Friday's Afternoon Update
Time's up: Florida Legislature has hours left to finish work
Florida legislators are entering the final moments of their annual session with a lot of work left to do. Legislators must act on dozens of bills Friday or the legislation will be lost for another year. More from the AP.
Increased homestead tax break could lead to fewer services in Polk County
Lawmakers who represent Polk County were the architects of what could be one of the biggest tax breaks for Florida homeowners in years. But that break will come with a big downside for local governments. More from the Lakeland Ledger.
Video-game fantasy leagues latest push for Electronic Arts veteran in Orlando
Online fantasy leagues are moving beyond traditional sports: A new app developed by a Central Florida company focuses on professional video gamers instead of NFL players. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Port Tampa Bay opens up on becoming Cuba Ready
"Cuba ready" for trade and travel opportunities with the island is how Port Tampa Bay promotes its stance on engaging the former Cold War enemy. To prepare, the port has hosted Cuba's ambassador to the United States and a delegation of Cuban maritime officials. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Battle ramps up to control voracious invasive lizard in South Florida
To biologists wearied by the decades-long effort to control the state’s invasive pests, it’s like a whack-a-mole victory, hamstrung by limited resources. So now they’re turning to another weapon: the public. More from the Miami Herald.
Event
IGLTA Convention
Already home to the largest gay pride event in the state, St. Petersburg this week is hosting the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association's Annual Global Convention for the first time. The organization chose St. Petersburg because of its thriving LGBTQ community, said John Tanzella, president and CEO of the IGLTA.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Originals
Batty: UF Builds Third Bat House
It took some doing for the University of Florida to lure hundreds of bats away from Florida Field and to a new bat house. But eventually so many bats began living at the house that the university had to build an additional “bat barn.” Then, last year, the school decided that not even two homes were enough and began constructing a third bat structure.