Florida officials cheer passage of federal disaster aid bill

A long delayed disaster bill has finally passed Congress. Florida officials are applauding the passage the $19.1 billion disaster aid bill. Gov. Ron DeSantis called it a “huge victory for Floridians.” After months of political infighting, the relief funding comes in response to disasters such as Hurricane Michael, which hit the Florida Panhandle last year. More from CBS Miami, WPEC, and the AP.

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» Farms, military, day cares: Who waited on disaster aid amid Trump-Congress brawl

Show me the money: Florida prepares to offer a new high school class in personal finance

After years of consideration, lawmakers created an elective to teach kids how to manage their money. The mandate, which Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign into law — he’s included the bill in his list of legislative accomplishments — is a far cry from the graduation requirement that advocates sought. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

NBA to bring major esports event to Orlando, Full Sail this month

Full Sail University’s new esports arena will host its first major event this month, when the NBA brings squads representing 21 of its teams, including the Orlando Magic’s, for a tournament that will pay out $180,000 in prizes. The event catapults Central Florida into the big leagues of competitive video gaming, which has grown to become a multi-billion-dollar sport in recent years. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida's efforts to restore Everglades receive $60 million boost

Monday the Department of Transportation awarded $60 million to the state to raise more unbridged sections of the Tamiami Trail. The money would be used for key Everglades restoration projects designed to help water flow more easily south to the Everglades. More from WFTX and CBS Miami.

There’s still time left in Florida’s hurricane supplies tax holiday

The week-long sales tax holiday, which began Friday, is expected to save shoppers $800,000, nearly one-tenth of the total tax-package savings projected for the fiscal year beginning July 1, according to state economists. The discounted items will likely coincide with hurricane-season enticements from businesses, such as Lowes, Home Depot and Harbor Freight, that are already highlighting the arrival of the six-month 2019 Atlantic Hurricane Season, which began Saturday. [Source: Walton Sun]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Duke Energy Florida to build its largest battery storage projects yet [Florida Trend]
Duke Energy Florida (DEF) today announced three battery storage projects, totaling 22 megawatts, that will improve overall reliability and support critical services during power outages. Collectively, the storage facilities will enhance grid operations, increase efficiencies and improve overall reliability for surrounding communities.

› Greyhound racing supporters ready lawsuit to ‘overturn’ Amendment 13 [Florida Politics]
The head of a pro-greyhound racing group now says supporters will file suit in federal court next month to “overturn” the constitutional amendment effectively banning dog racing in Florida. Amendment 13, passed with 69 percent ‘yes’ votes in November, outlaws placing bets on greyhound and other dog races, such as at the state’s pari-mutuels, effective the beginning of 2021.

› Bid to buy Boost Mobile could bring 750 jobs to South Florida [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Up to 750 new jobs would be created in South Florida if Hollywood-based Q Link Wireless wins its bid to buy prepaid phone and internet service provider Boost Mobile, Q Link’s founder and CEO said. Q Link’s Issa Asad said he’s in talks with executives of Sprint about potentially purchasing Boost if federal regulators require the wireless giant to spin it off as a condition of Sprint’s proposed $26 billion merger with T-Mobile.

› SpaceX’s next Falcon Heavy launch from Cape Canaveral will be at night for the first time [Orlando Sentinel]
SpaceX’s colossal Falcon Heavy rocket is scheduled to illuminate the sky later this month with its first nighttime launch. NASA announced Monday that Elon Musk’s rocket company is targeting 11:30 p.m. on June 22, a Saturday, for the Falcon Heavy’s next launch from complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.

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› Florida Horse Park makes strides [Ocala Star-Banner]
The Florida Agriculture Center and Horse Park continues its expansion both in footprint and reputation. Recently, the United States Dressage Federation chose the park to host its 2020 regional dressage championships. The region includes Florida, Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Tennessee.

› Carnival cruise line tentatively agrees to $20 million fine in ocean dumping case [Orlando Sentinel]
Carnival Corp. has reached a tentative settlement with federal prosecutors in which the world’s largest cruise line agreed to pay $20 million in fines for some of its ships continuing to pollute the oceans despite promising years ago to stop.

› Kelly Slater-designed surfing wave pool in Palm Beach County a no-go due to high water table [Florida Today]
Who would have thought that too much water would have prevented a surfers' wave pool from being built? Once being labeled as a "Disneyland for surfers" in both California and Florida, the artificial wave pool designed by 11-time world champion Kelly Slater of Cocoa Beach won't be coming to the Sunshine State, at least for now.

› Looking for a place to shoot? One of the largest gun parks in Florida is opening [Miami Herald]
A new shooting sport park is opening later this year in western Palm Beach County, and it will be one of the largest in the state. The Palm Beach County Shooting Sports Park will open near the main entrance to J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area and Everglades Youth Conservation Center Camp.