Five things to know about the federal trial over Florida’s new voting law
A federal trial challenging recent changes to Florida’s voting laws began Monday with voting rights groups claiming the laws have made it harder to register voters. During a day of testimony over the video conferencing software Zoom, advocates claimed that one of the lesser-discussed changes to the state’s voting laws has created a chilling effect on both potential voters and those who try to sign them up to vote. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Miami Herald.
Florida’s flamingos disappeared decades ago. That may soon change.
Of the six species of flamingo worldwide, only the American flamingo is native to North America. Populations of the four-foot-tall birds are not in danger of extinction, with an increasing population of 200,000 throughout the Caribbean, South America, and Mexico, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature. As conditions improve in the Everglades, habitat configurations are almost exactly right for a resurgence of the American flamingo. [Source: National Geographic]
SpaceX launches Falcon 9 from Cape Canaveral after days of delays
The weather was clear and cruise ships avoided the no-go zone as SpaceX finally sent a Falcon 9 rocket up from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Monday. Originally slated for a Thursday lift-off, SpaceX delayed the launch of the Falcon 9 rocket for three days straight, due to poor weather conditions and low visibility. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Casino initiative legal fight dropped
After two months of fierce legal battling, supporters of a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at allowing casinos in North Florida have dropped a lawsuit that alleged opponents tried to “sabotage” petition gathering. Lawyers for the political committee Florida Voters in Charge and petition firms filed a notice of dismissal Monday in Leon County circuit court. The notice did not explain the reasons for the dismissal, but it came a day before a deadline to submit petition signatures to the state Division of Elections. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Citrix Systems of Fort Lauderdale to be sold to private investors for $16.5 billion
Citrix Systems, the long-time software developer based in Fort Lauderdale, has reached an agreement to be taken over by two large investment firms for $16.5 billion. The company’s loss of independence will result in a merger with TIBCO Software, a business intelligence software maker based in Palo Alto, Calif. TIBCO belongs to Vista Equity Partners, one of the acquiring firms. More from Florida Trend and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Former St. Petersburg Mayor Kriseman Joins Shumaker Advisors, law firm
Former St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman is joining Shumaker Advisors Florida as Managing Principal of the U.S. Cities Practice, where he will focus on sustainable economic development and urban planning, as well as the Shumaker law firm in its public policy and government affairs division. Kriseman completed his second term as the city’s mayor in early January and had not indicated his future plans at the time of his departure from city hall.
› As LIFT JAX's first leader, Garfunkel riding wave of optimism about Jacksonville
The story of how David Garfunkel ended up in Jacksonville as president of LIFT JAX striving to eradicate poverty in the Eastside neighborhood could start in a lot of different places, from Haiti to Harvard to here in his wife’s home state. But the way Garfunkel tells it, maybe it makes sense to go back to Minnesota and the office of an adviser at Gustavus Adolphus College.
› Publix to soon join rollout of free N95 masks
Publix is now joining the federal government’s program to distribute free N95 masks as part of the effort to curb the coronavirus. Publix is confirming they will distribute the masks, but the details are still pending. “We are awaiting further information on delivery schedules to determine when the masks will be available for distribution in our stores,” said company spokeswoman Maria Brous.
› Miami-Dade mayor touts recovering economy, resilience amid crisis during state of the county address
Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava delivered her state of the county address Monday morning, touting the local economy’s progress as it recovers from the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. This was the mayor’s second state of the county that was impacted by COVID-19, so the speech was held at the Greynolds Park boathouse and was available for people to watch virtually.
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› Northwest Florida citizens create petition against power bill increases
Northwest Florida citizens have started an online petition regarding the increases to Florida Power & Light electric bills. The petition is titled "Northwest Florida residents stand against the extreme rate increase by FPL." Last week, Pensacola City Council discussed the possibility of the city starting up its own electric utility. A feasibility study would reportedly cost between $20,000 and $30,000.
› Black Creek Outfitters closing after 39 years of helping people explore, enjoy the wild
Black Creek Outfitters, a pioneer in North Florida outdoor recreation for 39 years, is closing its doors permanently after selling the business that was one of the first in the woods that would become St. Johns Town Center. The family-owned business that celebrated the rich diversity of the region's ecosystem and championed the environment announced the closure on Facebook over the weekend.
› Miami Springs’ popular Southern restaurant was sold. Is it still a local favorite?
Two friends took the biggest kind of risk with one of their favorite Miami restaurants: They bought it. Nadal Ahmad, co-founder of Pincho (nee Pincho Factory), teamed up with comfort food blogger and Burger Museum founder Sef Gonzalez (who writes under the pen name Burger Beast) to take over Miami Springs’ Crackers Southern Dining, which will turn 10 this summer.
› Tampa graphic artist pens new Florida architectural icon anthology
Longtime Tampa artist Charles Greacen, who creates meticulous, photo-like drawings of iconic structures in the Tampa Bay area and beyond, has compiled his collection in a book, Florida Landmarks, Lodgings and Legends/ Drawings and sometimes accurate accounts, published last month by St. Petersburg Press.