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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Legality of Florida’s proposed Seminole gaming compact could be a dice roll
If the Legislature endorses a proposed 30-year gaming compact with the Seminoles without voter approval, lengthy litigation and political repercussions are certain, a powerful Sunshine State anti-gambling group is warning. “Bottom line is, if it’s such a great deal for Florida, for the citizens of this state, why not let the voters have the say?” No Casinos President John Sowinski said after Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signed a tentative pact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida Friday that must be approved by lawmakers in a special session set for May 17. More from the Center Square.
What happened to ‘Pub Subs’ on Twitter? Publix may have had something to say about it
A popular Twitter account that notified people when Publix chicken-tender subs were on sale has been abandoned after lawyers for the Florida-based grocery chain apparently objected. The account “Are Publix Chicken Tender Subs On Sale?” — with nearly 40,000 followers — has been dormant since March 11. One of its final tweets noted that the subs were, indeed, on sale, and added ominously: “This may be our last Tweet.” More from the Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times.
Lawmakers reintroduce bipartisan bill to permanently ban oil drilling off Florida's coast
U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan (R) and Kathy Castor (D) have reintroduced bipartisan legislation to permanently ban drilling off Florida's coastlines. The current moratorium prevents oil drilling in the eastern Gulf of Mexico, up to 235 miles off Florida's west coast. That measure is scheduled to expire next year. But, federal lawmakers from the Tampa Bay area are worried about what could happen when it does. More from WTSP.
Sarasota entrepreneur named builder of the year
Richard Perrone, founder and CEO of Perrone Construction Inc., was recently named the American Institute of Architects (AIA) 2020-21 Gulf Coast Builder of the Year. Perrone was honored by the AIA Gulf Coast Chapter. The Sarasota-based company has 40 years of experience in building custom waterfront homes for the area. The AIA was created in 1857 by 13 architects in Washington, D.C. Now, there are over 200 chapters around the world that represent over 95,000 architects and associated professionals. More from the Business Observer.
Outdoor mask guidelines may be relaxed. What that means to South Florida
South Floridians may finally be able to peel off their masks and more calmly breathe the warm air. President Joe Biden is expected to announce Tuesday that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated its guidance for wearing masks outdoors. The update likely will factor in new studies about the low risk of getting COVID outdoors. In South Florida, some cities and counties have loosened outdoor COVID restrictions and mask-wearing requirements, but updated CDC guidance will clarify what the scientists recommend. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Tourism Trends
Florida and France: Travel, climate change, Caribbean and space
The chance to see a Frenchman blast off into space is why Philippe Étienne came to Florida last week. Étienne is France's Ambassador to the United States and countryman Thomas Pesquet was onboard the SpaceX Crew-2 mission to the International Space Station. France’s and Étienne’s interest in Florida go beyond the space industry, though. France is an important source of tourists to Florida. It is the eighth-largest source of international visitors to the state, and the seventh-largest source to Miami.
» More from WLRN.
Florida History
Photographs of the Florida State Fair from the early 1970s
During the early 1970s, the Florida State Fair was held on the University of Tampa’s campus, one of its most famous foods was a 12-inch hotdog and highlights of the annual event were those billed as “Human Oddities” such as the “Swamp Child” and the “Bearded Lady.” “It was a much different time,” said Josie Ritter, 71 and a photographer now residing in Vermont. “Some of what I saw at the fair was fascinating. Some was painful.”
» Read more from the Tampa Bay Times.
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