Good evening, Central Florida. We're wrapping up the day for you with the most important stories you need to know and your weather outlook.

Your Weather Planner

After a mostly sunny start to our Friday, we'll watch just a few hit-and-miss showers and storms develop by mid-afternoon. Rain coverage remains at around 50%, so not everyone picks up showers. Highs climb into the lower to middle 90s with a feels-like temperature between 102 and 106.

Atmospheric moisture deepens over the weekend, so rain coverage begins coming up. We'll start dry Saturday and Sunday, with a mostly sunny sky, then keep an eye on Klystron 13 as rain and rumble coverage increases. Highs on both days will reach the lower 90s.

Highs: Low to mid-90s Lows: Mid-70s Rain Coverage: 50%

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Today's Big Stories

1. NASA considers ‘back-up option’ to bring Starliner crew home safely
While NASA and Boeing are determined to bring home two astronauts onboard the International Space Station in the troubled Starliner spacecraft, a NASA official confirmed to Spectrum News that the space agency is considering a "back-up option."

2. Florida Politics: Florida’s new unemployment claims drop for fifth time out of past six weeks
Florida’s first-time unemployment claims are dropping again, which has been the trend in the Sunshine State for most of this Summer, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).

3. Disney World welcomes birth of 4 zebra foals at Animal Kingdom
According to Disney's Animals, Science and Environment specialists, the new arrivals are special for the Hartmann’s mountain zebra species, as these animals are currently listed as a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and hunting.

4. Southwest breaks 50-year tradition, plans to start assigning seats
Southwest made the announcement on the same day that both it and American Airlines reported a steep drop in second-quarter profit despite higher revenue.

5. VP Harris campaign unveils first video featuring Beyonce's 'Freedom' and using Trump's mug shot
“In this election, we each face a question,” Harris narrates to begin the video over images of the American flag and a city landscape. “What kind of country do we want to live in?”

6. Responding to anti-Netanyahu protests, Trump revives his call for jail time for flag burners
Responding to demonstrators who took to the streets on Wednesday to condemn Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit, Trump said that those who “do anything to desecrate the American flag” should be sentenced to one year in jail.

7. Uvalde school officer pleads not guilty to charges of failing to protect kids during attack
Adrian Gonzales was one of the nearly 400 law enforcement personnel who responded to the scene but then waited more than 70 minutes to confront the shooter inside the school. 

Around Central Florida Tomorrow

• CELEBRATION OF LIFE FOR PATT WILLIAMS: TA remembrance service to celebrate the life of Magic co-founder Pat Williams is planned for 3 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church on South John Young Parkway. Williams, who spent more than a half-century working within the NBA, died on July 17 from complications related to viral pneumonia. He was 84.

• FREE BLOOD SUGAR SCREENING: The Lions Club of Orange Blossom Gardens/Lady Lake is holding a free blood sugar screening and diabetes awareness event at the Lady Lake Public Library Friday — 225 W. Guava St. — from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. No fasting is required.

• FRIDAY NIGHT SOCCER: Orlando City will play CF Montreal in a Leagues Cup game tomorrow at 8 p.m. at Inter&Co Stadium in Orlando. The MLS and NWSL are on break for the Olympics, so matchups have been created for teams to play outside of league action.

Beyond Central Florida

Friday, July 26

• PARIS OLYMPICS OPENING CEREMONY
• MARVEL'S 'DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE' STARRING RYAN REYNOLDS AND HUGH JACKMAN RELEASED IN THEATERS
• COURT HEARING FOR JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE FOLLOWING ARREST FOR DUI IN THE HAMPTONS
• ANNIVERSARY OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (1990)
• ROBERT F. KENNEDY JR. SPEAKS AT BITCOIN CONFERENCE
• OPENING NIGHT FOR U.S. PREMIERE OF 'THE LORD OF THE RINGS' MUSICAL