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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida wildfire threat grows as drought gets steadily worse across state
The threat of wildfires is growing in Florida over the coming weeks as more than half the state is experiencing severe to extreme drought conditions likely to persist until the rainy season resumes around mid-May, state and federal officials said Thursday. The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center reported Thursday that 55% of Florida is in the severe to extreme drought category, with most of the rest of the state listed as “abnormally dry.” The driest conditions are in southwest Florida, the same region hammered by Hurricane Ian in September. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
'Old Florida' site among historic Sarasota landmarks given protections
Sarasota city commissioners have agreed to designate Sarasota Jungle Gardens, a beloved “Old Florida” attraction, as a district of historic significance. This designation gives the property new protections. Several structures in Jungle Gardens can now only be demolished as a last resort, according to Clifford Smith, a senior planner for the city of Sarasota. Sarasota has given many properties historic designation since the city’s historic preservation program was created in the early 1980’s. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
SpaceX launches NASA pollution monitor and satellite from Florida
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station hosted the Space Coast's 18th launch of the year early Friday. At 12:29 a.m. EDT, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Launch Complex 40 carrying a communications satellite and hosted NASA payload – a roughly $200 million pollution-detecting mission – to orbit high above Earth. After flying along an eastern trajectory, the rocket's first stage landed on the Shortfall of Gravitas drone ship, completing its fourth round trip to space. More from Florida Today.
Seminole leaders talk about renewing penny sales tax in 2024
Seminole leaders have already started talking about likely renewing an added penny to the county’s sales tax rate, though residents won’t decide the issue until they head to the polls in November 2024. In May 2014, Seminole voters approved bumping up the sales tax in the county from 6 cents on the dollar to 7 cents for 10 years to pay for construction of school facilities, stormwater infrastructure and transportation projects — such as roads and trails. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
‘Leveling the playing field’: Miami Foundation supports minority business owners
As Miami residents continue to deal with a housing affordability crisis, many of the city’s smaller commercial enterprises are also challenged. Nonprofit Miami Foundation wants to give those businesses led by women and people of color a better chance of survival with its Open For Business program. In its second year, most of the program grants are funded through a $20 million commitment from Wells Fargo. Last year, the foundation provided 170 small business owners across Miami-Dade County $3.8 million in grants and loans. More from the Miami Herald.
Business Beat - Week of Aprili 7th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video news brief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
Natural Resources
Can probiotics cure Florida’s ailing coral reefs? Tests show it works on devastating disease
Stony coral tissue loss disease is a new and deadly disease affecting reefs throughout the Caribbean. Unlike other coral diseases, it affects more than 20 species, and it kills fast — sometimes within a matter of days. But after nearly a decade of devastating losses, scientists finally have some good news. They have found at least one way to fight back, and they’re already testing it on Florida’s reefs.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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