GAS PRICES ON THE RISE
Analysts saw it coming: the impact of the war in Iran is being felt at the pump across the country. In Florida, prices rose 20 cents between March 2 and March 3, reaching $3.63 per gallon on March 10.
However, the United States does not import Iranian oil. On the other hand, Iran has closed access to the Strait of Hormuz, which is used by more than 3,000 ships per month. This narrow maritime passage carries 20% of the world’s oil flows, and its interruption immediately led to a surge in prices.
On March 10, a barrel of crude oil was trading at around $90, 35% higher than before the conflict began.
NEW STADIUM FOR INTER MIAMI
Inter Miami’s new stadium has a name: it will now be called Nu Stadium. The club has just signed a partnership with Nu, a global digital financial services platform based in Brazil. The 26,700-seat stadium will open its doors on April 4 for an Inter Miami match against Austin FC.
The stadium is located near Miami International Airport, within Miami Freedom Park, which spans 131 acres and includes shops, restaurants, 750 hotel rooms, as well as a public park and grounds that will be open to the public.
Nu has just obtained its banking license in the United States. With 131 million existing customers, the company aims to expand in the United States. Co-founder Cristina Junqueira said, “Nu Stadium will serve as an anchor for our brand in the United States and provide us with the opportunity to reach an international and diverse community as we develop the world’s most influential consumer technology platform.”
The Nu logo will appear on players’ and fans’ jerseys starting in August 2026.
STOLEN BOAT AND GUNFIRE NEAR THE CUBAN COAST
More information has emerged about the incident involving a Florida-registered speedboat near the Cuban coast on February 25. According to the official Cuban report, as the coast guard approached the American boat sailing one nautical mile from the island, its passengers opened fire, wounding the commander of the Cuban vessel. In retaliation, four of the boat’s passengers were killed and six others wounded. The latter received medical treatment.
We now know that the 24-foot speedboat was stolen from Big Pine Key, in Monroe County, by a group of ten Cuban nationals. Investigators found numerous weapons on the boat, including assault rifles, handguns, pistols, homemade explosives, bulletproof vests, telescopic sights, and camouflage uniforms. Many smuggling vessels travel between the two countries, particularly for the transport of illegal immigrants or drugs. Investigations are ongoing in Cuba and the United States.
THE DIFFICULT FINANCING OF ALLIGATOR ALCATRAZ
The two controversial detention centers nicknamed Alligator Alcatraz and Deportation Depot are at the center of a debate over their financing. With a total budgeted cost of $1.7 billion for two years of operations, Florida taxpayers will have to bear the burden of at least $1.1 billion, and possibly more.
Until now, the state has been using the Emergency Preparedness & Response Fund, which did not require approval by the Florida Congress. However, this fund expired on February 17, 2026. In order to continue the costly financing of operations, estimated at $1.2 million per day since the centers opened, the approval of Florida lawmakers will now be required.
The state was counting on substantial federal funding from FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) in the amount of $608 million. But these funds are slow in coming, as the federal government is refusing to distribute them until an Environmental and Historic Preservation (EHP) study has been completed.
Florida argues that since the centers are managed by the state, they are not subject to federal environmental laws. But FEMA has already refused four times to release the funds, including a request for reimbursement of $30 million in December 2025.
PROTECTION OF MANGROVES IN BROWARD
The owner of a piece of land near Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport wanted to build storage warehouses, but the County Commission opposed the plan. At stake: this mangrove area is particularly important from an environmental standpoint, as it has been home to a colony of about 40 African vervet monkeys since the 1940s.
Dania Beach Mayor Joyce Davis was among those who opposed the construction. She explains, “This is not about being opposed to development. It’s about determining the most appropriate and beneficial use of these lands.”
Despite the Commission’s decision, things could still change, as the land in question is officially registered for commercial use. The owner therefore has the legal right to apply for a building permit, which he intends to do.
POLLEN ALLERGIES
Pollen levels are at their highest throughout the state, particularly from oak, juniper, pine, and various grasses. Heat and wind are contributing to the spread. Dry soil and lack of rainfall are exacerbating the situation. Without rain, pollen particles can remain in the air for a long time.
The Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America estimates that nearly 100 million Americans suffer from allergies each year, with peaks in the spring and early summer.
People prone to pollen allergies should avoid exposure and outdoor activities between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Otherwise, it is recommended to wear a hat, mask, and sunglasses. For more severe cases, it is best to take a shower and change clothes as soon as you get home. Replacing your air conditioning filter can also help.
