Connect with us

News from the South - Florida News Feed

Florida gas prices remain constant ahead of Memorial Day weekend | Florida

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Steve Wilson | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-05-23 13:59:00


Gas prices in Florida are steady at $3.12 per gallon for regular gas ahead of Memorial Day weekend, according to AAA. This is one cent less than last month and 43 cents lower than a year ago. Nationally, the average is $3.20 per gallon, down 42 cents from last year. Mid-grade costs $3.58, premium $3.89, and diesel $3.47 in Florida. The cheapest gas is in the northwest Panhandle, with Bay County at $2.76 per gallon, while the most expensive is in Monroe County (Florida Keys) at $3.34. Mississippi has the lowest national price at $2.66; California leads with the highest at $4.87.

(The Center Square) — Gas prices in Florida are holding steady at $3.12 per gallon of regular, according to data from the American Automobile Association, before the start of Memorial Day weekend.

According to AAA, the national price is $3.20 per gallon, slightly cheaper than last week and a whopping 42 cents less than the same time last year.

Florida’s price is down one cent from last month, when the price at the pump was $3.13 per gallon and 43 cents less than the same time last year, when it was $3.56 per gallon.

Mid-grade gas is $3.58 per gallon, while premium commands a price of $3.89 per gallon and diesel prices are at $3.47 per gallon. 

The cheapest gas is in the northwest part of the Panhandle, with Bay County having the cheapest price at $2.76 per gallon, followed by Okaloosa County ($2.76) and Escambia ($2.81). 

The most expensive gas in the state is in the Florida Keys in Monroe County, where a gallon of regular costs $3.34. Palm Beach County on the east coast is next highest at $3.29 per gallon, followed by Hardee County in the central peninsula ($3.22) and a tie between Levy County on the Gulf Coast and Jefferson County in the Panhandle at $3.20.

The highest price among Florida’s metropolitan areas is in West Palm Beach and Boca Raton, where regular is $3.29 per gallon, followed by Naples in southwest Florida at $3.21, Ocala at $3.19 and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater at $3.18.

The Panama City metro area is the lowest in the state at $2.76 per gallon, followed by Crestview-Fort Walton Beach ($2.78), Pensacola ($2.81) and Tallahassee at $2.94.

Mississippi has the least expensive gas prices nationally at $2.66 per gallon, followed by Louisiana ($2.72), Alabama ($2.74), Tennessee ($2.77) and Texas ($2.78).

California has the highest gas prices nationally at $4.87 per gallon, followed by Hawaii ($4.49), Washington ($4.40), Oregon ($4.01) and Nevada ($3.94). 

The post Florida gas prices remain constant ahead of Memorial Day weekend | Florida appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article provides a straightforward report on gas prices across various regions in Florida and a comparison with other states. It relies primarily on data from the American Automobile Association without editorializing or framing the information through a particular ideological lens. The language is factual and neutral, focusing on price values and geographic differences without linking the topic to political issues or attributing causes in a way that would suggest bias. Thus, the content adheres to neutral, factual reporting rather than promoting a specific political stance or ideological perspective.

News from the South - Florida News Feed

Utah enters the redistricting battle for 2026, but not by choice. Here’s what to know

Published

on

www.news4jax.com – Hannah Schoenbaum, Associated Press – 2025-08-26 16:29:00

SUMMARY: Utah faces a court-ordered redistricting ahead of the 2026 midterms after a judge ruled the current Republican-drawn map unlawful for bypassing an independent commission established by voters to prevent gerrymandering. The 2018 voter-approved commission was weakened by the Legislature in 2020, leading to a contested map that splits Democratic-leaning Salt Lake County across districts, diluting its influence. The new map could create a competitive seat for Democrats, challenging the GOP’s slim House majority. Lawmakers must redraw compliant districts by September 24, with appeals possible. This redistricting battle reflects a broader national GOP effort to gain House seats mid-decade.

Read the full article

The post Utah enters the redistricting battle for 2026, but not by choice. Here’s what to know appeared first on www.news4jax.com

Continue Reading

News from the South - Florida News Feed

Inquiry into former Trump prosecutor Jack Smith is based on ‘imaginary premise,’ lawyers say

Published

on

www.clickorlando.com – Eric Tucker, Associated Press – 2025-08-26 10:30:00

SUMMARY: Former special counsel Jack Smith’s lawyers have condemned a watchdog investigation into his prosecutions of Donald Trump as “imaginary and unfounded.” The probe, launched by the Office of Special Counsel following Republican Sen. Tom Cotton’s request, examines whether Smith violated the Hatch Act by engaging in political activity during Trump investigations. Smith’s attorneys argue the investigation lacks merit, emphasizing his prosecutorial decisions were evidence-based and impartial, uninfluenced by the upcoming 2024 election. Smith, appointed under the Biden administration, indicted Trump in 2023 for election interference and classified documents but dropped charges after the 2022 midterms, adhering to Justice Department policy.

Read the full article

The post Inquiry into former Trump prosecutor Jack Smith is based on ‘imaginary premise,’ lawyers say appeared first on www.clickorlando.com

Continue Reading

News from the South - Florida News Feed

Gruters succeeds Whatley as chairman of Republican National Committee | Florida

Published

on

www.thecentersquare.com – By Alan Wooten | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-08-25 14:47:00


State Sen. Joe Gruters of Florida has been elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, succeeding Michael Whatley, a 2026 Senate candidate from North Carolina. Both appointments were influenced by former President Donald Trump. Gruters, 48, an accountant and current state senator, won the post unopposed and emphasized the party’s alignment with Trump’s vision, aiming for a strong 2026 midterm showing. Trump praised Gruters for his role in significant Florida Republican victories since 2016. Gruters’ political career includes serving in the Florida House (2016-18) and Senate (since 2018). He remains in his Senate seat unless running for state CFO in 2026.

(The Center Square) – State Sen. Joe Gruters of Florida has been elected chairman of the Republican National Committee.

He succeeds Michael Whatley, the North Carolinian running for a U.S. Senate seat in 2026. Both were tapped by Donald Trump, Whatley as the 2024 presidential cycle heated up and Gruters in Atlanta on Friday as Trump’s wingman for the party in the 2026 midterms.

Gruters, 48, is an accountant by trade. He is not required to resign his state Senate post; in the “resign-to-run” state law, he would need to if still planning to run for state chief financial officer in 2026.

That post was given to state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia on July 16 by second-term Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Jimmy Patronis resigned the position and Ingoglia serves until the 2026 midterms.

Trump, a Palm Beach resident when not at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., had encouraged DeSantis to choose Gruters for CFO.

In a network broadcast interview after elected, Gruters said, “This is the president’s party. This is the president’s vision, overall. The party fully embraces the president. We’re going to ride the president all the way to victory in the midterms, and we are going to win big.”

Whatley called his time as chairman “the honor of a lifetime.”

“I am immensely proud of the work we accomplished, and I am excited to pass the torch on to Chairman Gruters,” he said. “Now, it’s time to get to work and fight for the people of North Carolina.”

Gruters had no opposition for election. On social media, Trump called Whatley “incredible” and again pledged his support for the senatorial campaign.

“As state senator and chairman of the Republican Party of Florida,” Trump said of Gruters, “Joe helped us deliver massive and historic victories across the state, including my big six wins, including primaries, in 2016, 2020 and 2024, and has helped us turn Florida red as red can be!”

The connection between Gruters and Trump dates more than a decade. History traces it in earnest to a Sarasota County Statesman of the Year dinner in 2012. He followed with support in 2015 while Marco Rubio, now secretary of state in the Trump administration, and Gov. Jeb Bush were presidential candidates.

Gruters is a former member (2016-18) of the state House of Representatives. He has served in the state Senate since 2018.

The post Gruters succeeds Whatley as chairman of Republican National Committee | Florida appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

The article primarily reports on the election of Joe Gruters as chairman of the Republican National Committee, detailing his background, connections to Donald Trump, and statements made by involved parties. The tone is factual and descriptive, focusing on events and quotes without overtly endorsing or criticizing the subjects. However, the content centers on Republican figures and includes positive language from Trump and associates, which may reflect a slight center-right perspective due to the subject matter and source. Overall, it adheres mostly to neutral reporting by presenting information and direct quotes rather than promoting a particular ideological viewpoint.

Continue Reading

Trending