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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Bill could boost Florida’s ‘renewable’ fuel industry. Critics say it will cost consumers
There is booming interest across Florida in turning cow manure, urban sewage and other nasty stuff once considered waste into “renewable” gas. If used instead of oil and other fossil fuels, such alternative sources of energy could, at least potentially, help slow emissions driving climate change and the rising seas that threaten communities up and down the cost. But such experimental projects come at considerable costs. More from the Miami Herald.
Florida ‘sham’ health insurance agency hit with guilty verdicts, $195M judgment
Two men accused of running a Hollywood-based health insurance agency that scammed more than 400,000 clients have been found guilty in an Illinois federal court. The ruling comes just five days after a South Florida federal judge, in a separate civil trial, issued a $195 million judgment against the company, Simple Health Plans LLC, and its CEO Steven J. Dorfman. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Miami-Dade County moves forward with law to increase workforce housing near airports
A Miami-Dade County Commission subcommittee moved forward with legislation that will encourage the development of workforce housing near airports. On Feb. 12, by a unanimous vote and with little discussion, the Miami-Dade Chairman's Policy Council & Intergovernment Affairs Committee endorsed a law that would allow developers to build to the highest density the county allows on land within a one-mile radius of Miami International Airport (MIA) and four other county-run airports. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Now arriving at Port Canaveral: Giant crane to handle increased cargo volume
The latest cargo to arrive at Port Canaveral is a huge crane that will be deployed there to handle the port's increasing cargo volume. Port Canaveral CEO John Murray said investing in the crane "bolsters our ability to handle a broad spectrum of cargo, and increases our capacity to manage heavy-lift operations like space components.” More from Florida Today.
Daytona’s Embry-Riddle students set to make moon history with launch this week
A SpaceX launch this week carrying commercial company Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander is bringing along for a free ride a special camera cooked up by students at Daytona Beach’s Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Called EagleCam, named after the school’s mascot, it’s one of 12 payloads flying on the IM-1 mission’s Nova-C lander named Odysseus that’s trying to become the first commercial lander on the moon. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Nature Trends
Are American flamingos returning to Florida?
American flamingos were once all over the state of Florida, and for years, it was hard to spot one in the area. But now, many are slowly making a return to Florida. A conservation and research head at the Miami Zoo says that flamingos are resurging in the area and are in part of a longer trend as they return to Florida in larger numbers.
» More from WFLA.
Florida Trend Exclusive
ALICE in Florida: The homefront
Patricia Cooper is the first person in her family to wake up, opening her eyes well before sunrise in her home in Fort Lauderdale. She has many roles: As a wife to James, a mother to eight children ranging from ages 3 to 21 years old, a substitute teacher, high school swim coach, water safety instructor and an active participant in many of her children’s extracurricular activities including cheer, dance and band.
» Read more from Florida Trend.
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