Connect with us

South

What impact a nationwide pilot strike could have on SWFL?

Published

on

What impact a nationwide pilot strike could have on SWFL?


LEE COUNTY, Fla. — It was a quiet day in the RSW airport on a Memorial Day Sunday.

“I was very lucky we had no delays,” said Kristen Banholzer a seasonal resident of Cape Coral.

As travelers tell Fox 4 traveling during memorial day weekend wasn’t much of a headache as expected.

“It was actually great; I had a good flight,” said Laura Stelma a visitor traveling with her fiance from San Francisco.

Advertisement

Memorial Day Weekend is considered the unofficial kick-off of summer travels. As the United States gears up for what could be a record-breaking year for summer travel…pressure is being applied from pilot unions.

”US airlines are cued up to potentially have a strike this summer.,” said Dr. Jase Ramsey, and International Business professor at Florida Gulf Coast University. “In my perspective, it comes down to money. One of the other airlines recently gave a 21 percent pay raise.”

Fox News located in Atlanta previously reported that Delta Airlines approved a new contract for pilots that raise the pay by more than 30 percent for over four years.

In the wake of this, American, Southwest, United, and FedEx Express all threaten to strike if negotiations weren’t met.

“It’s already tough finding flights and I think that Will increase delays,” Banholzer said.

Advertisement

“I don’t think they will strike, I think that the opportunity cost for the companies is too high to let this go to a strike situation,” Dr. Ramsey said.

If the situation takes a turn for the worst and results in a strike, Dr. Ramsey said since Southwest Florida depends on tourism and hospitality–our area could possibly feel the spill out from a strike more than other parts of the nation.

“Let’s say if someone wants to come down from Atlanta if there is a chance that flight gets canceled, chances they [travelers] will just say ‘You know what I’m going to get just get in the car and drive to Destin, instead of coming all the way down, because we [SWFL] are so far to get to for the rest of the country,” Dr. Ramesy said. “That’s where we are really going to feel it, is all of the domestic travel that would normally come to us would just be canceled.”

May 19th, 2023 Governor Ron DeSantis announced that from January 2023- March 2023 Florida had a record 37.9 million visitors, the largest volume of visitors ever recorded in a single quarter.





Source link

Advertisement

Miami, FL

Miami Lakes mayor race highlights town’s key issues

Published

on

Miami Lakes mayor race highlights town’s key issues


MIAMI LAKES, Fla. – With the current mayor of Miami Lakes term-limited, three candidates are vying for the seat.

All are business owners; two currently serve on the town council, and the third is a political newcomer.

Local 10 News met with all three to get their take on the top issues voters will consider when casting their ballots.

“One of the things I’m most proud of is creating a senior rebate,” Vice Mayor Tony Fernandez, one of the candidates said.

Advertisement

Attorney and council member Josh Dieguez, co-owner of his family’s law firm, said, “I supported a 2-percent reduction in the property tax rate.”

“I’m also a lifelong resident of the town,” Dieguez added.

They are joined by Yuniett Gonzalez, who owns a financial consulting firm.

“Sidewalks and lighting are very poor in our town here today,” Gonzalez noted.

A top issue here continues to be the blasting from nearby rock mining.

Advertisement

Fernandez addressed the issue, “It is an issue that we have been working on for several years. I went to Tallahassee twice this past session to lobby on behalf of our residents. I think one of the things that needs to be explored further is maybe the state working with the miners to come up with ways that are less destructive.”

This local issue is complicated by state control of rock mining operations.

Dieguez explained, “Any claims related to rock blasting have to go through a separate legal process known as the Department of Administrative Hearings, not regular court. So, I am proud to say that one of my proposals from 2018 that I continue to advocate for is to return jurisdiction for those claims back to the regular circuit court.”

“It is a pressing issue here in town,” Gonzalez said, explaining one of the reasons she decided to run for office. “I plan to develop better alliances with county, state, and federal levels that will lead us to finding a solution to the problem.”

A spokesperson from the Miami-Dade Limestone Products Association, Inc. had this to say:

Advertisement

“The Lake Belt Region is Florida’s largest source of aggregate—a critical component for virtually every construction project, from roads and bridges to homes and hospitals. Miami-Dade County’s limestone products industry supports over 10,000 jobs and supplies nearly 50 percent of Florida’s aggregate. Without this supply, housing costs would rise significantly, further exacerbating Florida’s housing affordability challenges.

Decades of independent studies at the local, state, and federal levels confirm that blasting within regulated limits does not harm nearby structures. In fact, a 2018 study commissioned by the Florida Legislature described current limits as “overly restrictive” and concluded: “The current blasting vibration limits in Florida continue to be protective of residential structures.”

Next up is traffic.

Gonzalez discussed specific policy ideas: “That includes synchronization of lights and a new caliber of traffic lights.”

Fernandez added, “Increasing the amount of options that we have to get on and off the highway. There’s an opportunity to I-75 to create on ramps and off ramps.”

Dieguez suggested, “Try to get more highway access at both the easternmost and westernmost ends.”

Advertisement

All three candidates participated in a recent forum. View the video to learn more about them.

Copyright 2024 by WPLG Local10.com – All rights reserved.



Source link

Continue Reading

Dallas, TX

Injury Report, Updated Odds (10/31): Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks

Published

on

Injury Report, Updated Odds (10/31): Houston Rockets vs. Dallas Mavericks


The Houston Rockets are taking on the Dallas Mavericks for a Lone Star State battle for their fifth showing of the season. With a 2-2 record through their first four games, the Rockets are looking to earn a winning record with a win over Dallas on Halloween.

With playoff hopes on the season, the Rockets might have hoped for a strong start to the season, and a win over a team like the Mavericks to give them a winning record would be a big boost for the squad. Dallas added Klay Thompson to the core of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving this offseason, making them that much more of a difficult opponent.

Rockets:

Steven Adams, questionable (knee, calf)

Advertisement

Jack McVeigh, out (G League)

N’Faly Dante, out (G League)

Nate Williams, out (G League)

Mavericks:

Dante Exum, out (wrist)

Advertisement

Maxi Kleber, out (hamstring)

Jazian Gortman, out (G League)

Kessler Edwards, out (G League)

Outside of a potential absence of Steven Adams, there are no new injuries to either side that will swing this game. Having two healthy squads will make this a tough game for Houston, but they’ll continue to get quality looks at their healthy squad to keep making key adjustments.

The Rockets are a 6.5-point underdog while hitting the road to take on the Mavericks. They’re headed into a tough environment to take on a team that was in the NBA Finals just last season, which will pose a tough challenge as Houston looks to take a winning record.

Advertisement

Want to join the discussion? Like Rockets on SI on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on all the latest Rockets news. You can also meet the team behind the coverage.





Source link

Continue Reading

Atlanta, GA

Falcons Injury Report vs. Cowboys: Atlanta Gets Good News on Starters

Published

on

Falcons Injury Report vs. Cowboys: Atlanta Gets Good News on Starters


The Atlanta Falcons have revealed their injury report from Thursday’s practice ahead of Sunday’s game vs. the Dallas Cowboys.

Atlanta received positive news surrounding several starters, including safety Justin Simmons (hamstring) and linebacker Kaden Elliss (knee) being full participants. Both players were limited Wednesday, as was backup nickel cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr., who’s battled a back injury for several weeks.

Elsewhere, starting right guard Chris Lindstrom’s status was elevated from out Wednesday to limited Thursday. Lindstrom suffered a knee injury in last Sunday’s 31-26 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and did not play in the second half, though he was cleared to return. He said postgame he expected to play against Dallas.

Four others were limited, though only two — linebacker Troy Andersen (knee) and center Drew Dalman (ankle) — were injury related. Tight end Charlie Woerner and linebacker Nate Landman were both on the list due to rest purposes.

Advertisement

Yet while the Falcons’ injury report is mostly positive, two rookies appear to be facing an uphill climb to play Sunday.

Defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro and linebacker JD Bertrand have missed each of Atlanta’s practices this week. Bertrand is in concussion protocol, meaning all four of Atlanta’s linebackers are contending with injuries.

On the defensive front, Orhorhoro sustained a knee injury against the Buccaneers. Morris said Orhorhoro’s injury is “not looking great,” and his practice availability — or lack thereof — supports that.

The Falcons (5-3) and Cowboys (3-4) will kick off at 1 p.m. Sunday inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.



Source link

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending