Tuesday's Top Stories

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 2009

HAVANA:
Obama Eases Cuba Restrictions on Travel, Cash

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Undoing restrictions imposed by the Bush administration, President Barack Obama ordered the lifting of all curbs on family visits and money transfers for Cuban-Americans with family still living on the island. Many of the estimated 1.5 million Cuban-Americans living in the United States have relatives in Cuba. Under the new policy they will also be allowed to send more types of humanitarian aid to Cuba. In addition, U.S. telecommunications companies can apply for licenses to do business in Cuba, such as setting up television and mobile phone service. [Source: SP Times]
» Also: Florida Cubans conflicted over U.S. Cuba policy shift
» Flights: Travel agencies flooded with requests

PALATKA:
Seminole Gets OK to Pump from St. Johns

Seminole County is ready to forge ahead with construction of a $90 million plant that will siphon 5.5 million gallons of water a day from the St. Johns River, having won the last permit needed Monday night. The governing board of the St. Johns River Water Management District approved the controversial plant on a 5-4 vote over strong opposition from Jacksonville-area residents concerned that the withdrawal of water will harm the quality and quantity of water downstream. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

TALLAHASSEE:
State Farm Still Being Wooed

Less than three months after State Farm, the state's largest private property insurer, announced it was abandoning the Florida market, legislators are trying to woo the company back with a bill that would allow significant rate increases with few regulations. A House budget committee will take up the bill today that would allow State Farm and other large private insurance companies to sell a new form of residential property insurance largely free from state rate regulation. The idea is that some consumers might opt for the higher-cost, less-regulated policies if it means they can stay with companies like State Farm. State Farm says it likes the plan. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
» More: Today's legislative roundup

BOCA RATON:
Company Holding Apprentice-Like Competition to Fill Sales Jobs

Looking toward an economic upturn, Champions Solutions Group is using its first formal apprentice program to take advantage of the big pool of qualified job candidates searching for employment in today's job market. After 88 days of on-the-job training, during which the interns will become certified in several manufacturers' products, Champions plans to choose three or four to hire. Then the data management company plans to repeat the process. Ultimately, it would like to hire 30 people. [Source: Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Storms Worsen Flooding in North Florida [Sun]
Flooding across large swaths of North Florida this week is expected to be aggravated by severe thunderstorms that pummeled the area Monday night and are forecast through today.

› Isiah Thomas Reportedly in Line for FIU Coaching Job [ESPN]
On the same day FIU reassigned its men's basketball coach, one very big name is already emerging as a possible replacement -- Isiah Thomas. Related: FSU prepared to eliminate 21 programs

› HSN, Kelly Ripa Team Up for Reality TV Series [St. Petersburg Times]
St. Petersburg-based HSN has signed up for an entrepreneurial reality TV series called Mom, Inc. that's set to air on TLC next winter.

› Down Economy Drives Down Student Enrollment [Florida Chamber]
State forecasters say that 10,000 fewer public school students are expected to enter classrooms this fall , the fourth straight year of declining enrollment in what remains the nation's fourth largest school system.

› High Court: Parents Can't Sign Away Kids' Rights [Florida Trend]
The Florida Supreme Court says parents can't sign waivers giving up their children's rights to sue.

› Cabinet Considers Land-Buying, Resolutions [Bruce Ritchie]
Gov. Charlie Crist and the Cabinet was asked Tuesday to approve a new Florida Forever list even as the House and Senate propose to eliminate funding for the land-buying program after nearly 20 years of continuous funding. Also: Conservation Collier could suspend land buying

› 'Inland Port' Gets County's Initial OK Despite Objections [Palm Beach Post]
Palm Beach County is competing with several of its neighbors to be chosen as the site of an "inland port" that would be a warehousing and distribution center serving South, Southwest and Central Florida's seaside ports.

› Levy Plan for Veteran Teachers Draws Fire [Gainesville Sun]
Levy County School officials are catching heat for a plan to cut loose 21 of the district's most experienced teachers and then rehire them at a beginning salary. Also: Manatee to cut 75 teaching jobs

› Tampa Amtrak Usage Rises [Tribune]
Tampa ridership increased 10.8% to 8,191 passengers.


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