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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Miami Beach wants to help homeowners adapt to sea level rise with matching grants
Miami Beach is exploring a way to help residents cover the cost of floodproofing their properties from heavy rains and high tides made even higher by sea level rise — at least a little. The city is considering offering residents matching grants of up to $20,000 for projects like installing flood panels, swapping out a driveway for permeable pavement or planting absorbent landscaping — all simple ways to cut down on flooding.
› November passenger traffic at 58% of 2019 level at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport
In November, passenger traffic at Sarasota Bradenton International Airport was at 58% of the 2019 level. Passengers totaled 106,195 for November compared to 182,607 passengers in November 2019, according to a press release. Year-to-date figures show airport passenger traffic is down 35.7% compared to 2019, with 1,117,872 passengers using the airport so far this year. Data also shows SRQ remains well above the national average, the release says.
› Mayport-bound LCS, slated to become USS Cooperstown, finishes acceptance trials
The vessel poised to become Naval Station Mayport’s 10th homeported littoral combat ship has completed acceptance trials to be added to the U.S. Navy, defense contractor Lockheed Martin announced this week. The 378-foot ship known now as LCS 23 will become the USS Cooperstown after commissioning sometime next year, Lockheed Martin spokeswoman Kate Scruggs said.
› Universal Orlando’s Dockside and Disney World hotels are opening
In the midst of the pandemic recovery, hotels at the major theme parks have opening dates starting with Tuesday’s debut of Universal’s Dockside Inn and Suites. Dockside, which has 2,050 guest rooms, came online as part of the Endless Summer Resort located off International Drive and Universal Boulevard. It’s the eighth hotel in a partnership between Universal and Loews Hotels. Disney, meanwhile, released reopening dates for several of its hotels on Disney World.
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