March 29, 2024

Monday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/15/2023

Florida travelers expected to set new travel records for Memorial Day weekend

The Memorial Day weekend travel forecast is out, and experts predict it’s going to be a busy one. More Floridians are expected to travel this Memorial Day weekend than ever before, with crowds exceeding pre-pandemic levels. According to AAA’s 2023 Memorial Day Travel Forecast, 2.4 million Floridians will travel 50 miles or more. More from WFLA.

Florida gas prices continue drop for third consecutive week

Florida gas prices are continuing to fall for the third consecutive week. On Sunday, the state average was $3.48 per gallon. That’s the lowest price since Apr. 6 and 8 cents lower than last week. It’s a total discount of 24 cents since mid-April. “Weakness in the oil market has contributed to the recent drop in gas prices,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA – The Auto Club Group. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Leaders departing at prominent Jacksonville-area nonprofits

A recent report about Florida nonprofits predicted that one-third of their current leaders were likely to depart by 2025. In the Jacksonville area, a host of them are already on their way. Recently announcing their plans to leave are Episcopal Children’s Services' CEO Connie Stophel, Early Learning Coalition of Duval CEO Denise Marzullo and Lori Richards, executive director of Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry, or BEAM. They join Nina Waters, president of The Community Foundation of Northeast Florida, and Rena Coughlin, CEO of the Nonprofit Center of Northeast Florida, who are also departing. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Central Florida ranch voted top glamping destination nationwide

A Central Florida ranch has been voted as the top destination for glamping nationwide, according to USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Westgate River Ranch Resort, located about 90 minutes south of Orlando, was chosen by voters as number one on a list of the Top 10 glamping spots in the U.S. The Florida dude ranch and luxury glamping resort sits on 1,700 acres overlooking the Kissimmee River with options to sleep in a Conestoga wagon, glamping tents, teepees, rail cars, cabins, cottages, and lodge suites. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Live Local Act brings potential relief, problems for affordable housing in Sarasota County

A new state law that provides historic investment in affordable housing could bring relief to the severe crisis that is squeezing thousands of Sarasota County families and businesses. While local experts say they are still digesting the details, many agree the new law will transform the housing landscape – even as it usurps control of certain planning and development matters from local governments. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Trend Mention

Mention ImageRegister for the 2023 ACEC Florida Transportation Conference

Register for the 2023 ACEC Florida Transportation Conference! Don't miss the opportunity to join FDOT policymakers and transportation consultants for networking and continuing education. Attendees will learn about major projects underway or being planned in Florida; get up-to-date information about state policies and initiatives shaping the engineering profession; network with other professionals in transportation, development, and infrastructure; interact with FDOT decision-makers from all districts; and earn PDHs and CEs.

Out of the Box
He likes to be under the sea: Florida man sets record for living underwater

A university professor broke a record for the longest time living underwater without depressurization this weekend at a Florida Keys lodge for scuba divers. Joseph Dituri's 74th day residing in Jules' Undersea Lodge, situated at the bottom of a 30-foot-deep lagoon in Key Largo, wasn't much different than his previous days there since he submerged March 1.

» More from KOCO.

 

Enertainment
How did this Tampa theater create a new show? Puppets play a role

At one of the final dress rehearsals for Jobsite Theater’s “Alice,” art director Spencer P. Meyers was putting the finishing touches on paintings of the Walrus and the Carpenter. Actor and choreographer Katrina Stevenson stretched her limbs while listening to members of the band debate about Oreo cookies. It was a glimpse into how the tight-knit ensemble created an original cabaret.

» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.

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Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns
Facial recognition cameras in Florida city spark privacy concerns

New security cameras in downtown Lakeland are raising concerns about privacy. The Lakeland Downtown Development Authority has begun installing 13 new security cameras on streets, sidewalks, and alleyways, and there are mixed feelings about them.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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