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Good morning, Tallahassee! In today’s edition: World Athletics Cross Country Championships, Christa McAuliffe’s lost space lessons, a flamingo fundraiser tops $100k, and more. Let’s get to it!
— Cait Baker
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📰 In the news
Grassroots effort faces strain: Tallahassee nonprofit Lemondrop needs volunteers to keep 20 help shelves across Leon County stocked with donated bakery items. A volunteer shortage closed its clothing closet — see how to get involved.
Local fundraiser makes impact: The Flamingo Challenge raised over $100,000 for the TMH Foundation to support breast cancer patients. Businesses displayed pink flamingos and competed, with funds helping women pay for imaging and lodging — see how funds will help.
Economic forecast draws debate: The Office of Economic Vitality says a potential TMH FSU merger could generate over $3.64 billion and 900 jobs, as critics question data. The City Commission still needs to vote — read the full story.
Compare rates for free: The national average for car insurance is around $175 per month. Paying more than that? Same, so I did some shopping around and ended up cutting my premium in half. If you haven’t checked in a while, you’re probably overpaying too — here’s the comparison tool I used.
Protect your nest egg: Savvy investors are turning to gold amidst today’s inflation, national debt, and market uncertainty for a reason. It holds its value when everything else feels shaky. Case in point: it’s up ~62% since this month last year. If you’re curious about adding it and other precious metals to your portfolio, American Hartford has a super helpful guide that covers everything you need to know. It’s free, and definitely worth a read — check it out here.
*We do our best to avoid paywalled articles. If any slip through, let me know which ones and I’ll permanently remove them from our source list!
Highlights this week:
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🫶 We got your back
Global running stage set: The World Athletics Cross Country Championships will be in Tallahassee on January 10, the first time since 1992 the meet is on U.S. soil. Team USA’s 14 women include 2024 U.S. champ Kelati, plus three-time All-Americans, five collegians, one high schooler, and six from NC State. See who’s competing for Team USA.
Burrito night, upgraded: From al pastor and Campechano to a fiery Diablo and a solid vegan pick, La Tiendita Mexican Restaurant wraps burritos with confident, craveable flavor. House guac keeps things classic, and every bite lands like a midweek win.
IMAX and stars, anyone? Skip the couch and catch a laser show, an IMAX doc, or a planetarium trip at [Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee], the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering’s K-12 outreach spot with a space-mission simulator and curiosity-sparking programs for all ages.
Thinning hair? Same: I’ve been shedding a lot, and recently noticed my ponytail feeling thinner. After way too much panic-Googling, I discovered Keranique’s hair regrowth system. Everything with them is surprisingly easy: no quizzes, no pills, no choosing between dozens of products. Just grab the kit and follow the instructions. The best part? It’s $75 off right now, you’ll get three free gifts, AND you’ll get your money back if you don’t love the results.
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📆 Around town this weekend
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All events are subject to change without notice. Always check official event pages for the most up to date information.
🎉 Anniversary Weekend @ The Hub at Feather Oaks | Friday (1/9) at 3:00 PM – Celebrate Anniversary Weekend the way grownups prefer, with a tight live set from Rhythm Remedy, and a small army of food trucks. Maad Goat, E’s Weenies, Sabor Mexicano by Mayra, and 221 Bakery are rolling in, so skip cooking, embrace seconds.
🎤 Kpop: Demon Hunters Edition @ Skate World Center | Friday (1/9) at 5:00 PM – Roll into a K-pop sing and skate night, Demon Hunters style, with HUNTRIX. Ten bucks covers admission, rentals, prize chances, photo ops, and a costume contest, plus playground time for the littles; chaperones 25+ required, pre-buy for priority, glow face paint is five.
🏃 World Athletics Cross Country Championships 26 @ Apalachee Regional Park | Saturday (1/10) at 7:00 AM – Bring your cowbell, a sensible hat, and wander out to Apalachee Regional Park to watch the world’s best cross-country athletes tear up our trails. The championships are back in the U.S. for the first time in decades, so consider this our Super Bowl, but fit.
🐦 Welcoming Winter Hummingbirds @ Native Nurseries of Tallahassee | Saturday (1/10) at 10:00 AM – If you’ve waited for an excuse to brag about the backyard feeder, Tallahassee master bander Fred Dietrich is sharing slides on winter hummingbirds, plus spring’s ruby-throated cameo. It’s $5, phone registration only, limited seats, and call the nursery if a guest needs a bracelet.
🚀 Christa’s Lost Lessons SCIturday @ Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee | Saturday (1/10) at 12:00 PM – Second Saturday means SCIturday at the Challenger Learning Center, a free, family-friendly dive into teacher-astronaut Christa McAuliffe’s Lost Lessons with hands-on activities and chats. Curious kids, nostalgic parents, and a reminder that courage, curiosity, and good teaching never go out of style. No tickets required.
🔬 Combining Scientific Research & Communication @ Leroy Collins Leon County Main Public Library | Sunday (1/11) at 2:00 PM – Room B at the Main Library becomes Wakulla 101 as FSU’s Kellie Keys and Dr. Joel Trexler translate science into English, no jargon, no nap. Bonus, sign up for the free Waters of Wakulla driving tour, six mini-walks, park entry $6.
🐦 January 2026 Afternoon Birds & Brews @ Southwood Golf Club | Sunday (1/11) at 4:00 PM – Afternoons at Southwood mean birds first, beer after. Join the Audubon crew for an easy walk through Southwood’s Central Park and the golf course, loaner binoculars included, waivers and all, then toast your life list at the clubhouse. Register on Mobilize.
Wanna see more? Browse our full events calendar →
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📻 Tallahassee report
Weather forecast
Today – High: 75°F – Low: 57°F – Precip: 4%
Widespread fog before 11am. Mostly cloudy. High near 75, with temperatures falling to around 72 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph. Later: Areas of fog after midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57. Southeast wind 0 to 5 mph.
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Tomorrow – High: 77°F – Low: 60°F – Precip: 6%
Patchy fog before 8am. Partly sunny. High near 77, with temperatures falling to around 74 in the afternoon. Southeast wind 0 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Later: Partly cloudy, with a low around 60. South southeast wind around 5 mph.
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