DeSantis Weighs in on Gas Prices

Gov. Ron DeSantis rejected a proposal on Thursday by Florida Democrats to pause gas tax amid rising prices due to Middle East conflicts.

“My answer is just get the cost down internationally, and that means having stable energy markets, making sure we’re doing everything to get our stuff to market,” DeSantis said. “But I don’t know that there’s going to be any simple fix.”

Gas prices in Florida have jumped about $1 since March 2, with the BP gas station at 1999 Oslo Rd. in Vero Beach having gas listed at $4.09 on Friday.

AAA reported that Florida’s average gas price was $3.95 on Friday morning, topping the national average of $3.91.

New Pier in Manatee County Announced

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that a new Skyway Fishing Pier will be constructed in Manatee County and the Pinellas County pier will be updated.

“This has been a major place for a lot of people,” DeSantis said. “I‘m glad that we’re moving forward with that very quickly.”

Early work will include enhancements to parking areas and the addition of wider sidewalks along the seawall.

Part of the Manatee Pier closed nearly six months ago because of damage from Hurricane Milton. That section is off limits to the public because of safety concerns.

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Begins

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding residents and visitors that sea turtle nesting season is beginning and asking that beaches be kept clean and dark at night.

Sea turtles typically begin returning to nest in March along the state’s southeast Atlantic coast from Brevard County south to Broward County, the commission said. Nesting on the Gulf Coast and North Florida beaches generally starts in April or May.

At major nesting sites such as the John D. MacArthur Beach State Park and Cayo Costa State Park, volunteers are patrolling for nest sites and marking turtle crawls.

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➤ Miami: An SUV slammed into a Shell station’s car wash at the intersection of Le Jeune Road and Northwest Seventh Street on Friday after the driver suffered a medical emergency. (See Video)

➤ Jacksonville: A firefighter was arrested Wednesday after getting into a physical altercation with another firefighter at a station on the northwest side. (Details)

➤ Escambia County: A $3.8 million stormwater park opened Thursday, restoring wetlands, reducing flooding, and offering new amenities like walking trails and pollinator gardens. (See Photos)

➤ Orlando: Nearly 400 people were evacuated from The Rialto Apartments on Thursday when concerns were raised about the building’s “structural instability” after large cracks appeared and doors jammed. (See Photos)

➤ Brevard County: NASA returned its Artemis II moon rocket to its temporary launch pad on Friday morning after a helium flow issue forced it back to the Vehicle Assembly Building for repairs. (More)

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➤ Florida, UCF, and Miami men’s basketball all played in Round One of the NCAA men’s basketball tournament last night. (See Scores)

➤ The Miami Heat are expected to waive Terry Rozier, who’s currently being investigated for his involvement in a gambling ring, before the end of the regular season. (More)

➤ Florida State kicker Conor McAneney was arrested this week for fighting a police officer and resisting arrest in Fort Lauderdale during spring break. (More)

Yesterday’s Results: NBA | NHL | NCAAM | NCAAW | NCAAB | NCAASB | Soccer | Golf | Tennis

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➤ Tall Timbers Foundation has launched a fundraiser to rebuild the historic Beadel House in Tallahassee after it burned to the ground earlier this week. “We will press forward,” said Bill Palmer, president and CEO. (See Photo)

➤ A Palm Beach man went viral after a social media video showed him cruising down the highway in a convertible as someone shouted, “Epstein is alive!” (See Photo)

➤ The Florida Keys Latin Festival is back again this weekend at Bayview Park in Key West, featuring performances from local and international artists, food from top Cuban and Latin restaurants, and dancing. (Details)

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Have you ever been to a thoroughbred horse race?

1. Yes
2. No

Friday’s Results:

Have you flown on Frontier Airlines?

1. Yes: 42%
2. No: 58%

Which Florida city is known as the Circus Capital of the World?

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