Hurricane forecast changes as we enter peak season
Colorado State University reduced the number of named storms it is predicting this hurricane season following a weekslong lull between Tropical Storm Chris and Hurricane Debby. The revised forecast, which is still calling for a hyperactive season, was released Tuesday, Aug. 6, as part of CSU's regularly scheduled updates. More from the Palm Beach Post and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
State, local agencies could face injury tabs
Florida senators have filed 17 bills seeking payments of as much as $28 million for people who suffered injuries and damages because of actions of state and local government agencies. The proposals, a certain type of legislation known as “claim” bills, will be considered during the 2025 legislative session. The largest amounts of money are sought because of alleged negligence by the Florida Department of Children and Families that resulted in catastrophic injuries to children, but the bills also involve such things as injuries suffered in traffic accidents. [Source: News Service of Florida]
DeSantis details Florida's response to Hurricane Debby
Gov. Ron DeSantis said on Tuesday that while Hurricane Debby had a similar track into Florida's Big Bend region as last year's Hurricane Idalia, damage from the Category 1 storm was far less severe. The storm made landfall near Steinhatchee on Monday and threatens to bring flooding rain from Georgia to the Carolinas. [Source: The Center Square]
NASA delays SpaceX Crew-9 launch while holding off Starliner decision
NASA has yet to make a decision on when Boeing’s Starliner can return home or whether it will have its two astronauts on board. That delay has also led to a decision to delay the planned SpaceX Crew-9 mission. NASA announced Tuesday it would target no earlier than Sept. 24 for the launch of the SpaceX Crew Dragon Freedom and its planned crew of NASA astronauts Zena Cardman, Nick Hague and Stephanie Wilson along with Russian cosmonaut Aleksandr Gorbunov. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida officials warn port leaders to reverse dock plans that favor cruise ships over space industry
The state has warned Port Canaveral leaders that they are putting at risk current and future infrastructure money if they don’t reverse dock plans that appear to favor cruise ships over the space industry. In a letter Friday, Department of Commerce Secretary J. Alex Kelly and Department of Transportation Secretary Jared Perdue expressed dismay about Port Canaveral --- one of the world’s busiest cruise ports --- changing cruise terminal plans. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Jayden's journey highlights the critical role of the Nemours Children's Ear, Hearing and Communication Center.
Nemours Children’s Ear, Hearing and Communications Center aids patients dealing with a range of issues around deafness and ear reconstruction, specifically those with ear differences, hearing loss, and communications needs. The center opened in January 2023 and involves two areas: the Nemours Children’s Interdisciplinary Center for Comprehensive Ear Reconstruction (NICEAR) directed by Leto Barone and the Nemours Children’s Hearing Enhancement, Augmentation and Restoration Program (NHEAR), directed by Cedric Pritchett. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Escambia cleaning up 'the place that boats go to die.'
Several more dilapidated boats have been removed from Bayou Chico in West Pensacola as part of an ongoing effort to clean up the waterway. The county and neighbors say it’s progress, but there’s still a lot more work to be done. Escambia County’s Marine Resources Division recently removed three derelict vessels from the bayou with the help of state funds provided for the removal from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
› Naples firm's buying spree continues with Pennsylvania manufacturer
The acquisitions keep on coming for the Hoffmann Family of Cos. The latest deal the company made is to buy Viking Plastics, a Pennsylvania manufacturer founded in 1972. Corry, Pennsylvania-based Viking, according to a statement, specializes in proprietary and custom injection molded parts and assemblies for applications across the automotive, HVAC and general industrial markets.
› Orange County tourist-tax revenues continue to soar
With three months left, Orange County’s tourist-tax collections for fiscal year 2023-24 are on a pace nearly equal to last year’s record haul of $359 million, far exceeding expectations, according to figures released Tuesday by Comptroller Phil Diamond. June collections topped $30 million, up about $2.2 million from May and a more modest $500,000 from June 2023.
› Pitbull Stadium new name of FIU football home through music star’s deal
Music star Pitbull soon will have his name on Florida International’s football stadium under a sponsorship agreement announced Tuesday. The Panthers will play at Pitbull Stadium for five years as part of a $6 million agreement, according to FIU board of trustees documents. The deal starts this month. Pitbull will have an option to renew the agreement for another five years at the same price.
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› Is your Miami hospital up for sale? What these next steps mean for patients and care
Palmetto General, North Shore Medical Center, Coral Gables and other South Florida hospitals are up for sale, part of owner Steward Health Care System’s plan to thin debt through Chapter 11 bankruptcy. And the future of the hospitals — and what it will mean for patients and employees — could be decided this month.
› Osceola joins movement to reject tax incentives for affordable housing
Joining a growing list of municipalities across the state, Osceola County has decided to opt out of a program that uses tax incentives to boost affordable housing. The board of county commissioners voted swiftly and unanimously Monday that Osceola will no longer provide property tax exemptions under Florida’s Live Local Act, a law enacted in 2023 that aims — among other things — to encourage developers to build more affordable apartments and keep their rents low.
› Riviera Beach sets virtual interviews with five candidates for CRA executive director job
Riviera Beach will hold virtual interviews Friday with five candidates who have applied to serve as executive director of the city's Community Redevelopment Agency. City Council members, who also serve on the CRA board, will narrow the list of candidates from five to three after the virtual interviews, and the three finalists will participate in a community meet-and-greet from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, August 26.
› Tampa steakhouse Fleming’s is debuting a new look and location. Here’s a peek.
Rolling up under the porte-cochere to the glass and wood entrance, it feels like the new Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar is in California rather than Tampa. The relocated flagship location is right next door to its original one, across the street from International Plaza on Boy Scout Road, but that California vibe is by design, said Sheilina Henry, president of Fleming’s.