Truckers threaten Florida boycott over immigration law
Miguel Vasquez and Christopher Mantei share two things in common: they are truck drivers, and they are worried about an immigration law in Florida that Gov. Ron DeSantis signed last month. They are part of a wave of truckers, many of whom are sharing messages and videos on social media from other Latino truckers nationwide, threatening to boycott the Sunshine State when the legislation goes into effect July 1. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Where the Florida presidential candidates stand on environment, climate change
Florida, which experiences the effects of climate change through stronger hurricanes, rising seas and warmer weather, has three major Republican candidates running for president. But those candidates have expressed divergent views on climate change, its causes and what should be done. That reflects differences in views on this topic among Republican voters. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
What the lost Titanic submersible means for explorers and space tourism
Experts largely agree that wealthy explorers won't be slowed down. Risk is not only part of the equation when it comes to exploration, but space might even feel like a safer ticket. Regulations surrounding the space industry are tight thanks to decades of learning and experience. [Source: Florida Today]
Meet some of the most influential women leaders in spaceflight
Fifty years ago, women trained for spaceflight, but no one could imagine a woman astronaut. Women employed by NASA made significant contributions to sending men to the moon but remained mostly invisible and accounted for a small percentage of the workforce. The first executive position to be held by a woman at NASA wouldn't be filled until 1972. Now, three of NASA's top record-holders for most time in space on a single mission are women. [Source: Florida Today]
Florida's nightmare: Massive paint-eating snails pose grave threat to agriculture
Broward County in Florida has been placed under quarantine following the discovery of a giant African land snail, as reported by CBS News. These snails, known for their invasive nature, can grow up to eight inches (20.3 centimetres) in size and lay thousands of eggs at once. Their shells have sharp edges capable of puncturing vehicle tires, while their presence poses a serious risk to humans due to the parasite they carry, which can cause meningitis. [Source: WION]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› What does Tampa Bay smell like? Pirates and cigars, apparently.
The Tampa Bay area has a bevy of aromas, good and bad. Ybor City’s Seventh Avenue boasts the scents of cigars and coffee and Pinellas County’s beaches smell of salt water. Locals likely recognize the stench of red tide a mile away, sometimes literally, or the damp odor that warns of a coming summer storm. But now, Tampa Bay has an official signature scent, well, at least according to Visit Tampa Bay, which is the tourism arm of Hillsborough County.
› Kennedy Space Center: Panels to mark Atlantis exhibit’s 10th anniversary
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will mark the 10th anniversary of its Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit with two NASA astronaut panels on June 29. Astronauts scheduled to participate include Mike Baker, Chris Ferguson, Anna Fisher, Guy Gardner, Richard “Mike” Mullane, Jim Reilly and William Shepard. Ferguson, who was part of the crew of Atlantis’ final flight, and Shepard are members of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
› Pan Am once ruled the skies. Will Miami airport save airline’s historic buildings?
Long gone but not quite forgotten, Pan American Airways once dominated international airplane travel — a business the pioneering company created and developed out of a hangar at a little airfield its founder built on a farm field on Miami’s outskirts in 1928. Today the airfield is known as Miami International Airport. And, unbeknownst to all but a few insiders, the hangar that gave rise to Miami’s famed airport still survives, having outlived Pan Am by 42 years in fully functional fashion.
› TIAA Bank changing its name to EverBank, renaming home of Jaguars
TIAA Bank announced June 23 it will change its name EverBank and rename the home of the Jacksonville Jaguars to EverBank Stadium. “The EverBank brand has always represented forward-looking optimism, confidence and trust,” said Steve Fischer, TIAA Bank President and CEO said in news release. “Our new bank, under a new brand and the EverBank name, embraces that legacy of unmatched service and high-value products that enable our clients to reach their own definition of success.”
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› Take that, Miami! Fort Lauderdale, Lake Worth Beach, Key West eateries picked as best beachfront restaurants in Florida
Two Fort Lauderdale restaurants, one in Lake Worth Beach and another in Key West have been named among the best beachfront eateries in the Sunshine State. But there was one big omission: Miami-Dade County. A Sarasota-based travel site, Trips to Discover, just published its lineup of the “15 Best Beachfront Restaurants in Florida” and singled out Casablanca Cafe and S3 in Fort Lauderdale, Benny’s on the Beach in Lake Worth Beach and Salute! On The Beach in Key West.
› Federal judge blocks Florida law aimed at drag performers
A federal judge on Friday temporarily blocked a Florida law that he says is aimed at limiting the rights of drag performers. U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell of Orlando wrote in his order that “this statute is specifically designed to suppress the speech of drag queen performers.” “In the words of the bill’s sponsor in the House, State Representative Randy Fine: “…HB 1423…will protect our children by ending the gateway propaganda to this evil — ‘Drag Queen Story Time,'” Presnell’s ruling said.
› Phillies ramp up Clearwater expansion with plans for shopping, housing
In the future, a day at BayCare Ballpark to catch a Philadelphia Phillies or Clearwater Threshers game could entail way more than just baseball. The Phillies organization is developing a $250 million residential, dining and shopping complex called Ballpark Village on 13 acres just south of the BayCare Ballpark and Carpenter Field Training Complex, according to Mayor Brian Aungst Sr., who was briefed by team leaders Wednesday.
› Jacksonville chef featured on Food Network's 'Beachside Brawl' competition show
Jacksonville has a seat at the table for a new cooking competition show, "Beachside Brawl," which pits teams of chefs from the East Coast and West Coast against one another to produce sumptuous summertime treats. Jacksonville chef Wesley Nogueira is one of five members of the East Coast team on the show, which airs at 10 p.m. Sundays on Food Network. He's the chef at Khloe's Kitchen, a catering company he started in 2017 that also runs the cafe at Florida State College at Jacksonville's Kent campus off Roosevelt Boulevard.