Space Florida mounting an aggressive campaign to get Space Command headquarters
Space Florida is mounting a full-court press campaign to bring the headquarters of the United States’ 11th combatant command, Space Command, to Florida. At its board meeting Monday in Tallahassee, the state’s spaceport authority discussed the communications and tactical campaigns it has organized to try to get Space Command, a unified branch that would help provide more effective command on space operations across military branches. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
See also
» Space Florida seeks approval to secure funding for two secret aerospace companies
Moody rejects county E-Verify proposal
Attorney General Ashley Moody has weighed in about whether a county can require businesses to use the E-Verify system to screen potential illegal workers before the businesses can get proof that they have paid taxes. The answer: no. Currently, Florida requires state agencies, but not private businesses, to use E-Verify. [Source: WJXT]
Florida's largest medical marijuana operator gets more dispensaries after reaching deal with state
State health officials have dropped an appeal of a Tallahassee judge’s ruling and agreed to allow Florida’s largest medical marijuana operator to open more dispensaries than a state law allowed. Quincy-based Trulieve challenged a limit on the number of storefronts that was included in a 2017 law aimed at carrying out a 2016 constitutional amendment that broadly legalized medical marijuana. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Gov. DeSantis unveils plan to combat opioid abuse in Florida
Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a multi-pronged effort Monday to address the state’s opioid abuse crisis, including bringing back the state Office of Drug Control and establishing a statewide taskforce on opioid abuse. DeSantis also said during an event in Sanford that the state received $26 million in federal funding for Florida’s State Opioid Response Project. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida wildfire could be sign of things to come due to debris from Hurricane Michael
A more than 600-acre wildfire in Bay County is a preview of the coming months as millions of tons of downed trees remain strewn across parts of Northwest Florida after Hurricane Michael, the state’s agriculture commissioner warned Monday. “Unfortunately, we know this is just one of many to come during the dry season,” Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried said while giving a brief update on the fire. [Source: CBS Miami]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› New hotel and office space coming to West Shore near Tampa International Airport
After two decades with no new office space, the West Shore area is now poised to get hundreds of thousands of additional square feet. Zons Development of Tampa plans to start construction next year on Skyview Plaza, a four-story building with Class A offices, retail, a restaurant and the first Cambria hotel in the bay area.
› Bill aims to stop human trafficking on the front end
Florida ranks third in the nation for the number of reported cases of human trafficking. One of the many efforts to reduce trafficking in the state would require prevention be taught in schools. The bill has now cleared two committees in the House and gets its first hearing in the Senate on Tuesday.
› Space Coast tourism officials say tax spending on surfing event appears to have gotten out of hand
New financial documents show that the Space Coast Office of Tourism spent more than $400,000 of tax money on a surf competition at Sebastian Inlet State Park, far more than previously cited. Largely because of that, the office's new executive director, Peter Cranis, said he will recommend that the agency no longer directly oversee events such as the Florida Pro Surf competition and a companion music festival.
› City of Orlando poised to embrace LGBT-certified businesses
The city of Orlando is poised to become the first in Florida to recognize LGBT-certified businesses, a move that supporters say will expand economic opportunity and send a message of inclusion. City officials are expected to make the announcement Tuesday morning that the City Council will vote on the resolution at its regular meeting April 8.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› Mission Is on to Mine Blood Orange-Like Variety in Florida
Florida growers have long sought a blood orange that will develop uniform and reliable color. The deep red color is the result of anthocyanin expression, a healthful compound that also is responsible for the oranges’ unique flavor. Unfortunately, anthocyanin expression requires more chilling hours than Florida’s subtropical environment typically affords.
› The Miami Open drew a record crowd on its new site. Here’s what might change next year
Hard Rock Stadium is not as cozy as the Crandon Park Tennis Center. And the scenery along I-95 and the Florida Turnpike cannot compare with the breathtaking vistas from Rickenbacker Causeway. But neither of those facts kept a record 388,734 fans from showing up at the Miami Open during the past two weeks to check out the tournament’s new home.
› Amid housing crunch, Orlando Housing Authority plans to demolish 1,000 units
Under pressure from the federal government, the Orlando Housing Authority intends to demolish more than 1,000 aging public-housing units throughout the city and move residents to a voucher system — touching off fears that vulnerable families will be displaced.
› Publix stopped giving to politicians after NRA controversy. But now they’re back in business.
Publix is back in the political arena. The Lakeland-based grocery chain donated $33,000 to Florida lawmakers in February, the company’s first contributions since halting all political giving last year during a national firestorm related to the Parkland shooting.