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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Experts disagree on how to manage Florida’s massive growth
The Florida Chamber of Commerce predicts Florida’s population will hit 26 million by 2030, an increase of more than 3.5 million residents. And as the people pour in, so, too, does their money. “They’re literally making cash registers ring,” said Chamber president and CEO Mark Wilson. “That puts dollars in local governments. Our tax collection is hitting record revenues.” But as competition for housing grows and more pressure is put on schools, the environment and infrastructure, some experts worry that sprawling development will lead to more crowded classrooms and roads and polluted waterways. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Opinion: Time for Florida’s local governments to prepare for cyber attacks
A ransomware attack on the city of Baltimore, Maryland, resulted in devastating consequences that could happen anywhere, including Florida. Are Florida’s local government entities ready for what is to come? And how prevalent are these attacks? Allan Liska of Recorded Future, a cyber threat intelligence provider, explains there were 170 publicly reported ransomware attacks against state and local governments in 2021, up from 159 in 2020. More from Florida Today.
Orlando’s airport makes stunning jump to world’s 7th busiest
Orlando International Airport ranked among the world’s busiest for passengers in 2021, riding a swell of tourism and leisure travel to jump to seventh place, having ranked 27th in 2020 and 31st in 2019. “The biggest improvement recorded was from Orlando International Airport,” noted Airports Council International, the leading industry group for tracking air traffic, of the year-over-year climb by Orlando’s airport. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida researchers focus on biofuel crop
Researchers with the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences are studying ways to scale up production of a crop that can be used for things such as renewable jet fuel. Carinata is an oilseed crop that is closely related to the mustard family of plants. The crop is not used to produce food for humans, but is uniquely suited to be converted into biofuel. More from the News Service of Florida.
North Florida Innovation Labs expanding capacity, will hold 100 high-tech businesses
North Florida Innovation Labs will help create over 600 high-paying jobs in Tallahassee when their new $24 million dollar facility is completed in about two years. Bill Lickson, Director of North Florida Innovation Labs said the building will be home to Chemistry, Construction, Biology and other high-tech industries. "Once filled, it will support over 100 high technology entrepreneurs simultaneously," said Lickson. More from WTXL.
Florida History
Famous shopping streets in South Florida used to look different. The photos show it
Nothing stays the same in South Florida. Restaurants come and go. The skyline changes. And so it goes with four of the region’s signature shopping streets: Flagler Street, Miracle Mile, Lincoln Road and Las Olas Boulevard. While each of these strips of commerce have kept tradition and even some of the landmarks, they have changed through the years, with new configurations and shops.
» More from the Miami Herald.
Natural Resources
Descending into Florida’s underwater caves
Florida has the densest collection of freshwater springs on the planet. Every day, the state’s more than 1,000 freshwater springs collectively discharge billions of gallons of groundwater to the surface. Springs provide critical habitat for aquatic animals, including the iconic Florida manatee, and anchor Florida’s inland water-based recreation industry.
» Read more from the New York Times and Nature World News.
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