Monday's Afternoon Update
From NASA to SpaceX, these are the top Florida launches to look forward to in 2022
Every year seems to be historic for the space industry, but the last few have been exceptionally so. This year promises to be just as exciting thanks to launches of new mega rockets, the first step to returning humans to the moon, and a look at a rocket that might someday carry astronauts to Mars. More from Florida Today.
Panama City has high hopes for 2022. Here's how leaders plan to improve the city this year
Another new year means another chance for Panama City to reach its goal of becoming the premier city in the Panhandle. Panama City officials recently outlined how 2022 would bring more growth and opportunity to the city with new businesses, infrastructure improvements and restoring city staples. More from the Panama City News Herald.
Harmful Indian snail wiped out of Florida nurseries but still chews up neighborhood lawns
More than 6,000 horntail snails have been plucked from the ground in South Florida, in what the state agriculture department describes as a successful campaign to eliminate the non-native pest from commercial nurseries. The snail with a dime-sized shell was discovered in 2020 in the Coconut Grove section of Miami, and since then, state inspectors, nursery workers and homeowners have found them across much of Miami-Dade County, all the way down to Florida City. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Gas prices may soon be on the rise. Here’s why
Florida gas prices dropped another penny last week, with some drivers finding much deeper discounts at the pump, but the relief may be short-lived. Although the state average was $3.20 per gallon on Sunday, 7% of Florida gas stations had pump prices below $3 a gallon. “January gas prices are often driven down by lower fuel demand. Unfortunately, that downward trend at the pump may soon come to an end,” said Mark Jenkins, spokesman for AAA. More from Click Orlando.
State audit blisters Port Richey’s redevelopment agency
A state audit has confirmed mismanagement allegations stretching back years within the city’s community redevelopment agency. The scathing report issued last month by the Florida auditor general found that the agency used money dedicated to fixing blight in the city to pay for other things, such as the salaries of City Council members, police and fire officials. And it put an undue share of the cost of fixing city problems on Pasco County government for two years. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Sports Business
Jacksonville Jaguars on path to stadium renovation
Jacksonville Jaguars President Mark Lamping said NFL team relocations in recent years have little to do with win-loss records and more to do with facilities. “You judge that team based on the wins and losses and it’s the single most important thing,” Lamping said. “But don’t think for a moment, the path to keeping a team in the city is team performance.”
» More from the Jacksonville Daily Record.
Out of the Box
Life is hard, but you can find sweetness at Miami’s beloved chocolate festival
We have heard of these strange, exotic people who don’t live for chocolate. We know there are vague rumors of their existence, but they remain an eternal mystery. For most of us, though, the return of the Festival of Chocolate this month is worth a celebration. Don’t we all need something sweet in our lives right about now? The annual two-day event at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, now in its 15th year, includes cooking classes and demonstrations as well as activities for kids. Also: lots of chocolate.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.