Thursday's Afternoon Pulse

Matt Nelson | 2/18/2010

Science Layoffs at FSU Making National News

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Florida State lured Mike Wetz away from the University of North Carolina with the offer of an assistant professor position in FSU’s highly regarded Department of Oceanography. Wetz’s first day at FSU was Dec. 23, 2008. Less than six months later, in June 2009, Wetz received a layoff notice. Wetz had done nothing wrong, by all accounts. He was one of five faculty members in his 15-person department whose positions were being eliminated as FSU decided to merge oceanography, geological sciences and meteorology in the wake of massive reductions in state revenue. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

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Facebook Plus Divorce Equals Flammable Situation

If eHarmony is the website bringing lovebirds to the threshold of marriage, Facebook is the one showing up for the divorce. The world's most popular social media site is revolutionizing the divorce experience, pouring toxin into virtually every stage of a collapsing marriage. Rekindling old flames into blazing affairs. Exposing the "Exhibit A" that divorce lawyers wave in the courtroom. Providing a global stage for feuding spouses to torch each other's reputations in multi-media splendor. [Source: Tampa Tribune]

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25-Year-Old Panhandle Zoo Reopens

The Gulf Breeze Zoo reopened its doors at 9 a.m. today. Kayte Wanko, general curator, says visitors will find more hands-on exhibits, many of the same animals that were there before and a lot of new faces. Formerly known as The Zoo Northwest Florida, the 25-year-old facility closed in August because of financial problems precipitated by damage from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 and Hurricane Dennis the next year. [Source: Pensacola News-Journal]

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Pew Says State Pension Fund Is a National Leader

Florida's $127 billion public employee pension fund is a national leader but the state's non-pension health care plan for retirees needs improvement, says a report issued Thursday by the Pew Center on the States. Florida is well above the 80% national benchmark that the U.S. Government Accountability Office says is preferred by experts, according to the Pew report. [Source: AP]

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Insurance Claims Continue from 2005 Storms

The fund that backs up private insurers operating in Florida will ask state officials next week to approve an additional .3 percent surcharge on almost every insurance policy in the state. For Floridians, the change will mean an additional cost of $3 for every $1,000 premium. The additional fee would begin in January 2011. [Source: Miami Herald]

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