Things To Do In SW Florida

After six years as one of South Florida’s longest running startup companies, Brightline, the high-speed railroad line,  has finally reached its desired inflection point: Most of its passengers are now traveling to and from Orlando.

In a recently released monthly ridership report to investors for June, the company said  total ridership was 223,369 at an average fare of $55, with long-haul customer numbers rising month over month to a record of 139,307 passengers “due to growing repeat customers as our service to Orlando ramps up.”

“In June, repeat customers booked over 60,000 long-haul trips, a 7% ratio of our marketable database of approximately 860,000 individuals as of June 1,” the report said.

But short-haul ridership consisting of commuters sharply declined to  84,062 versus 149,536 in June 2023, reflecting “ongoing seat capacity constraints and the discontinuation of our commuter pass product in June.”

Brightline management has repeatedly said that its ultimate goal was to attract long-haul passengers traveling between South and Central Florida. read more

TALLAHASSEE — Florida in recent years has held a variety of sales-tax “holidays” covering everything from hurricane supplies to theater tickets.

But many businesses get most excited about the annual tax holidays on back-to-school items.

Florida Retail Federation President and CEO Scott Shalley said Thursday the 14-day back-to-school holiday, which will start Monday, closely resembles the end-of-the-year shopping season in its impact for many businesses.

“It’s the proverbial win-win-win in terms of getting our kids ready to go back to school, saving a little money on taxes and providing a little boost for retailers,” Shalley said.

During the back-to-school discount period, which will run through Aug. 11, shoppers will avoid paying sales taxes on clothes, shoes and book bags that cost $100 or less; school supplies that cost $50 or less, learning aids that cost $30 or less; and personal computers that cost $1,500 or less.

The back-to-school holiday was included in a broad tax package (HB 7073) that lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis approved this year. During an appearance Thursday at Mo’s Bagels & Deli in Aventura, DeSantis said the tax holiday is among several parts of the package “that are going to make a difference for folks.” read more

SpaceX announced it had submitted its mishap investigation report to the Federal Aviation Administration after an issue that led to the grounding of its Falcon 9 rocket, and the FAA determined the company could resume launches.

“SpaceX’s investigation team, with oversight from the FAA, was able to identify the most probable cause of the mishap and associated corrective actions to ensure the success of future missions,” the company posted on its website Thursday.

The grounding came after a July 11 launch from California on a Starlink mission that saw its second stage fail to reignite as planned because of a liquid oxygen leak.

The FAA issued a statement Thursday saying it determined “no public safety issues were involved in the anomaly that occurred” during the launch.

“This public safety determination means the Falcon 9 vehicle may return to flight operations while the overall investigation remains open, provided all other license requirements are met,” the FAA stated.

SpaceX also announced its first planned return to flight for the rocket is on another Starlink mission this Saturday from Kennedy Space Center’s Space Launch Complex 39-A during a four-hour window that opens at 12:21 a.m. It has another launch from nearby Cape Canaveral Space Force Station also for Starlink slated for early Sunday. read more

Mayors or attorneys representing most Orange County cities and towns declared their opposition Thursday to a pair of proposed ballot measures imposing new restrictions on development, drawing battle lines with county leaders over how the region should grow.

Their objections took the form of a sharply-worded letter to Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, signed by local officials including Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer and Apopka Mayor Bryan Nelson. Also onboard are representatives of Belle Isle, Eatonville, Edgewood, Maitland, Oakland, Winter Garden, Ocoee and Windermere.

One of the measures would erect higher hurdles to development in rural areas, while the other could grant the county veto power over cities’ efforts to annex land outside their limits, which are often a precursor to denser development.

But the cities contend the efforts – set to be discussed in a county workshop planned for Tuesday – impede their “Home Rule” authorities, granted by Florida’s Constitution.

“We must object to proposals that may invade the constitutional and statutory prerogatives of municipal home rule for these and other reasons of advancing responsible growth and governance,” the letter reads. “We must also carefully safeguard the rights of our taxpayers and residents.” read more

The Orlando Sentinel took home seven first-place awards, including two for its Toxic Secret series, at the Florida Society of News Editors’ annual statewide journalism awards luncheon Thursday.

Toxic Secret, a series reported by Kevin Spear, Martin Comas and Caroline Catherman that revealed a little-known chemical contaminated water in Seminole County, won first place for enterprise while the community forum livestream for the series won first place for live video. The series won second place in the features video category for the Sentinel’s staff piece on how 1,4-dioxane tainted Central Florida tap water.

“I’m so proud of our journalists, who strive to bring stories to the community that otherwise wouldn’t be told,” said Julie Anderson, editor-in-chief for the Orlando Sentinel Media Group and Sun Sentinel Media Group. “They deserve the recognition.”

The Sentinel also won first place for breaking news video and features video. Rich Pope won for his feature video on high school football player Alex Pring and again Pope, alongside Matthew J. Palm, won for their breaking news video on the Orlando Museum Basquiat scandal. read more