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Wanting to save on electric bills may be the only agreement Florida families can reach this holiday season

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In Florida, holiday gatherings are a unique spectacle; less Norman Rockwell and more National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with humidity.

While the rest of the country bundles up, Floridians are juggling Christmas lights, hurricane shutters, and that one uncle who insists it’s “not that hot” as he secretly lowers the thermostat to 65.

It’s a state where families don’t agree on much: football loyalties, Publix sub orders, the correct pronunciation of “Okeechobee,” and whether it’s actually cold enough to wear a jacket when the temperature dips below 70.

But there is one surprising subject that manages to cross party lines, family rivalries, and generations: saving money on electricity.

And as it turns out, the holidays in Florida are the perfect moment to bring it up.

Maybe it starts with the lights. There’s always one neighbor attempting a Clark Griswold-level display — reindeer on the roof, synchronized music, a light show so bright it could guide ships into Tampa Bay.

But if those lights are LED, pointing out that all those lights cost just a few dollars to run is an easy, harmless way into the conversation. It’s relatable, it’s festive, and, unlike most holiday topics, it doesn’t end in a heated debate.

From there, the conversation has a way of drifting toward solar, which is practically Florida’s unofficial state accessory at this point. In a place where the sun shines aggressively year-round and electricity rates rise like a tsunami in Japan, rooftop solar has become a Florida homeowner’s version of “I finally started taking my vitamins.” You don’t have to preach. A quick, “Our bill hasn’t budged all year, solar’s been a blessing,” is usually enough to get Aunt Teri’s attention, especially if she’s been side-eyeing her own utility bill since the last utility rate increase.

And then there’s battery storage, a topic that needs no introduction in a state where the power flickers whenever someone sneezes too hard. Mentioning that your battery kept the lights on during the last storm is a guaranteed conversation starter. Batteries are the quiet, calm no-spark-plugs-oil-changes-air-filters-or-fuel-filters counterpoint to the gas generators that rattle so loudly they could double as percussion for the Outback Bowl halftime show.

By dessert, the conversation tends to migrate toward holiday gifts. Nationwide, people are gifting practical items, but Floridians take it to the next level. Smart plugs? Perfect. Timers for Christmas lights? Absolutely. Solar-powered outdoor lamps? Peak Florida energy. These are the stocking stuffers that don’t melt, mold, or require insurance. And every family has that one Floridian who unwraps a smart thermostat and reacts like they’ve won on a scratch-off ticket.

Eventually, someone proposes a Florida-style energy challenge, usually the family member who has just discovered their utility app. “Let’s compare December bills,” they say, as if they’re launching a statewide competition. It’s friendly, mostly. Those with solar and battery storage have a clear advantage, but in the spirit of the season, nobody brings that up — except Cousin Eddie, who accuses them of cheating anyway.

But humor aside, there’s something oddly wholesome about it: in a state where people argue over everything from manatee speed zones to the correct way to prepare Cuban coffee or the origin of the Cuban sandwich, energy savings offer a rare moment of unity. Everyone, regardless of political stripe or preferred beach, agrees that Floridians want an alternative to their ever-increasing electric bills.

And in a holiday season full of unpredictable weather, unpredictable relatives, and unpredictable thermostat settings, agreeing that solar power is good for Florida might be as close to family harmony as Florida gets.

So if Clark Griswold can light up a Chicago suburb with enough wattage to be seen from a passing jet, Florida families can certainly handle a conversation about LEDs, solar panels, and a battery that keeps the house running when the lights flicker during a “quick little storm system” that turns out to be a Category 1.

After all, it’s Florida. If we can handle hurricanes, iguanas falling out of trees, and in-laws flying in from the Midwest, we can definitely agree about energy savings.

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Bill Johnson is the President and founder of Brilliant Harvest LLC. He is a Florida-licensed solar contractor and NABCEP Certified PV Installation professional. Johnson is the current President of Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, a trade association representing solar and storage contractors across the state of Florida.



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Woman who died after riding Universal’s Revenge of the Mummy had ruptured aneurysm

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Ma de La Luz Mejia Rosas died last month after the 70-year-old suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm on Universal’s Revenge of the Mummy ride, according to a newly released Medical Examiner’s report.

Rosas became unresponsive on Nov. 25 on the indoor roller coaster then passed away two weeks later Dec. 9 at Orlando Regional Medical Center, records showed.

“Mrs. Rosas went to the park to enjoy time with her children and grandchildren, expecting a safe and joyful experience,” lawyer Ben Crump, who is representing her family, said in a statement.

“Instead, her family is now left grieving and searching for answers. They deserve a full understanding of what happened before, during, and after this ride. We intend to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding this tragedy and ensure her family’s voice is heard.”

Crump said he is asking for information about the ride’s operations, safety protocols, maintenance history and data on other incidents.

Universal did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.

Rosas’ death was publicly disclosed on a statewide theme park injury report last week.

Florida’s major theme parks are required to self-disclose all visitors’ injuries on rides if the guests were hospitalized for at least 24 hours. The report is publicly released by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, though it contains limited information on what went wrong and about visitors’ condition.

The theme park injury report showed 16 people had been hurt on Revenge of the Mummy since it opened in 2004. Most recently, a 32-year-old woman felt “neck pain/motion sickness” last year. A 60-year-old woman hadseizure in 2017. Other guests reported chest pain, light headedness, feeling nauseous or passing out.

Crump was previously representing the family of a man with disabilities who died in September after riding a roller coaster at Universal’s Epic Universe theme park.

The family and Universal settled out of court in a confidential settlement.

Millions of people visit Orlando’s theme parks every year, and a handful of tragedies occur.

Earlier this month, a wrongful death lawsuit was filed against The Boathouse restaurant after a man died from choking on a steak at Disney Springs last year.



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James Uthmeier endorses Jon Maples for HD 87

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‘Jon Maples brings real-life experience, strong values and a deep commitment to Florida families.’

Fresh off a commanding Republican Primary win in the Special Election for the empty House District 87 seat, former Lake Clarke Shores Council member Jon Maples has notched an endorsement from Florida’s top cop.

Attorney General James Uthmeier announced on X that he is fully behind Maples, who he said will be “a principled voice in Tallahassee.”

“Jon Maples brings real-life experience, strong values and a deep commitment to Florida families. He understands the challenges facing our state and is ready to lead with common sense,” he said.

“I’m proud to endorse Jon Maples for FL House 87.”

Uthmeier’s endorsement Tuesday adds to others from President Donald Trump, Republican Reps. Anne Gerwig, Griff Griffitts, Jon Snyder and “MAGA” Meg Weinberger, Palm Beach County Commissioner Sara Baxter, Lake Worth Beach Commissioner Mimi May, former Rep. MaryLynn Magar, the Florida House Republican Campaign Committee and business group Associated Industries of Florida.

Maples won last Tuesday’s Primary with 84% of the vote over one opponent. He’s set to face Democrat Emily Gregory, who took 88% of the vote against a single Primary foe.

The winner of the March 24 Special Election will succeed former Republican Rep. Mike Caruso, who vacated the HD 87 seat in August for an appointed post as Palm Beach County Clerk and Comptroller.

HD 87 covers Palm Beach County’s coast from Juno Beach south to Lantana, spanning Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter, and Hypoluxo along the way.



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Stacy Hahn files to challenge GOP incumbent Donna Cameron Cepeda in Hillsborough Commission race

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Republican Hillsborough County School Board member Stacy Hahn has filed to run for the Hillsborough County Commission, challenging another Republican in a gambit for the countywide District 5 seat.

Hahn, who has served on the Hillsborough County School Board since 2018, announced her candidacy by citing her experience with the School District as evidence of her fiscal responsibility and belief in limited government.

The countywide District 5 seat is currently held by incumbent Republican Commissioner Donna Cameron Cepeda, who won election in 2022 as part of a broader GOP sweep that flipped control of the Hillsborough County Commission

The race is already drawing significant attention, with well-funded Democratic challenger Neil Manimala also vying to claim the seat. Manimala has a significant lead in funds raised, with his campaign already reporting more than $121,000 compared to $6,000 raised by Cepeda, according to Supervisor of Elections records. Hahn has not yet been required to submit a funding report.

Hahn described herself as a conservative who supports limited government and fiscal discipline, arguing that government is most effective when it empowers individuals, families and businesses rather than expanding bureaucracy.

In a statement, Hahn said her time on the School Board gave her a firsthand view of how county-level decisions affect classrooms, neighborhoods and the local economy, touching on issues such as public safety, infrastructure, housing affordability and budgeting.

“As a School Board member, I worked closely with families, educators, and community partners, and I saw firsthand how county decisions impact our classrooms, neighborhoods, and local economy — from public safety and infrastructure to housing affordability and responsible budgeting,” Hahn said.

“Hillsborough County is a unique and beautiful place with tremendous potential. To unlock that potential, we need common-sense leadership at the County Center — leaders who are focused on improving quality of life for every neighborhood, supporting local businesses, and being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.”

First elected to the School Board in 2018, Hahn has focused her tenure on financial transparency, literacy initiatives, workforce and career pathways, and early childhood education. She has pointed to her oversight of the School District’s roughly $4.4 billion budget and management of the county’s largest employer as preparation for the demands of county government, saying that experience helped her balance budgets, manage growth and deliver results.

Hahn has also been involved in a range of community and nonprofit efforts, including literacy- and STEM-focused programs, according to her campaign materials. She lives in Tampa with her husband, Jeff, their three children, Ethan, Jackson and Aidan, and their dog Rocky.

Hahn said she is “excited about the work ahead and the opportunity to serve.”



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