'Families deserve to know': District student data can be shared with charter schools, per state rule
A group of public education advocates are raising privacy concerns over student data being granted to "Schools of Hope," which allows charter schools to "co-locate" inside public schools and obtain millions of dollars in state funding. They say the breach of student data is especially damaging to students with disabilities and students of color. During a virtual press conference Monday, educators and parents warned about a rule they say undermines student protections and creates risks for children. The press event was organized by the community-based organization Families for Strong Public Schools. [Source: WLRN]
Opinion: Why Florida cannot afford to lose arts funding
It appears that Floridians should brace themselves for another battle to keep Arts and Culture funding alive in our state. On Dec. 10, Gov. DeSantis released his $117.4 billion budget proposal for the 2026–27 fiscal year, once again recommending no funding for Arts and Culture grants. I use the term “Floridians” instead of “Supporters of Arts and Culture” because all Floridians benefit from what Arts and Culture bring to the state and to our lives. Once again, it will be up to Florida’s legislature to right this wrong. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida bill aims to restore policyholder confidence amid AI concerns
Rep. Hillary Cassell presented her bill to the House Subcommittee on Banking and Insurance, where it gained approval. The legislation would prohibit insurers from denying claims based exclusively on automated AI outputs. "The legislation is about accountability and restoring confidence for policyholders," Cassell said during the hearing. The use of artificial intelligence has expanded rapidly across industries, particularly in insurance, where denied hurricane claims in Florida have raised questions in recent years about automated decision-making processes. [Source: WPTV]
Residential yacht company launches Miami studio for custom onboard homes
Crescent Seas plans to build a new residential yacht from the ground up as it expands its living-at-sea concept, citing buyer demand for larger and more customizable residences. The Miami-based company announced Dec. 8 that it has launched a customization program for its planned residential vessel, The Ocean, and unveiled a revamped design studio in the Magic City where prospective buyers can co-create their units. [Source: South Florida Business Journal]
Water pollution puts Floridians at risk of severe health problems
When they arrived in Longboat Key this February, Carol Leone and her family were excited for two weeks of relaxation in the salty breeze. Within days, they started to cough. Soon, Leone’s voice vanished. “I just kept getting worse day by day,” she said. By the second week of her stay, the 76-year-old struggled to breathe. Legions of dead, rotting fish washed up on the beach. Leone saw the carnage as confirmation of a creeping suspicion: Something foul in the Gulf was making her sick. She went to an urgent care clinic, where a doctor gave her antibiotics, steroids and an inhaler — but no cause for her illness. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Memo: A new Florida law does not outright ban license plate frames
After outcry on social media, the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles issued a memo clarifying how the state’s new law on license plate frames and covers should be enforced.
› Florida property insurance market shows strong recovery, ALIRT reports
ALIRT, a provider of insurance market research and analysis, recently released its annual review of the Florida domestic property insurance market, highlighting the overall state of the market following tort reforms.
› Florida's first "indoor" U-pick grove opens in Polk County
Think of it like a giant pool lanai. Or screen porch. Or mesh strainer.
Or better yet, see the revolutionary citrus-growing method for yourself.
Why it matters: That's an option now, thanks to Polk County's Golden Ridge Groves, where owners Shane and Katie Bevilacqua have created Florida's first "indoor" U-pick experience using Citrus Under Protective Screen, or CUPS.
› South Florida's Mitzvah Kitchen serving up food to help those battling food insecurity
Dozens of volunteers are gathered in the Mitzvah Kitchen, cutting peppers, preparing chicken, and baking cookies. It's an inclusive environment where people can serve, and come together to uplift others.
More stories ...
› Cape Florida Lighthouse’s 200th anniversary will tell amazing history with high-tech touch
Forget about your holiday shopping, your many December obligations, and trying to get work done in double time. Remember, there’s a birthday to celebrate: The Cape Florida Lighthouse turns 200 years old on Wednesday.
› Brown & Brown buys Florida workers’ comp specialist Campbell Agency
Brown & Brown, Inc. has expanded its workers’ compensation capabilities in Florida through the acquisition of the J. Kevin Campbell Agency, Inc.
The transaction was announced by J. Scott Penny, chief acquisitions officer of Brown & Brown, and Kevin Campbell, principal of the Campbell Agency. A Brown & Brown subsidiary acquired the agency’s assets, but financial terms were not disclosed.
› Lennar posts weak quarterly profit as homebuying demand dips
Miami-based U.S. homebuilder Lennar (LEN.N), opens new tab missed Wall Street's estimates for fourth-quarter profit on Tuesday, as affordability pressures continued to weigh on homebuying demand, sending the company's shares down more than 4% in after-hours trading.
› South Florida beverage company Fresh Blends wins Best Kiosk Innovation at the 2025 ARKI Awards
Fresh Blends®, the global leader in iced and frozen beverage automation, has been named Best Kiosk Innovation at the Automated Retail & Kiosk Innovation Show's 2025 ARKI Awards. This award recognizes the most creative and effective advancements in kiosk design, functionality, user experience, and technology integration.