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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Security increased at Miami, Orlando airports after Brussels attacks
In the wake of the bombing attack at the airport and a metro station in Brussels, security has been heightened at Miami International Airport. Miami-Dade Aviation Department spokesman Greg Chin said, "Those measures include an increased presence of uniformed officers and canine units in and around the terminal." Direct flights on Jetairfly, the only airline with direct flights to Brussels from Miami, are cancelled.
Orlando International Airport spokesman Rod Johnson says the airport is also enhancing security measures throughout its terminals. More from the AP and at CBS Miami and Fox29.
Related:
» South Florida reaction to Brussels bombings
» Reaction from Florida politicians
» U.S. cities tighten security
» U.S. stock indexes waver; travel companies sink following attacks
» Florida Gov. Rick Scott orders flags to half-staff in wake of Brussels attacks
Sabal Pipeline project files 160 eminent domain lawsuits
A natural-gas pipeline project for Duke, NextEra and Spectra has filed 160 eminent-domain lawsuits in Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The lawsuits seek to seize hundreds of acres from landowners. The project, called the Sabal Trail Transmission pipeline, is targeting 25 properties in Central Florida, mostly in Osceola County. More at the Orlando Sentinel.
Related:
» Natural gas poised to surpass coal for electricity in U.S.
Pensacola Beach tax ruling reversed
The 1st District Court of Appeal reversed a Circuit Court decision that required Island Resorts Investments Inc. to pay ad valorem taxes to leasehold 12 acres of land on Pensacola Beach. The appeals court's decision overturned a trial ruling by Escambia County Circuit Judge Edward Nickinson. “We think it’s a big day for the public,” said attorney Edward Fleming, who represented Island Resorts. More at the Pensacola News-Journal.
Roy Speer's widow prevails in drawn-out battle over fortune
After more than 13 months of arguments, an arbitration panel appointed by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority awarded more than $34 million in damages to the widow of Roy Speer, co-founder of the Home Shopping Network, in a suit that pitted her against her late husband's former mistress. More at the Tampa Bay Times.
Environment
Florida part of imperiled 'global diversity hotspot'
The North American Coastal Plain, stretching from the Florida Keys north to Massachusetts, was recently declared a global diversity hotspot — one of the richest and most threatened reservoirs of plant and animal life on Earth. Mike Maunder, associate dean of research engagement at Florida International University's College of Arts, Sciences & Education, offers perspective on the designation. Full story from FIU is here.
Recreational Vehicle
SkyRunner debuts at the Palm Beach International Boat Show
SkyRunner, a new, recreational sports vehicle, made its public debut at the Palm Beach International Boat Show. Part all-terrain vehicle, part light-sport aircraft, it utilizes a large fan at the rear and a power parachute to fly. Business and government end users are considering the craft because operational cost is much less than small helicopters. » More here.
Security in Florida
Orlando's theme parks move to thwart terrorist attacks
Last December, central Florida’s major theme parks began using metal detectors to screen the tens of thousands of visitors who stream through their gates each day. The increased security, which began just weeks after terrorist attacks in Paris and San Bernardino, Calif., seems especially relevant today. » Access the story here (from Florida Trend's March issue).
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