Florida gas prices surge nearly a full dollar in 12 days<\/p>\n
Florida gas prices are rising at a record pace. Over the last 12 days, the state average rose $0.84, according to AAA \u2014 The Auto Club Group. That\u2019s the fastest pace in four years, with the new average 27 cents higher than a week ago, 84 cents higher than a month ago, and 61 cents higher than this time last year. More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel<\/a>.<\/p>\n Would a convention center in downtown St. Petersburg work? City to find out<\/p>\n Ever since the Tampa Bay Rays walked away from building a replacement stadium for Tropicana Field surrounded by shops and condos, St. Petersburg has been contemplating what else could go on the 86-acre site. City officials announced last June that St. Petersburg would partner with Pinellas County to commission a feasibility study for a potential convention center as part of the new vision for what Mayor Ken Welch has called the Historic Gas Plant District. Nine months later, St. Petersburg is soliciting proposals to do just that. Jacksonville development update: Public projects<\/p>\n From the Southbank to Brooklyn and on to the Sports and Entertainment District, developments made strides throughout downtown Jacksonville in the last half of 2025 and the start of 2026. New parks on the Northbank and Southbank of Downtown Jacksonville were among public projects that made headlines in recent months. Here is an update on the city of Jacksonville’s contributions to the Downtown revitalization effort. More from the Jacksonville Daily Record<\/a>.<\/p>\n Spirit to focus on Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, New York and Detroit after leaving bankruptcy<\/p>\n In a declaration bound to please South and Central Florida area economic development, travel and airport officials, budget carrier Spirit Airlines has designated Fort Lauderdale and Orlando as key components of its operating plan once the company emerges from Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Management said Spirit intends to concentrate on the two major Florida destinations, along with the New York area and Detroit, all of which it characterized as being among its \u201cstrongest markets.\u201d More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel<\/a>.<\/p>\n Entertainment \u00bb More from the Orlando Sentinel<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Florida Trend Exclusive
\nMore from the Tampa Bay Times<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Orlando Jazz Collective to debut festival at Loch Haven Park<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/ZDNXFQW5CRDRTAJ4NEJM4WDTAM.png\")
<\/a>A new entry in Central Florida\u2019s ever-expanding roster of arts festivals will take place at Loch Haven Park this month as the Orlando Jazz Collective unveils a daylong celebration of the musical genre. The organization\u2019s first Orlando Jazz Festival will take place March 21 on the grounds of the Mennello Museum of American Art and feature national and local jazz acts. Headliners will be Terrace Martin and Chief Adjuah (formerly known as Christian Scott), who have 14 Grammy nominations between them.<\/p>\n
Reimagining education<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Riley Walker\u2019s startup is transforming classrooms through customized curricula that leverage AI, gamified learning, virtual reality and other innovative learning tools. His advice to new founders: \u201cListen more than you talk. Know that it is going to be a long road \u2014 grit is everything. And then, be helpful to others around you. If you mentor them and give them opportunities \u2014 guess what? An opportunity is probably coming your way.\u201d<\/p>\n