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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Omicron will slow international tourism in Florida, state economists predict
State economists anticipate the new omicron variant of the coronavirus will slow, at least temporarily, Florida’s resurging pace of tourism — particularly a return of international visitors. Saying the world is entering a time of uncertainty, members of the state Economic Estimating Conference agreed Monday to slightly lower expectations through the middle of 2022 for Canadian and overseas travelers, as the panel looked at various aspects of the Florida economy. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Omicron could drive 40,000 COVID cases a day in Florida, UF model shows
University of Florida researchers are projecting the highly contagious omicron variant will lead to about 40,000 new COVID cases a day in Florida by its February apex, around 75 percent higher than what the state witnessed during the peak of the delta variant. But the new COVID wave will be less lethal for Floridians than delta, according to the University of Florida model published Friday. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Beware of booking scams, gas skimmers ahead of holiday travel
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is providing Floridians with tips to avoid travel scams and gas skimmers over the holidays. In a release, Fried says protection is key while out and about. “While many Floridians prepare to travel for the holidays, it’s important to take steps to protect yourself and your family from gas skimmers and other travel scams,” said Commissioner Nikki Fried. [Source: WJXT]
The abortion debate is heating up in Florida
This upcoming legislative session, expect abortion to be a major talking point. Because the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to strike down a Texas law banning most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy, anti-abortion activists see an opportunity to pass a restrictive law in Florida. But there’s a catch. New legislation would mean doing battle with the state’s constitution, which state judges have historically said contains strong abortion protections. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Conservation groups target EPA over manatee deaths
Three conservation groups moved Monday toward filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection over water-quality problems that have led to a record number of manatee deaths this year in Florida. The Center for Biological Diversity, Defenders of Wildlife and the Save the Manatee Club filed a notice that is a precursor to suing the EPA. [Source: News Service of Florida]
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ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› AAA: Gas prices in Florida down 12 cents since Thanksgiving
As Florida travelers begin to hit the road for Christmas, they will likely be paying less at the pump than at this time last month. According to a new report from AAA, Florida gas prices are down 12 cents since Thanksgiving after a recent drop in crude oil prices. Pump prices averaged $3.23 per gallon on Sunday, after slipping 3.5 cents last week. That’s down from the 2021 state-high of $3.36 per gallon on Nov. 20.
› Skin cell band-aid, monoclonal antibodies among experiments lanuched by SpaceX
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launched at 5:08 a.m. Tuesday from Kennedy Space Center to bring 6,500 pounds of cargo that includes a variety of medical experiments to the International Space Station. There was some doubt about the launch as weather reports gave only a 30% chance of favorable conditions, according to a Monday forecast from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron. But, the spacecraft launched almost exactly as scheduled.
› Aldi is the 'mystery grocery store' coming to West Melbourne inside former Office Depot
West Melbourne's mystery grocer has been identified: Aldi plans to open a new store inside the former Office Depot storefront near the Melbourne Square mall main entrance. Aldi will be located in the Shoppes of West Melbourne, a U.S. 192 plaza anchored by Joann and Bed, Bath & Beyond.
› Meet the woman bringing Christmas back to Tampa’s Franklin Street
The city of Tampa once marked the start of the holiday season by turning on Christmas lights strewn throughout downtown’s Franklin Street. “It was the center of the Christmas universe,” said Victor DiMaio, who, as a kid, spent winter break with his mother as she worked at Haber’s Department Store on Franklin Street.
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