Good morning, Ocala.

Regular gas prices in Florida rose 18 cents to $4.07 a gallon on Sept.

9 due to higher oil costs from the ongoing conflict with Iran—experts warn that gas and diesel may remain high despite the typical post-Labor Day drop.

Embry-Riddle plans to build a full satellite training facility on Deep Woods Ranch, a 220-acre plot in the southeast Ocala National Forest near Paisley.

The project includes a 2,800-foot grass airstrip and may require additional permits for environmental protection (county talks postponed pending resolution with a local property dispute).

Six Vanguard High School students were named semifinalists in the 72nd National Merit Scholarship Program by the National Merit Scholarship Corp.

They will later compete for roughly $24 million in about 6,700 scholarships.

Former Miss Gainesville and JE Dunn Senior Project Engineer Julianna Nickel lectured UF students on Wednesday about construction safety and female leadership in a male-dominated field + she will attend today's job fair at the O’Connell Center from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Mary Hough, a grieving parent from Manatee County, urges Marion County and Ocala officials to act on kratom’s dangers after her son died (six months ago) from its effects, noting the unregulated drug is mistakenly marketed as natural and safe and poses serious health risks.

Construction on a new Publix shopping center in Marion Oaks is progressing as the building's exterior and parking lot near completion.

The project, located at SW Highway 484 and SW 49th Court Road, will soon include additional retail and commercial spaces.