Will Florida lead enrollment for the Affordable Care Act again?
In the first week of the enrollment period, which began Nov. 1, the Family Healthcare Foundation had scheduled more than 100 appointments with clients to go over plan options, said Katie Roders Turner, executive director. “And we’re on track to continue that trend.” The foundation has also increased online advertising, and with its partners is sending 35 health care navigators across Tampa Bay, including 15 locations in Hillsborough County alone. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
In push to remove homeowners from Citizens, the state-run insurer uses unlicensed inspectors
Melissa Marro got a notice from her private home insurance company that her rates would soon go up to a degree she found shockingly high. Marro hired a licensed inspector to come to her Palm Harbor home in the Tampa Bay region in order to do a four-point inspection and a wind mitigation inspection. After she sent in the resulting reports, Citizens accepted her home, and she breathed a sigh of relief. It was much cheaper than the private cost of insurance she had just been quoted. [Source: WLRN]
Sarasota, Manatee experts highlight efforts to curb red tide
Red tide blooms have had a significant impact on Southwest Florida's Gulf Coast nearly every year since 2007, according to information presented by the Sarasota Bay Estuary Program. One of the most significant blooms in the region came between late 2017 and early 2019, wreaking havoc on the local economy. [Source: Sarasota Herald Tribune]
Voter registration signature ruling appealed
Vote.org, the Florida Alliance for Retired Americans, the Florida NAACP and Disability Rights Florida filed a notice that was a first step in appealing the Oct. 30 ruling by U.S. District Judge Allen Winsor. The notice did not detail arguments the groups will make at the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The challenge involves a state requirement that paper voter-registration applications include what is known as a “wet” signature — a handwritten signature in ink. The groups contend the requirement violates part of the federal Civil Rights Act barring the rejection of voter-registration applications for reasons “immaterial” to determining whether people are qualified to vote. [Source: News Service of Floirda]
Gov. Ron DeSantis agrees to trade pact, academic opportunities with UK minister
DeSantis, a Republican presidential candidate, and UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch met at the Jacksonville Port and signed the agreement meant to increase trade, bilateral investment, business relationships and academic opportunities. “This important partnership between Florida and the UK has great potential to grow even further, and today's announcement maps out how we strengthen business ties between the two of us for the future,” DeSantis said. [Source: Florida Times-Union]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Where did all the Florida lovebugs go? And will they come back?
Lovebugs, notorious for their midair mating, are typically rampant twice a year: Once in late April and May and again in late August and September. But this year, the swarming insects were nowhere to be seen...
› Knight Foundation hires a new leader — and she’s from Miami. ‘It’s a powerful fit’
Maribel Perez Wadsworth, a Miami-born daughter of Cuban immigrants, has come home in a big way. On Tuesday, the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which averages $135 million annually in grants pegged to journalism, the arts and technology, announced Wadsworth’s appointment as president and CEO.
› How a new federal courthouse may trigger Fort Lauderdale’s ‘south of the river’ building boom
The new federal courthouse scheduled to be built by 2026 is intended to be the home of many things: A dozen courtrooms, chambers for 17 judges, and workspaces for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services and U.S. Marshals Service.
› OUC encourages more commercial electric vehicles in fleets
Orlando Utilities Commission hosted an EV Ride and Drive test event at SunTrax in Auburndale with Tampa Electric Company and Lakeland Electric from Nov. 7 to 9. The utilities offered a variety of vehicles for companies to drive.
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› Fort Myers landscaping firm expands out of Florida for first time
Fort Myers-based Juniper Landscaping has acquired Shooter and Lindsey Inc., a landscaping maintenance and installation provider serving the greater Houston market.
› FAU awarded $400K to expand research on stress disorders in veterans
One project aims to identify early life stress triggers among those who experience extreme adversity like abandonment, abuse and poverty.
› Rocket launch schedule: Upcoming Florida launches and landings
The latest rocket launch schedule for Florida's Space Coast, which includes Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. All launch times are Eastern Daylight Time.