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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
‘It could happen fast:’ Meteorologist tells Floridians to monitor Gulf system
The remnants of a Pacific category 2 hurricane that hit Mexico Monday have higher odds of reforming into the first tropical storm in the Atlantic this season while aiming for Florida by the tail-end of this week. The National Hurricane Center said the odds of tropical development of what would be the Atlantic hurricane season’s first system over the next five days is at 60% as of its 8 a.m. tropical outlook. The NHC also said the system has a 10% of forming in the next two days. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the Orlando Sentinel and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Bill Nelson: Future of space is in Jacksonville, as local firm Redwire works on NASA mission
NASA Administrator and three-term former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson said Jacksonville “has become the center for space technology.” Nelson recently took a tour of the technology being developed at Redwire, an aerospace manufacturer and space infrastructure company. He said he would not have expected for Jacksonville to take such a prominent role in space developments 50 years ago when he met his wife in the city. More from the Florida Times-Union.
Hillsborough to front $2.48 million for CareerSource repayment
Hillsborough County taxpayers will be asked to front the $2.48 million CareerSource Tampa Bay must repay the federal government for misspending that occurred under its former CEO. The Hillsborough County Commission will be asked to authorize the payment Thursday and the county will try to recoup the allocation from CareerSource’s insurance carrier. The U.S. Department of Labor demanded CareerSource Pinellas and CareerSource Tampa Bay repay $4.3 million in audits released in March. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Sarasota County considers lowering impact fees to combat affordable housing crisis
Sarasota County may make it less costly for developers and nonprofits to build affordable housing by reducing some impact fees. The cheaper fees would be potential incentive for the construction of more affordable housing. Impact fees are one-time payments imposed on development by a local government to help pay for infrastructure improvements required to offset the impacts of growth, such as roads, government buildings and utilities. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
Orlando Museum of Art: We’ll ‘cooperate’ with FBI in Basquiat probe
“Heroes and Monsters,” an exhibit of works supposedly sold by Basquiat before his death in 1988 — and then left languishing in a storage locker for decades — opened to great fanfare in February. Museum director Aaron De Groft proclaimed the 25 paintings “masterpieces” and hosted a lavish opening party. But a New York Times article quickly raised questions about the authenticity of the works — though museum officials have steadfastly stood by the art. On Sunday, The Times reported the FBI’s Art Crimes Team is investigating the works. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Legal Trends
Florida Supreme Court poised to hear gun law case
With mass shootings refueling a national debate about gun laws, the Florida Supreme Court will hear arguments next week in a dispute about a 2011 state law that threatens stiff penalties if city and county officials pass gun-related regulations. The case has drawn briefs from some of the biggest names on gun issues, such as the National Rifle Association and the Giffords and Brady gun-control groups. At the heart of the case is Florida’s longstanding practice of establishing gun laws statewide — and what happens if cities and counties try to impose gun-related regulations.
» More from the News Service of Florida.
Business Profile
Former pro wrestler bites into bakery business with Sarasota store
Don’t be fooled by the X-Men T shirt, the sleeves of colorful tattoos on each arm, the "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" VHS tapes and the Britney Spears posters. Eric Koenreich, owner of the bounty of 1990s nostalgia — and the tattoos — is a serious entrepreneur, albeit one with a sweet tooth and silly side. Like his approach to business, the 40-year-old Koenreich’s life path is rather unconditional.
» Read more from the Business Observer.
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