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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Giant seaweed blob reaches Florida beaches
According to scientists who monitor the formation of sargassum in the Atlantic Ocean, 2023 could produce the largest bloom ever recorded. That's bad news for destinations like Miami and Fort Lauderdale that will struggle to clean their shorelines. In 2022, Miami-Dade County spent $6 million to clear sargassum from just four popular beaches. Sargassum isn't new on South Florida beaches, but its rapid increase over the past decade indicates that some new factor -- likely related to human actions -- is affecting when and how it forms. More from UPI and WSVN.
Florida gas prices surge to yearly high
Florida gas prices are back up to a yearly high. The price per gallon rose 12 cents to $3.58, a tie for the highest price for the year set in January. The jump was expected, as OPEC announced cuts in oil production, which caused prices to surge. "It's possible that retail gas prices could inch up a little more this week before fully adjusting to the moves in the futures market," said Mark Jenkins, spokesman, AAA - The Auto Club Group. More from the Tallahassee Democrat.
Report: Florida officials cut key data from vaccine study
An analysis that was the basis of a highly criticized recommendation from Florida's surgeon general cautioning young men against getting the COVID-19 vaccine omitted information that showed catching the virus could increase the risk of a cardiac-related death much more than getting the mRNA shot, according to drafts of the analysis obtained by the Tampa Bay Times. More from WUSF and the Tampa Bay Times.
Chances dropping for development of 1st April tropical storm in Gulf of Mexico
It looks as if history is safe when it comes to a tropical storm developing in the Gulf of Mexico this week. AccuWeather forecasters have been watching the Gulf of Mexico for the potential development of an April tropical or subtropical storm. April tropical systems are rare. The last one was Tropical Storm Arlene in the Central Atlantic in 2017. More from Florida Today.
Here's where you can swim with an alligator in Florida
Ever wanted to get up close and personal with an alligator? Well, here in the Sunshine State – you can. There is an underwater tour in Florida where you can actually swim with an alligator, with a net barrier between you and the reptile, of course. You won't be able to touch a gator, for safety reasons, but you will be able to get pretty close to observe its behavior. More from Fox 35 Orlando.
Retail Trends
What happens when a small Publix with tight parking is the only supermarket around?
To get a new grocery store you first must have people, traffic, businesses — all the things that make an area more densely packed. While the Florida-baked Publix feels dense enough most evenings, downtown doesn’t have the people to attract another store just yet.
» More from the Miami Herald.
In Memoriam
As owner of Pinellas County restaurants, Greek chef cultivated old-world food
When Arthur Alimonos left Greece for America in 1953, the 19-year-old learned he had two options: work in a restaurant washing dishes, or make twice as much money working in a factory. Alimonos started scrubbing. Within six months, Alimonos was working as a cook. By his death of natural causes on March 17, Alimonos, 90, had opened and run multiple restaurants and a hotel.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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