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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Federal flood insurance program expires Friday
Bad news for people looking to buy a home in a flood zone: the National Flood Insurance Program is set to expire at midnight on Friday. If the program lapses, it would force home buyers to buy private insurance, an industry that didn't exist in Florida five years ago. More from WFLA and the Tampa Bay Times.
See also:
» Florida real estate and lending veterans bet on Congress to extend federal flood insurance
Category 6? Scientists warn hurricanes could keep getting stronger
Scientists say the "potential intensity" of storms — the theoretical maximum strength storms can achieve — is increasing. That means storms will get worse, a disastrous scenario for coastal states like Florida. What's raising the ceiling? A familiar culprit, and a surprising one. The first is global warming from greenhouse gas emissions. The other is more counterintuitive: clean air. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
NASA is returning to the moon. These are the 9 private companies getting $2.6 billion to do it.
Before the United States can return astronauts to the moon, it needs to send robots there first. As part of that ultimate mission, several lunar lander companies — including Cape Canaveral-based Moon Express — have been given the green light to compete for $2.6 billion worth of NASA contracts that will fast-track the nation’s return to the moon. More from the Orlando Sentinel and Florida Today.
Florida’s surgeon general announces health advisory on hepatitis A
The Florida Department of Health issued a health advisory Thursday expressing concern about a significant increase in hepatitis A cases in Florida and across the country. The advisory, announced by State Surgeon General and State Health Officer Dr. Celeste Philip, mentions Tampa Bay and Orlando areas at hot spots for the virus. See the announcement and the health advisory and read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida tomato deal starts light but picks up steam
After a lighter-than-normal start in late October, Florida’s tomato volume had begun to accelerate in mid-November, said Michael Schadler, deputy manager with the Maitland-based Florida Tomato Committee. “The first few weeks of the Central Florida deal — which started in late October — have been relatively light in volume with fruit size trending smaller than normal,” he said. [Source: The Packer]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Upscale hotel, resort operator brings 80 high-paying jobs to Winter Park
An upscale hotel and resort operator has officially decided to move its headquarters from Aspen, Colo., to Winter Park early next year and will look to expand its presence on the East Coast.
› Cancer Treatment Centers of America lays off staff due to lower health-care reimbursements
For-profit hospital company Cancer Treatment Centers of America has laid off workers systemwide, including some headquarters staff in Boca Raton. The company focuses on individualized treatment for cancer patients and touts state-of-the art technologies.
› The Paper Seahorse ignites Ybor's retail presence with second location
The Cigar City is known for its famous restaurants and rich history, but adding SoHo's popular stationery store and its collection of curated items completes the destination for locals and tourists.
› Florida Poly, JTA team up on driverless vehicle tech
Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland is collaborating with the Jacksonville Transportation Authority to amp up autonomous vehicle development in public transportation, the agencies announced this week. The news comes as engineers and tech experts from all over North America wrap up the 2018 Florida Autonomous Vehicle Summit in Tampa.
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