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THURSDAY, MAY 15, 2008
FEATURED
Icon: John Walsh
Crime fighter John Walsh gets candid about his role on America's Most Wanted and what it means to him to continue the legacy of his murdered son.
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FORT PIERCE:
Scripps, Torrey Reach Anti-Cancer Deals With Biotechs
Scripps Florida and the Torrey Pines Institute for Molecular Studies have separately completed licensing deals for potential cancer treatments with small biotechnology companies in California, the research centers said Wednesday.
For Jupiter-based Scripps, a research collaboration worth $2.5 million that began more than two years ago has culminated in the licensing of a class of proteins known as kinase inhibitors to Poniard Pharmaceuticals of South San Francisco. The proteins target misguided signals between cells. For Torrey Pines in Port St. Lucie, its deal with San Diego-based Apoptos Inc. involves the initial licensing of small molecules aimed at tumor-cell apoptosis, also known as programmed cell death.
[Source: Palm Beach Post]
More on this topic from Florida Trend:
TALLAHASSEE:
State Bars Allstate Policy Sales After Court Ruling
Allstate agents in Florida can't sell new auto policies this morning. Renters' coverage and boat insurance are out, too.
State regulators have put Allstate out of business in an effort to strong-arm information from the company in an ongoing battle over high rates and business practices.
With the muscle of a favorable court ruling behind him, Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty expects Allstate Floridian will soon allow his office free access to its records and thus end the shutdown.
With a signed affidavit from company officers promising unconditional compliance, McCarty said Wednesday he'd lift the order against Allstate doing any new business in the state.
That hurts the company, and its agents, in the wallet. Allstate typically sells 6,000 new auto policies a week. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
THE KEYS:
Red Tide Damaging Keys Reef, Scientists Say
Humans, dolphins and manatees are not the only ones who have trouble breathing during severe red tide outbreaks. Preliminary data shows that red tides harm coral respiration as well.
Research scientists from the Smithsonian Institution and the University of North Florida dove the reef last week, collecting coral samples and trying to measure how toxic algal blooms affect coral larvae.
[Source: Marathon Free Press]
More on this topic from Florida Trend:
SOUTH FLORIDA:
Foreclosure Sales Rise Dramatically
The housing crunch rages on, as more South Floridians behind on their mortgage payments are losing their homes in foreclosure sales after failing to work out deals with lenders.
Scheduled sales in Broward County hit 2,568 last month, more than a fivefold increase over the 426 in April 2007, according to Realestat.com, a Plantation-based research firm.
In Palm Beach County, there were 785 scheduled sales in April, a 370% increase over the 167 from a year ago.
Escalating home values from 2000 to 2005 caused many buyers to overextend themselves. They took out short-term, adjustable-rate mortgages that now are resetting much higher. Florida continues to have one of the nation's highest foreclosure rates.
[Source: Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
›Farm Bill Described as 'Real Win' for Florida [Palm Beach Post]
Florida would receive about 11% of the $466 million designated for state specialty crop block grants over five years, the second-highest portion after California.
›Publix, Mosaic, Others Launch Ecofriendly Ad Campaign [Tampa Tribune]
Environmentalists say having household names such as Publix and the St. Joe Co. tell viewers they've saved money by helping save the planet could persuade the public to push for tougher renewable energy laws.
›Latest Groans: Small-Business Loans [Wall Street Journal]
Missed payments and losses on small-business loans are surging at banks throughout the country that were so eager to pad their profits that they essentially threw typical underwriting methods out the window. From Trend: Small Business Advice Column
›Everglades Wildfire Threatens Rare Birds [Miami Herald]
A wildfire imperiled an endangered bird's nesting grounds in the Everglades, as fire crews in Brevard County worked to control blazes there.
Related: Arson suspect claims fire was an accident
›Permanent Dade Development Line Proposed [Miami Herald]
Adding a new wrinkle to the debate over sprawl and the South Florida environment, the chairman of the Miami-Dade Commission wants to draw a permanent development boundary in rural West Dade.
›Study: Will Rising Ocean Submerge Part of South Florida? [Sun-Sentinel]
The same day the federal government added the polar bear to the endangered species list because of global warming, South Florida water managers agreed to take a yearlong look at how melting ice could raise sea levels that could claim the southern part of the state.
›State Funding of Railroad Work Spurs Investigation [Tampa Tribune]
In response to complaints from state Rep. Susan Bucher, D-West Palm Beach, the Department of Transportation's inspector general opened an investigation last month.
The track improvement program provided money for several railroad projects, including the state's $649 million deal with CSX Transportation.
›JaxPort: $67 Million Too Much for Land [Florida Times-Union]
The Jacksonville Port Authority is contesting a jury verdict that would have the port paying more than $67 million for 60 acres located north of Talleyrand Marine Terminal.
›Ethanol: Is It Worth It? [Daytona Beach News-Journal]
A little confused? Don't be. The News-Journal culled through mounds of (sometimes conflicting) news accounts and scientific reports to get the answers.
›Trustees Tweak UF Budget Cuts [Gainesville Sun]
University of Florida trustees on Wednesday approved a budget that makes $47 million in cuts, but spared the jobs of five faculty members who had been slated for layoffs. The trustees also raised the prospect of raises for remaining faculty.
›Alico Sees Profits Fall in Second Quarter [Naples Daily News]
LaBelle-based grower and land manager Alico Inc. saw its profits fall more than 71%. Profits are in part down because of lower citrus prices.
›West Dade Hospital to Lay Off 170 Workers [Miami Herald]
The center, which is a 100-bed forensic psychiatric hospital whose patients are admitted by court order, is managed by GEO Care under contract with the state Department of Children & Families. From Trend: A New Mindset for GEO Care
›Advertising Lows Hinder Fla. Newspapers [Editor and Publisher]
Florida's bubble burst as 2006 dawned. Investors skedaddled, and construction crews followed them home. And there went the advertising dollars and the spending.
›USA 3000 to End Service at Three Fla. Airports [St. Petersburg Times]
The discount airline will cease operations in St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Melbourne and Fort Lauderdale.
›New Toy Story Mania! Ride Is a Midway Marvel [St. Petersburg Times]
Is it a ride that's a game or a game that's a ride?
Actually, Toy Story Mania! is both.
It opens Friday at Disney's Hollywood Studios.
›Top Burger King Officials Fired for Anti-Union Posts [Miami Herald]
Voice mails were disconnected on Wednesday morning for Steve Grover, Burger King's vice president of food safety, quality assurance and regulatory compliance, and Keva Silversmith, company spokesman.
›Trump Sells Estate for $100 Million [Palm Beach Post]
An oceanfront Palm Beach mansion Donald Trump owns is under contract for sale to an unnamed foreign buyer for $100 million - the property's official asking price - according to sources close to the billionaire real estate mogul.
›Opinion: New Brevard Plane Plant Shows Value of Foreign Investment [Sent.]
Florida beat out four other states for the plant, promising almost $9 million in state and local tax breaks and grants. Embraer has agreed in return to create 200 jobs paying an average of $50,000 a year at the plant by 2011.
›Consider This Before You Eat Those Frog Legs [Miami Herald]
The state says don't eat too many frog legs from the Everglades because of high mercury levels.
›Crist Opens Hurricane Forum [Florida Today]
Officials urge residents to stash supplies, not rely on government.
›Miami's First Water Park Finally Opens [Miami Herald]
After years of delays, controversy and finger-pointing, Miami's Grapeland Water Park opened Wednesday in glimmering fashion -- greeted by hordes of giddy, bathing-suit-clad children.
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