Florida Polytechnic University is entering a new era under the leadership of Dr. G. Devin Stephenson. This new president aims to significantly increase student enrollment and enhance the university’s economic impact. His ambitious goal is to double enrollment and expand by adding new programs in science and medicine. Stephenson’s vision includes achieving a 10% rise in enrollment each year, working...
In early 2023, the Daung checkpoint on the Thai-Cambodian border in Battambang Province, Cambodia, saw up to 200 people crossing daily. This was a stark contrast to the situation two years earlier when thousands of people, many of them migrant workers, were passing through the checkpoint in a single day. The Impact of COVID-19 on Border Crossings The COVID-19 pandemic,...
Globe and Red Hat, Inc., the world’s leading provider of open source solutions, has announced a collaborative effort to modernize Globe’s IT infrastructure. This initiative, facilitated through Red Hat Open Innovation Labs, aims to improve Globe’s operational practices and deliver an enhanced customer experience. Integrating Open Source Technologies During the Open Innovations Lab residency, Globe’s engineers worked closely with Red...
Walt Disney World ushered in a new era of park navigation this week with the launch of Lightning Lane. This innovative system, which replaces the former Genie+ planner, made its debut on Wednesday at 7 a.m., offering parkgoers the opportunity to skip standard queues and access faster lines for select attractions and entertainment. The Lightning Lane system introduces two paid...
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems are an indispensable part of modern homes and buildings, offering comfort while improving indoor air quality. But their costs associated with installation, maintenance, and repairs can add up quickly; in this article, we aim to give a comprehensive overview of average HVAC costs so that homeowners and property managers can make more informed...
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed the state’s $116.5 billion budget, but not without making significant cuts through line-item vetoes. The vetoes, totaling approximately $1 billion, have had a mixed impact on Polk County’s planned projects and allocations. Polk State College: A Tale of Two Outcomes Polk State College experienced both disappointment and relief in the wake of DeSantis’ budget...
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has released an update on the ongoing salmonella outbreaks affecting more than 380 people across the United States. While the agency still believes cucumbers may be the source of the infections, they have ruled out the previously suspected cucumbers recalled by Fresh Start Produce Sales, Inc., a Florida distributor based in Delray. Fresh...
The pristine beaches of Florida, a paradise for sun-seekers and water enthusiasts, can sometimes turn into the scene of a terrifying encounter with the ocean’s apex predators – sharks. While shark attacks are relatively rare, the aftermath of such incidents often leaves victims and onlookers with a burning question: “What kind of shark bit me?” The Shark Bite Capital of...
Florida Southern College, renowned for its collection of Frank Lloyd Wright-designed buildings, is embarking on a new chapter by establishing a School of Architecture. This exciting development was announced by President Anne Kerr on Thursday, May 16, 2024, during a gathering of donors, architects, engineers, local dignitaries, and college officials. Key Details about the New School Program Offerings and Timeline...
Lakeland Linder International Airport faced a challenge in finding a private vendor to open a concession shop beyond the new Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint. Despite reaching out to several businesses, the response was lackluster due to the airport’s low passenger traffic. However, a solution was found in an unlikely partnership with the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), a nonprofit...
The real estate landscape in Polk County, Florida, experienced a slight shift in April, as the median home listing price dipped marginally compared to the previous month and the same period last year. According to data analyzed from Realtor.com, the median home in the county was listed for $349,000 in April, a 0.3% decrease from March’s $349,950 and a 0.1%...
Efforts to untangle the traffic snarl in Polk County advanced this week, at least for the Thompson Nursery Road extension project. During the April 16 County Commission meeting, the board unanimously approved a contract for a $3.276 million grant from the Florida Department of Transportation, contributing to the cost of constructing this road. These funds would likely be allocated to...