'Major wild card' could drive gas prices even higher in Florida
Gas prices in Florida have hit an all-time high this year – and drivers can expect the unexpected at the pump in the coming months, too. While some factors – like back to school and the end of busy summer driving season – might alleviate pressure on gas prices, there's a "major wild card" that might cause another spike: hurricane season. [Source: Fox 35]
Boeing's plagued Starliner will remain grounded until next year despite progress made
Last month, the debut crewed flight test of Boeing's Starliner astronaut capsule was delayed indefinitely because of safety and hardware-related concerns, the latest in a slew of problems that have kept the spacecraft grounded for over a year. Now, company and NASA officials have announced a Starliner flight to the International Space Station won't be possible any time this year. [Source: Florida Today]
A new organization is recruiting Florida retirees to fight climate change
One prevailing narrative around climate change is that the warming planet is an enormous problem, but younger generations are responsible for facing it because they’ll be the ones left witness the worst of the crisis. There’s some truth to that. But most of the country’s wealth and political power lies in the hands of older Americans, particularly those over age 60. [Source: Sarasota Magazine]
Florida officials predict that highway license and fee revenues will increase
Florida officials forecast that the state’s revenues from highway licenses and fees will continue to increase in the next few years. The Florida Legislature's Office of Economic and Demographic Research held its annual revenue conference on Monday to revise the forecast for Florida’s expected revenue. Current license and fees revenue collections for fiscal 2022-23 came in at $18.7 million, or 0.7% above previous estimates made in February. [Source: The Apopka Voice]
Florida prisons temporarily allow shorts, among other measures to address sweltering heat
In what advocates called an “unprecedented move,” the Florida Department of Corrections has lifted uniform restrictions allowing incarcerated people to wear shorts and a single-layer shirt in response to hotter-than-average temperatures afflicting the state. The temporary uniform policy is one of several recently adopted cooling tactics taking place inside Florida prisons, including sweeping repairs of broken water fountains and the offering of cool water kegs, advocates said. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida's Specialty Hospitals for Children: Driving the future of pediatric care
One in four Florida children will be treated in one of Florida’s four non-profit specialty-licensed children’s hospitals, which are uniquely designated and solely focused on providing specialized pediatric care. Year after year, Florida’s specialty children’s hospitals continue to expand services to stay at the leading edge of pediatric treatment and research, while ensuring that all children can access this care regardless of their needs or socioeconomic status. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Morgan & Morgan targets Tampa General Hospital in lawsuit over data hack
Personal injury firm Morgan & Morgan has filed a class-action lawsuit against Tampa General Hospital, accusing the nonprofit of losing control of its patients’ sensitive personal information in a data breach “perpetrated by cybercriminals.” The lawsuit was filed late Friday in Hillsborough County on behalf of three patients who were among the 1.2 million whose personal data was compromised in the hack.
› See why Amazon chose Brevard County for $120M project
One of the reasons Amazon decided to build a new $120 million project on Florida’s Space Coast is a Brevard County infrastructure investment that allows for an expedited construction timeline, according to Amazon’s Steve Metayer, vice president of production operations for Project Kuiper.
› DeSantis’ State Guard planning $10 million new headquarters
The FrankCrum company contends that moving the erased segregation-era St. Matthews Baptist Church Cemetery from their 14-acre campus is the responsibility of the city of Clearwater, which once owned the property. The first step will be for the city to hire an archaeology company to study the feasibility of moving the Black burial ground.
› Jacksonville Civic Council names Dennis Whittle as CEO and president
The Jacksonville Civic Council appointed Dennis Whittle its new CEO and president to lead the organization into the next chapter of its public policy and community work. Whittle will become the third executive leader of the JCC and will start in the position in September. He succeeds Jeanne Miller, who announced in December she was leaving the organization and would serve as interim CEO until a new chief executive was selected.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Mote saves thousands of corals from scorching waters off Florida Keys
Over the last few weeks, we’ve seen all hands on deck on Florida’s coast as crews work to save thousands of corals from hot water temperatures. Record-breaking heat waves last month have resulted in a stress response known as coral bleaching, leaving vibrant corals white and at great risk of dying. Along with help from community partners, more than 70 Mote staffers transported thousands of stressed corals from offshore nurseries in Islamorada, Key Largo, Looe Key, and Sand Key.
› Heico Corp. completes record $2 billion acquisition of Georgia-based company
Heico Corp. has completed a record-breaking acquisition of a Georgia-based commercial and military aircraft aftermarket company in less than three months after its offer. The Hollywood-based company (NYSE: HEI.A and HEI) paid $2.05 billion to buy Wencor Group from Warburg Pincus LLC on Aug. 4. The deal consisted of $1.9 billion in cash and $150 million in Heico's Class A Common Stock paid at closing.
› SeaWorld blames 2% attendance drop on bad weather, wildfires
Attendance was down 2% at SeaWorld Entertainment’s theme parks during the second quarter, a drop that officials attributed primarily to “significantly adverse weather” and effects from Canadian wildfires. SeaWorld’s parks saw 125,000 fewer visitors in 2023’s second quarter, which ended June 30, than they did in 2022, according to the earnings report released Tuesday by the Orlando-based company.
› New Jacksonville International Airport offerings bring ‘rebalance,’ local flavor
In a move toward bringing more Northeast Florida flavor to the concessions at Jacksonville International Airport, the Jacksonville Aviation Authority has added or expanded Firehouse Subs and Southern Grounds & Co. and is adding Pura Bean Coffee to a larger Vino Volo and – to the cheers of fans – Angie’s Subs.