The Cool Hand Behind The Panthers' Ice

In the scorching heat of South Florida, a unique profession thrives, one that requires precision, patience, and a passion for ice. Graham Caplinger, one of only 32 NHL ice technicians, has spent 32 years perfecting his craft, with 20 of those years dedicated to the Florida Panthers. As he approaches his 20th anniversary with the team, Caplinger shares with WPTV Anchor Mike Trim the intricacies of his role and the growth of hockey enthusiasm in the region.

The ideal temperature for the ice, a crucial factor in Caplinger's work, is a mere 60 degrees. However, achieving and maintaining this temperature in South Florida poses significant challenges. The opening and closing of crowd-filled doors, humidity, and dew points all impact the delicate balance of the ice's temperature. Fortunately, advances in equipment over the past three decades have made Caplinger's job more manageable.

A five-member crew assists Caplinger in his duties, which include maintaining the boards and glass surrounding the ice, as well as operating the Zamboni machine that cleans and shaves the ice before adding more water. The process of creating the ice begins in August, with the refrigerating unit cooling the arena's concrete floor to 15 degrees.

SUNRISE, Fla. — Florida Panthers games don't happen without ice— and the ice doesn't happen with Graham Caplinger.

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National Parks To Remain Partially Open During Government Shutdown

As the government shutdown looms, Americans are left wondering what services will remain operational. National parks, a staple of American recreation, will not be entirely closed. Instead, they will be partially open, albeit with significant limitations. More than 60% of federal park employees are expected to be furloughed, according to the Interior Department's contingency plan.

This drastic reduction in staffing will undoubtedly impact the overall visitor experience. Basic services such as restroom cleaning and trash collection will continue, thanks to recreation fees. Some national park services may receive funding from state, local, or tribal governments, pending approval. However, parks without publicly accessible areas will be closed during the shutdown.

Buildings requiring staffing, including visitor centers, permit offices, gift shops, and park-managed concessions, will also be closed. USA TODAY reports that the Interior Department has outlined these measures in a contingency plan. The plan aims to strike a balance between maintaining some level of service and mitigating the effects of the shutdown on national parks.

The decision to partially open national parks during the shutdown is a departure from past government shutdowns. In 2013, national parks remained open, while in 2018, they were completely closed.

While some services Floridians rely on such as Social Security , veterans benefits and mail delivery will continue, what happens to national parks?

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The Mysterious Disappearance Of Fisher In The Florida Swamp

In the swampy depths of Florida, a mystery had unfolded, like a tantalizing thread pulled from the fabric of reality. A woman, identified as Fisher, had vanished, leaving behind only whispers and worry. Her disappearance was shrouded in an impenetrable veil of uncertainty, as detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division embarked on a quest to unravel the tangled skein of her fate.

On September 30, 2025, the St. Lucie County deputies received a distressing report: a vehicle had careened off the canal bank and into the water, near the intersection of Indrio Road and Johnston Road. The authorities arrived at the scene, only to find the car abandoned, with no sign of Fisher. The search for her began in earnest, with the sheriff's office deploying an array of resources - the Aviation Unit, Drone Team, Dive Team, and K-9 Unit - to scour the area.

As investigators pored over the fragments of Fisher's last known movements, they discovered that she had planned to stay at an Airbnb for two nights, but the location of this temporary refuge remained a mystery.

Detectives from the Criminal Investigations Division are continuing to investigate as part of this ongoing investigation.

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Tropical System May Bring Rain And Thunderstorms To Florida This Weekend

A tropical system might brew near Florida, casting a soggy shadow over the region this weekend. As Hurricane Imelda dissipated into a post-tropical cyclone, forecasters shifted their attention to two potential disturbances in the Atlantic. One of these systems, located near South Florida and the southwestern Bahamas, had a 10% chance of developing into a tropical entity within the next two to seven days.

This fledgling system was expected to meander northwestward across Florida and into the Gulf, bringing with it an increased threat of rain and thunderstorms. The National Weather Service Miami warned of showers and thunderstorms erupting every afternoon and evening from Thursday through Sunday. A slight risk of excessive rainfall loomed over South Florida for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, potentially causing localized flooding in urban areas.

Residents in east coast metro areas could expect 2-3 inches of rain through Sunday morning, with isolated areas possibly seeing 4-6 inches. AccuWeather's Hurricane Expert Alex DaSilva cautioned that the western Caribbean and southern Gulf warranted close monitoring due to exceptionally high ocean heat content. The information in this article was first published in "Sun Sentinel".

Hurricane Imelda weakened into a strong post-tropical cyclone Thursday while forecasters monitored two other potential tropical systems in the ...

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Arts Festival Announces 2026 Lineup With Eclectic Mix Of Artists

Author comments from Sun Sentinel:

The Okeechobee Music & Arts Festival is set to make a triumphant return to Sunshine Grove after a two-year hiatus, with a lineup that nods to its original eclectic vibe. The festival, scheduled for March 19-22, 2026, will feature a diverse array of performers, including Americana duo The Lumineers, electronic music flagbearer Fisher, and multigenre vocalist T-Pain. The Lumineers, known for their foot-stomping, guitar-driven sound, top the bill alongside Fisher, who has built a reputation as a master of melodic basslines.

T-Pain, a pioneer of the hip-hop genre, will bring his signature blend of rap and R&B to the festival. Other notable acts include indie-rockers Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Young the Giant, and Flipturn, as well as the jammy Philly quartet The Disco Biscuits. The festival will also feature a range of DJs and EDM artists, including GRiZ and Alison Wonderland. Rising rapper BigXthaPlug will make his Okeechobee debut, adding to the festival's reputation as a launching pad for emerging talent.

After a two-year hiatus, the Okeechobee Music ⁘ Arts Festival is on its way back to lake-adjacent Sunshine Grove on March 19-22, with a lineup that ...

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Florida Lawmakers To Consider Bill Making It Easier For Places Of Worship To Hire Armed Security

The current proposal, sponsored by State Senator Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola), would waive several licensing and training requirements for armed security volunteers to serve at places of worship. "So that we could even help to try to stop the bleeding and to try to administer first aid until an EMT would get there," said Tomlinson.

Gaetz told Action News Jax his goal is to make security more accessible and affordable, especially for smaller congregations. Here's one of the sources related to this article: Check here

7 Free, Fun Things To Do On The Space Coast For Sept. 26-Oct. 2

Due to potential changes and cancellations, we encourage you to check with presenting organizations about the status of their events.   Famous Faces and Funnies, 3540 W. New Haven Ave., Melbourne, hosts a cosplay and costume swap meet at noon on Sunday, Sept. 28. Sell, trade, network or just hang with cosplay artists and enthusiasts.

Bring your own table and chairs. Admission is free. Visit facebook.com/FFFComics or famousfacesandfunnies.com . The Space Coast Weavers and Fiber Artists will present a program on Kawandi quilting at the Merritt Island Public Library, 1195 N. Courtenay Pkwy, at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 27. Kawandi quilts are a type of patchwork quilt traditionally made by the Siddi community India.

The traditional quilts are created using scraps of fabric, often from old clothing, and are characterized by their layered, appliquéd construction and the use of a running stitch. Judith Love Schwab will demonstrate the technique followed by a hands-on workshop. Admission is free, but bring your own materials and tools.

Visit spacecoastweaversandfiberartists.org . Are you planning a community entertainment event?  Email  tgif@floridatoday.com  at least three weeks in advance for consideration for the Things to Do roundup. You might also find this interesting: Check here