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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Five years after fatal FIU bridge collapse, a cautious new design is almost ready
Five years after the catastrophic collapse of a pedestrian bridge with a novel design meant to punctuate Florida International University’s ascendancy as a public institution, state engineers are finally ready to give it another go. This time, though, cutting-edge is out. So is FIU, which conceived of the ambitious bridge project a decade ago and oversaw design and construction of the failed structure.
› Dolphin deaths at aquarium prompt ‘expert’ examination
The sudden death of an 8-year-old dolphin on Monday made for a grim statistic at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Rex became the fourth dolphin to die in 16 months. In the previous 20 years, three dolphins died at the aquarium, which rescues sick and injured marine animals and exhibits those that cannot be released back to the wild. The spate of deaths occurred around a period of flux for the Clearwater landmark, with three CEO changes, staff turnover and declining visitor attendance.
› Apparent fight clubs hit Florida beaches during spring break
Spring break can get a little rowdy, but a fight club? It’s happening on one beach in Florida as thousands of vacationers flock to the state. NewsNation caught a much calmer version of college kids duking it out on the sand at Fort Lauderdale Beach. Joseph Lopez and a friend were engaging in a friendly spar with boxing gloves.
› Orlando pastors spread news of looming Medicaid loss to their communities
The Rev. Sharon Riley is part of a growing number of church leaders who believe their duty to congregants doesn’t stop when they leave the pulpit. Within the last 10 to 15 years, church leaders, particularly in minority communities, have increasingly used parts of their budgets to share health resources and even create dedicated health ministries after observing health inequities, Riley said. Most recently, Riley and other pastors have taken on the responsibility of preparing their congregants for a looming change in Medicaid coverage.
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