Stimulus check discussion, NASA astronauts to return from ISS: Here are 9 things happening this week

ORLANDO, Fla. — Discussion of another possible $1,200 stimulus check, NASA astronauts returning from the International Space Station and a double meteor shower that could produce fireballs are among the things happening this week.

Here’s a look at nine things that are happening this week:

1. Republicans prepare to introduce next coronavirus aid package

On Monday, Republicans are preparing to introduce the next coronavirus aid package. Another round of $1,200 stimulus checks would be coming in August, according to Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin.

“The president has been very clear. He wants to make sure that the American people have what they need during this unprecedented time,” the president’s acting chief of staff Mark Meadows said, “to make sure not only the money is there but the programs.”

Mnuchin said the second round of $1,200 direct payments would be based on the same formula from the first aid bill, according to the AP.

To read more, click here.

2. NASA astronauts to return from ISS aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon

NASA announced Friday that astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley will return from the International Space Station this upcoming weekend.

NASA said the duo arrived at the ISS on May 31 following a successful launch on May 30 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center.

NASA and SpaceX said they are targeting Aug. 1 at 7:34 p.m. for the undocking of the Crew Dragon spacecraft from the space station and Aug. 2 at 2:42 p.m. for splashdown, which will be the first return of a commercially built and operated American spacecraft carrying astronauts from the space station.

3. Vice President Mike Pence to visit Miami

On Monday, Vice President Mike Pence will travel to Miami to mark the beginning of Phase III trials for a COVID-19 vaccine, officials said.

He will visit the University of Miami and participate in a roundtable with university leaders and researches on the progress of the vaccine.

4. Orange County extends deadline for parents to choose back-to-school option

Orange County Public Schools is giving parents extra time to decide which learning method their children will use when schools reopen next month.

The district announced Friday that the deadline will be extended until 5 p.m. Monday. The original deadline was 5 p.m. Friday.

Parents can choose one of three back-to-school options: Face-to-face, LaunchED at home, or virtual school.

If parents don’t choose one of the options for their children, they’ll be defaulted into face-to-face instruction.

Video: Orange County extends deadline for parents to choose back-to-school option Orange County Public Schools is giving parents extra time to decide which learning method their children will use when schools reopen next month.

5. Lake County parents face deadline to choose back-to-school option

Lake County Schools said it updated its reopening website and created a new enrollment form with information about back-to-school options for students.

Parents are asked to complete the form by Wednesday.

Click here to enroll your student.

6. UCF holds summer 2020 virtual commencement ceremonies

The University of Central Florida is holding its summer 2020 virtual commencement Saturday.

More than 3,800 degrees will be conferred, the university said.

UCF’s summer 2020 graduates will be recognized in separate and successive ceremonies for 12 colleges beginning at 8:30 a.m. The last ceremony will start at 6 p.m.

The university said all graduates’ names will be read aloud and displayed on the screen. Ceremonies will be played on UCF’s main Facebook and YouTube pages.

7. Melbourne church to distribute food to those in need

The Hallowed Bread Community Church is distributing food to those in need Friday.

The food was donated by Palm Beach Harvest and will be distributed to families from noon to 3 p.m.

The event is located at 12 E Avenue in Melbourne.

8. DeLand mayor holds backpack giveaway

On Saturday, the mayor of DeLand will hold a backpack giveaway for families struggling due to the pandemic.

Organizers said the 10th Annual Mayor’s Backpack Giveaway is scheduled to take place from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. in the parking lot of the Sanborn Center at 815 South Alabama Avenue.

The event will be done on a drive-thru basis only in the parking lot.

Backpacks will be pre-filled with supplies and students must be present to receive a backpack, organizers said.

For more information, call 386-740-0808.

9. Double meteor shower may produce fireballs this week

This week, two meteor showers will peak at the same time, and could produce fireballs.

The Delta Aquarids and the Alpha Capricornids meteor shower will coincide Tuesday evening and into Wednesday morning. Viewers can expect the combined shower to produce about 20 to 25 meteors an hour.

The Delta Aquarids meteor shower persists through mid-August and typically consists of long glowing trails due to the angle they enter the Earth’s atmosphere. The Alpha Capricornids typically peak in late July and are characterized by bright fireballs, but occur around five per hour or less.

Double meteor showers expected late July Double meteor showers expected late July (NCD)

Cox Media Group