Record travel expected in Florida this Memorial Day weekend
Memorial Day weekend is expected to break travel records. AAA predicts millions will board flights or hit the roads across the state. In Florida, leaders with AAA say 2.6 million will travel at least 50 miles over the holiday period, 95,000 more than last year. Nationwide, 45 million are expected to head out of town for the unofficial start of summer. The number beats the previous record of 44 million set in 2005. 87% of those travelers will be driving, according to the auto club. More from WFLA and Spectrum News.
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» South Florida airports brace for a busy Memorial Day weekend
Charlotte County scraps 2050 plan for highway through Ranchettes
After hearing strong opposition from residents, the Charlotte County Metropolitan Planning Organization Board voted to remove a proposed four-lane road through the Ranchettes rural area from its 2050 Long Range Transportation Plan. Residents shared emotional testimony about their rural lifestyle, including keeping animals on large, unpaved lots. Many voiced concerns about losing their homes and way of life. More from Gulfshore Business.
Miami-Dade eyes replacing Metromover system amid rising costs, frequent shutdowns
Miami-Dade County is exploring the possibility of replacing its aging Metromover system due to persistent maintenance issues and rising operational costs. While no final decisions have been made about the free, automated transit service that loops through downtown Miami, officials confirmed several replacement proposals are under review. At least one proposal envisions a two-tiered system offering both free and paid, premium options. More from Florida Politics.
Controversial rock mine plan in Everglades gets county approval
Palm Beach County’s commissioners on Thursday night voted 6-0 to approve a controversial rock mining project in the Everglades Agricultural Area, south of Lake Okeechobee. Known as The Southland Water Resource Project, the mine was proposed by the contracting firm Phillips & Jordan and would be dug on farmland currently used by the U.S. Sugar Corp. and Okeelanta Corp. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Ahead of Starship's arrival, Cape Canaveral to study rocket launch noise, vibrations
Cape Canaveral residents are concerned about potential structural damage to buildings caused by increasingly frequent and powerful rocket launches. A study by Florida Tech will measure noise, vibration, and air quality impacts of launches on buildings in Cape Canaveral. SpaceX plans to significantly increase Falcon 9 launches and introduce the much larger Starship rocket, raising concerns about the impact on older structures. More from Florida Today.
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Business Beat - Week of May 23rd
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Business Profile
Look Alive Coffee is popping up on menus across Tampa Bay
Look Alive Coffee’s funky skull logo has popped up in Tampa at Willa’s and Little Tina, and in Largo at the coffee shop Swell. If you haven’t noticed the brand before, you’re about to. When Kelly and Michael Packard outfitted their 860-square-foot St. Petersburg roastery with a modest 10-kilogram Mill City coffee roaster in late 2023, they didn’t expect this kind of growth.
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.