Florida
Duke Energy supports Florida customers with $150,000 in grants to programs aimed at providing stability
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Funding will go to six organizations that help Florida individuals and families in need
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – The Duke Energy Foundation is providing $150,000 in grants to support organizations in Florida that help customers with basic needs such as utility bill assistance, housing and more.
“When our neighbors need help, these are the organizations they turn to,” said Melissa Seixas, Duke Energy Florida state president. “Whether it is with food, transportation or help making their homes more energy efficient, together, we can reach even more families and individuals and help them achieve financial stability.”
Grants were awarded to the following organizations:
- City of Haines City – $25,000
- Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco – $30,000
- Heart of Florida United Way – $40,000
- Neighborhood Center of West Volusia – $15,000
- Pinellas County Urban League – $30,000
- The Mustard Seed of Central Florida – $10,000
Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties brings community volunteers, corporate donors, civic organizations, and faith groups together to build affordable homes for low- to moderate-income families and individuals throughout Pinellas and Pasco counties.
“Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties shares in Duke Energy’s commitment to building more energy-efficient and sustainable communities,” said Mike Sutton, Habitat Pinellas and West Pasco president and CEO. “Our ongoing collaboration enables us to offer hardworking families and individuals a hand up toward safe, energy-efficient and affordable homeownership.”
Duke Energy also offers a number of tools and resources to help customers.
Some of the available programs include:
Budget Billing: Get predictable monthly bills regardless of your energy use or the weather, so it’s easier to stay on budget. Plus, there are two convenient payment plans to choose from. Learn more at duke-energy.com/BudgetBilling.
Installment Plans/Payment Plans: Pay back balances over longer periods of time. Eligible customers can request flexible plans that give you more time to pay. Learn about the options at duke-energy.com/MoreTime.
Usage Alerts: Get more control over your electricity use and spending. If you have a smart meter, a mobile phone or an email, you’ll automatically be enrolled to receive notifications midway through your billing period showing how much electricity you’ve used along with a projection of your monthly amount, in time to adjust. Learn more at duke-energy.com/UsageAlerts.
Pick Your Due Date: With Pick Your Due Date, you can choose the date you want your energy bills to be due each month. Learn more at duke-energy.com/PYDD.
Due Date Extension: If you know ahead of time that you will miss your due date, this payment option may be for you. Extend your payment due date by up to 10 business days to avoid late fees. Learn more at duke-energy.com/ExtendDueDate.
Flexible rate options: Manage your energy costs by shifting energy-intensive tasks to periods of low demand. Learn more about our time-of-use rate at duke-energy.com/TOU.
Free Home Assessment: Complete a free online home energy check to learn how to lower your bill and see if you qualify for rebates and free home energy kit. Get started at onlinehec.duke-energy.com/get-started.
EnergyWise® Home: Save on your electric bill by getting up to $141 in annual bill credits while helping your community reduce energy use during periods of high demand. Find out if you are eligible at duke-energy.com/EWHSavings.
Weatherization: This program is designed to help income-qualified customers save energy and reduce expenses through the installation of energy conservation measures in their homes. The program is available to single-family homes and multifamily units, both owners and renters with owner approval. Learn more at duke-energy.com/Weatherization.
Customer Assistance: Some customers may qualify for financial assistance from various government and nonprofit programs for utility bills and other household expenses.
To learn more about these programs, visit duke-energy.com/SeasonalBills or call the Customer Care number listed on your energy bill.
Duke Energy Florida
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 10,500 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 1.9 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.
Duke Energy Foundation
The Duke Energy Foundation provides more than $30 million annually in philanthropic support to meet the needs of communities where Duke Energy customers live and work. The foundation is funded by Duke Energy shareholders.
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America’s largest energy holding companies. Its electric utilities serve 8.2 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 50,000 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas unit serves 1.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky. The company employs 27,600 people.
Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve its goals of net-zero methane emissions from its natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. The company has interim carbon emission targets of at least 50% reduction from electric generation by 2030, 50% for Scope 2 and certain Scope 3 upstream and downstream emissions by 2035, and 80% from electric generation by 2040. In addition, the company is investing in major electric grid enhancements and energy storage, and exploring zero-emission power generation technologies such as hydrogen and advanced nuclear.
Duke Energy was named to Fortune’s 2023 “World’s Most Admired Companies” list and Forbes’ “World’s Best Employers” list. More information is available at duke-energy.com. The Duke Energy News Center contains news releases, fact sheets, photos and videos. Duke Energy’s illumination features stories about people, innovations, community topics and environmental issues. Follow Duke Energy on Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.
Media contact: Audrey Stasko
Media line: 800.559.3853
Twitter: @DE_AudreyS
Florida
Jury begins deliberations in South Florida trial over Haiti president assassination plot
Florida
Swig opens in Cape Coral, bringing more ‘dirty soda’ to SW Florida
The corporate website lists the store as coming soon.
But that’s not quite right.
Ever so quietly, Swig opened its first Cape Coral location on Monday, May 4, at 1121 Solaris Drive.
Word has spread quickly, and a steady stream of cars has been pulling in and out ever since.
“We’re so excited to be in Cape Coral,” said Monique LeRoy, the franchise owner of this and the recently opened Fort Myers locations. “People have been asking us to come to Cape Coral for months now.”
You’ll find it in the new Shops at Del Sol, off Pine Island Road, just west of Del Prado Boulevard. It’s in the same development as the newly opened Chicken Salad Chick and the yet to come Cigar Bar and Burrito Shak.
Swig — an extremely popular drive-thru drink chain known for its trending “dirty soda” concept — doesn’t need any advertising or social media announcements for fans of the brand to know when a new shop is open.
“People see the big inflatable cup outside, and they know,” LeRoy said.
When she opened the Fort Myers Swig in the Publix-anchored University Crossing on the northeast corner of Summerlin Road and Cypress Lake Drive back in February, there was no advertising then either. She just turned on the open sign.
“We won’t officially advertise until our grand opening,” said LeRoy, who also has a franchise in Bradenton. “That should be the weekend of (May) 29th or 30th.”
It’s during the grand opening when free drinks (24-ounces only, no blenders) and cookies (chocolate chip only) will be given to everyone who drives through.
“In Fort Myers, we gave away more than 1,200 free drinks,” she said. “We were doing over 100 orders an hour.”
In the meantime, though, Swig in Cape Coral is in its soft opening phase, with the drive-thru now open seven days a week (the lobby is closed until after the grand opening) with a full menu offered. And that menu is a lot.
Just what is Swig’s dirty soda?
Swig’s dirty soda begins with a base soda, and then a customizable mix of flavored syrups, fresh fruits, purees, and creams are added to it.
Base options include Mountain Dew (regular, diet, zero), Sprite (regular and zero), Dr. Pepper (regular, diet, zero, blackberry), Coke (regular, diet and zero), Pepsi (regular and zero), ginger ale and Fresca.
Flavors and fruits run the gamut from blue raspberry and butterscotch to toasted marshmallow and watermelon.
Then come the purees (like mango, peach and raspberry) and creams (as in coconut, chocolate, strawberry, vanilla and whipped), chills (iced or blended) and sweetness (lite, extra or extra-extra).
You can choose from one of the signature sodas like the popular Texas Tab, with Dr. Pepper, vanilla and coconut cream or the Shark Attack with Sprite, lemonade, blue raspberry and a gummy shark.
“Mojito Mamma (lemonade, mojito mint, coconut puree, coconut cream and fresh lime available for a limited time) is one of my new favorites,” LeRoy said.
Or you can pick and choose your favorite flavors to create your own customized combination. The possibilities are endless.
Drinks come in four sizes — 16, 24, 32 and 44 ounces.
But wait. There’s more.
“We also have refreshers — our water-based beverages,” LeRoy said. We have tea (sweet and unsweet), revivers, which are Swig’s version of energy drinks, cookies and pretzels. If I need a reviver, I get Drama Queen (sugar-free reviver, lemonade, with sugar-free strawberry, peach and coconut).”
And our personal favorite — frozen hot chocolate!
Cookies — sugar swirl, mini chocolate chip, and birthday cake — are served cold.
“It’s based on cookie dough,” LeRoy said. “They’re served fresh, but cold.”
And when it comes to Swig, she knows just about all there is to know.
More Swigs coming to Southwest Florida
Swig originated in St. George, Utah, where LeRoy happens to be from.
“I grew up going to Swig,” she said. “In middle school, when life was sad, I remember going and getting some pick-me-up pretzels.”
When it opened in 2010 (happy Sweet 16!), its “dirty soda” became an extremely popular alternative to coffee and alcohol in the Mormon community. Since then, the company has expanded to nearly 150 locations in 16 states.
LeRoy, who went to Utah State University with the founder of Crumbl, has personally opened three locations in the last year and aims to open 15 total.
“We’re so excited,” she said. “We haven’t found our next location yet. We’re looking in Port Charlotte, Lakewood Ranch. We’re looking in Estero and Naples. I would like to get multiple locations in Naples ASAP.”
For now, though, she’s focused on Cape Coral.
“We trained all the staff at our Fort Myers location,” LeRoy said, adding that her locations are always hiring. “So we will be able to move everyone along quicker. We always have a line ambassador outside to help you.”
And with all those options, that’s a very good thing.
Swig, 1121 Solaris Drive, Cape Coral; open 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday; swig.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram. Find the Fort Myers location at 13401 Summerlin Road at University Crossing
Robyn George is a food and dining reporter for The News-Press. Connect at rhgeorge@fortmyer.gannett.com
Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here and here.
Florida
Florida’s bright moon will dim Eta Aquarids meteor shower
The quick-firing Eta Aquarids will shoot across Florida skies in the early hours between May 5 and May 6.
Floridians who are willing to stay up to see the Eta Aquarid meteor shower may be able to see spectacular incandescent bits of debris from passing meteors, according to NASA.
Unlike last month’s Lyrid meteor shower, the Eta Aquarids will only have about 10 meteors per hour due to the moon’s brightness. Here’s what Florida Panhandle residents need to know to catch a peek at the meteor shower.
What makes the Eta Aquarids meteor shower special?
Eta Aquarid meteors hail from Halley’s comet, which was last seen by casual observers in our solar system in 1986, according to NASA.
The meteors are known for being quite fast, shooting across the sky at 40.7 miles per second. Their speed is responsible for the long trains of debris that follow in the wake of the meteors.
Stargazers can usually catch the Eta Aquarids meteor shower when they peak in early May.
When is the best time to see Eta Aquarids meteor shower in the Florida Panhandle?
The Eta Aquarids meteor shower will peak in the early morning hours between May 5 and May 6. The sky over the Florida Panhandle will be darkest around 12:45 a.m., but the moon’s luminosity and moderage cloud coverage will obscure views of the shower.
Where to look for Eta Aquarids meteor shower in the sky?
Look for Eta Aquarid meteors in the eastern sky, near the constellation Aquarius. The meteors originate from the area of the constellation that features one of its brightest stars, Eta Aquarii, according to NASA.
Here’s some more specific information regarding where to look in Pensacola, provided by TimeandDate.com.
Time (May 6)
Direction
Altitude
3 a.m.
95° east
7.6°
4 a.m.
103° east-southeast
20.3°
5 a.m.
113° east-southeast
32.6°
6 a.m.
125° southeast
43.9°
The direction is in reference to true north, and the altitude measures height in degrees over horizon.
How cloudy will it be?
View of the Eta Aquarids meteor shower will be further obscured by sky coverage, according to the National Weather Service. Sky coverage is forecast to be about 55% at 1 a.m. on May 5, and 48% by 4 a.m.
Tips to see Eta Aquarids meteor shower
Seeing the Eta Aquarids meteor shower will require a bit of luck in the Panhandle. Here are some tips to help you have the best chance of catching a meteor:
- Skies in the Florida Panhandle should be darkest around 12:45 a.m., making it the best time to see the Eta Aquarids.
- Find a spot with as little light pollution as possible, like the beach or rural areas.
- Bring something comfortable to sit or lie on, like a lawn chair, blanket or sleeping bag.
- Give your eyes about 30 minutes to adjust to the darkness.
When is the next meteor shower?
There will be a gap between meteor showers following the Eta Aquarids. The Southern delta Aquarids will peak on the night of July 30.
2026 meteor shower calendar
Popular showers, like the Perseids, Alpha Capricornids and Southern Delta Aquariids, are just a few months away.
The following meteor showers are still ahead in 2026, according to the American Meteor Society:
- Southern delta Aquarids – July 12 to Aug. 23; peaks on the night of July 30
- Alpha Capricornids – July 3 to Aug. 15; peaks on the night of July 30
- Perseids – July 17 to Aug. 24; peaks on the night of Aug. 12
- Orionids – Oct. 2 to Nov. 7; peaks on the night of Oct. 21
- Southern Taurids – Sept. 20 to Nov. 20; peaks on the night of Nov. 4
- Northern Taurids – Oct. 20 to Dec. 10; peaks on the night of Nov. 11
- Leonids – Nov. 6 to Nov. 30; peaks on the night of Nov. 16
- Geminids – December 4, 2026 to Dec. 17; peaks on the night of Dec. 13
- Ursids – Dec. 17 to Dec. 26; peaks on the night of Dec. 21
- Quadrantids – Dec. 28, 2026 to Jan. 12, 2027; peaks on the night of Jan. 3, 2027
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