Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/2/2024

Not Democrats, not Republicans. Who are Florida’s independent voters?

There's a growing trend in Florida. Both Democrats and Republicans have lost hundreds of thousands of voters who have decided to become unaffiliated with either party. The moves signal a disenchantment with traditional parties, as well as a potential shift toward more moderate politics and away from extreme partisanship, according to interviews with political science experts and voters. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Two big cases could impact the future of Treasure Coast's growth

Like a frog being boiled alive in a slowly heating pot of water, development along the Treasure Coast tends to occur incrementally. A new shopping center gets approved. Then a subdivision or two. Then maybe a few gas stations, offices and standalone retail businesses. Before you know it, a patch of previously untouched land has been swallowed up by one of our expanding urban areas. More from TCPalm.

Tourism tax collections top $7M in Hillsborough for second time ever

Tourism continues to boom in Hillsborough County. And the numbers, officials say, prove it. According to a report released Wednesday by Visit Tampa Bay, tourist development tax collections jumped 7.3% to $7.28 million in February when compared with last year and 21% when compared with 2022. More from the Business Observer.

Sarasota County may raise residents' fees for trash collection as it switches providers

As Sarasota County plans to switch to new providers for garbage collection in 2025, officials are preparing residents for changes, which could include fee increases. The county’s 20-year partnership with its previous provider, Waste Management, will end. Waste Pro of Florida and FCC Environmental Services have signed four-year contracts. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Want a ‘green job?’ Paid Climate Corps training positions are now open in Miami

The Greater Miami Service Corps is expanding their "green jobs" training to fight climate change. Some corps members help maintain green spaces in city parks and others visit residents’ homes around the community and install water and electric upgrades, like LED light bulbs, caulking and low-flow faucets. More from the Miami Herald.

Out of the Box
Can a 911 drone stop your bleeding? It’ll fly to Florida emergencies for DIY rescues

A Florida county will be one of the first in the nation to dispatch a drone that responds to 911 calls. On Wednesday, Manatee County was set to launch a new pilot program that uses a drone to deliver a defibrillator,a tourniquet, or naloxone — an opioid-overdose antidote — to emergency scenes. The program is meant to reduce response times for life-threatening situations.

» More from the Miami Herald.

Entertainment
Special arrangement gives Orlando the U.S. debut of ‘Casanova’

Central Floridians will be the first dance fans in the U.S. to see a hit British-born production of “Casanova” thanks to a unique partnership that may serve as a future model to bring more big-budget shows to Orlando. Detailing the life of the legendary lover, “Casanova” will make its American debut in an Orlando Ballet production May 16-19 in Steinmetz Hall at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.