1. MANATEE MIGRATION: Where sea cows go when it gets cold
It’s often called a manatee migration, but Florida’s cows aren’t leaving state waters in search of some secluded island in the warm waters of the Caribbean.
Instead, they’re headed upstream and into warm-water shelters and refuges, like the Florida Power & Light plant east of Fort Myers on the Orange River.
Cold weather forces manatees to flee coastal areas and seek warmer conditions in order to stay alive. Listed as threatened by the state, manatees will spend the next several months swimming to and from their warm water retreats as their tropical nature requires water temperatures at or above 68 degrees.
That’s the magic mark, when manatees start their inland migration. – Chad Gillis/USA TODAY Network-Florida
2. POSTAL SERVICE TO RAISE PRICES: When and how much?
The U.S. Postal Service on Nov. 17 filed a notice about the changes with the Postal Regulatory Commission, which oversees the Postal Service. The shipping service price increases, approved by the USPS governors, will take effect Jan. 18.
The price of your First-Class stamp won’t change, the USPS said in a release. But prices for shipping services will go up as part of the service’s 10-year transformation plan to remain financially sustainable while still providing service at least six days a week.
The announcement came as the USPS released its financial reports for the 2025 fiscal year. The Postal Service’s controllable loss, or net loss adjusted for costs outside of management’s control (such as workers’ compensation) increased from $1.8 billion last year to $2.7 billion in 2025. That’s an increase of $900 million, the Postal Service said. – C. A. Bridges and Saleen Martin/USA TODAY Network-Florida
3. HOLIDAY SHIPPING DEADLINES: Where and when to mail holiday packages
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, as they say. The holidays are approaching quickly, with Christmas just over a month away. If you have Christmas presents to send to your friends and loved ones, make sure you send them in time. Many of the mailing and shipping deadlines are coming up in a few short weeks.
Where to mail gifts: Marco Island Post Office: 600 East Elkcam Circle, Marco Island; Goodland Post Office: 427 Papaya Street, Goodland; Everglades City Post Office: 601 Collier Avenue, Ochopee. – Cindy McCurry-Ross/USA TODAY Network-Florida
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: 3 To Know: Manatees on the move; postal increase; holiday deadlines
Reporting by Marco Eagle / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
