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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida orange shortage causes price increase for some products
Orange juice prices are on the rise after Florida citrus production plummeted this year and dragged down the country’s supply of the iconic fruit. Experts attribute the losses in Florida to Hurricane Ian and a bacterial disease that has plagued the state’s citrus trees for decades. The state’s orange yield is set to be 43% lower than expected, based on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s final estimate of the season, released in July. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Tropical Storm Lee expected to become 'extremely dangerous hurricane.' Is Florida at risk?
Tropical Storm Lee is expected to become an "extremely dangerous hurricane" by the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. Lee didn't take long to live up to expectations Tuesday, growing from an invest to a tropical depression and then a tropical storm in about six hours. Today, it's expected to become a hurricane and then become a major hurricane by Friday morning, according to the National Hurricane Center. More from the Gainesville Sun.
Energy efficiency detectives help Miami-Dade buildings cut power bills and carbon emissions
Miami-Dade County’s Building Efficiency 305 program& started last year to help building managers save money and shrink their carbon footprint. Building owners and managers can enroll in the program and attend free training sessions on boosting their buildings’ energy and water efficiency. Eight times a year, the county picks one participating building for a free efficiency audit from the UM Industrial Assessment Center, which offers them tailored advice on cutting their power bill. More from the Miami Herald.
Melbourne Margaritaville construction resumes after economy-driven delay
As Parrot Heads around the world mourn the death of legendary "Margaritaville" singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett, construction crews are resuming work on his future namesake tourist resort on the Space Coast. In May, construction of the Compass Landing by Margaritaville resort on U.S. 1 in Melbourne was suspended because of high interest rates and unfavorable economic conditions. The target opening date was pushed back from fall 2024 to late 2025. Now, construction is back underway. More from Florida Today.
‘Dead on arrival’: Tampa City Council axes Mayor Castor’s tax hike
Tampa City Council voted to slam the brakes on Mayor Jane Castor’s proposed budget Tuesday night, axing the double-digit property tax rate increase she said was a “critical investment” to tackle an ever-growing backlog of maintenance projects and meet the needs of a growing city. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Entertainment
Jacksonville horror film 'Bloody Frickin Mary' slated for red-carpet premiere Thursday
Chad Hendricks has made a dozen movies in the last 20 years, but he had never made a horror film. Enter "Bloody Frickin Mary," Hendricks' latest film, which is scheduled for a red-carpet premiere at 7 p.m. Thursday at AMC Regency theaters. The film, about a group of teenagers who summon a bloodthirsty urban legend during a sleepover party, was filmed in Jacksonville with an all-Jacksonville cast and all-Jacksonville crew.
» More from the Florida Times-Union.
Out of the Box
Florida man arrested for trying to cross Atlantic in human-powered hamster wheel
A Florida man is facing federal criminal charges after he attempted to cross the Atlantic Ocean to get to England in a human-sized hamster wheel contraption, officials said. Ray "Reza" Baluchi was charged with obstruction of a boarding and violation of a captain of the port order, according to a criminal complaint.
» Read more from Fox 35 Orlando and the Independent.
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