Inflation has pushed South Florida farmers to breaking point: "It's pretty bleak"

"Does the consumer have enough money left over to pay a price for produce that will keep me sustainable? That's the dilemma right now," said long-time farmer John Alger, the owner of Alger Farms. Alger Farms has been operating since the 1930s. Alger said it's been a struggle to break even for the last 10 years, even before the pandemic, supply chain issues, and inflation. Now, he says farmers all over South Florida are reaching a breaking point. [Source: CBS Miami]

Tampa remains top migration destination; US Census explores reasons to move

The U.S. Census Bureau is tracking how people move across the country. Migration plays a part in how federal dollars are awarded state-by-state, as well as how Congressional power is held. To look at America’s changing demographics, the bureau began its report with questions. “How much does one’s location during childhood determine the labor markets that one is exposed to in young adulthood? In response to potential wage gains, do people migrate substantial distances from their childhood home?” the research study asks. [Source: WFLA]

Monkeypox in Florida: Which counties have confirmed, probable cases?

Two months after a presumptive positive case was announced here May 22, the state department of health has reported 273 confirmed or probable cases in 16 counties, according to its tracker on flhealthcharts.gov. [Source: Naples Daily News]

AAA Florida: Gas prices fall another 17-cents; Down to a three-month low

The state average has now declined a total of 79 cents per gallon, since setting a new record high of $4.89 a gallon in mid-June. On Sunday, the state average was $4.10 per gallon, yet drivers are finding pump prices well below $4 a gallon in some regions. At the rate pump prices are declining, the state average could slip below $4 a gallon this week, for the first time since March 6. [Source: WQCS]

In Pasco County, US-19 is one of the deadliest roads in America

Being a pedestrian in the US was already dangerous. It’s getting even worse. Locals might not have the statistics at their fingertips, but they know that US-19 is dangerous. In 2020, 13 people traveling US-19 by car in Pasco County were killed in crashes. For residents who rely on it, US-19 is both mundane and maddeningly treacherous. Crashes are so ubiquitous that some talk about an old bumper sticker on cars that read: “Pray for me, I drive on US-19.” Another part of US-19, in neighboring Pinellas County, is sometimes called “death valley.” But the road is pretty much unavoidable for most people trying to move freely through the area, and the alternatives aren’t much better. No one is more endangered on the road than those who use it unprotected by a ton of steel — and there are a lot of them. [Source: Vox]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› WeWork pulls out of lease deal at highly anticipated Miami office tower [South Florida Business Journal]
WeWork won't occupy ten floors at 830 Brickell, one of Miami's biggest office projects. Multiple sources confirmed reports that the New York-based coworking company has pulled out of a deal to lease 146,000 square feet at the 57-story development rising at 830 Brickell Plaza.

› As efforts to ban books escalate, a new petition is filed against Sarasota's school board [WUSF]
The civil filing in Sarasota County also included five criminal allegations against the Sarasota County School Superintendent and members of the school board. The school board filed a response which argued that the pleading needed to be dismissed for numerous reasons.

› Condo owners brace for steep costs — with post-Surfside reforms on the way [South Florida SunSentinel]
Sell now or pay later? It could become an unpleasant choice for many South Florida condominium owners, ahead of a new state building inspection law driven by last year’s catastrophic collapse of the Champlain Towers South building in Surfside.

› Tampa Fringe Festival returns to Ybor City [Source]
Looking for offbeat theater experiences? The Tampa Fringe Festival has you covered. Now in its sixth year, the festival brings indie performances including improv, burlesque, comedy, clowns and shows for kids to three venues at Hillsborough Community College’s Ybor City Performing Arts Building (1411 E 11th Ave.) July 28-Aug. 7.

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› Seminole commissioners to hear plans to acquire properties for preservation [Orlando Sentinel]
As more land critical to replenishing Florida’s aquifers and in supporting a variety of ecosystems is lost to rooftops and parking lots, county Commissioner Lee Constantine is proposing a natural lands acquisition program called Seminole Forever that would emulate the state’s decades-old conservation program, Florida Forever.

› 'Clean Eatz' opens at Railroad Square with promises of healthy food options [Tallahassee Democrat]
Clean Eatz cafe will be the newest addition to the Railroad Square Art District, where creativity of urban-art culture and small business ingenuity intersect.

› Commentary: Federal funding can’t combat food insecurity unless Congress acts [South Florida SunSentinel]
Food banks are facing a critical food shortage at a time when food insecurity is surging nationwide as a result of decades-high inflation. A federal program that helps supplement the diets of low-income Americans is a vital link in providing individuals and families with emergency free food assistance, and Congress must step up now to make sure that program can continue providing life-sustaining goods.

› Crystal River Mall expected to close sooner [Citrus County Chronicle]
The last day for the Crystal River Mall has been moved up to Aug. 20, or 10 days earlier than originally planned, and tenants have until Aug. 24 to vacate the premises. Most, however, have already moved out, and as of Tuesday, July 19, only a handful of stores remained open.