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Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Good Morning! On this day in 1989, Orlando's downtown Woolworth store closed its doors for the last time. The landmark on the corner of Orange Avenue and Church Street had survived since 1924.

Christmas Eve is rich with traditions. According to Southern Living Magazine, here are 12 of the most popular. May you have a blessed celebration.

Do you love Florida? So do our 130,000+ readers. Advertise in Flyover Florida and connect your business with passionate locals. Learn more.

We're sponsored today by Money, offering a great deal on pet insurance for your fuzzy friends.

House Releases Full Gaetz Report

According to a House Ethics Committee report, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz allegedly paid multiple women for sex, including a 17-year-old girl, and used illicit drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy.

The 37-page report, released Monday, concluded that Gaetz violated multiple Florida state laws regarding sexual misconduct while in office.

Gaetz has denied accusations of wrongdoing. An earlier federal investigation into the allegations concluded without charges. Gaetz also filed a lawsuit in an attempt to block the release of the report.

"The Committee concluded there was substantial evidence that Representative Gaetz violated House Rules, state and federal laws, and other standards of conduct prohibiting prostitution, statutory rape, illicit drug use, acceptance of impermissible gifts, the provision of special favors and privileges, and obstruction of Congress," the report states.

Florida Unemployment Rate Up in November

Florida's unemployment rate rose to 3.4% in November, according to a report from the state Department of Commerce, after holding steady at 3.3% since April.

The new rate represents 376,000 Floridians qualifying as being out-of-work in November, an increase of 7,000 compared to October.

The labor force was down by 14,000 people from October and 46,000 compared to November 2023.

State economists attribute the reduction in the labor force to a rise in retirees. However, a Florida Chamber Foundation report this year also cited an "out-migration" from the state of a sizable number of people ages 20 to 29.

Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Florida

Travel + Leisure Magazine highlighted 13 Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Florida.

In West Palm Beach, a 35-foot, 800-ton tree is made entirely of sand. The Sandi Tree is the star of the city's Holiday in Paradise celebrations, which take over the waterfront each December.

From Nov. 15 to Jan. 19, the Asian Lantern Festival at Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Gardens features a 3/4-mile path illuminated by handmade lanterns adorned with thousands of LED bulbs.

Miami's eco-adventure park, Jungle Island, hosts Luminosa, a light festival featuring more than 100 illuminated sculptures. The family-friendly event runs through March 8.

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➤ Orlando: A boy underwent open-heart surgery after being struck by a falling drone at a holiday drone show at Lake Eola Park. The city described the accident as "technical difficulties." Multiple drones reportedly collided before crashing to the ground. (See Video)

➤ Miami-Dade County: Baby pigs Glinda and Elphaba received a Christmas pardon from Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in a Cuban twist on the White House turkey tradition. (See Photo)

➤ Lee County: Sonya Rodriguez, affectionately known as Mama Sonya, led a team of 20 volunteers in distributing gifts to more than 400 children. (See Video)

➤ Polk County: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a controversial proposal to use phosphogypsum, a radioactive byproduct of the phosphate industry, in a road project. (See Details)

➤ Tampa: Global pharmaceutical manufacturer Pfizer is cutting 62 jobs at its downtown Pfizer Connect facility. The permanent layoffs are expected to begin Feb. 24. (More)

➤ Tallahassee: Fifteen people were arrested during Operation Lifeguard, an undercover sting targeting child sex crimes, according to the Leon County Sheriff's Office. (See Video)

➤ The Tampa Bay Buccaneers no longer control their own playoff destiny after falling to the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football. With only two games remaining, they will likely need to win both, and the Atlanta Falcons will need to lose at least one. (More)

➤ Orlando Magic center Moe Wagner will miss the rest of the NBA season after tearing his ACL. (More)

➤ The University of South Florida will face San Jose State tonight at 8 p.m. EST in the Hawai'i Bowl. (More)

Yesterday's results: NFL | NCAAF | NBA | NHL | NCAAM

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➤ A SpaceX Starlink mission launched from Kennedy Space Center early Monday. The Falcon 9 first-stage booster successfully landed on the Just Read the Instructions drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean. (See Video)

➤ Meanwhile, spectators at Cape Canaveral watched Saturday as Blue Origin's big new rocket, New Glenn, was again spotted venting steam, indicating more prelaunch testing. (More)

➤ According to Forbes, the Miami Dolphins are Florida's most valuable sports team of 2024. The list ranks the football team 17th among the top 50, with a value of $6.2 billion. (See List)

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➤ A man dressed as Santa and riding a motorcycle escaped from a trooper on Saturday night after an attempted traffic stop in Citrus County. (See Photo)

➤ Dr. Ryan Wagoner, head of psychiatry at the University of South Florida, and business professor Lisa Penney shared tips on managing holiday and post-hurricane stress. (Listen)

➤ Second-graders at Byrneville Elementary in Escambia County wrote letters to Santa. (See Letters)

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