SUMMARY: Florida’s Gulf Coast health care facilities are gearing up for Hurricane Milton, anticipated to be one of the strongest storms in years, making landfall near Tampa. Following mandatory evacuations, long-term care facilities are relocating patients. A record 300 health facilities have evacuated, with hospitals prepared to remain operational, stocking supplies and utilizing emergency protocols. Tampa General Hospital has implemented flood defenses, while Sarasota Memorial plans to shelter 4,000 individuals. Health officials emphasize preparedness, recognizing the storm’s potential to disrupt already strained systems, especially for vulnerable populations reliant on at-home care and dialysis services amidst the evacuation crisis.

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SUMMARY: Orlando’s tourism is facing disruptions as Hurricane Milton approaches, prompting major theme parks like Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando, and SeaWorld to announce closures. These parks will shut down on Wednesday, with Universal also canceling Halloween Horror Nights. Additionally, Orlando International Airport will cease operations Wednesday morning. Visitors, such as the Downs family from Arkansas, are reconsidering their trips amidst the impending storm. While Disney parks rarely close, their hotels often serve as safe havens for those evacuating from coastal areas. Previous hurricanes have shown that parks quickly work to restore normal operations after storms pass.

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SUMMARY: Starting in April, the cost to play Mega Millions will increase from $2 to $5 per ticket. Lottery officials believe players will welcome this change due to expected larger prizes and improved jackpot odds. The aim is to attract more players and provide more funding for state lotteries, which support various government services. This change comes amid declining ticket sales and attempts to differentiate Mega Millions from Powerball while maintaining interest in both games. Officials noted that consumers are comfortable spending $5 on lottery tickets, as seen with scratch-off games. More details about these changes will be revealed soon.

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