Here’s why Floridians, more than other Americans, believe climate change is real

Florida is certainly prone to weather emergencies. According to data from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Florida is home to 13 of the top 25 most natural disaster-prone counties in the U.S. between 2013 and 2023. Florida residents not only acknowledge climate change at a higher rate than the rest of the U.S., they also want both the state and federal government to do something about it. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Large conservation area proposed for Everglades and other watersheds

A new federal proposal by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service calls for creating a conservation area that would span 12 counties in Florida, from the Everglades’ headwaters in the center of the state to sawgrass prairies further south, preserving a region that is home to imperiled species like the Florida panther, the official state animal. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

One year after Hurricane Ian, Florida beekeepers move steadily toward recovery

An estimated 15% of the nation’s bees laid in the storm's course, resulting in the destruction of upwards of 150,000 hives. Nearly 13 months later, the status of recovery varies for beekeepers throughout the state. “There’s a few people that have not completely recovered and may never recover,” said Florida State Beekeepers Association President John Coldwell. While in the minority, some beekeepers still don’t have their homes, businesses or infrastructure, Coldwell said. [Source: WUFT]

Florida caimans, an invasive species, could be close to eradication

The caimans of southern Florida are not as well known as their alligator cousins. Half a century ago, caimans were taken from their homelands in tropical wetlands of Latin America and brought to the United States for the leather and pet trades. Most of the hundreds of thousands of caimans imported into the United States during the 1970s perished. But a few held out in the southernmost corner of the Sunshine State. Like many invasive species in Florida, they’ve become a nuisance. [Source: New York Times]

Chamber Forum: Research partnerships can keep high-skill grads in Florida

Florida universities are hitting new highs in research funding, but not because of private industry funding. During a panel discussion at the Florida Chamber Foundation’s 2023 Future of Florida Forum, representatives from the state’s two most prestigious public universities touted some of the top-line figures. But institutions in the State University System rely almost solely on government grant funding, whether from the feds or Florida. [Source: Florida Politics]

When the diagnosis is positive, Baptist Health Cancer Care has the experts.

Not every lump or bump is cancer, but when it is, Baptist Health Cancer Care offers a wide range of services from genetic testing and counseling to the most advanced surgical and reconstruction techniques. Clinical trials, rehabilitation and support services for survivors are all part of the comprehensive program. [Sponsored report]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› SpaceX to close out 2023 with this aggressive Brevard launch schedule [Orlando Inno]
So far in 2023, SpaceX has had 58 launches out of Central Florida, its most ever in a given year. The company plans to up that number in 2024, according to the online space news portal Spaceflight Now. The aggressive SpaceX launch schedule is partly responsible for another superlative: more rockets have launched out of Brevard County in 2023 than any other year.

› ‘American Pickers’ to film in Florida, seeks leads in Tampa Bay [Tampa Bay Times]
The team from “American Pickers” will return to Florida in January. The History Channel documentary series explores the fascinating world of antique picking. The hit show follows skilled pickers as they hunt for America’s most valuable antiques. The pickers plan to visit Florida in January to film new episodes.

› Orlando Museum of Art settles lawsuit with singer Sisaundra Lewis [Orlando Sentinel]
Separate from its own litigation, in which Orlando Museum of Art sued former director Aaron DeGroft and owners of works attributed to acclaimed artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, the museum has been quietly involved in a second suit — as the defendant. That second suit was also tied to the Basquiat scandal, which in June 2022 saw the FBI seize the art hanging in the museum as part of its “Heroes & Monsters” exhibition.

› Jimmy Buffet-themed cruise line adds second ship, but it's too big for Port of Palm Beach [Palm Beach Post]
The Jimmy Buffet-themed cruise line has purchased a second ship from Carnival Cruise lines but don't expect it to operate out of the Port of Palm Beach; it is too big. There has been speculation for some time that Classica Cruise Operator LTD, the entity that owns Margaritaville at Sea Paradise, was looking to add a second ship.

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› Naples Airport Authority to study move to east Collier County [Naples Daily News]
For the second time in 30 years, the Naples Airport Authority will study whether a move from its current location is feasible. The Airport Exploratory Study will look at possible locations in Collier County, cost and timing, along with whether maintaining the airport in its current location along the west side of Airport-Pulling Road is a possibility given community needs and future growth expectations.

› Nonprofit receives $1.73 million grant for broadband infrastructure training WUFT
CareerSource Citrus Levy Marion was awarded a $1.73 million grant to fund training courses for workers to install and maintain broadband infrastructure in the area. The five-year grant is part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Building Pathways to Infrastructure Jobs program that helps people in the rural areas of North Central Florida get entry-level positions in the broadband industry.

› Port Canaveral’s fire-damaged Carnival ship finally gets its replacement ‘whale tail’ [Orlando Sentinel]
The tail surgery is complete for Carnival Cruise Line’s fire-damaged Carnival Freedom now sporting a replacement “whale tail” funnel after a dry dock refurbishment, and the ship with its shiny upgrades is now headed back to Port Canaveral. The ship has been sailing without the iconic red-white-and-blue smokestack funnel since it became engulfed in flames in May 2022 while docked in Grand Turk.

› Brevard's luxury home market remains strong despite industry cooldown [Florida Today]
While Brevard's inventory of homes seems to be stacking up, luxury homes on the Space Coast are still zipping off the market. Stephanie Moss Dandridge, a global real estate adviser with ONE Sotheby's International Realty, said the luxury real estate market hasn't been as affected by the Federal Reserve's interest rate hikes or the real estate slowdown.