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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida whistleblower alleges ‘fixed’ contracts, big payouts at state-run insurer
A longtime employee for Florida’s state-run insurance carrier has accused board members of steering contracts to particular vendors and choosing whom the insurer hired. In a whistleblower complaint, the employee claimed that contracts were “fixed” by Citizens Property Insurance board members, who are appointed by elected officials, and that the insurer was awarding unusually large payouts and raises to top-level employees. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Holiday Magic in Miami added to visitors bureau list of lures
The Greater Miami Convention & Visitors Bureau is hoping to spread a little Holiday Magic with its latest campaign aimed at boosting local hotels and businesses, which Chief Operating Officer Rolando Aedo said are bouncing back slowly from the shutdown. “Holiday Magic in Miami” is the bureau’s latest addition to its Miami Shines platform, which was started during the pandemic to show off the facets of the county’s tourism industry. More from Miami Today.
Watchdog group OurJax and NAACP slam Lot J development deal
OurJax joined the Jacksonville branch of the NAACP in coming out strongly against the proposed terms for one of the biggest development deals in city history. The NAACP ramped up its opposition by sending a letter to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell saying the NFL should intervene against the proposed deal between the city and the development team of Jaguars owner Shad Khan and The Cordish Companies. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Remember Florida’s SunPass debacle? A new company might take over.
Earlier this year, Florida’s transportation secretary vowed not to renew the contract of the company behind the state’s 2018 SunPass tolling disaster. That appeared to be a sure thing as recently as last week. In November, the Department of Transportation came up with a list of finalists to take over Conduent State & Local Solutions’ contract, and the New Jersey-based company wasn’t on it. But in a surprise, the agency on Friday rejected all bidders and will now start over the bidding process. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Disney World, Universal draw holiday crowds despite COVID-19 warnings
The tourism machine is still churning this holiday season at Orlando’s theme parks, despite warnings from medical experts that the coronavirus has reached a critical point in the United States. The madness of wall-to-wall Christmastime crowds from past years was gone, but the parks certainly were not empty this week as families wore matching pajamas and face masks decorated like Santa Claus. Many said they weren’t scared away by COVID-19 even as Florida remains in the pandemic red zone, according to a Dec. 13 White House task force report. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Event
Air show organizers preparing for Blue Angels to return to Melbourne airport
Air show organizers and Orlando Melbourne International Airport officials are hammering out logistical details to prepare for the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to return to the skies above town in May. The Blue Angels will headline The Great Florida Air Show, set for May 15-16 at the airport. The pilots will fly new F/A-18E Super Hornets to mark the team’s 75th anniversary season. “The Blue Angels haven’t been to Brevard County since 2015. So it’ll be six years in 2021,” said Cliff Graham, airport director of operations and maintenance.
» More from WKMG.
Out of the Box
Python-egg Christmas cookie dough. Florida snake hunter-chef makes a special holiday treat
Burmese python may not be everyone’s first food of choice for festive holiday fare — or second, third or fourth either. For starters, it’s snake. Plus, because of potentially high mercury levels, there’s still a lot of uncertainty over the health risks posed by eating South Florida’s most destructive invasive species. But one South Florida python hunter has been experimenting with what some have dubbed “chicken of the Glades” — making meals, snacks and even sweets that could give the holidays that distinctive South Florida flavor.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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