to the ISS in 2002 (rather than 2022, as originally written).

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SpaceX launches private Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the ISS (video) - Space.com

SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launches spacecraft to the International Space Station: All the best pictures – Wonderwall

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By Wonderwall.com Editors 7:10pm PST, Jan 31, 2024

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

The Falcon 9 rocket carried more than four tons of science gear, equipment and crew supplies including ice cream, fresh fruit and cheese on a two-day flight to the ISS. If all goes according to plan, the cargo ship will arrive at some point on Feb. 1.

Keep reading to see more of the best pictures of the launch

MORE:Follow Wonderwall on MSN for more fun celebrity & entertainment photo galleries and content

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

MORE: NASA unveils new supersonic aircraft: All the best pictures

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

The NG-20 mission is the 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter launches from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket carrying Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter vents gasses before launching from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

A SpaceX Falcon 9 booster rocket lands after launching with Northrop Grumman's 21st Cygnus cargo freighter from pad 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Jan. 30, 2024.

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SpaceX Falcon 9 successfully launches spacecraft to the International Space Station: All the best pictures - Wonderwall

SpaceX launches UF/IFAS microbiology experiment to ISS – University of Florida

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eating staph infections can be tricky in the best of times. But what happens if you get infected while in space?

Thats the scenario Kelly Rice, associate professor at the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, hopes to help understand. Rices experiment will be launched today, Jan. 30, to the International Space Station on a SpaceX rocket.

Staph, orStaphylococcus aureus, is a type of bacteria found in the nose or on the skin of up to 30% of humans, but under certain conditions, it can thwart a human bodys physical and immune defenses and cause severe infection. Staph infections can be particularly troublesome for people in close quarters, such as astronauts.

A previous study done by Rice and her colleagues found that the bacteria had the potential to be more dangerous to astronauts while in microgravity.

The current experiment will include growing the bacteria in enclosed canisters to better understand how microgravity affects expression of disease-spreading properties, how the bacteria grows and other factors.

We are grateful to NASA for the opportunity to study this bacteria, and the information gained may apply to other bacteria as well, Rice said. We hope that these results will help guide strategies to maintain astronaut health during long-term space flight missions.

This study was funded by a grant from the NASA Biological Sciences Divisions Space Biology Program.

Meredith Bauer January 30, 2024

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SpaceX launches UF/IFAS microbiology experiment to ISS - University of Florida

Cygnus Flies to International Space Station – Mirage News

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SpaceX

In this image from Jan. 30, 2024, an uncrewed Cygnus cargo spacecraft launches atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, starting its journey to the International Space Station. Launching from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Cygnus carries 8,200 pounds of science investigations and cargo to support dozens of research experiments. This is Northrop Grumman's 20th cargo flight to the orbiting laboratory.

Watch NASA+ for live coverage of Cygnus's approach to the space station on Feb. 1, 2024, beginning at 2:45 a.m. EST.

Image Credit: SpaceX

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Cygnus Flies to International Space Station - Mirage News

Watch SpaceX launch Cygnus cargo ship to space station – Olean Times Herald

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SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched a cargo resupply mission Tuesday to the International Space Station from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. #spacex #space #cygnus

Thumbnail source: Florida Today

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Experience the Launch of NASA’s SpaceX Crew-8 Mission – NASA

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Digital content creators are invited to register to attend the launch of the eighth SpaceX Dragon spacecraft and Falcon 9 rocket that will carry crew to the International Space Station for a science expedition mission. This mission is part of NASAs Commercial Crew Program.

The targeted launch date for the agencys SpaceX Crew-8 mission is no earlier than mid-February from Launch Complex 39A at NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch will carry NASA astronauts Matthew Dominick, commander; Michael Barratt, pilot; and mission specialist Jeanette Epps, as well as Roscosmos cosmonaut mission specialist Alexander Grebenkin, to the International Space Station to conduct a wide range of operational and research activities.

If your passion is to communicate and engage the world online, then this is the event for you! Seize the opportunity to see and share the #Crew8 mission launch.

A maximum of 50 social media users will be selected to attend this three-day event and will be given access similar to news media.

NASA Social participants will have the opportunity to:

NASA Social registration for the Crew-8 launch opens on Friday, Jan. 5, and the deadline to apply is at 3 p.m. EST Tuesday, Jan. 9. All social applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

APPLY NOW

Yes. This event is designed for people who:

Users on all social networks are encouraged to use the hashtag #NASASocial and #Crew8. Updates and information about the event will be shared on X via @NASASocial and @NASAKennedy, and via posts to Facebook and Instagram.

Registration for this event opens Friday, Jan. 5, and closes at 3 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 9. Registration is for one person only (you) and is non-transferable. Each individual wishing to attend must register separately. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Because of the security deadlines, registration is limited to U.S. citizens. If you have a valid permanent resident card, you will be processed as a U.S. citizen.

After registrations have been received and processed, an email with confirmation information and additional instructions will be sent to those selected. We expect to send the acceptance notifications on Jan. 17.

All social applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Those chosen must prove through the registration process they meet specific engagement criteria.

If you do not make the registration list for this NASA Social, you still can attend the launch offsite and participate in the conversation online. Find out about ways to experience a launch here.

Registration indicates your intent to travel to NASAs Kennedy Space Center in Florida and attend the three-day event in person. You are responsible for your own expenses for travel, accommodations, food, and other amenities.

Some events and participants scheduled to appear at the event are subject to change without notice. NASA is not responsible for loss or damage incurred as a result of attending. NASA, moreover, is not responsible for loss or damage incurred if the event is cancelled with limited or no notice. Please plan accordingly.

Kennedy is a government facility. Those who are selected will need to complete an additional registration step to receive clearance to enter the secure areas.

IMPORTANT: To be admitted, you will need to provide two forms of unexpired government-issued identification; one must be a photo ID and match the name provided on the registration. Those without proper identification cannot be admitted.

For a complete list of acceptable forms of ID, please visit: NASA Credentialing Identification Requirements.

All registrants must be at least 18 years old.

Many different factors can cause a scheduled launch date to change multiple times. If the launch date changes, NASA may adjust the date of the NASA Social accordingly to coincide with the new target launch date. NASA will notify registrants of any changes by email.

If the launch is postponed, attendees will be invited to attend a later launch date. NASA cannot accommodate attendees for delays beyond 72 hours.

NASA Social attendees are responsible for any additional costs they incur related to any launch delay. We strongly encourage participants to make travel arrangements that are refundable and/or flexible.

If you cannot come to the Kennedy Space Center and attend in person, you should not register for the NASA Social. You can follow the conversation online using #NASASocial.

You can watch the launch on NASA Television or http://www.nasa.gov/live. NASA will provide regular launch and mission updates on @NASA, @NASAKennedy, and @Commercial_Crew.

If you cannot make this NASA Social, dont worry; NASA is planning many other Socials in the near future at various locations! Check backherefor updates.

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Experience the Launch of NASA's SpaceX Crew-8 Mission - NASA

First Amendment claim struck down in Project Veritas case focused on diary of Biden’s daughter – POLITICO

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Project Veritas, founded in 2010, identifies itself as a news organization. It is best known for conducting hidden camera stings that have embarrassed news outlets, labor organizations and Democratic politicians.

In written arguments, lawyers for Project Veritas and OKeefe said the governments investigation seems undertaken not to vindicate any real interests of justice, but rather to stifle the press from investigating the Presidents family.

It is impossible to imagine the government investigating an abandoned diary (or perhaps the other belongings left behind with it), had the diary not been written by someone with the last name Biden, they added.

The judge rejected the First Amendment arguments, saying in the ruling that they were inconsistent with Supreme Court precedent. She also noted that Project Veritas could not claim it was protecting the identity of a confidential source from public disclosure after two individuals publicly pleaded guilty in the case.

She was referencing the August 2022 guilty pleas of Aimee Harris and Robert Kurlander to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property. Both await sentencing.

The pleas came two years after Harris and Kurlander two Florida residents who are not employed by Project Veritas discovered that Ashley Biden, the presidents daughter, had stored items including a diary at a friends Delray Beach, Florida, house.

They said they initially hoped to sell some of the stolen property to then-President Donald Trumps campaign, but a representative turned them down and told them to take the material to the FBI, prosecutors say.

Eventually, Project Veritas paid the pair $20,000 apiece to deliver the diary containing highly personal entries, a digital storage card with private family photos, tax documents, clothes and luggage to New York, prosecutors said.

Project Veritas was not charged with any crime. The group has said its activities were newsgathering and were ethical and legal.

Two weeks ago, Hannah Giles, chief executive of Project Veritas, quit her job, saying in a social media post she had stepped into an unsalvageable mess one wrought with strong evidence of past illegality and post financial improprieties. She said shed reported what she found to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Lichtman said in an email on behalf of Project Veritas and the people whose residences were raided: As for the continued investigation, the government isnt seeking any prison time for either defendant who claims to have stolen the Ashley Biden diary, which speaks volumes in our minds.

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First Amendment claim struck down in Project Veritas case focused on diary of Biden's daughter - POLITICO

Elon Musk Says CEO of Disney Should Be Fired, Seemingly for Hurting His Feelings

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X owner Elon Musk lashed out at Disney CEO Bob Iger on Thursday, tweeting that

Another day, another person of note being singled out by conspiracy theorist and X owner Elon Musk.

The mercurial CEO's latest target is Disney CEO Bob Iger, whose empire recently pulled out of advertising on Musk's much-maligned social media network.

Along with plenty of other big names in the advertising space, Disney decided to call it quits after Musk infamously threw his weight behind an appalling and deeply antisemitic conspiracy theory.

Instead of engaging in some clearly much-needed introspection, Musk lashed out at Iger this week, posting that "he should be fired immediately."

"Walt Disney is turning in his grave over what Bob has done to his company," he added.

To get a coherent answer as to why Musk made the demand takes some unpacking, so bear with us.

Musk implied that Disney was to blame for not pulling its ads from Meta, following a lawsuit alleging the much larger social media company had failed to keep child sexual abuse material (CSAM) off of its platform.

"Bob Eiger thinks it’s cool to advertise next to child exploitation material," Musk wrote, misspelling Iger's name, in response to a tweet that argued sex exploration material on Meta was "sponsored" by Disney. "Real stand up guy."

To be clear, Meta has an extremely well-documented problem with keeping disgusting CSAM off of its platforms. Just last week, the Wall Street Journal found that there have been instances of Instagram and Facebook actually promoting pedophile accounts, making what sounds like an already dangerous situation even worse.

At the end of the day, nobody's a real winner here. Iger's own track record is less-than-stellar, especially when it comes to Disney's handling of Florida's "Don't Say Gay" bill.

Yet in many ways, Musk is the pot calling the kettle black. Why? Because X-formerly-Twitter has its own considerable issue with CSAM. Especially following Musk's chaotic takeover last year, the New York Times found back in February that Musk is falling far short of making "removing child exploitation" his "priority number one," as he declared last year.

Since then, child abuse content has run rampant on the platform. Worse yet, in July the platform came under fire for reinstating an account that posted child sex abuse material.

Meanwhile, instead of taking responsibility for all of the hateful things he's said, Musk has attempted to rally up his base on X, arguing that advertisers were conspiring against him and his "flaming dumpster" of a social media company.

During last month's New York Times DealBook Summit, the embattled CEO accused advertisers of colluding to "blackmail" him "with advertising" — a harebrained idea that highlights his escalating desperation.

At the time, after literally telling advertisers to go "fuck" themselves, Musk took the opportunity to take a potshot at Iger as well.

"Hey Bob, if you're in the audience, that's how I feel," he added for emphasis. "Don't advertise."

More on the beef: Twitter Is in Extremely Deep Trouble

The post Elon Musk Says CEO of Disney Should Be Fired, Seemingly for Hurting His Feelings appeared first on Futurism.

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Elon Musk Says CEO of Disney Should Be Fired, Seemingly for Hurting His Feelings

DeSantiss Education Policies in Florida Drive Out Liberal-Leaning Professors – The New York Times

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Gov. Ron DeSantis had just taken office in 2019 when the University of Florida lured Neil H. Buchanan, a prominent economist and tax law scholar, from George Washington University.

Now, just four years after he started at the university, Dr. Buchanan has given up his tenured job and headed north to teach in Toronto. In a recent column on a legal commentary website, he accused Florida of open hostility to professors and to higher education more generally.

He is not the only liberal-leaning professor to leave one of Floridas highly regarded public universities. Many are giving up coveted tenured positions and blaming their departures on Governor DeSantis and his effort to reshape the higher education system to fit his conservative principles.

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‘TIS THE SEASON FOR STAR OF THE SEAS: ROYAL CARIBBEAN OPENS NEXT ICONIC VACATION – Royal Caribbean Press Center

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The Latest in the Lineup of the Worlds Best Vacations Debuts August 2025 in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida

MIAMI, Dec. 5, 2023 Its opening day for the next bold combination of every vacation. Royal Caribbean International revealed the first look at the latest in the best-selling Icon Class, Star of the Seas, and the vacations in store for every type of family and adventurer. Starting August 2025, vacationers can get away in a new way from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, with 7-night vacations to the Caribbean and the cruise lines top-rated private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas. Stars debut lineup is now open on Royal Caribbeans website, and Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members have special access to book today in advance of the official opening on Wednesday, Dec. 6.

Adventurers can island hop in style on the next iconic vacation while in the eastern or western Caribbean destinations and The Bahamas. The newly opened vacations feature idyllic locales like Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; Cozumel, Mexico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Roatan, Honduras; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Plus, on every getaway, vacationers can look forward to kicking back or going all out at Perfect Day at CocoCay. The cruise lines one-of-a-kind private island destination features everything from 13 waterslides to the largest freshwater pool in the Caribbean and The Bahamas, and the islands first adults-only oasis, Hideaway Beach (opening January 2024), with a private beach, pools and spots for drinks and bites, exclusive cabanas, live music and more.

On the heels of welcoming Icon of the Seas to the family two months before its January 2024 debut, Royal Caribbean is following up the historic response to the first in the Icon Class lineup by introducing the revolutionary combination of experiences to Port Canaveral (Orlando) for the first time. Star will feature the best of every vacation, from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure, across eight neighborhoods that are destinations in themselves, including Thrill Island, Chill Island, AquaDome, the tranquil oasis by day and vibrant hot spot at night; and the open-air Central Park. Between more than40 ways to dine and drink,cutting-edge entertainmentacross the cruise lines four signature stages air, ice, water and theater and a lineup of activities for adults, kids, teens and the whole family, everyone can make memories their way every day without compromise.

The Icon Class highlights coming to Star include the adrenaline-pumping thrills like Category 6 waterparks six record-breaking waterslides and Crown's Edge part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride as well as the unrivaled ways to chill across seven pools for every vibe and mood, including swim-up bar Swim & Tonic; Cloud 17, the adults-only retreat; and The Hideaways one-of-a-kind infinity pool suspended 135 feet above the ocean. And while families can spend time together and on their own adventures throughout Star, they can stay and play all day at Surfside. The neighborhood designed for young families features ways to splash for all ages, dedicated restaurants and even a bar The Lemon Post with a menu for the grownups and one for the kids. New experiences will also make their way to the latest in the worlds best family vacation lineup, which will be revealed at a later date.

With Star making its debut in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Royal Caribbean is doubling down on the revolutionary combination of every vacation that was first introduced on Icon and which continues to create unprecedented consumer demand. The two worlds best vacations in two of the worlds top travel destinations, Icon in Miami and Star in the greater Orlando area, will introduce an unparalleled lineup that mark the next bold moment in the new era of vacations and for Royal Caribbean.

Vacationers can explore all that has been revealed about Star to date on Royal Caribbeans website here.

About Royal Caribbean InternationalRoyal Caribbean International, owned by Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL), has been delivering innovation at sea for more than 50 years. Each successive class of ships is an architectural marvel that features the latest technology and guest experiences for todays adventurous traveler. The cruise line continues to revolutionize vacations with itineraries to 240 destinations in 61 countries on six continents, including Royal Caribbeans private island destination in The Bahamas, Perfect Day at CocoCay, the first in the Perfect Day Island Collection. Royal Caribbean has also been voted Best Cruise Line Overall for 20 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.

Media can stay up to date by following @RoyalCaribPR on X and visiting RoyalCaribbeanPressCenter.com. For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers can call their travel advisor; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

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December 2023 Debuting August 2025 in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, Royal Caribbean Internationals Star of the Seas is the next bold combination of every vacation from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure. Stars all-encompassing Icon Class lineup has experiences in store for every type of family and adventurer to make memories their way every day, without compromise.

December 2023 Debuting August 2025 in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, Royal Caribbean Internationals Star of the Seas is the next bold combination of every vacation from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure. Stars all-encompassing Icon Class lineup has experiences in store for every type of family and adventurer to make memories their way every day, without compromise.

December 2023 Debuting August 2025 in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, Royal Caribbean Internationals Star of the Seas is the next bold combination of every vacation from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure. Stars all-encompassing Icon Class lineup has experiences in store for every type of family and adventurer on 7-night vacations to the Caribbean and the cruise lines top-rated private island Perfect Day at CocoCay, The Bahamas.

October 2023 The next revolutionary combination of the best of every vacation is on the horizon. Royal Caribbean International will follow up the introduction of Icon of the Seas with the next Icon Class ship, Star of the Seas, in the summer of 2025.

December 2023 Royal Caribbean Internationals Icon and Star of the Seas, setting sail January 2024 and August 2025 respectively, mark a new era of vacations, with an unparalleled combination of the best of every vacation. From the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure, each vacations all-encompassing lineup has experiences for every type of family and adventurer to make memories without compromise.

December 2023 On Icon and Star of the Seas, adventurers are in for the ultimate thrill at the largest waterpark at sea, Category 6, in the new Thrill Island neighborhood. The six record-breaking slides reach new heights: Pressure Drop, the industry's first open free-fall slide; Frightening Bolt, the tallest drop slide at sea; Storm Surge and Hurricane Hunter, the first family raft slides with four riders per raft; and Storm Chasers, cruising's first mat-racing duo.

December 2023 On Iconand Star of the Seas, adventurers are in for the ultimate thrill at the largest waterpark at sea, Category 6, in the new Thrill Island neighborhood. The six record-breaking slides reach new heights, like Storm Surge, the first family raft slides with four riders per raft.

December 2023 Living life on the edge takes on a new meaning with Crown's Edge in the new Thrill Island on Icon and Star of the Seas. Part skywalk, part ropes course and part thrill ride, the adrenaline-pumping experience culminates in a surprising moment that will see vacationers swing 154 feet above the ocean.

December 2023 Chill Island's Swim & Tonic on Royal Caribbean's Icon and Star of the Seas is the vibrant swim-up bar where vacationers can have a sip and vibe to the DJ as they take a dip or kick back at the in-water loungers and tables.

December 2023 In the new Chill Island on Icon and Star of the Seas, there's a pool for every mood and each with prime ocean views. Of the seven pools, the four in this three-deck slice of paradise include Royal Caribbean's first swim-up bar at sea, Swim & Tonic; Royal Bay Pool, the largest pool at sea; and the adults-only retreat, Cloud 17.

December 2023 Vacationers looking for laidback vibes can head to Chill Island's serene, infinity-edge Cove Pool on Icon and Star of the Seas. With in-water loungers and more ways to chill, it's all about the endless blue skies and ocean views and making memories.

December 2023 Cloud 17 in the Chill Island neighborhood on Icon and Star of the Seas is an adults-only retreat, complete with endless ocean views and a dedicated bar, the signature Lime & Coconut.

December 2023 Tucked away on Icon and Star of the Seas, The Hideaway neighborhood combines the good vibes of beach club scenes around the world and uninterrupted ocean views. At the center of it all is the first suspended infinity pool at sea, surrounded by a multilevel terrace, whirlpools, a dedicated bar and a DJ.

December 2023 Perched at the top of Icon and Star of the Seas is the new AquaDome, a tranquil oasis by day and a vibrant hot spot by night. The transformational neighborhood is where guests can enjoy wraparound ocean views, a 55-foot-tall water curtain, restaurants, bars and the cruise line's marquee aqua shows at the next-level AquaTheater.

December 2023 In the reimagined Royal Promenade neighborhood on Icon and Star of the Seas is Royal Caribbean's largest and boldest ice arena, Absolute Zero. Every seat is the best seat in the house to watch cutting-edge technology and Olympic-level ice skaters merge to bring showstopping entertainment to life.

December 2023 The lineup of Sunset Suites on Icon and Star of the Seas is a new take on broadening horizons. Vacationers can enjoy every day's hues from inside or out while on their bed that faces the ocean and from their expansive balcony, including a wraparound balcony in the Sunset Corner Suite.

December 2023 In the Infinite Grand Suites on Icon andStar of the Seas,vacationers can unwind at their home away from home with stunning views from a living area that transforms into an extended open-air escape at the push of a button.

December 2023 The Panoramic Ocean View suites and rooms on Icon and Star of the Seas are among the best seats in the house. Vacationers can unwind at their home away from home with stunning perspectives of the sea, sky and destinations, thanks to wall-to-wall and floor-to-ceiling windows.

December 2023 The Family Infinite Balconies on Icon and Star of the Seas welcomes families of up to six to make memories together and find me time all the same. The spacious room features a separate bunk alcove for kids, a split bathroom design and an infinite balcony a living space that transforms into an extended open-air escape at the push of a button.

December 2023 Vacationers can leave compromise at the door in the Surfside Family Suites on Icon and Star of the Seas. Nestled in the Surfside family neighborhood, the rooms welcome a family of up to four guests. There's a cozy kids alcove, which transforms into a living space for all, along with a private balcony and Royal Suite Class perks.

December 2023 The Family Infinite Balconies on Icon and Star of the Seas invite families of up to six to make memories together and find me time all the same. The spacious room features a separate bunk alcove for kids, decked out with TVs, beds and space to hang out, a split bathroom design and an infinite balcony that turns into an open-air scape at the push of a button.

December 2023 Icon and Star of the Seas will feature the new Ultimate Family Townhouse. Spanning three levels, the perfect home away from home for families features an in-suite slide, a cinema space, karaoke, two balconies, a private entrance to the ultimate family neighborhood, Surfside, and more.

December 2023 Icon and Star of the Seas will debut the first Ultimate Family Townhouse. Spanning three levels, the perfect home away from home for families includes an in-suite slide, a cinema space, karaoke, a spacious balcony, a private patio and entrance to the ultimate family neighborhood, Surfside.

December 2023 Icon and Star of the Seas will debut the first Ultimate Family Townhouse. Spanning three levels, the perfect home away from home for families includes an in-suite slide, a cinema space, karaoke, a spacious balcony, a private patio and entrance to the ultimate family neighborhood, Surfside.

December 2023 Icon and Star of the Seas will debut the first Ultimate Family Townhouse. Spanning three levels, the perfect home away from home for families includes an in-suite slide, a cinema space, karaoke, a spacious balcony, a private patio and entrance to the ultimate family neighborhood, Surfside.

December 2023 The two-level Royal Loft Suite on board Icon and Star of the Seas is the ultimate in luxury. With more than 2,000 square feet, up to six vacationers can make kick back with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, a wraparound balcony with a whirlpool, a dining area and expansive ocean views.

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'TIS THE SEASON FOR STAR OF THE SEAS: ROYAL CARIBBEAN OPENS NEXT ICONIC VACATION - Royal Caribbean Press Center

SpaceX, Space Force set to launch secretive X-37B space plane on Dec. 10 – Space.com

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The U.S. Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane is just about ready to take flight for the seventh time.

The Space Force and SpaceX "are making final preparations" for the planned Sunday evening (Dec. 10) launch of the robotic X-37B, Space Force officials said in an emailed update today (Dec. 7).

The space plane is scheduled to lift off atop a Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida during a 10-minute window that opens at 8:14 p.m. EST (0114 GMT on Dec. 11). If SpaceX webcasts the launch as expected, you'll be able to watch the action live here at Space.com.

Related: SpaceX will launch the Space Force's mysterious X-37B space plane on a Falcon Heavy rocket

The Space Force is believed to possess two X-37B vehicles, both of which were built by Boeing. The space planes look a lot like NASA's old space shuttle orbiters, but they're much smaller; both X-37Bs could fit inside the payload bay of a single space shuttle.

The two X-37Bs have flown a total of six missions to date, each one longer and more ambitious than the last. The most recent one, known as OTV-6 (Orbital Test Vehicle-6), touched down in November 2022 after circling Earth for 908 days.

It's unclear how long the coming flight, OTV-7, will last; the Space Force releases few details about X-37B missions, as most of their payloads are classified. Some of this gear is likely to be novel reconnaissance instruments; military officials have long said that the X-37B is used primarily as a testbed for new technologies.

But the X-37B carries up some civilian research cargo as well. For example, one of the unclassified experiments going up on OTV-7 is Seeds-2, a NASA project that will test how seeds are affected by long-term exposure to space radiation.

The first five X-37B missions launched atop United Launch Alliance Atlas V rockets, and the most recent one flew aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9. OTV-7 will be the first to use the powerful Falcon Heavy.

The Heavy has eight missions under its belt to date. It last launched in October, sending NASA's Psyche spacecraft toward the bizarre metal asteroid of the same name.

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SpaceX launches its 90th orbital mission of the year (video) – Space.com

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SpaceX launched yet another batch of its Starlink internet satellites to orbit early Thursday morning (Dec. 7).

A Falcon 9 rocket topped with 23 Starlink spacecraft lifted off from Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 12:07 a.m. EST (0507 GMT), on SpaceX's 90th orbital mission of 2023.

Related: Starlink satellite train: How to see and track it in the night sky

As to plan, the rocket's first stage came back to Earth for a vertical landing about 8.5 minutes after launch. It touched down on the SpaceX droneship "Just Read the Instructions," which was stationed in the Atlantic Ocean off the Florida coast.

It was the ninth launch and landing for this particular booster, according to the mission description.

The 23 Starlink satellites, meanwhile, were set to deploy from the Falcon 9's upper stage into low Earth orbit about 65 minutes after liftoff.

Starlink is SpaceX's huge and ever-growing broadband megaconstellation, which beams internet service down to people around the world. The network currently consists of more than 5,100 active satellites, according to astrophysicist and satellite tracker Jonathan McDowell.

SpaceX extends its flight-cadence record with every liftoff these days. The company's previous annual mark, 61 launches, was set last year. But we should expect even more spaceflight action next year: SpaceX representatives have said they're shooting for 144 launches in 2024.

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‘A long time coming’: Sports betting, craps and roulette debut in Florida, bringing gamblers, celebrities to Seminole … – South Florida Sun Sentinel

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The first dice were rolled, wheels spun and wagers placed as craps, roulette and in-person sports betting officially launched in Florida on Thursday.

The day began with an elaborate ceremony at the Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood featuring drumming, feathered dancers and cockatoos, and ended with the inaugural sports bet at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, where Mike Tyson, Rick Ross and other celebrities announced their picks.

Tyson bet on the Dolphins, saying, theyre going to win because I said so.

But for the Seminoles, Thursday was also a serious affair. It marked a turning point amid ongoing legal battles and another example of the tribes continued prosperity despite the obstacles thrown in its path.

Theres been a lot of Seminole Wars, said Chris Osceola, a tribal councilman who represents Hollywood, in a speech in one of Classic Casinos slot machine-filled rooms Thursday morning. And to me this is no different.

He was referring to the lawsuits that have sought to stop the gaming compact between the state of Florida and the Seminole Tribe since the agreement was signed in 2021. The agreement gave the tribe the authority to launch mobile and in-person sports betting, as well as craps and roulette, at all of its casinos.

After the agreement was signed, Osceola recalled leaving Tallahassee hooting and cheering over what was to come. Then the lawsuits arrived, forcing the tribe to a halt.

Finally, last month, both the U.S. Supreme Court and Florida Supreme Court ruled against suspending the compact while two cases continue, opening a tentative door for Thursdays launch. The Florida case could see a conclusion as soon as this month, but that didnt seem to deter anyone.

Once again, the tribe has prevailed, Hard Rock Chairman Jim Allen told the South Florida Sun Sentinel ahead of the ceremony Thursday. And we mean that with a very humble mindset.

Critics of the compact, including the betting companies challenging it in court, have argued that it gives the already powerful tribe an unfair monopoly on sports betting. The tribe and its executives, including Allen, have given millions of dollars to Gov. DeSantis, including tens of thousands towards his presidential campaign.

But on Thursday, tribe officials described their success as championing over adversity.

Were going to create dreams for our great grandchildren of tomorrow, to live a better life than we live, said Seminole Tribe Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. in his speech. Thats a dream for each and every one of us in this world, is to have better for our children than what we had.

Local gamblers who also had waited for this day to arrive joined celebrities and members of the tribe at the Classic Casino about 10 a.m., then had to wait again for the ceremony to conclude before they could crowd around the new craps and roulette tables. Some said they had already begun sports betting on the new app; others were waiting for it to arrive in person.

Its been a long time coming, said Eric Sonnabend as he threw $400 on the newly inaugurated craps table Thursday, the first real game of the day.

Moments prior, Osceola Jr. had taken the first dice out of a white satin box at that table and rolled an eleven.

Sonnabend was waiting for craps to start in Florida so he didnt have to travel to Vegas to play, something he does often. As others joined him at the table, he became a sort of impromptu teacher, explaining the rules.

The convenience and lack of a need to leave Florida was a common theme among officials and attendees, including Miami Marlins coach Jon Jay, who echoed Sonnabends sentiments.

I dont have to go to Vegas anymore, he said.

The date of Thursdays launch was fitting, Osceola Jr. said. Nearly 44 years ago to the date, the tribes bingo hall opened where the Seminole Classic is today in December 1979 after the Broward Sheriffs Office threatened to shut it down, he said. The tribe had filed a lawsuit challenging the sheriffs authority and won.

For the Seminoles, guarding the monopoly on its most important income source might seem like a necessity as some Indian reservations have struggled to compete with major betting companies in other states.

Wed like to recycle the money here in the state of Florida with our people, Osceola said towards the end of his speech. Keep it here, not let it leave.

Other speakers included Holly Tiger, the vice-chairwoman of the tribal council and president of its board of directors, Mariann Billie, the councilwoman representing Big Cypress, and Larry Howard, the councilman representing Brighton.

Officials are optimistic that neither court case will force the tribe to reverse Thursdays launch, which involved hiring hundreds of new employees, rolling in dozens of roulette and craps tables and installing sports betting kiosks throughout all Seminole casinos.

We certainly believe in the legal theory that weve worked out prior to signing the compact, Allen said. We didnt just sign this on a whim; we did a lot of research.

The case before the Florida Supreme Court centers around mobile sports betting, he added, and even if the court decided against the tribe, he believes about 80 percent of the scope would remain, including all the new tables and dealers.

Thursdays crowds didnt only include gambling aficionados. Bill Condoulis moved to Hollywood from Brooklyn two years ago, so the casinos are in his neighborhood. He used to gamble in Atlantic City, though he doesnt consider himself a gambler, he said. He goes once a month because its nearby and allows himself to bet $500.

Similar launch ceremonies took place Thursday at the Coconut Creek casino about 1 p.m. and the Hard Rock in Hollywood about 4:30 p.m., concluding with the ceremonial sports bets, where select celebrities and tribe officials clutched golden tickets that read first bet.

Osceola Jr. bet on the Florida State Seminoles; Brooks Nader, a Sports Illustrated cover model, went with the Marlins for the World Series in 2024, and Ross went with the Miami Heat. By 6 p.m., the sports betting kiosks had fully opened to the public.

As players waited impatiently, dealers adjusted to the real-life game for the first time. Rebeca Ynde, who lives in Tamarac, became a dealer only a year ago. She handled the ceremonial roulette spin in the Classic Casino, also her first live game, doling thousands out to tribe officials as the crowd watched. Afterwards, she said she was a good nervous.

Later in the day at the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood, a newly-minted craps dealer spoke casually with Gloria and Emilio Estefan, asking them if theyd stick around to play later, though they had to leave for the red carpet.

Other employees at the Thursdays ceremonies had been around for decades.

Sharon Carrero, 65, received a special shout-out in the morning for spending close to 44 years as an employee at the Classic Casino, beginning as a bingo clerk when it was just a bingo hall in the 1980s.

Carrero saw the Classic Casino go through all of its evolutions, but in some ways, Thursday was the last frontier, she said. Its come full circle.

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'A long time coming': Sports betting, craps and roulette debut in Florida, bringing gamblers, celebrities to Seminole ... - South Florida Sun Sentinel

Seminole Tribe & Celebs launch gaming revolution: Craps, Roulette, Sports Betting at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & … – Travel And Tour World

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Home AMERICA Seminole Tribe & Celebs launch gaming revolution: Craps, Roulette, Sports Betting at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos

Saturday, December 9, 2023

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The inauguration of craps, roulette, and sports betting at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek, and Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood marks the dawn of a New Era in Florida Gaming, as proclaimed by leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida alongside prominent celebrities.

Celebrities such as Jon Bon Jovi, Bruno Mars, Tisto, Heather Graham, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Diplo, Cedric Gervais, Mike Tyson, Dwyane Wade, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Sarah Hyland, Willy Chirino, Max Weinberg, Bobbi Althoff, and SI Swimsuit Cover Model Brooks Nader graced the red carpet at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood. Many of them participated in the inaugural moments of craps, roulette, and retail sports betting.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is hosting a series of mega-events to celebrate the introduction of these new games, including a one-time pop-up dining experience featuring the renowned Carbone restaurant by chef Mario Carbone, paying homage to New Yorks great Italian-American culinary traditions.

Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr., other members of the Seminole Tribal Council, and Seminole Gaming CEO and Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen led a commemorative ceremony at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. Similar ceremonies took place at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood.

The advent of these new games is attributed to the Gaming Compact signed and approved by the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida in 2021. Craps, roulette, and sports betting now join blackjack, baccarat, and other casino card games, along with thousands of the latest slot machines, forming a comprehensive array of casino offerings across all six Seminole Casinos in Florida.

Chairman Osceola expressed pride in the Seminole Tribe of Florida, noting, With the addition of craps, roulette, and sports betting, we now offer a full complement of casino games and join the ranks of leading casinos around the world. Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen highlighted the positive economic impact on entertainment, travel, tourism industries, and beyond, anticipating increased tourism to Florida and boosted employment in the areas surrounding Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood and other Seminole Gaming-operated casinos throughout the state.

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Seminole Tribe & Celebs launch gaming revolution: Craps, Roulette, Sports Betting at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & ... - Travel And Tour World

Seminole Tribe of Florida and Dozens of Celebrities Usher in a "New Era" in Florida Gaming as Craps, Roulette and … – PR Newswire

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Celebrities at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Include Jon Bon Jovi, Bruno Mars, Tisto, Heather Graham, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Diplo, Cedric Gervais, Mike Tyson, Dwyane Wade, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Sarah Hyland, Willy Chirino, Max Weinberg, Bobbi Althoff, and SI Swimsuit Cover Model Brooks Nader

Introduction of new games is a historic milestone that immediately puts Floridain the same league as the world's great gaming destinations

Editor's Note:Download event images at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood HEREand video b-roll HERE

HOLLYWOOD,Fla., Dec. 8, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --Leaders of the Seminole Tribe of Florida and major celebrities have ushered in a "New Era" in Florida Gaming with the launch of craps, roulette and sports betting at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood.

Jon Bon Jovi, Bruno Mars, Tisto, Heather Graham, Gloria and Emilio Estefan, Diplo, Cedric Gervais, Mike Tyson, Dwyane Wade, Fat Joe, Rick Ross, Sarah Hyland, Willy Chirino, Max Weinberg, Bobbi Althoff, and SI Swimsuit Cover Model Brooks Nader walked the red carpet at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, with many of the celebrities on hand for the first roll of craps dice, the first spin of the roulette wheel and the first retail sports bet.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is hosting a combination of mega-events to celebrate the new games. Among them is a one-time pop-up dining experience of the legendary Carbone restaurant. Created by renowned chef Mario Carbone, the pop-up restaurant pays homage to many of New York's great Italian-American restaurants.

Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman Marcellus Osceola Jr. and other members of the Seminole Tribal Council, plus Seminole Gaming CEO and Hard Rock International Chairman Jim Allen led a ceremony at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood to commemorate the start of the new games. Similar first roll and first spin ceremonies were held at Seminole Casino Coconut Creek and Seminole Classic Casino in Hollywood.

The new games were made possible by the Gaming Compact signed and approved by the Seminole Tribe and the State of Florida in 2021. They join blackjack, baccarat and other casino card games, plus thousands of the latest slot machines, to round out a full complement of casino games at all six Seminole Casinos in Florida.

"The Seminole Tribe of Florida is proud to point to a new era in Florida gaming with the unveiling of our new casino games," said Chairman Osceola. "With the addition of craps, roulette and sports betting, we now offer a full complement of casino games and we join the ranks of leading casinos around the world."

"The entertainment, travel and tourism industries, and many more, will see positive economic impact caused by the new casino games," said Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen. "They will increase tourism to Florida and boost employment not only at Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood, but also at businesses in the areas surrounding this casino complex and others operated by Seminole Gaming throughout Florida."

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is the flagship-integrated resort of Hard Rock International, owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The renowned entertainment, gaming and hospitality destination unveiled a $1.5 billion expansion in 2019, highlighting the debut of the world's first and only Guitar Hotel. Between three hotel towers, the resort boasts 1,271 luxury guestrooms. Amenities include a 42,000 square-foot Rock Spa & Salon; an 18-acre recreational water experience; private "Bora Bora" style cabanas; more than 20 food and beverage outlets; an expansive gaming floor with more than 2,700 slots, more than 200 table games and a 45-table poker room; 120,000 square feet of premier meeting and convention space; and a 26,000 square-foot retail promenade. Hard Rock Live, ranked No. 5 worldwide in 2022 gross revenue for both Pollstar Magazine and Billboard in its respective categories, highlights A-list entertainers and performers, sporting events and live broadcast productions in an intimate 7,000-person capacity setting. Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is located on 87 acres of the Hollywood Seminole Reservation along State Road 7 (U.S. Highway 441). For more information, visit us online at seminolehardrockhollywood.comcall 1 (800) 937-0010 or follow us: Facebook: SeminoleHardRockHollywood, X: @HardRockHolly, Instagram: @HardRockHolly.

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Seminole Tribe of Florida and Dozens of Celebrities Usher in a "New Era" in Florida Gaming as Craps, Roulette and ... - PR Newswire