Travel to Cuba is getting popular again — just in time for a slew of new Havana flights

The U.S. Department of Transportation tentatively awarded a slew of U.S.-Havana routes to five major airlines from several cities in the country, including Miami and Fort Lauderdale. The proposed schedule is open for public comment and will likely be finalized later this month. More from the Miami Herald and Travel Pulse.

See also:
» Time to Tighten the Screws on Cuba?

Florida Council of 100
How Florida can help adolescents thrive in middle school

The Florida Council of 100's latest report looks at grades 4-8 and makes recommendations aimed at helping students during middle school. "The Horizons 2040 Project: Grades 4-8," focuses on nurturing adolescents’ academic growth, personalizing education, minimizing disruptions and making the school like a second family. [Source: Florida Trend]

Florida gas prices set new record in March

AAA said that, when it comes to the month of March, drivers saw the highest gas prices for that month since 2014. AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said the rise in gas prices is an indicator of low supply because refineries are switching from a winter blend to a summer blend. More from WMFE and the Naples Daily News.

2018 Atlantic hurricane outlook: 4 US impacts predicted amid another active season

After a devastating hurricane season for the United States in 2017, forecasters are predicting a near normal to slightly above-normal year with between 12 to 15 tropical storms. Of those storms, 6 to 8 are forecast to become hurricanes and 3 to 5 are forecast to become major hurricanes. [Source: Accuweather]

Commentary: Swiss investment heats up Florida economy

RUAG, a Swiss company that manufactures satellite parts, recently opened a new plant in Titusville. The satellite maker isn't the only Swiss firm helping to grow Florida's economy. Financial services giant Credit Suisse, food and beverage behemoth Nestlé, and watchmaker TAG Heuer have all brought their business to Florida [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Office Depot cites its 'values' for pulling ads from Ingraham's Fox show [Orlando Sentinel]
Office Depot, one of several advertisers that recently pulled its ads from the Fox News show hosted by Laura Ingraham, said Monday the host's recent actions didn't reflect its "values."

› Port of Jacksonville continues strong growth in February [Transport Topics]
February proved a strong month for the Port of Jacksonville, showing significant increases in several shipping categories. Jaxport said container volumes increased 25% this year compared with the same period in 2017.

› Good nesting bird season in Everglades National Park [AP]
The South Florida Water Management District reported that great egrets, white ibis, wood storks and other wading birds had a good nesting season in Everglades National Park and a handful of water conservation areas north of the park.

› Port Tampa Bay breaks passenger records with six cruise ships in one weekend [Tampa Bay Times]
With six cruise ships calling at Port Tampa Bay on Saturday and Sunday, the port saw a record-breaking weekend for passenger traffic. A total of 29,167 passengers passed in or out of the port over the weekend, officials announced Monday.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Navy nuclear-powered submarine USS Indiana to be commissioned at Port Canaveral [Florida Today]
The Navy has selected Port Canaveral to host the commissioning later this year of the USS Indiana, a nuclear-powered submarine. The commissioning and related events over a two-day period are expected to attract thousands of people to the Space Coast.

› Mears investors to compete nationally with ride-share cabs [Orlando Sentinel]
Mears Transportation, Central Florida’s oldest taxi company and one of the largest in the Southeast, announced Monday that a South Florida company has purchased majority ownership of the firm with ambitious plans to merge the Mears traditional taxi service with ride-share business tactics.

› Gov. Scott signs bills designed to keep Florida ‘military friendly’ [Tampa Bay Times]
Gov. Rick Scott came to USAA's headquarters in Tampa Monday morning for a ceremonial signing of two laws designed to keep Florida "the nation's most military friendly state." Scott signed bills designed to reduce fees for Florida military, veterans and their families.

› Florida teachers unions recruiting new members to stay ahead of state decertification law [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A move by the Republican-led Legislature that could weaken the Democratic-allied state teachers unions is showing signs of having the opposite effect as an epic election-year unfolds in Florida.