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Monday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Legislature’s report on Florida insurance lawsuits is mixed
For years, insurance companies and state lawmakers have blamed lawsuits for driving Floridians’ homeowners insurance premiums to the highest in the nation. A new long-awaited study commissioned by the Legislature supports that — somewhat. But the report does not match the rhetoric from Gov. Ron DeSantis and insurance companies that frivolous or abusive lawsuits were causing record losses and soaring premiums. More from the Tampa Bay Timesand the Miami Herald.
First U.S. moon landing mission in decades launches from Florida
United Launch Alliance's new red-and-white Vulcan rocket lifted off in the early Monday morning darkness directly on time during its maiden flight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, propelling the Peregrine robotic lunar lander to its planned Feb. 23 moon landing. More from Florida Today, Space.com, and CNN.
Tool making apprentice program at PGT Innovations in Venice creates career opportunities
The apprenticeship program at PGT Industries is part of an effort to increase awareness in the state of Florida of the need for and value of jobs in manufacturing. The program matches apprentices with a mentor to give them hands-on training and they eventually earn papers as a Licensed Journeyman in the Tool and Die department at PGTI. The apprentice program is not expected to be impacted by the planned sale of PGTI to Tampa-based Masonite International Corporation. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Eight big stories to watch in 2024 in Jacksonville
The Chinese New Year will celebrate 2024 as the Year of the Dragon, but in Jacksonville, it's going to be the Year of the Jaguar. Or at least, the year of what the city of Jacksonville is willing to pay for renovating EverBank Stadium so the Jaguars will keep playing in it for another generation. Other anticipated news developments to watch in the coming year will unfold at City Hall, in courtrooms, in the Duval County School Board meeting room, at the airport, on the highway to the airport, and in the state Legislature. Here are eight stories to watch. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Toxic secret: Lawmakers want rules and remedies for chemical in Seminole County tap water
Two local lawmakers are announcing a bipartisan effort today to regulate a toxic industrial chemical that has tainted the drinking water of thousands of people in Seminole County for years and possibly decades. There are no mandatory limits or other drinking water regulations for the chemical, 1,4-dioxane, whose dangers were little discussed until a series of reports in the Orlando Sentinel last year. Local authorities say the absence of regulations has left them floundering with little assistance for solutions, unsure of the need for transparency to the public and potentially saddled with huge costs. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Tech Trends
Can you put Florida driver's license on your phone? What to know about Florida Smart ID
Are you ready for a mobile driver's license? In some states, it's acceptable to have your driver's license on your smartphone aka a digital driver’s license. In Florida, there's an app for that, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles. It's called an intuitive mobile driver license – the Florida Smart ID. As of January 2024, the service is acceptable as an additional form of identification.
» More from the Gainesville Sun.
Out of the Box
MCO Visitor Pass Program looks for “eat local” audience
It was perhaps one of their strangest day dates ever, Frankie Huff surmised in a social media post about Orlando International Airport. “But we had a blast!” said Huff’s wife, Debbie Kleinberg, as she recapped several hours spent exploring the retail, dining and entertainment options at MCO’s year-old Terminal C. “I like hanging out at the airport, anyway,” the Oviedo resident said, “but I might be unusual.” Folks at MCO are guessing she’s not — and hoping the program will be as popular as the hard-to-get, MCO-themed socks staffers give away, and fans clamor for.
» Read more from Orlando Sentinel.
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