Latest news with #WTVJ
New York Post
18-06-2025
- General
- New York Post
Heroic dad dies on Father's Day trying to save his daughters from drowning at Florida beach: officials
A Father's Day tragedy unfolded in Florida when a dad died while rushing into the ocean to save his two young daughters who were on the verge of drowning themselves, according to police and reports. Antwon Wilson, 33, was celebrating at the beach near the B Ocean Resort in Fort Lauderdale at around 7:20 p.m. Sunday when he saw his kids in distress and raced into the water to rescue them, according to police and reports. 3 Antwon Wilson, 33, died in valiant attempt to save his drowning daughters at a Florida beach. Family Photo Advertisement 'The father was nearby and able to make it to her and help keep her afloat before he went under,' FLFR Battalion Chief Danny Moran told WSVN. Lifeguards had just closed their towers twenty minutes before but were nearby and rushed back. 'They were first on scene, they were able to turn their trucks around and be the first responders from our fire rescue department,' Moran told WSVN. Advertisement A stranger heard the commotion and jumped into action, Moran said. 'He jumped into the ocean to try and help. He became overwhelmed, went underwater and was able to self-rescue,' said Moran. 3 Antwon Wilson, 33, was celebrating Father Day at the beach when he raced into the ocean to save his daughters. Family Photo Eslam Saad, the good Samaritan on vacation from Ohio, told WSVN that he didn't hesitate when he heard the cries for help. Advertisement 'I didn't think about anything. I didn't even tell my wife I'm going in the water again. I just jumped into the water,' Saad told WSVN. Saad struggled desperately in the rough conditions, swallowing gulps of water trying to stay afloat. He told local outlets that he barely was able to get out of the ocean himself. 'I was able to hear my youngest girl crying, my wife,' said Saad. Saad said once he finally reached one of Wilson's daughters that he encouraged her to keep calm, according to WSVN. Advertisement 'When I got close to her, I told her, 'Please, I know you are in panic. Please, do not do anything crazy, I will try my best to get you out,' he said. Saad told the girl to stand on his shoulder and leap toward help, according to WTVJ. 'I think I did my best to get her closer to the shore, and after that, she stood on my shoulder and jumped toward the beach outside,' he told WTVJ. 'I was drowning also. I think it was a miracle I am safe right now.' 3 Rescue workers were able to save a young girl and a good Samaritan from the turbulent ocean, but not Antwon Wilson, 33, who died trying to help his daughters. WESH2 Ocean Rescue lieutenants were able to take her to safety, according to reports. But Wilson wasn't found for several minutes, officials told local outlets. When rescue workers finally found him they rushed him to shore and gave him CPR. The father, one of the daughters and Saad were taken to Broward Health Medical Center, where Wilson was pronounced dead. Saad was released and the girl was 'awake and responsive,' according to WFLA. Advertisement Saad, who told WTVJ that he has a daughter around the same age as Wilson, wished he could have done more. 'Once I got into the hospital and they made sure I'm OK,' Saad told local outlets. 'I was trying to ask about them, they told me her dad was already gone.'
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Weatherman goes rogue on live TV with grave warning about hurricane season: 'I am here to tell you I'm not sure I can do that this year'
A meteorologist for Miami-based NBC affiliate WTVJ had a frank, chilling warning for his audience about an unprecedented hurricane season this year. On June 1, John Morales addressed his audience, which is in a hurricane-prone area, per the Guardian. WTVJ shared a clip of Morales' segment, which began with an archival hurricane forecast from "about six years ago." In the earlier footage, Morales assured viewers that the hurricane then being tracked "would turn," and he provided an estimate for when the turn would likely occur. "Remember that?" Morales asked as the clip ended. After identifying the older forecast as one from Hurricane Dorian, the weatherman segued into a jarring warning. "As you've grown accustomed to my presentations over my 34 years in South Florida newscasts, confidently, I went on TV and I told you, 'It's going to turn, you don't need to worry,'" Morales began. However, what he said next was blunt and concerning. "And I am here to tell you I'm not sure I can do that this year. Because of the cuts, the gutting, the sledgehammer attack on science in general," Morales continued, referencing well-documented cuts to both the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service. Morales lamented a "multigenerational impact on science in this country," stemming from broad cuts to our meteorological infrastructure. Meteorologists understand the dire risks posed by extreme weather extremely well, and it can be deeply unsettling when they're visibly unmoored — as Morales was in the viral segment. Weather experts have been sounding the alarm about hurricane season in the United States nonstop. In addition to NOAA and the NWS, the Federal Emergency Management Agency also faced massive, abrupt cuts and a leadership shakeup. "This type of staffing shortage is having impacts across the nation because there has been a 20% reduction in weather balloon releases, launches. What we are starting to see is the quality of the forecast is becoming degraded," Morales said. By all accounts, hurricane season this year is likely to involve "above-average" activity. With NOAA, the NWS, and FEMA in "unprecedented disarray," our ability to model storm trajectories and to respond to hard-hit areas is severely diminished. In March, Accuweather urged readers to prepare for an active hurricane season this year. As Morales observed, forecasts are likely to be less reliable, leaving those in hurricane-prone areas more vulnerable. Prepacking a hurricane "go bag" allows quicker action in the event of a sudden or short-notice evacuation order. Broadly, becoming familiar with best practices during an active hurricane before one hits can go a long way in protecting people and property. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
New York Times
08-06-2025
- Climate
- New York Times
A Florida Weatherman's Hurricane Plea Went Viral. Here's Why.
A meteorologist who has spent his career warning South Florida about hurricanes had a new warning for viewers last week: He's not sure he can do it this year. John Morales of WTVJ in Miami said the Trump administration's recent cuts to the National Weather Service could leave television forecasters like him 'flying blind' this hurricane season. 'We may not exactly know how strong a hurricane is before it reaches the coastline,' he warned. Clips of Mr. Morales's comments have spread widely: one posted on MSNBC's TikTok account has nearly 4,500 comments, and news outlets around the world have written articles about what he said. (This isn't the first time Mr. Morales has been the subject of viral attention: In the fall, his emotional reaction to Hurricane Milton's rapid intensification also hit a nerve.) Here's what Mr. Morales had to say and more about what is going on with the Weather Service. He warned of less accurate forecasts. Mr. Morales's presentation on Monday began with a clip of himself following the Category 5 Hurricane Dorian in 2019 as it moved over the Bahamas. He reassured his Florida viewers that the powerful storm would turn north before it reached their coastline. And it did, exactly when Mr. Morales assured anxious viewers it would. The clip cuts to him in present day, slightly older and now wearing glasses. He recalled the confidence he used to have in delivering an accurate forecast to his viewers. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Miami Chief Meteorologist Warns Viewers Trump's Cuts Could Affect Their Safety
WTVJ chief meteorologist John Morales is warning viewers that Trump's budget cuts could affect their safety at the start of this year's hurricane season. Morales said that the 'sledgehammer attacks on science' and cuts at the National Weather Service (NWS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) would mean he wouldn't be able to accurately predict hurricanes. Urging the Miami NBC owned station's viewers to call their Senators to stop the cuts, Morales said the cuts could have a "a multigenerational impact on science in this country.' In his blog post on the station website, Morales said the cuts come at a bad time for coastal dwellers, 'Never have we faced the combustible mix of a lack of meteorological data and the less accurate forecasts that follow, with an elevated propensity for the rapidly intensifying hurricanes of the manmade climate change era.' Am I worried? You bet I am! And so are hundreds of other scientists, including all living former U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) directors, who fear a "needless loss of life" as a result of the loss of staff and resources at NWS brought on since January. Central and southern Florida's NWS offices are currently 19 to 39 percent understaffed. While that might be barely enough on a sunny day, long stretches of impending severe weather-like a hurricane-could lead to mistakes by tired skeleton crews can only work so many back-to-back shifts. Across the country, less data is being collected by fewer weather balloon launches as a result of the staff shortages. The National Hurricane Center (NHC) isn't facing such a severe scarcity of employees. But there are critical departments linked to NHC's mission that have been seriously impacted. Namely, NOAA's Hurricane Hunters saw two flight directors and one electronic engineer terminated in late February. Hurricane flights also include the Air Force 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron. But should NOAA be unable to fly as many missions, there is a real risk of hurricane specialists occasionally "flying blind.'Morales started his career at WLTV in Miami, where he served as chief meteorologist from 1991 through 2002. From 2003 through 2008 he served as chief meteorologist for WSCV Telemundo 51. While there, he became the first Latino to substitute as meteorologist on NBC's Weekend Today show, and did so multiple times. In 2009, Morales became chief meteorologist for NBC's Miami station WTVJ.
CBS News
07-05-2025
- CBS News
Bri Buckley
Bri Buckley is an Emmy-nominated reporter for CBS News Miami. CBS News Miami Bri Buckley is an Emmy-nominated reporter who joined the CBS News Miami team in April 2025, bringing with her nearly a decade of broadcast journalism experience. Bri is no stranger to South Florida. Before joining CBS News Miami, she was a morning show reporter at WTVJ, where she covered fast-moving breaking news stories across the region. Her career has also taken her to several Ohio newsrooms, including those in Cleveland, Columbus, Toledo, and Zanesville, where she served in both reporting and anchoring roles. Born in Vancouver, Canada, Bri was raised as a proud military brat while her father served in the United States Air Force. Her upbringing across various parts of the U.S. sparked the curiosity and people skills that ultimately led her to pursue journalism. She is a proud graduate of The Ohio State University. Some of Bri's most meaningful assignments have taken her from Washington, D.C., where she documented veterans' stories on an Honor Flight, to a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier at sea, where she highlighted the lives of local servicemembers. She is deeply passionate about telling impactful stories and advocating for underserved communities. Outside the newsroom, Bri enjoys exploring the beauty of South Florida with her husband, son, and their dog. Have a story idea? Connect with Bri on social media or send her an email. Contact Bri Buckley: Email | X | Facebook | Instagram
