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Florida tourism inches up as Canadian travel continues to fall - An estimated 34.339 million people visited Florida between July and September, a slight increase from 34.239 million during the same period last year, according to figures released by Visit Florida. Canadian travel to Florida continued to decline amid ongoing U.S.-Canada tensions. Visit Florida estimated 507,000 Canadians visited during the quarter, down sharply from 597,000 a year earlier.
Young manatees died at near-record numbers but 2025 also brought hope
This past year brought mixed milestones for manatees: near-record deaths for young sea cows but also a bit more seagrass for grazing, some new scientific insights and other hints of hope for 2026. While they kept dying in droves, sea cows on the Space Coast — among their most important feeding spots — found more seagrass in the northern Indian River Lagoon. And a landmark legal ruling mandated that Florida’s most popular threatened species will soon swim in cleaner waters and must be fed lettuce to prevent winter starvation.
Gold, silver surge as Florida considers legal tender law - Gold and silver prices surged to record levels through the end of 2025, despite sharp price swings along the way. Precious-metals dealers in Southwest Florida — along with Gov. Ron DeSantis — attributed the run-up to increased investor demand as a hedge against national and global economic uncertainty. In May, DeSantis cited a weakening U.S. dollar and growing national debt as reasons behind gold’s rapid rise. He made those comments at a news conference in Apopka announcing a proposal that would allow — but not require — Florida businesses and governments to accept gold and silver as legal tender beginning July 1, 2026.
Florida gas prices rise as drivers head back to work - Gas prices are higher this week as drivers head back to work after the holidays. But even with the 7-cent increase, most areas in Florida remain under $3 a gallon, according to an AAA report. And the average price across the country has dipped. North Florida remains the cheapest to get gas in the state. Naples and Palm Beach County are among the most expensive areas.
Experts issue warning as devastating conditions threaten Florida farms: 'This could get much worse' - After a hurricane-free season, many Floridians felt relieved to avoid evacuations and storm damage. But for farmers across the state, the lack of major storms has come with a steep cost: a lack of water. Months of missed rainfall have pushed Florida into widespread drought, which has devastated crops, dried pastures, and strained one of the state's key industries. South Florida missed its spring rains in early 2025, and the Panhandle is now enduring its worst drought in more than a decade.
Hurricanes punched hole in Gulf Coast beach. It may stay - For decades, Sarasota County leaders have wrestled with the idea of reopening Midnight Pass, an inlet that split Siesta and Casey keys until its closure in 1983. When hurricanes Helene and Milton blew open the pass in 2024, Mother Nature made the decision for them. More than a year later, water quality, clarity and fish populations in Little Sarasota Bay have boomed. County leaders are now committed to keeping the pass open.
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