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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Utility ends privatization effort, despite $10 million spent
Board of directors of city-owned JEA in Florida has pulled the plug on a privatization plan, even though the process has cost taxpayers $10 million. The Florida Times-Union reports the cancellation is the latest fallout to come from a series of controversies that have beleaguered JEA’s leadership. Those include a now-canceled employee bonus plan that could have paid out hundreds of millions of dollars if JEA was sold and an undisclosed business partnership between ousted CEO Aaron Zahn and a JEA lobbyist. Read more from the Associated Press or Florida Times-Union
Florida Agriculture Department offers reminder of crop insurance deadline at end of January
Growers have until January 31, 2020 to apply for crop insurance coverage for the 2020 crop year. Current policyholders who would like to make changes to their existing coverage also have until the January 31 sales closing date to do so. “In a state like Florida where we face extreme weather events like droughts and storms, it’s crucial that growers manage risk and protect commodities with crop insurance,” said Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried. [Source: Florida Daily]
Florida Trend Exclusive
A fresh look for 2020
You may have noticed a new look to the cover of this month’s Florida Trend. We updated our logo and tagline — our previous logo and tagline had been in use since 2006. After 14 years, it was time for a refresh — just in time for the new year. The new logo delivers a fresh, streamlined and sophisticated look. Our new tagline, Florida’s Business Authority, conveys strength, integrity, consistency and expertise — across all media, from print to events to online. [Source: Florida Trend]
Florida identified more than 3,300 Hepatitis A cases this year, nearly triple the number in the previous five years combined
Most recent week saw an additional 49 cases reported. That’s according to the latest department numbers covering Jan. 2019 through Dec. 2019. But health officials hope the outbreak is on its way to being contained. The 2019 figures represent a sharp climb from 2018, which saw just 548 Hepatitis A cases. That mark was also an increase from previous years. In 2017, just 276 cases were identified. [Source: Florida Politics]
6 ways to protect yourself when companies collapse
Bankruptcy is a mystery to most people, especially for those caught up in a customer’s or vendor’s bankruptcy proceeding. A few practices can help protect your interests, minimize fall-out, and possibly recover costs – all without hiring an attorney. [Sponsored by: Tripp Scott]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Oyster farmers bring back a once prominent Florida industry
Florida's oyster business is making a slow comeback. Apalachicola Bay in the Panhandle used to be known for its oyster fisheries until it all collapsed less than a decade ago. Growers are having some success using a new way to farm.
› Orange County’s new housing plan is a good start but doesn’t do enough for renters, 2 commissioners say
Despite unanimous approval of a new plan to address the region’s housing shortage, some Orange County commissioners remain concerned the initiative ignores the challenges of low-income renters.
› Invasive green iguanas thriving in South Florida, raising concerns
South Florida’s green iguana population continues to increase, and now biologists and residents are raising concerns about what some are calling “the green plague.”
› FEMA awards $1.2 million to Jacksonville for Hurricane Irma cleanup
The city suffered about $85 million in damage in Hurricane Irma, with a great deal of that being attributed to debris removal.
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