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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Study reveals why people choose to visit Florida
Florida is known for its great weather and beautiful beaches, but why are people really flocking to the sunshine state? A University of Florida survey examined the various factors involved in visitor decision-making and found that social media plays a huge role in why people visit Florida. More from UF News.
Piney Point pollution spread farther than first thought, new study shows
The plume of polluted water from the 2021 Piney Point wastewater disaster spread farther than previously thought, new research suggests, stretching outside of Tampa Bay and more than 30 miles away to waters near Tarpon Springs. The study sheds new light on the vast environmental toll of the wastewater emergency and adds more weight to the evidence that red tide and other algal blooms flaring in and around Tampa Bay during summer 2021 were linked to the nutrient-laden discharges from Piney Point, according to the study’s authors. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
KSC events salute 40 years of American women in space
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is marking the 40th anniversary of astronaut Sally Ride becoming the first American woman in space with multiple events this week. On Thursday and Friday, panels of former female astronauts and NASA officials will gather at 11 a.m. to discuss their histories and how they helped change the workplace. There will be photo opportunities after the 40-minute session in the Heroes and Legends attraction. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Finger-lickin’ good: Why so many fried-chicken restaurants are flocking to South Florida
South Florida is officially caught up in a chicken fight, with at least seven fried-bird eateries opening over the past year in Broward and Palm Beach counties, each hoping to court diners with its seasoned wings and tenders. You think you’d fried and gone to heaven. Before this recent boom, the number of chicken shacks here could be counted on one wing: Fran’s Chicken Haven in Boca Raton, Uptown Keese’s Greek Kouzina (ex-Keese’s Simply Delicious) in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Betty’s Soul Food in Fort Lauderdale, with a smattering of KFC, Popeyes and PDQ locations in between. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
First TEDx speakers announced for September event in Bradenton
TEDxBradenton has announced three speakers for its second annual event, scheduled for September. The speakers were chosen from among over 300 applications. After launching the first TEDxBradenton last year, this one has been scheduled for Sept. 29 at the State College of Florida Manatee-Sarasota in Bradenton. This year’s theme is “Writing the Future. More from the Business Observer.
Conservation
First critically endangered mongoose lemur born at the Jacksonville Zoo
For the first time, a critically endangered mongoose lemur has been born at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens. The baby lemur's parents are Olivia, who has given birth twice before at other zoos, and Ignacio, who is a first-time father, according to a post on the zoo's Facebook page. Olivia also is grandmother to a rare set of twins born in May at the Saint Louis Zoo in Missouri. The new Jacksonville family is currently not on public exhibit and is "spending quality time behind the scenes," according to the zoo.
» More from the Florida Times-Union.
Profile
What does the man tasked with easing Miami-Dade’s housing crunch think can help?
Since beginning his tenure as Miami-Dade County’s public housing and community development director in April, South Miami native Alex Ballina has assessed ways in which he can help the county address its protracted housing-affordability crisis that started prior to the pandemic in 2020 and has gotten much worse.
» Read more from the Miami Herald.
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