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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
As Ian anniversary nears, Florida Disaster Fund has put millions into recovery, rebuild
A year since Hurricane Ian blasted its way ashore and became the state’s deadliest storm in almost a century, the Florida Disaster Fund has steered the $63.2 million in donations collected in the following weeks and months to a wide range of service organizations. More than 70 relief groups across the state received major grants from the private, non-profit disaster fund, administered by Volunteer Florida. The money was directed toward helping the millions whose lives were upended by the Category 4 storm which tore through Southwest Florida after making landfall Sept. 28. More from the Gainesville Sun.
August was the hottest ever for Florida as NOAA warns 2023 is headed for a record
Last month was the warmest August ever recorded globally and in Florida. Although this was just the ninth hottest August in the United States since temperatures started being recorded in 1895, the average temperature reached 74.4 degrees, which is 2.3 degrees above average for the month. More from WFSU.
Naming rights of the Rays' new stadium should command millions
Tampa Bay Rays principal owner Stu Sternberg will need to amass $700 million for the team's portion of a $1.3 billion deal to build a new stadium in St. Petersburg. One way to attract financing will be through the ballpark's naming rights. In the years since the ThunderDome was rebranded as Tropicana Field before the 1997 season, the value and volume of naming rights deals have risen sharply — a good sign for Sternberg. More from the Tampa Bay Business Journal.
Renovated railway station at heart of Tallahassee's tourism push
After four years of renovation, a retired railway station is now the welcome and visitor information center at the heart of VisitTallahassee, Leon county’s plan to draw tourists to Florida’s capital city. Located in the middle of the All-Saints Art District, the passenger and freight station was built in 1858 and discontinued in 2005 due to rail damage from Hurricane Katrina. The floors, ceiling and glass doors are all brand new, but original dark-wooden beams and doors have been kept, giving the chic building a 19th century-inspired rustic flair. More from the Tallahassee Democrat.
Highly anticipated Port Charlotte resort to hold job fair
Despite not having an opening day set, the $695 million Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor is looking to hire. To that end, the resort is holding its latest job fair Tuesday, Sept. 26 in Punta Gorda as it looks to fill about 1,200 jobs. The Allegiant Travel Co.-owned resort will be holding on-site interviews and making offers. More from the Business Observer.
Florida Nature
Florida’s West Coast gets a brush with bioluminescence
Beachgoers in the evening and early morning hours along the shores of Anna Maria Island are noticing a brilliant display of oceanic biology. The beach is currently home to displays of bioluminescence, a natural phenomenon where certain living organisms emit bright blue lights across marine ecosystems. Bioluminescence occurs frequently along the east coast of Florida, where single-celled organisms called dinoflagellates make the waters shimmer and shine.
» More from WUSF.
Out of the Box
1,200+ participate in ShellHacks, Florida’s largest hackathon
Florida’s tech boom is no longer just a moment. It’s a movement. That was made clear recently at ShellHacks, Florida’s largest hackathon. More than 1,200 hackers from all over the world participated in the 36-hour coding fest at Florida International University’s Biscayne Bay Campus, including hundreds of students from FIU’s College of Engineering and Computing.
» Read more from Refresh Miami.
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