Sea level rise is accelerating in Florida, scientists warn

In dozens of locations along the state’s 1,350-mile coastline, sea level rise is no longer an esoteric discussion or a puzzle for future generations to solve. It’s happening now and is forecast to worsen over the next 20 to 30 years. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Northwest Florida Daily News.

See also:
» "When rising seas hit home," Florida fact sheet from Union of Concerned Scientists
» Study maps out devastating effects of sea level rise on south Florida
» Scientists say future could hold bad news for Florida agriculture

Venezuelans who fled to Florida participate in opposition's symbolic vote

Tens of thousands of Venezuelans in Florida were expected to vote in the referendum organized by opponents of Venezuela's president. Anti-Maduro anger is boiling over in South Florida communities. [Source: NPR] Listen to the audio report here:

Wondering if your homeowner’s insurance will protect you? You’re not alone

As Floridians head into a hurricane season predicted to be busier-than-average, homeowners are wondering whether their insurers will pay up if their house is hit — and how to find out before a storm arrives. [Source: Miami Herald]

Your turn:
» With hurricane season here, how confident are you that your homeowner's insurance will be able to pay claims? (quick poll)

Florida scientists are on a mission to make the perfect tomato

How many old-timers have you heard say, "They don't grow tomatoes like they used to"? This isn't just cranky nostalgia. They're right. Tomatoes have been bred to be disease-resistant, easily transportable and have a long shelf life. Flavor isn't at the top of the priority list for growers, distributors and grocers. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» UF-led team discovers key to restoring great tomato flavor

Rooted in Florida: German, Irish top ancestries in state

When it comes to ancestral roots, it turns out the Germans have a leg up in Florida. New U.S. Census data released last week shows that about 10 percent of Florida's 20 million residents say they have German ancestry. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament finding more solid ground [Florida Times-Union]
While it may never fully return to the level of its glory days, growing interest continues to show the nation’s premier kingfish tournament, is back on solid ground – and getting stronger. This is the tournament’s 37th year.

› Office Depot HQ lets workers go casual to inspire innovation [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
To say Office Depot’s headquarters employees have gone through upheaval in the last few years is an understatement. But the latest adjustment is a welcome one for the 2,000 workers at headquarters: Office Depot employees now can dress casually at work — every day.

› As video-game crowd diversifies, so do Orlando's developers [Orlando Sentinel]
With more people than ever before playing video games, according to a new survey, data about those gamers are giving developers another weapon in their pursuit of customers.

› Pensacola considering new arena to attract basketball team [AP]
Mayor Ashton Hayward says the city is in the early planning stages on a new arena if it can attract a basketball team.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Column: Often out of spotlight, 44 biggest private Tampa Bay companies reveal their clout [Tampa Bay Times]
They are a business backbone in Tampa Bay we hear little about, at least compared to the high-profile likes of Raymond James Financial, HSN or Bloomin' Brands. Few have household-recognizable names, but a handful boast brands well-known to most.

› Jacksonville’s Independent Living Resource Center changing stigma of hiring disabled people [Florida Times-Union]
About 1.5 million pieces of mail are processed through the Pitney Bowes Presort Services facility on Jacksonville’s Westside every day. Adam Thompson, who is deaf, and Nikki Lee, who is hearing impaired, help get all that mail on its way.

› State's first free-standing same-day surgical center to close [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A shortage of operating room space to perform elective surgeries prompted the founding group of physicians to open Memorial Same Day Surgery Center in 1974.

› A celebrity chef brought Miami his innovative vegan food — and a trail of lawsuits [Miami Herald]
Matthew Kenney came to Miami to start a vegan revolution. Instead, Kenney, a celebrated chef and cookbook author known as a raw food wizard, has lost his Wynwood restaurant, Plant Food and Wine and is being sued.