Things To Do In SW Florida

TALLAHASSEE — Gas prices in 2024 shouldn’t financially pinch Florida motorists as much as during the past two years, according to a company that tracks pump prices.

As inflation eases and the COVID-19 pandemic fades further into the background, the Boston-based GasBuddy expects pump prices nationally to drop from an average of about $3.51 for all of 2023 to $3.38 in 2024, reducing annual household spending on gas by about 2 percent.

“The global refining picture continues to improve, providing more capacity and peace of mind that record-setting prices will stay away from the pump in 2024,” Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy, said in a statement with the company’s annual “Fuel Price Outlook.”

“I anticipate that we’ll still have some volatility, unexpected outages and disruptions, and potentially weather-related issues, but I do not expect it to lead to record prices,” De Haan continued.

As cities take down Confederate memorials, Florida bill seeks to stop them — and put the statues back up read more

Along Virginia’s Eastern Shore sits Wallops Island, a 6-square-mile barrier island that’s a hub for rocket science.

Recently, RVA757 Connects, a nonprofit committed to making Richmond and Hampton Roads a megaregion, showcased Wallops Island, Virginia Spaceport Authority and Rocket Lab’s contribution to rockets, aerospace and the region.

Run by Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland, Wallops Island serves Virginia Spaceport Authority’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport and private companies such as California-based Rocket Lab.

With three launch pads, Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport is one of only five sites in the U.S. licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation for vertical launches to orbit, according to its website. It is one of three East Coast sites capable of launching to mid-inclination orbits.

The regional spaceport has a 24-hour rapid call-up launch for defense needs and is the alternate site for missions of national importance, including national security and human space flight, said Sean Mulligan, Virginia Spaceport Authority’s deputy executive director and chief operating officer. The spaceport is a backup for Cape Canaveral in Florida. read more

By WYATTE GRANTHAM-PHILIPS (AP Business Writer)

It’s just about time to celebrate New Year’s Eve and say goodbye to 2023. Preparing for a midnight toast and more year-end festivities may require a run or two to the store — but it’s wise to expect some limited business hours.

While a handful of major chains operate normally on the final day of the year, many others close up shop early. Much of this depends on location and each company’s policy — so when in doubt, call ahead or check online for more specific schedules near you.

Here’s a rundown of New Year’s Eve hours for stores across the U.S. this year.

Walmart is open with regular operating hours on New Year’s Eve.

Most Target stores will close at 9 p.m. on New Year’s Eve.

Costco’s warehouses will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, although hours may vary between locations. You can check local hours here.

Many CVS Pharmacy locations will operate with normal hours on New Year’s Eve, but some non-24 locations may be closed or have reduced hours. Customers are encouraged to call ahead or double check local hours online. read more