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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida red tide levels are the lowest in more than a year
After more than a year, lab tests showed red tide concentrations across the state of Florida were at not present to background concentrations. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission tested more than 100 water samples offshore and in bay areas from Northwest, Southwest and the East Coast of Florida, where red tide peaked in August and September. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Bradenton Herald.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Sludge bill
Amid rising concerns about pollution in the headwaters of the St. Johns River, a Treasure Coast lawmaker has filed a bill that could prohibit ranch owners in Indian River, Osceola and Brevard counties from using treated human wastewater as a cheap source of fertilizer. The legislation, sponsored by Rep. Erin Grall, a Republican attorney from Vero Beach, would prohibit state regulators from issuing permits to spread Class B biosolids – the most lightly treated form of wastewater, commonly referred to as sludge – in the upper basin of the St. Johns River unless they can prove that doing so would not add to nutrient loadings in the watershed. Read the full story here.
Premiums skyrocket for long-term care insurance in Florida
Premiums for long-term care insurance — which helps pay for nursing home stays and extended care services during consumers’ elder years — are continuing to skyrocket and Florida’s seniors are getting blindsided by the increases. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Gov. DeSantis takes aim at Common Core in executive order
Gov. Ron DeSantis wants to create new state curriculum standards that would eliminate “the vestiges of Common Core,” he announced in Cape Coral on Thursday. “We stuck with Common Core then we re-branded it … it’s all the same. It all needs to be looked at, it all needs to be scrutinized,” DeSantis said during the announcement at Ida S. Baker High School, flanked by commissioner of education Richard Corcoran and local school administrators. More from the Tampa Bay Times and WFTS.
Court ruling means Florida cops can target unregulated Bitcoin sales
A Miami Beach man can be prosecuted for selling Bitcoin to an undercover detective, an appeals court ruled on Wednesday in a decision that makes it easier for Florida law enforcement to target people who buy and sell virtual currencies in unregulated deals. [Source: Miami Herald]
Cyber fraud risk is rising in Florida and commercial real estate transactions
With over 25 years of experience in commercial title insurance, Michael J. Moore, vice president and counsel and Florida sales manager with First American Title National Commercial Services, has had a front row seat for many cyber security issues throughout his career. He has also served on the Executive Counsel of the Florida Bar’s Real Property, Probate and Trust Law section, and he has presented a variety of continuing legal education seminars to Florida bar members during his two decades of service in the industry. [Sponsored report]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Clay County is on track to be fastest growing county in Florida
Clay County is on track to be the fastest growing county in the state. Thursday, county leaders gathered for the State of the County. Amy Pope Wells, chairwoman of the Chamber of Commerce said the First Coast Expressway is driving the growth, and that more than 10,000 new homes are expected in Clay.
› Number of rabies cases in Florida on the rise
Over the last three years, Florida has seen the number of rabies cases rise from about 59 to 110, according to the Florida Department of Health. However, that increase still doesn't come close to the more than 200 cases in 1998, 2004 and 2005.
› Florida hops: The latest crop experiment for Pasco citrus growers
In 1970, Frank and Rosemary Gude and Joseph and Margie Neuhofe founded the business that birthed an annual festival and attracted thousands of visitors to the "Kumquat Capital of the World." The Gude name is synonymous with kumquats in these parts, but two brothers and their sons are giving hops a go, with hopes of tapping into a local, niche market.
› Popular private jet company with Miami ties plans to soar higher
Wheels Up, which provides its members access to a members-only fleet of over 90 aircraft, has hired bankers to assist with strategic initiatives, CEO Kenny Dichter said Wednesday.
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