Good Morning Sunland, It’s Tuesday!

Welcome to Sunland News—the newsletter that’s like the friend you can always trust to put on the aux, and won’t make you feel bad for trying to Shazam the new song they’re playing.

I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable Labor Day weekend! Whether you spent it soaking up the sun, grilling with family, or just catching up on some much-needed rest (like me), it's time to ease back into the week. I was going to hit you with a round of news yesterday, but figured everyone was you know, disconnecting, and for good reason.

We’re heading into what some might call the end of summer, though let’s be real—it’s Florida, so summer’s just taking a quick nap before coming back full force. But even as the seasons start to shift (at least on the calendar), we’re here with a mix of news, updates, and events to keep you in the loop.

Let’s hit play and dive in.

— Ja'Min

In Today’s Sunland News ☀️🗞️:

1. 📚 IRSC Welcomes Largest Incoming Class in History, 2,300 Students Attending Tuition-Free

2. 🚗 Lower Gas Prices going into the week:

3. 🎉 Sunrise City Social Hour

📚 Read Time: 4 Minutes
Also, did somebody forward you this, if so subscribe here 👉 Subscribe

How did you spend your Labor Day?󠁵󠁳󠁦󠁬󠁿 🛣️☀️

Weather TL;DR: "Sunshine, everybody loves the sunshine…" Early showers will clear up, letting the day shine bright. Keep your head up and enjoy the day

☀️ Day: High of 86°F
🌙 Night: Low of 79°F
🌅 Sunrise: 7:01 AM
🌇 Sunset: 7:39 PM

🌧 Rain: 40% chance of rain during the day, 24% at night.

📚 IRSC Welcomes Largest Incoming Class in History, 2,300 Students Attending Tuition-Free

While colleges across the country are seeing fewer students walk through their doors, IRSC is flipping the script, welcoming its largest incoming class in history. With 3,500 first-time students stepping onto campus, Indian River State College is proving that higher education is thriving in Saint Lucie County.

Fueling this “surge” is The Promise Program, which is helping 2,300 high school graduates from the Class of 2024 attend IRSC tuition-free. By removing financial barriers, the college is making it possible for more students to pursue their dreams without the burden of college debt.

IRSC President Dr. Timothy E. Moore and his team have rolled out the red carpet for these new students, marking this milestone as a significant moment in the college’s history. This record-breaking enrollment is not just a number; it’s a testament to IRSC’s commitment to making education accessible and affordable.

The college's growth is especially notable considering the national trend of declining college enrollments due to rising tuition costs and the challenges of the FAFSA rollout. Since the onset of the pandemic, IRSC has seen a 26% increase in enrollment, with 52% of the new students being first-generation college students.

The excitement on campus was made clear during the New Student Orientation, which featured a carnival-like atmosphere complete with food trucks and activities designed to help students connect and get comfortable in their new environment.

Indian River State College continues to serve more than 23,000 students (this actually really surprised me) across four counties, offering over 120 programs that lead to various degrees and certifications. As IRSC opens its doors to more students than ever before, it’s clear that the college continues to do something right, encouraging education can be earned anywhere, even from “home”.

🧁 Vicky Bakery Coming to the Treasure Coast!
The popular Cuban bakery chain, Vicky Bakery, is set to open its first Treasure Coast location in Port St. Lucie. The new standalone store will be located at 1234 S.W. Gatlin Blvd, next to the developing Gatlin Pointe Plaza. Expected to open in October or November, this expansion is part of the company’s broader mission to grow throughout Florida before eventually going nationwide. [Read More]

🎨 Help Keep Art Alive in St. Lucie County!
The St. Lucie Cultural Alliance needs your support to keep its doors open! Join the fight to ensure that art and culture remain a priority in the county budget. Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024, 6 PM at the Commission Chambers, 2300 Virginia Ave, Fort Pierce, FL 34982

🚗Check the current traffic situation via Google.

🚤 TREASURE COAST AT LARGE

🔍 Fort Pierce City Manager Nicholas Mimms Faces Court Date for Misconduct Charges: Suspended Fort Pierce City Manager Nicholas Mimms is scheduled for a court arraignment on Sept. 26, where he will enter a plea to charges of misconduct and bid tampering related to the lease of two vacant lots on Avenue D. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement has also uncovered evidence of financial discrepancies, with over $500,000 in project funds unaccounted for. Mimms, currently on paid suspension, faces serious legal consequences as the investigation continues. [Read More]

🍊 FLORIDA AT LARGE

🚗 Lower Gas Prices going into the week: This pass weekend, the AAA reports a 9% increase in travelers compared to last year. But there's a silver lining—gas prices are down statewide, making that extra traffic a bit easier on your wallet. [Read More]

🌍 WORLD AT LARGE

🛋️ Students Spending Big to Make Dorm Rooms Feel Like Home: This year, college students are expected to spend a whopping $87 billion—around $1,365 per student—to deck out their dorm rooms, according to the National Retail Federation. That’s a significant increase from the $48 billion spent a decade ago, although it's slightly down from last year’s $94 billion. [Read More]

📷 Follow The Sunland News Instagram

📢 Got a Story?

You can now submit a story for Sunland News to cover! Whether it's news, events, or anything you think deserves attention, just click the button below to share it with us. Thank you for being part of Sunland News! 🙏

🎮🕹️ Where does Port St. Lucie rank among the largest cities in Florida by population? 🍊🏴󠁵󠁳󠁦󠁬󠁿

Cash & Jack

I’m almost positive that roaming around downtown Fort Pierce, is my new favorite past time. Ran into Jack and he had on this amazing shirt, I just felt like I needed a picture, and he was super cool about it. We chatted briefly about how he’s been in Saint Lucie County for 25 years! Also, put me on to some of his music he makes as well. Shoutout Jack!

🎉 Sunrise City Social Hour
🗓️ Wednesday, September 4, 6 PM - 8 PM 
📍Chuck's Seafood Restaurant, Fort Pierce
Connect with business owners, entrepreneurs, and influencers at this networking event. Learn why Sunrise City Social is different! [Read More]

💼 Youth Career Event
🗓️ Wednesday, September 4, 4 PM - 6 PM
📍Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Fort Pierce
Join the Fort Pierce Utilities Authority's first Youth Career Event, organized by the Utility Advisory Committee. A great opportunity for young minds to explore career paths! [Read More]

🎲 Bingo Night
🗓️ Tuesday, September 3, 7 PM - 10 PM
📍Sailfish Sports Club & Grille, Stuart
Enjoy great food and drinks while playing bingo to support a great cause. Mark your calendars for this bi-weekly event!