Good morning, Tallahassee.

An ice cream eating contest for National Ice Cream Day is scheduled for Sunday in Tallahassee — children and adults join for free at 2:30 p.m. with the contest starting at 3 p.m. and prizes awarded in three divisions.

Good Time Charlie's Cajun Cafe returns as a Tallahassee food truck led by Susan Conner, who revives original Cajun recipes such as gumbo + red beans.

The mobile kitchen will serve local customers a taste of Cajun tradition.

Florida's back-to-school sales tax holiday runs from July 20 to Aug.

20, letting families save on eligible supplies+clothing and computers ahead of school starting Aug. 10. Check pricing limits to shop tax-free.

Leon County Schools has hired firms to recruit international teachers and students to fill 17 classroom vacancies—officials say this effort will boost local learning.

Application details are expected soon.

FSU chemistry professor Oliver Steinbock has developed a 16-song playlist using AI (artificial intelligence) to explain complex subjects like thermodynamics and compression.

The songs, available on Suno, aim to help students learn in a fresh, engaging manner.

Forecasters expect 3-5 inches of rain along Florida's coast and Big Bend as a low pressure forms in the northeastern Gulf this weekend and early next week.

Residents should check local weather updates + use caution for possible flooding.

Summer showers have eased drought stress in Big Bend and south Georgia, reducing extreme drought to five counties while rainfall remains below normal and Gadsden County lifted its burn ban on July 14.

Tallahassee's swiftwater rescue team has been activated to help during a flood emergency in Texas Hill Country—rescue crews aim to support water rescues amid dangerous conditions on the Guadalupe River.

Between calls Wednesday, fire crews at Station 16 practiced setting up a high line — a key Urban Search and Rescue technique — to boost their readiness for emergencies in Tallahassee.

The National Weather Service is hosting free virtual hurricane readiness training sessions from July 27 through July 30 to help residents interpret tropical weather forecasts (sessions run at 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m., or 7:00 p.m. EDT with up to 1,000 attendees per session).

Registration is required.

The Big Bend Continuum of Care is rethinking its approach to high unhoused numbers with a new partnership aimed at connecting community resources & a public forum at the Challenger Learning Center on Tuesday highlighted volunteer task forces working to streamline its mission.

Together Festival

12:00 – 11:59 PM — Tom Brown Park — Family-friendly fun — Experience a full day of community, culture, and engaging activities for all ages.

The 850 Band Live Performance

8:30 PM — Duke's & Dottie's — Free entry — Enjoy a long-awaited night of great tunes and cold drinks with The 850 Band.

Godby Class of 1986 Reunion

6 p.m. — AC Hotel Tallahassee Universities at the Capitol — $100 per person — Celebrate the 80s with food, drinks, and dancing at an unforgettable reunion night.

Tallahassee Beer Festival

2-6 p.m. — Donald L. Tucker Civic Center — Ticketed event — Experience North Florida’s largest beer festival with over 400 beverages and interactive fun.