Author: The Tea Bag Times

By Marina Gale | U.S. / Weather | November 12, 2026

MIAMI-DADE AND BROWARD COUNTIES, Fla. — A cold front expected to bring the coolest air of the season to South Florida this weekend has revived an annual household mystery: where did everyone put the one jacket they own?

CBS Miami forecast morning lows in the mid-to-upper 50s in some inland areas Saturday, with warmer conditions closer to the coast and afternoon temperatures in the 70s. By most national standards, the outlook is pleasant. By South Florida standards, it is time to locate the hoodie last seen in February.

In homes from Hialeah to Pembroke Pines, the search is likely to begin with an adult opening a closet, finding three bags of unused items and asking why nobody can remember where the winter clothes went.

The first cool morning traditionally brings a remarkable range of outfits: heavy coats at the gas station, shorts at the coffee shop and one person in sandals insisting the weather is perfect.

Parents face their own forecast-related difficulties. One child refuses a sweater because it’s not cold. Another wears two layers to school and asks to remove them before the first bell. The car’s air conditioner remains on for reasons no one can explain.

The actual cold front will also bring lower humidity and generally comfortable afternoons. Meteorologists can measure those conditions. They cannot determine how many family group chats will contain the message, ‘Bundle up tomorrow,’ followed by a photograph of a thermometer reading 59.

Residents who announce that winter has finally arrived may wish to keep the celebration brief. Forecasters expect temperatures to rebound by Sunday, and the jackets may return to storage almost as quickly as they emerged.

South Florida’s cold-weather season is not especially long. That has never stopped anyone from getting fully dressed for it.

Photo: Nellie Adamyan / Unsplash. Archival Miami Beach photo.

Related reporting: CBS News Miami, November 11 forecast

About the writer

Marina Gale covers weather and climate for The Tea Bag Times. Meet our newsroom.

By Laurel Finch | U.S. / Environment | November 12, 2026

CAMERON COUNTY, Texas — Anyone planning a quiet afternoon near Boca Chica Beach has acquired an extra task before packing the cooler: checking whether the route to the sand is being used for something considerably larger than a family vehicle.

The City of Starbase listed a November 12 State Highway 4 road-delay window for moving rocket hardware and a beach-closure window for November 13. The notices reflect a real operational schedule. For prospective beachgoers, they also introduce the unusual concept of a picnic that needs a contingency plan.

Discussion about the future of public land near the SpaceX site has added another source of uncertainty. An earlier draft Texas parks agenda included a proposed discussion involving land in Cameron County; state officials said a sale of Boca Chica State Park was not being considered at that meeting. No completed sale was announced.

Visitors hoping to spend an afternoon near the water are therefore learning the vocabulary of a launch operations center: primary window, backup window, road delay and closure notice. Children still ask whether they can go swimming. Parents now answer, ‘We’ll see what the schedule says.’

The familiar pre-trip checklist of sunscreen, snacks and towels has been joined by one additional essential: a phone with enough battery to check official announcements. The most prepared families may even keep a second destination in mind—preferably a beach whose opening hours are not tied to the movement of rocket hardware.

That would be funny on its own if the underlying questions about public access and conservation were not serious. Residents and environmental groups have raised concerns about the land and the effect of operations on the surrounding area.

Public recreation and high-stakes aerospace engineering can coexist, but the balance becomes awkward when an ordinary afternoon outdoors requires the logistical planning of a small expedition.

The beach remains a place to relax. Getting to it may require a little more effort than the relaxation itself.

Photo: Jared Krahn / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0. Archival photo (2021).

Related reporting: City of Starbase, beach and road notices · The Texas Tribune, public-land reporting

About the writer

Laurel Finch covers wildlife and environment for The Tea Bag Times. Meet our newsroom.

By Ellis Dusk | TACOMA, Wash.

TACOMA, Wash. — A weeks-long mystery involving garbage containers being moved outside several homes in a residential neighborhood in Tacoma has been resolved after residents reviewed footage from a neighborhood security camera.

The unusual activity was first noticed in late October, when homeowners began finding their garbage bins several feet from where they had placed them the previous evening.

Initially, residents attributed the changes to routine sanitation operations. But after comparing collection schedules and speaking with neighbors, several homeowners realized the containers were being moved hours before garbage trucks arrived.

One resident reported finding his bin directly in front of his mailbox despite having left it beside his driveway the night before.

Similar incidents were subsequently reported at other properties along the same street.

Although the containers were never taken and no property damage was reported, the repeated disturbances prompted residents to review footage from their home security systems.

The recordings showed that the activity generally occurred between 4:30 and 5:30 a.m., when most of the neighborhood was still asleep.

Early footage offered few clues. Several cameras faced individual driveways rather than the street, while others failed to capture movement beyond the range of their motion sensors.

Residents initially suspected that a sanitation employee might have been repositioning containers ahead of scheduled collections. Others suggested a neighborhood maintenance worker or a resident attempting to keep the street clear.

The issue eventually reached a neighborhood group chat, where homeowners began sharing photographs, comparing timestamps and documenting additional incidents.

Despite the growing attention, residents said they had little reason to believe the activity was malicious.

The breakthrough came Tuesday morning, when a homeowner reviewed footage from a camera that had recently been adjusted to record continuously overnight.

The recording showed an individual moving along the street shortly before 5 a.m., stopping at several properties and repositioning garbage containers near the curb.

At each home, the individual appeared to inspect the placement of the bins before moving to the next driveway.

The footage provided the first unobstructed view of the person responsible, allowing residents to establish that the incidents were connected.

The individual was identified as Bigfoot, who had recently taken a part-time position assisting with early-morning sanitation duties after concluding that the rising cost of living in western Washington had made it impossible to survive on a single income.

Asked why he preferred working before sunrise, Bigfoot said he had spent decades avoiding human civilization and wasn’t about to destroy his reputation over a $19-an-hour job.

About the writer

Ellis Dusk covers u.s. & unusual affairs for The Tea Bag Times. Meet our newsroom.

By Laurel Finch | MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla.

MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, Fla. — A coalition of local iguanas has reportedly demanded formal recognition as the county’s most dependable residents, citing perfect attendance at every canal, seawall, and backyard swimming pool since anyone can remember.

“We’re here every day, rain or shine,” said one particularly large iguana from atop a homeowner’s fence, before declining further comment and falling into the pool.

The group’s proposed platform includes expanded sunbathing hours, guaranteed access to waterfront real estate, and an immediate end to residents shouting “AY, DIOS MÍO” whenever one appears unexpectedly near the patio door.

Local homeowners responded with mixed feelings. Some praised the reptiles for their commitment to neighborhood visibility. Others questioned whether a six-foot lizard should be allowed to occupy the same lawn chair for three consecutive weekends.

The iguanas have also requested representation at county meetings, although officials expressed concern that the delegation might eat the landscaping before public comment begins.

At press time, negotiations had stalled after the lead representative spotted a hibiscus bush and wandered away.

Featured photograph: Bob Brewer / Unsplash (Unsplash License). Photographed in Mexico; illustrative image. Photo source.

About the writer

Laurel Finch covers wildlife & environment for The Tea Bag Times. Meet our newsroom.

By Nolan Cross | UNITED STATES

A quiet suburban neighborhood erupted in applause Tuesday after an entire line of drivers merged into one lane without honking, accelerating aggressively, or staring at another motorist as though personally betrayed.

The extraordinary sequence lasted just 43 seconds, but witnesses say it restored their faith in civilization.

“The driver on the left signaled, and the driver on the right actually let them in,” said resident Elaine Porter, still visibly shaken. “Then it happened again. I called my husband because I didn’t think he’d believe me.”

Local officials briefly considered erecting a commemorative plaque, but traffic engineers warned that stopping to read it would create a new bottleneck.

One driver admitted to feeling an unfamiliar sensation during the event. “I think it was cooperation,” he said. “At first I thought my check-engine light had come on.”

The neighborhood plans to attempt a second successful merge next month, although organizers caution that expectations should remain realistic.

Photo: Jon Beake / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.5. Photo source and license.

About the writer

Nolan Cross covers transportation for The Tea Bag Times. Meet our newsroom.