8 bipartisan bills to watch in the 2022 Florida legislative session
Election fraud, transgender athletes, rioting, vaccine mandates. Those wedge issues engulfed hours of debate in Florida’s Legislature last year, generating scores of national headlines. Republicans, who hold the governor’s mansion and daunting majorities in the state House and Senate, got their way on each issue. Yet as lawmakers head back to Tallahassee for their annual 60-day session that begins Tuesday, there remains several policy areas in which Republicans and Democrats see room for compromise — or even agreement. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Attorney General warns Floridians to be wary of potential COVID-19 testing scams
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is warning residents about COVID-19 testing scams as coronavirus cases surge in the state. Moody’s office said that there are recent reports in Florida and nationwide of potentially fake COVID-19 testing sites, imposter health care workers at legitimate sites and at-home testing scams. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
SpaceX nails 1st launch of 2022 from Kennedy Space Center
After a record launch year for SpaceX, the company got 2022 off to another roaring start. The year’s first Falcon 9 mission took off from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39-A at 4:49 p.m. Thursday carrying 49 Starlink satellites to add to the company’s growing internet constellation orbiting Earth. The rocket headed to the south from the Space Coast, a first for a Falcon 9 from the East Coast, an effort by the company to increase chances of booster and fairing recovery during the winter months. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
StoryCorps is recording stories in Tampa for a month
Over the last few months, Summer Cody has traveled the South to help others tell and record their stories. She’s been to cities in North Carolina and Georgia. She’s heard serious stories about Native American heritage and silly ones about two women sharing an elephant ride. “I learn about people’s lives and what they find important,” she said. Now, Cody and the Airstream are in Tampa through Feb. 12. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Inter Miami stadium complex negotiations are done, mayor says. Crucial vote looms
More than three years have passed since the 2018 referendum that allowed the city to skip a public bid and negotiate solely with Inter Miami’s owners for the large real estate deal, a plan that would transform 131 acres of publicly owned land directly east of Miami International Airport. With talks finished, city officials are expected to start presenting the terms of the deal to commissioners in the coming days, and a vote could be scheduled within weeks. More from the Miami Herald.
Business Profile
New owners of storied cafe have high hopes for 2022
One of the more storied restaurants in downtown Sarasota’s eclectic fine-dining scene, the Bijou has been a go-to spot in Sarasota’s theatre and arts district since 1986. Sharon Carole, owner of The Realm Restaurant Group, purchased the Bijou from owner and Chef Jean-Pierre “J.P.” Knaggs, who founded it with his wife, Shay Knaggs. The Realm also operates downtown Sarasota’s Sage Restaurant, nearby on First Street.
» More from the Business Observer.
Out of the Box
‘The parking space is coming to you’ in automated garage
Garages that essentially work like giant vending machines could become part of new developments in downtown Boca Raton. How they work: you drive up, you or a worker push a few buttons into a keypad or smartphone app, and mechanical arms and other devices take your car to a spot within the garage. When you’re ready to leave, you go back to the keypad or pull up your app, press another few buttons and the machine brings your car back to you.
» Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.