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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Gas prices in Florida are cheapest in 2 years. Will they stay low for Christmas travel?
Gas prices are now the lowest in two years, according to AAA. The average cost in the state on Sunday was $2.86 a gallon. The lower prices comes as people hit the roads in the week leading to Christmas. “Pump prices are falling at the perfect time, as more than 6 million Floridians prepare to take a road trip for the year-end holidays,” said AAA spokesperson Mark Jenkins. More from the Tampa Bay Times and WFLA.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Innovation: Beating the heat
Was it hot enough for you this summer? One researcher at the University of Florida wants to get a better understanding of how to make popular tourist areas around the state more comfortable during the hottest times. Yi Luo, an assistant professor in the University of Florida’s College of Design, Construction and Planning, studies microclimates — a term used to describe climate conditions in a relatively small area, particularly when the climate there is different from the area surrounding it. Temperature, humidity, solar radiation, wind and precipitation all can make a difference in a microclimate. [Source: Florida Trend]
Money eyed for Florida's transportation funding ‘gap'
A $7 billion program to advance a series of transportation projects hit a funding gap as it enters its second year and will require more money than initially planned from the state’s general-revenue fund. Gov. Ron DeSantis’ proposed $114.4 billion budget for next fiscal year includes $632 million that would come from general revenue rather than through financing or loans for the Moving Florida Forward program. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Study identifies Florida's potential invasive species threats
In a first-of-its-kind study for North America, scientists accumulated a list of potential invasive species for Florida, and researchers deemed 40 pose the greatest threat. A team of experts, led by University of Florida scientists, evaluated terrestrial, aquatic and marine species with characteristics that make them particularly adept at invasion. Their list includes 460 vertebrates, invertebrates, algae and plants. More from Phys.org and UF news.
DeSantis seeks energy-saving rebates in apparent change of heart
In an apparent about-face, Gov. Ron DeSantis is trying to reclaim some of the $346 million in federal funds he rejected six months ago when he vetoed $30 million for the state to administer a home energy rebate program. At the same time, a group of Florida congressional Democrats has introduced a bill that would allow city and county governments to run the home energy rebate program so that low-income Floridians can upgrade appliances and lower their energy bills. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Pasco officials reject project’s urban expansion as growth debate escalates
The debate over Pasco’s future plays out regularly in county land-use meetings and debates on social media, which either tout the new trendy restaurant finally drawn to the area or denounce the clearcutting of trees, another new car wash and disappearing cattle ranches. As the county prepares a new comprehensive growth plan that will establish development patterns from now through 2050, the tug of war between the camps of urban expansion and rural protection have been in the spotlight recently with attention focused on historically rural east Pasco.
› Alessio Trade Center breaks ground, bringing 600 jobs to Fort Myers
Alessio Trade Center will be doing more than bringing 600 jobs to the city of Fort Myers, said Sawyer Smith, an attorney and spokesperson for Alessio Development. He said it will activate needed business development along all of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard corridor. “This is an important project because it turns over a piece of land that was otherwise holding up development,” Smith said.
› Why eMerge Americas is putting healthtech innovation front and center at 2024 conference
When you enter the Miami Beach Convention Center for the eMerge Americas conference next April, you are going to see “a very expansive pavilion” made up of large, interactive experiences along with a showcase of startups all within healthtech. A special stage in the pavilion area will feature talks by healthtech experts throughout the two days, explains eMerge CEO Melissa Medina. “I don’t think you can miss it.”
› Rent decreased or stayed the same in several South Florida cities. See the savings
Rents have decreased year-over-year by 1% to 15% in several cities across South Florida, according to the latest monthly Miami Metro report by online national rental listing company Zumper. The company surveyed the median asking rents in November 2023 versus November 2022 for new listings in 29 of the most populated cities in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
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