Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/9/2015

What do drivers, refiners and carmakers love? $2 gasoline

Americans have saved about $100 billion on fuel this year, which comes to more than $350 a person. The lower prices and the recovery in the U.S. economy have put more Americans on the road than ever before and refiners are churning out fuel at a record pace. More at the Chicago Tribune.

Christmas delivery: 1st US space station shipment in months

The International Space Station accepted its first U.S. shipment in more than half a year early Wednesday, receiving Christmas presents and much-needed groceries for the resident astronauts. More at the AP.

Seminole gambling deal met with scrutiny, skepticism

Far from a sure bet, Gov. Rick Scott's $3.1 billion gambling deal with the Seminole Tribe of Florida is getting a tepid response from some legislative leaders, virtually guaranteeing that the proposal could require major changes to win enough support for passage. More at the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

U.S. Air Force begins training on Orlando-built virtual simulators

The U.S. Air Force will train future pilots on linked virtual simulators built in Orlando. Lockheed Martin announced last week the delivery of four networked F-35 simulators that will immerse multiple trainees into a shared virtual world. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida Panthers get the deal they wanted from Broward

The Florida Panthers skated to victory at the Broward County Commission on Tuesday with a 5-3 vote approving a renewed lease with the county that will pay the team an extra $86 million. More at the South Florida Business Journal., the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and the Miami Herald.

Health Care
Blurred lines

In today’s health care landscape, the old “fee for service” model in which insurance companies pay providers for each individual procedure a consumer needs is giving way. In its place, a value-based or pay-for-performance approach is emerging in which insurers pay providers a set amount to care for each insured patient. Access Florida Trend story here.

Out of the Box
Old men and the sea

Once a three-pack-a-day smoker who got winded climbing stairs, in 1967, Florida Sixth Judicial Circuit Judge Robert Beach tossed his cigarettes and jumped in the pool. He’s been swimming laps and racking up competition ribbons and trophies from all over the world ever since. Beach, now 85, thinks he may be Florida’s longest-serving state judge, appointed in 1967 by Gov. Claude Kirk, the same year he gave up smoking.