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UF study taps into flourishing Florida craft beer market
The study supports Florida's craft beer community by providing valuable, data-driven insights that could help these breweries make more informed decisions about their marketing and consumer engagement strategies.
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 26:  In this photo illustration, social media apps are displayed on an iPad on February 26, 2024, in Miami, Florida. The US Supreme Court is hearing a case on whether to give Texas and Florida significantly more control over social media platforms and their content. (Photo illustration by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
Social media experts are skeptical about the power of new state laws
More states hope to rein in the harm that social media can do to teens’ mental health and privacy by approving laws that require age verification or parental consent, prohibit “addictive feeds,” or ban the apps for minors.
A neighborhood in Sarasota, Florida, that was chosen for radical change while other neighborhoods stay exactly the same.
America’s “Grand Housing Bargain” is broken. It's time for a new one.
The current grand bargain is simple: No neighborhood needs to change; they can all stay in their current form, but in exchange, one or two neighborhoods will experience radical transformation.
Flooding in Asheville, N.C., caused by Hurricane Helene in September 2024 sparked climate misinformation. Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images
Climate misinformation is rife on social media – and poised to get worse
In the wake of the 2023 Hawaii wildfires, researchers at Recorded Future, Microsoft, NewsGuard and the University of Maryland documented an organized propaganda campaign by Chinese operatives targeting U.S. social media users.
AAA: Florida gas prices increase by three cents from last week
Florida's state average has mostly hovered between $2.99 and $3.15 since early September. However, during the past two weeks, the state average exceeded $3.20 per gallon.
Local News
How to deal with a Florida winter weather event
These simple safety reminders can help you and your family better prepare for Florida's winter weather events.
Downtown Apopka.
10 questions to ask someone running for local office
How can you figure out whether a candidate for mayor or city council will uphold Strong Towns principles and take a thoughtful, incremental approach to your community's problems?
Blake Guyre performs at the Apopka Amphitheater this month.
Saturday Sounds returns this weekend
See Apopka's very own Blake Guyre perform the music of Elton John and Billy Joel live at the Apopka Amphitheater this Saturday from 5 PM to 7 PM!
There are fewer than 400 Right Whales left in the wild. Like manatees, they’re vulnerable to being clobbered by boats. In 2021, for instance, one boat called the About Time clobbered two of them off St. Augustine — a mama whale and its new calf. Both died.
The report comprehensively examines the shelter’s accomplishments and community support in the past year. Most notably, OCAS achieved a 91% live release rate for dogs and 88% for cats, contributing to an overall live release rate of 89%.
Business
UF/IFAS researchers deploy drones to perfect nutrient rates
The UF/IFAS Best Management Practices Lab is using drones to develop algorithms that estimate nutrient application rates for optimal crop yields.
Orange County Public Schools is hiring bus drivers and mechanics
School bus drivers are responsible for safely transporting students to and from school, creating a reliable bridge between home and education.
A look down a grocery aisle at Aldi.
House lawmakers file bipartisan bill encouraging construction of grocery stores in food deserts
HB 89 would allow local governments to authorize “small-footprint grocery stores” in food insecure areas, as designated by the state Office of Economic and Demographic Research.
Goodwill Industries of Central Florida recently expanded its job training program to serve local high school students and provide them with hands-on experience by working in its stores. 
OCPS calculates that these 1,150 single-family homes will add an additional 472 students to our Apopka schools. This does not consider the unspecified number of Paulucci Acres multi-unit family units that will generate even more students.
Orange County Government issues roughly 81,000 vertical building permits a year, making it the busiest and largest permitting agency in Central Florida.
After two back-to-back hurricanes – Helene and Milton – in late September and early October, the USDA released its December forecast for the 2024-2025 citrus harvest. It's poised to be the smallest in over a century.
Health

Medicaid cuts could devastate rural Florida, affecting children

The report reveals that rural Floridians face unique challenges, including provider shortages, long commutes, and limited connectivity, all of which make accessing healthcare more difficult.

3 Crashes in 13 Months: This Bradenton bicyclist has to risk his life just to go to work

Fletcher Williams at the intersection in Bradenton, Florida, where he was struck by a car while riding his bicycle.

Fletcher Williams was on his bicycle returning from work at 6:30 a.m., traveling westbound on 57th Avenue. He proceeded into the crosswalk with a walk signal, where he was immediately struck by a car turning right.

755,000 kids didn’t have enough food during past two summers, report finds

Groceries at a Target store.

The report published Monday urges state lawmakers to opt into SUN Bucks, a federal summer program that gives low-income families financial assistance for food.

Jessica M. Rodriguez, champion of health and community, appointed Orange County Medical Clinic Manager

Jessica M. Rodriguez is the newly appointed manager of the Orange County Medical Clinic.

Rodriguez will strive to accomplish these goals through increased community outreach, collaborative partnerships, and grants to expand services and comprehensive care through preventative measures.

The mythology of extracting wisdom teeth

Wisdom teeth are just your third molars. They are just the last tooth to erupt, and often, our mouths do not have enough space to accommodate them. They are no different than the rest of your teeth.

Vaccine hesitancy among pet owners is growing – a public health expert explains why that matters

Pet owners, too, are starting to become concerned about the side effects of vaccines. Noah Seelam/AFP via Getty Images

Vaccines also provide essential protections for our nonhuman companions, including the most common pets: dogs and cats.

Orange and Seminole Counties see historic decline in overdose deaths

While encouraging, leaders caution against complacency. Overdose deaths remain two to three times higher than a decade ago, fueled by the rise of fentanyl.

Federal officials warn Florida over KidCare battle

DENVER, CO - NOVEMBER 03: National Jewish Health registered nurse Lindsay Waldman, left, prepares to administer a pediatric COVID vaccine to Emma Waas, 5, as her father, Andy Waas, comforts her on November 3, 2021 in Denver, Colorado. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has approved the Pfizer-BioNTech pediatric vaccine for the 28 million children aged 5-11 years old. (Photo by Michael Ciaglo/Getty Images)

Florida KidCare is a Medicaid expansion program for children aged 5-18 whose families earn too much to qualify for the traditional Medicaid program.

Government
One Family Church has graciously offered their facility as a shelter for these dates. We are working diligently with other community churches for future sites (if needed) during this cold weather season. 
Due to this predicted cold weather, Orange County will support the Homeless Services Network in welcoming residents and people without stable housing to two area Warming Centers.
HB 379 is a 2023 law that prohibits phone use during instructional time, prohibits access to certain websites on school networks, and requires instruction to use social media responsibly.
The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly arrest report that includes arrests, crashes, calls for service, and traffic citations. This report is for the week ending January 18th.
Apopka Police Department Burglary Report: January 12th-18th
The Apopka Voice publishes a weekly burglary report from the Apopka Police Department that includes reported burglaries of businesses, residences, and vehicles. 
16th Annual Apopka MLK Jr. Parade continues to bring communities closer together
Apopka came alive on Monday, as the community gathered for the 16th annual Martin Luther King Jr. Parade, a vibrant celebration of unity, culture, and the enduring legacy of the civil rights leader.
An aerial view of a neighborhood destroyed by the Palisades Fire.
Insurance for natural disasters is failing homeowners − I don’t have the answers, but I do know the right questions to ask
Since 2022, seven of the 12 largest insurance companies have stopped issuing new policies to homeowners in California, citing increased risks due to climate change. California isn’t alone: The same thing has happened in other vulnerable states, including Louisiana and Florida.
Opinion

Florida agency wants to try captive breeding of endangered sparrow

The little birds have seen a major population decline.
There used to be an estimated 7,000 Cape Sable Sparrows flitting through the River of Grass. Now, 25 years later, their numbers have dropped to fewer than 2,500.
In Blair, Nebraska, Jake Loftis and his Local Conversation (Strong Towns Blair) are turning the idea of New Year’s resolutions into a powerful tool for community transformation.
Pittman: "The Tortoise Conservancy is all over social media right now, their sponsored posts popping up on Facebook, Instagram, you name it. They claim to be all about saving Florida’s poor imperiled gopher tortoise — with your help, of course."
As we turn to 2025, we’re optimistic the economy will keep growing. But that’s not without some caveats. Here are the key questions and risks we’re watching.
Bonus Content

Top Super Bowl halftime performances of all time

BangTheBook takes a look at some of the best Super Bowl halftime performances of all time.

How this Gen Z cookie entrepreneur took her part-time business full-time

Square spotlights Cookie in the Kitchen founder and Gen Zer Emily Henegar's journey growing her custom cookie passion from part-time hustle to full-time business.

These U.S. cities can't let go of their cars

Motointegrator and DataPulse share data on the most car-dependent cities across the U.S.

How to advertise rental property: Marketing tips to find renters

TurboTenant shares an overview on how to advertise your rental property effectively.