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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Pace of Florida manatee deaths slows after record year
As bad as this year’s manatee deaths seem, for the moment, at least, last year was way worse. At least 261 manatees have died so far this year in Florida, through Feb. 11. Of those, 65 sea cows (about 25% of the total) have been in Brevard, according to the most recent statistics available from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Last year, 38 more manatees died in Brevard during the same period, about 13% fewer. Meanwhile, manatees have been starving in the Indian River Lagoon, as a result of decades of seagrass loss. [Source: WKMG]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Seas the Day: Miami's boat show is a glimpse into the future of the industry
The boating industry looks for another strong year in Florida and beyond, judging from interviews with manufacturers, vendors and startups at this week’s DiscoverBoating Miami International Boat Show. Demand has been so high that sales reps for South African catamaran maker Leopard, which has a U.S. office in Dania Beach in Broward, were telling shoppers the earliest they could get a boat would be 2024. [Source: Florida Trend]
As Dollywood workers get free tuition, Orlando theme parks largely lag in offering same benefit
In Orlando, the nation’s top theme park destination, Disney is the only company to provide comprehensive education benefits to employees upfront. Universal Orlando and SeaWorld offer tuition reimbursement, but details on their programs are scarce, and company spokespeople declined to provide further details. Hospitality workers are looking for better wages and benefits in an industry trying to rebuild its staffing numbers from the pandemic, and education programs are one way the companies are trying to attract applicants. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Can drones locate invasive Burmese pythons in Everglades?
In a state whose economy is largely dependent on embracing visitors and newcomers, at least one population has thrived despite being most unwelcome — Burmese pythons. Despite their size — the average one in Florida is around 10 feet long — the snakes are notoriously stealthy. They live in and around the Everglades, staying underwater and slithering up trees when they're not on the prowl for prey, such as raccoons, rats, rabbits, even alligators. [Source: Daytona Beach news Journal]
A flurry of new hospitals are on the way. Here’s an inside look at the building boom.
Hospital wars are heating up across the state — with private and public health systems building in new markets and expanding their existing properties. The flurry of activity is taking big-name health systems into neighborhoods that previously seemed off limits and giving way to the biggest construction and expansion undertakings in decades. Across the state, Floridians can expect health care closer to their homes than ever before: more free-standing emergency departments and smaller community hospitals. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Engineering company’s insurers settle with Surfside collapse victims
The engineering company hired to do a safety check on the Surfside condo that later collapsed is settling lawsuits by the survivors and family members of victims. Morabito Consultants, whose inspection of the Champlain Towers South Condominium board in 2018 included warning of a “major error” in the building’s construction that left it open to water damage, announced Wednesday that its insurance companies would be compensating the families. The engineering company denied that it was in any way at fault, and said it had performed up to proper standards.
› Naples real estate giant acquires brokerage and rental business in Pinellas
Premier Sotheby’s International Realty, based in Naples, is expanding in the Tampa region, with the acquisition of Sun Vista Realty and Sun Vista Rental, which have been operating along the beaches of Pinellas County for 40 years. Financial terms of the acquisition weren’t disclosed. The two owners, David Grieco and Michael Lynch, will remain active in the business as top sales professionals, according to a statement.
› At least $49 million needed to fill gaps in Orange’s ‘broken’ mental health system, review finds
To address the gaps in Orange County’s “broken” mental and behavioral health system will take at least $49.7 million, better insurance coverage, training for emergency responders, more mobile crisis units, an increase in providers and housing for people who are mentally ill and homeless, according to a report released to Orange County Commissioners Tuesday.
› Miami-Dade plans massive redevelopment in downtown Miami
County authorities are working to redevelop over 20 acres of the downtown Government Center to include a transit terminal, affordable housing, and community cultural facilities and schools. Procurement for the first phase is expected during or after summer, but many details are still being discussed as the project encompasses many county departments.
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