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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
'Sand wars': the battle to replenish Florida’s beaches amid climate crisis
Gorgeous sandy beaches are fundamental to Florida’s economy. A record 116.5 million tourists visited Florida in 2017, up 3.6% from 2016, generating commerce valued at $67 billion. But holding back the effects of hurricanes and high water is a project on an industrial scale – and one that’s only becoming bigger and more fraught. Some are even talking about “sand wars” in the Sunshine state. [Source: Guardian]
E-Verify bill filed in Florida Senate
Thonotosassa Republican Sen. Tom Lee filed a bill Thursday that would require businesses to use the “E-Verify” system to check the immigration status of new employees Under SB 664, co-sponsored by Sen. Joe Gruters, employers would have to be able to turn over records proving their employees are citizens or are otherwise authorized to work in the United States. If they fail to do so, there are some harsh penalties, including the suspension of business licenses. [Source: Florida Politics]
Insurers accuse lawyers of cashing in on a Hurricane Michael 'gold rush'
Insurers and attorneys blame each other as about 17,000 insurance claims from Hurricane Michael remained unsettled just over a year after the deadly storm ravaged parts of the Panhandle. Appearing before the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee last week, Locke Burt, a former senator who is president of Ormond Beach-based Security First Insurance, called for litigation reform because he said lawyers view the damages from Michael as a “gold rush” for themselves. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Invasive Brazilian Peppertree has new nemesis in Florida: A tiny insect
Florida scientists launched an experiment Thursday morning using a small bug they believe will be a game-changer in controlling Brazilian peppertrees across the state. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences released Brazillian peppertree thrips onto Adams Ranch in Fort Pierce. The Ranch has been overtaken by the invasive plants. In recent decades, Mike Adams said the trees have been an expensive problem on his 40,000 acre property. [Source: WUSF]
Flooded house? Florida sellers don’t have to tell.
As of last month, Texas home sellers have to disclose a lot more information about flood risk and flood history. Now they must tell potential buyers if the home has ever flooded or if it’s in a flood pool, in or near a reservoir or if it’s within a 500-year floodplain. Meanwhile, in Florida, the state most at risk from sea rise driven flooding, no such law exists. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Epic Universe, Orlando’s next theme park, is coming in 2023
Epic Universe, Universal’s third theme park in Orlando, is expected to open as soon as early as 2023, officials said Thursday during a Comcast earnings call. This summer, Universal announced it is building a new park in the shadow of the Orange County Convention Center but said at the time they were not ready to release more details, including the park’s expected opening date and ride themes.
› Movie about USF football players lost at sea to be made in Clearwater
A little more than a decade after the United States Coast Guard found Nick Schuyler clinging to the engine mount of a capsized boat, a movie will be made about his ordeal. Not Without Hope will share his story of surviving 43 hours in the Gulf of Mexico and losing three friends in the tragic accident. And parts of it will be shot in Clearwater where the real-life tale unfolded.
› Bradenton-based Burkes Outlet enters Oklahoma
Burkes Outlet is expanding to the state of Oklahoma and plans to have six stores open there by the end of 2020. The first Oklahoma store for the clothing, shoes and accessories retailer under the umbrella of Bradenton-based Bealls Outlet will open next month in Muskogee, Oklahoma.
› REI Co-op coming to Gainesville in spring 2020
A national retailer in outdoors goods is coming outfit North Florida’s nature enthusiasts, from hikers at Bivens Arm Nature Park to Ginnie Springs snorkelers and San Felasco trail cyclists. Recreational Equipment Inc., or REI Co-op, plans to open a 23,000-square-foot store at Butler Town Center, off Archer Road, by spring 2020.
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