Florida could see biggest increase in hot days, new modeling shows

A new report examines how dangerously high temperatures could increase over the next 30 years and reveals a grim outlook for much of the nation, especially a vast swath of the central U.S. where residents aren’t accustomed to extreme heat. South Florida is forecast to see the biggest increases in the number of very hottest days, according to a new heat model and assessment by the First Street Foundation. But the report suggests even some of the nation’s northernmost counties won’t escape the effects of the warming world. More from  USA Today, the Miami Herald, and the Orlando Sentinel.

A tropical wave is expected to move across Central America and into the Gulf. What next?

A new report examines how dangerously high temperatures could increase over the next 30 years and reveals a grim outlook for much of the nation, especially a vast swath of the central U.S. where residents aren’t accustomed to extreme heat. South Florida is forecast to see the biggest increases in the number of very hottest days, according to a new heat model and assessment by the First Street Foundation. But the report suggests even some of the nation’s northernmost counties won’t escape the effects of the warming world. [Source: Miami Herald]

Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida's new Secretary of the Department of Management Services to oversee state's IT infrastructure

Former U.S. Department of Homeland Security official Pedro Allende has been appointed Florida’s new Secretary of the Department of Management Services, which is tasked with overseeing cyber-security for state government and administering tens of millions of dollars in new funding for government cyber-resiliency programs. [Source: Florida Trend]

Feds awarding $25 million safety grant for Brightline corridor

In yet another initiative to cut down on deaths and injuries along the Brightline’s rail corridor, the U.S. Government has allocated $25 million for safety improvements between Miami-Dade and Brevard counties. The money is helping to cover $45 million in measures that will include improvements at 328 roadway-railroad grade crossings and 33 miles of pedestrian protection features in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, Martin, St. Lucie, Indian River and Brevard counties along the Florida East Coast Railway line, which is used by Brightline. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida gator hunting starts with expanded time, weapons

Florida's alligator hunting season started Monday with new rules expanding the time and weapons that can be used. The new rules expanded alligator hunting to 24 hours a day, instead of the previous 17 hours a day, primarily at night and early morning, that had been allowed. Additionally, hunters now will be allowed to use pneumatic air-bows attached to a restraining line to hunt the alligators. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Orlando home prices fall slightly, as real estate agents warn of cooler market [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando home prices in July took their first dip in six months and inventory rose again as a survey showed nearly three out four Central Florida real estate agents believe the market is cooling. The median home price in metro Orlando dropped about 1.6% to $380,900 from $387,000 in June, according to the monthly housing report from Orlando Regional Realtor Association. The organization looks at sales from Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole counties.

› More river water tapped to meet Tampa Bay’s future thirst [Tampa Bay Times]
New tap water for the Tampa Bay region will come from an old source. Monday, the board of Tampa Bay Water — region’s wholesale water supplier — voted unanimously to expand an existing plant in Hillsborough County to treat more water drawn from the Hillsborough and Alafia rivers and the Tampa Bypass Canal. The vote culminated a nearly four-year-long study of how to meet future water demands for residents and businesses in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties and the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey.

› Florida utility’s new drone can speed hurricane recovery [AP]
Florida’s primary energy provider is ready to launch a powerful new technology, just ahead of the busiest weeks of the Atlantic hurricane season: a new fixed-wing drone designed fly into tropical storm force winds and speed the restoration of electricity after severe weather. FPLAir One resembles a small plane and is remotely operated, enabling the utility to capture and deliver images and video of damaged electrical equipment in real time to its command center.

› Kia Tigers South Korean professional baseball team wants to hold spring training in Brevard [Florida Todady]
In what could be a boon to Brevard County, a South Korean professional baseball team is looking into coming to the Space Coast for spring training in 2023, potentially at the USSSA Space Coast Complex in Viera. A Fort Lauderdale-based representative of the Kia Tigers submitted a request to the Brevard County Tourist Development Council for a $20,000 county sports grant to help cover some of the marketing, public relations, promotions and other costs of the Tigers playing here.

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› Hillsborough ferry plans sail ahead of schedule [Tampa Bay Times]
Plans for the south Hillsborough County ferry service are ahead of schedule and commissioners are being asked to continue the full-speed-ahead pace. On Wednesday, Hillsborough County commissioners will consider $252,000 for preliminary engineering and planning work for the proposed ferry between south Hillsborough and MacDill Air Force Base. Without the additional money, the work would cease until Oct. 1 when the new fiscal year begins.

› Food pantry for Disney employees still fights hunger as donations fall [Orlando Sentinel]
Hit with a hefty dental bill, a Disney employee faced the choice of paying it or buying groceries. Another Disney worker’s infant son was diagnosed with food allergies and needed a specific, pricey formula when formula shortages were intensifying nationwide. The family found the bulk of their grocery budget was going toward feeding him. Both came to a Disney employee food bank called Cast Member Pantry for help.

› Van Wezel leaders answer your questions about new Sarasota Performing Arts Center project [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Recent stories about the future of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall and the proposed new Sarasota Performing Arts Center that will be the centerpiece of The Bay Park, generated a lot of questions and concerns from readers and arts lovers. The new performing arts hall is projected to have a 2,250-seat mainstage theater and a 400-seat flexible theater, as well as space for education programs, rehearsals and more. It also is expected to have amenities and technology for outdoor screenings.

› Davinci Micro Fulfillment opening distribution facility in North Jacksonville [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Davinci Micro Fulfillment chose Jacksonville’s Airport Industrial Park in North Jacksonville for its sixth location. The company expects to hire 35 to 40 employees over the next 60 days at its 42,000-square-foot warehouse facility under renovation. It did not release the address. Davinci is headquartered in Bound Brook, New Jersey.