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South Florida farmers warn that freezing temperatures could lead to higher prices in the market as they brace for crop losses

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South Florida farmers warn that freezing temperatures could lead to higher prices in the market as they brace for crop losses


South Florida farmers are assessing damage after freezing temperatures swept across the region early Monday morning, with growers warning that the cold could soon lead to higher prices for fruits and vegetables.

At Kern Carpenter Nursery, owner Kern Carpenter said nearly 20% of his tomato crop was damaged by the overnight freeze.

“The wind died, and it got cold really fast. We did the best we could and still got burned,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter is not alone. Sam Accursio, a green bean farmer in South Florida, shared a video with CBS News Miami showing frost covering his plants just before sunrise.

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“These plants were just like an ice cube. You could go up to them, and the leaves were crunchy,” Accursio said.

Accursio and his workers began watering crops before 1 a.m. in an effort to prevent frost damage, but hundreds of plants were still affected.

With another cold night in the forecast, farmers are preparing for more potential losses.

“They’re saying upper 30s, low 40s. We’re hoping we don’t have to crank up anything again,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter added that excess watering can also harm crops, creating another challenge for farmers trying to protect their fields.

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At Robert Is Here, a popular South Florida fruit market established in 1959, shoppers may soon feel the impact.

Asked whether prices could increase, owner Robert Moehling Jr. said consumers should expect changes.

“100% you are going to feel it in the market. With the frost, it can cause damage, and having continuous days of frost makes it worse,” he said.

Accursio says green bean prices are especially vulnerable.

“In this particular case, the lack of product will probably drive the price up,” he said.

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Despite the losses, some farmers say South Florida could help offset shortages caused by freeze damage in North and Central Florida.

Carpenter said he has already seen tomato prices rise and believes additional cold could make things worse.

“I would think in the next few weeks the prices would go up,” he said.

Farmers say they will need 48 to 72 hours to fully assess the extent of the damage and are still bracing for the impact of another cold night.

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Florida

Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce

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Florida No Kings protests planned for Stuart, Fort Pierce



There are two No Kings protests planned for the Treasure Coast; one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce.

No Kings Day protests are scheduled for March 28, with over a thousand protests planned across the United States.

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Organizers say the No Kings events will challenge President Donald Trump as he escalates “his attempts to control us.” Dozens of protests are planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast.

Here’s what to know about the protests.

What is a No Kings protest?

No Kings is a nationwide protest organized in response to President Donald Trump and his administration.

“It is on us, the people, to show that we will fight to protect one another and our country,” according to the nokings.org website. “If he believes we will roll over and allow him to take our freedoms, he is mistaken.”

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One core principle of No Kings is a commitment to nonviolent action. The organization’s website states participants should seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with dissenters and act lawfully.

No Kings protest in Stuart

No Kings protest in Fort Pierce

No Kings protests in Florida

There are dozens of protests planned across Florida, including two on the Treasure Coast, with one in Stuart and one in Fort Pierce. Find a protest near you.

Olivia Franklin is TCPalm’s trending reporter. You can contact her at olivia.franklin@tcpalm.com317-627-8048 or follow her on X @Livvvvv_5.



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Severe storms, near-record heat: Big weather swings ahead for South Florida

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Severe storms, near-record heat: Big weather swings ahead for South Florida


From tornado threats in the Central U.S. to a surge of unseasonable warmth in South Florida, meteorologist Dave Warren breaks down the week’s weather changes. Expect near-record high temperatures by Thursday, followed by a slight cool-down and a chance for scattered showers. Track all the latest with NEXT Weather.



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Our leaders look to the past, but it's not a pretty picture

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Our leaders look to the past, but it's not a pretty picture


Tired of Black people thinking their lives matter? Sick of hearing Spanish every time you’re in a Miami restaurant? Annoyed by uppity women asserting their so-called rights, gay types flaunting themselves by getting married and taking out mortgages, unwashed tree-huggers trying to stop righteous sprawl, and Marxist high school teachers making kids study pornographic Shakespeare […]



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