Good morning, Tallahassee.

Spirit Halloween opened nearly 100 stores in Florida this month for the Halloween season, including two in Tallahassee at 1500 Apalachee Parkway and 1802 Thomasville Road (both former retail spaces).

Additional openings are coming soon as the chain aims to set a new record for its seasonal rollout.

Warby Parker is set to open its new store in Tallahassee’s Carriage Gate on Sept.

5. The larger location will offer a wide range of eyewear and eye exams near Trader Joe’s and Starbucks.

Leon County first responders and public safety partners are hosting school supply drives today to help students prepare for the new school year (supporting academic readiness) across local communities.

Students at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Big Bend recently took part in an agriculture workshop with the American Farm to Institute where they learned to grow plants, make organic lemonade and seed bombs, and explore drone farming and a baby goat demo at their center.

As kids settle back into school, experts at FSU Florida Center for Reading Research (Nicole Patton-Terry) stress that year-round reading can boost brain development, improve communication and help children excel in class.

Tallahassee and parts of the Big Bend remain under a flood watch after Saturday's record rainfall saturated low-lying areas, and forecasters warn that additional rain could trigger flash flooding today.

Officials urge residents to avoid flooded roads — extra caution is needed in vulnerable spots.

Compost Community owner Sundiata Hardy-El says his business faces a setback after its only work truck was totaled, and local customers are now borrowing trucks so weekly compost pickups continue; he has started a GoFundMe to replace the truck and keep food scraps out of landfills.

August is National Breastfeeding Month and Florida researchers (including FSU medical experts) are examining if mothers over 35 face unique challenges in starting breastfeeding; experts urge better support from healthcare providers (like lactation consultants) to help mothers succeed.

Big Bend high school football players will return for the 2026 season, led by Florida High’s Jayme Miller and Taylor County’s Jabez Glanton.

Their teams will begin play Friday, Aug. 13 in local matchups.

Football coach Kez McCorvey held an overnight camp on July 26 and 27 at North Florida Christian to build team spirit by turning classrooms into dorms for team meetings and bonding sessions.

The Eagles now look to carry that unity into their upcoming season.

FAMU football is beginning a new season with a fresh team culture and first-year head coach Quinn Gray Sr., and the Rattlers will open the season on Aug.

29 at Ken Riley Field & Bragg Memorial Stadium.

TLBR's 13U and 14U All-Star teams will travel to the World Series after a strong postseason run; the 14U team will compete in Eagle Pass, Texas from Aug.

6-16 while the 13U squad will face competition in Jamestown, New York from Aug. 15-22.

The Chaires Capitola 12U Little League team won their first Florida state title and will head to the Southeast regionals soon, marking a historic milestone for local baseball.

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.