Mark Collins

1 week ago | news4jax.com | Mark Collins

JACKSONVILLE, FLA – They may look like harmless household helpers, but magic sponges—also known as melamine erasers—are shedding more than grime. Research published in Environmental Science & Technology reveals these everyday cleaning tools are a surprisingly potent source of microplastic pollution. Melamine cleaning erasers are made from sturdy plastic strands that are assembled into a lightweight, foam-like structure. The result?

1 week ago | news4jax.com | Mark Collins

JACKSONVILLE, FL – In a surprising setback for hurricane forecasting, NOAA has confirmed there will be no deployment of autonomous Saildrone Explorers during the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season. According to a CNN report, the company “was unable to bid” on a contract for this season. The paused program leaves forecasters without one of the most valuable tools for understanding storm behavior where it matters most — at the ocean’s surface.

4 weeks ago | news4jax.com | Mark Collins

Published: May 29, 2025 at 6:11 AMJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – We are bracing for storms and periods of heavy rainfall late this afternoon and into the evening, according to News4JAX’s meteorologist. Mark Collins. The Weather Authority’s Exact Track 4D models highlight that some showers and storms could become severe, especially along the coast and just north into Georgia. The day will start mostly dry, with clouds building up as the afternoon progresses.

1 month ago | news4jax.com | Mark Collins

Published: May 28, 2025 at 12:38 PMSign up for our NewslettersPublished: May 28, 2025 at 12:38 PMJACKSONVILLE, Fla. – It may come as a surprise to learn that in January 2022, a tsunami reached the entire East Coast of the United States, including Florida. For many, “tsunami” conjures images of the Pacific—Japan, Indonesia, Alaska—not the tranquil stretches of the Atlantic seaboard. But this wasn’t your average tsunami, nor was it a typical storm tide.

1 month ago | news4jax.com | Mark Collins

JACKSONVILLE, FLA – On May 31, 2025, humanity will send a piece of its soul into the stars — not with rockets or probes, but with a melody. In a first-of-its-kind event, Johann Strauss II’s “Blue Danube” waltz will be transmitted into deep space following a live performance by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, commemorating both the composer’s 200th birthday and the 50th anniversary of the European Space Agency (ESA).