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What you need to know about Florida today
Florida, feds set to clash on immigration policies
Amid a fierce national debate about immigration issues, Florida next week will try to convince a U.S. district judge that the Biden administration is violating federal laws through policies that lead to releasing undocumented immigrants. Pensacola-based U.S. District Judge T. Kent Wetherell is scheduled to begin a trial Monday in a lawsuit that Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody filed against the Biden administration in 2021. More from the News Service of Florida and CBS News.
Business Beat - Week of January 6th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
What’s the COVID situation in the state and why are Florida hospitals full of patients?
Hospitals are filling up with patients across the country, including in Florida, where about 80% of hospital beds are in use, though COVID-19 isn’t making up the majority of hospitalizations in the state, federal data shows. While Florida has seen a steady increase in COVID-19 cases since late November, hospital officials say it isn’t like last year’s winter surge, when people packed test sites and COVID cases fueled by the more contagious omicron variant challenged an already strained healthcare system. [Source: Miami Herald]
FDA says pharmacies can now give abortion pills by prescription. What about in Florida?
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration will allow select retail and online pharmacies in the United States to provide abortion pills to people with prescriptions, in a move that will greatly increase the availability of the medication at a time when many states are trying to limit these measures. The FDA’s final rule change on Tuesday comes during a period when an increasing number of states are seeking to ban abortion pills, emboldened by the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June to overturn Roe v. Wade. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida’s emergency management chief seeks changes to disaster response rules
Florida’s emergency-management director wants lawmakers to make changes to help with disaster preparation and response, pointing to issues that have arisen as the state recovers from Hurricane Ian and Hurricane Nicole. Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie this week asked lawmakers to reduce the amount of time people have to remove damaged boats from waterways and to provide uniform requirements for local governments about debris-removal contracts. He also wants to tweak a new relief fund and shield from public records the names of people harmed by disasters. [Source: News Service of Florida]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Miami Heat closer to killing FTX deal as bankrupt crypto giant asks to end sponsorships
The Miami Heat is moving closer to ending its high-profile connection to the disgraced FTX crypto company after the firm asked a bankruptcy judge to cancel its sponsorship deals with the team and the county-owned arena where the Heat plays. Lawyers for FTX filed a motion last week to cancel a list of more than 23 marketing deals, including its naming-rights agreement with Miami-Dade County for what’s still called the FTX Arena.
› Is $66 billion in federal funding the 'gamechanger' needed to bring Amtrak back to the Panhandle?
The federal government has set aside $66 billion to allow Amtrak to reestablish itself as a viable nationwide transportation alternative, and advocates for commuter rail across North Florida believe now might be the time to make a long discussed plan a reality. "Public support for the return of rail service has never waned," a recent press release issued on behalf of Amtrak said. "The time is right to aggressively communicate the public's desire to move forward with serious efforts to welcome Amtrak, 'America’s Railroad,' back to the Panhandle."
› Orange County’s November hotel tax receipts break another record
November tourists paid nearly $31 million in hotel taxes, a record for the month. With the best November ever, Orange County’s record run of tourist tax collections stretched to 11 consecutive months. Despite Hurricane Nicole, which closed Orlando International Airport and theme parks, collections were boosted by high room demand and an average daily room rate of $151, said Comptroller Phil Diamond, citing data provided by Visit Orlando, the region’s marketing arm.
› Tampa City Council approves charter changes to voters
Five proposed changes to Tampa’s governing document — the City Charter — were approved with veto-proof majorities by City Council members Thursday. The charter amendment that grabbed most of the attention would require council members’ approval of department heads and limit how long high-ranking city officials can carry the “interim” status to six months. In December, the measure barely squeaked by with a 4-3 vote. On Thursday, after a long discussion, council members unanimously approved sending it to voters in the March 7 city election.
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