Five things to watch for on Election Day in Florida

Florida is at the center of presidential politics once again, with the eyes of the nation on America’s largest battleground state to see if President Donald Trump wins and keeps his reelection hopes alive or Joe Biden delivers a knockout punch. A must-win state for Trump, Florida is also being closely watched because it counts mail votes faster than other swing state and could be an early indicator of the final outcome in the presidential race. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]

See also:
» Florida has seen massive voter turnout so far, and Democrats hold slight lead in early and mail ballots
» Why Jacksonville is critical to winning the presidency
» In Brevard, most votes already cast, but still much to watch on Election Day

Is the Florida citrus market bouncing back?

Like the rest of the world, Florida’s citrus growers are ready to turn the page on 2020. The past several months will obviously be remembered for world-shaking events like the pandemic. But for citrus producers, the impacts of coronavirus only exacerbated already challenging business conditions, including a season marked by low prices for processing fruit. As the 2020-2021 season gets under­way, Florida citrus growers hope to see prices return to more normal, sus­tainable levels. [Source: Growing Produce]

Election Day weather looks favorable for ULA liftoff with national security satellite

About an hour before polls close on Election Day, United Launch Alliance is slated to send up a secret spy satellite on the Atlas V rocket from Cape Canaveral. The Atlas V rocket was on its way to the launch pad as of Monday morning from the hangar at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Inside the rocket’s nose cone is the NROL-101 satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office. The NRO builds and maintains U.S. intelligence satellites providing support to the intelligence community and the U.S. Department of Defense. [Source: WKMG]

Big turkeys could be rare birds at Thanksgiving dinner this year

The traditional fat Thanksgiving turkey could become another casualty of the coronavirus pandemic this year. Retail giant Walmart is stocking more turkey breasts as people plan to get together in smaller groups. Shoppers also are expected to hit the stores earlier in November for their holiday dinners to avoid crowds at the grocery store. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida gas prices plunge to 4-month lows

Florida gas prices sank to their lowest level since June. The state average dropped 4 cents last week to an average price of $2.05 per gallon. Gas prices are on a 29-day streak of declines, and it appears that trend will continue this week. Crude oil prices are tumbling – dropping 10% last week and another 3% overnight. The market is concerned that global fuel demand will continue to struggle thanks to rising COVID-19 cases both domestic and abroad. More from the Apopka Voice and the Tampa Bay Times.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Daytona airport ranks busiest in Florida 2nd month in a row [Daytona Beach News Journal]
For the second month in a row, and only the second time ever, Daytona Beach International Airport in September was once again the busiest airport in Florida. But that doesn't mean airline passenger traffic has bounced back to pre-coronavirus pandemic levels. The Volusia County-run airport had a total of 20,187 aircraft takeoffs and landings last month, up from 17,777 in August, according to Federal Aviation Administration statistics.

› Profits rise, sales fall at Sarasota's Helios Technologies [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Sales were down again but profits rose at Helios Technologies Inc. as the coronavirus continued to impact business during the third quarter. The Sarasota-based company, a global manufacturer in the hydraulics and electronics markets, on Monday posted net income of $13 million, or 40 cents per diluted share, in the latest period.

› Waste Management completes $4.6 billion acquisition of Advanced Disposal [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Waste Management Inc. completed its $4.6 billion acquisition of Ponte Vedra-based Advanced Disposal Services Inc. on Oct. 30, more than 18 months after the two waste services companies agreed to merge. The closing of the deal was delayed by a long antitrust review of the merger by the U.S. Department of Justice.

› Busch Gardens modifies Christmas Town events, moves ice show outdoors [Orlando Sentinel]
There’s a nip in the air, at least by Florida standards, so it’s OK to look forward to the holidays. Busch Gardens Tampa will change up its Christmas Town holiday celebrations this year with an emphasis on open-air entertainment and experiences, the theme park announced. That includes an ice show that’s outdoors for the first time and a new fireworks show.

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› Indoor audiences can see Pasco school sports teams, but not arts groups [Tampa Bay Times]
For teens whose school world revolves around their semester productions, the rule made an already disappointing year even worse. Indoor volleyball games are being played before crowds. Hundreds of kids have filled the gym to take ACT and SAT tests. Football crowds sit shoulder to shoulder in the stands, cheering on their teams.

› Demand for post office inspections after mail backlog in South Florida included ballots [CBS 12]
After a report of undelivered ballots that were found amid a backlog of mail in south Miami-Dade County, some voters in St. Lucie, Martin, and Indian River Counties have expressed concern as Election Day nears. U.S. Postal Service Office investigators said Saturday they found six completed ballots and 42 blank ballots among piles of undelivered mail in a post office near Homestead on the Florida peninsula’s southern tip.

› Gatorland offers $20.21 discount package for November [Orlando Sentinel]
Gatorland is beginning to wrap up 2020 with a $20.21 deal dubbed the Greater Gator Package. It will be available through November. The combo ticket includes a single-day admission to the attraction, a ride on the Gatorland Express train, Gator Chow to feed the animals and the Meet-A-Gator Experience at the Alligators: Legends of the Swamp Arena.

› Is Trader Joe’s coming to Coral Gables? No one’s talking, but it sure looks like it [Miami Herald]
Trader Joe’s, the grocer with a quirky vibe and legions of devotees, is planning to open a new store in Coral Gables. City officials confirmed on Friday that the German-owned chain has applied for a permit to build a store at the Gables Station mixed-use development now under construction on U.S. 1, five miles north of the perennially packed Trader Joe’s store in Pinecrest.