Judge weighs oil drilling plan
An administrative law judge Monday waded into a legal battle about a plan to drill for oil and gas in part of rural Northwest Florida, with project backers and an environmental group offering dramatically different perspectives. Timothy Riley, an attorney for Clearwater Land & Minerals Fla., LLC, which wants to drill an exploratory well in Calhoun County, said the environment would be “thoroughly protected” and that commercially viable oil and gas likely will be found. [Source: News Service of Florida]
SBA loans neared $600M in Tampa Bay in 2024
Tampa Bay companies received over 1,000 SBA 7(a) loans worth over $580 million in fiscal year 2024, which runs from October 2023 through September 2024. This is more than double the amount awarded in fiscal 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic slowed much of the economy. It also represents a 23% increase over the total amount issued in 2023. Restaurants remained the dominant recipients, with $28.5 million issued to full-service restaurants and $14 million to limited-service restaurants. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Florida rep files open carry bill, repealing state's Parkland-inspired 'red flag' law
State Rep. Joel Rudman, R-Navarre, on Monday filed a bill that would allow Floridians to openly carry firearms, though Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, has expressed opposition to the idea. The bill (HB 31) also seeks to repeal a “red-flag” law that allows authorities to take guns from people found to pose a “significant danger” to themselves or others. The Legislature approved the red-flag law as part of a wide-ranging measure after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Tampa Bay area electric leaders discuss adapting to Florida's climate reality of stronger storms
Electric utility leaders from the Tampa region shared lessons learned after recent hurricanes during a sustainability panel discussion. Carlos Aldazabal, Tampa Electric's vice president of energy supply, said the two big takeaways after Hurricanes Helene and Milton are: infrastructure needs to be elevated away from flood waters, and trees that surround transmission corridors may need to be trimmed back. "About 85 to 90% of the damage that we saw from Milton was as a result of downed trees or branches and power lines," he said. [Source: WUSF]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Pressure check
Graduates from two state university nursing programs who take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) early next year may feel added pressure. The fate of those programs could hinge on whether they pass. Alan Levine, vice chair of the Florida Board of Governors (BOG) overseeing the state’s public universities, said last summer that he’d be willing to end nursing programs at Florida A&M and Florida Atlantic universities if they don’t dramatically improve first-time passage rates on the nursing boards. [Source: Florida Trend]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› South Florida commercial foreclosures increase in 2024
More big commercial foreclosure lawsuits were filed in South Florida this year as the industry faces a range of challenges.
› Battle underway over potential development near beloved birding site
A disagreement between supporters of an internationally recognized bird sanctuary and a landowner's property rights is taking flight in east Sarasota County.
› Commentary: Florida’s SAT scores tell educational leaders that it’s time to focus on math
While the editorial boards of the Orlando Sentinel and the South Florida Sun-Sentinel decried the poor SAT scores earned by students in Florida’s high school graduating class of 2024, the picture is more nuanced than they described.
› St. Petersburg College receives national grant
St. Petersburg College has received a $677,351 grant from the U.S. Department of Education for an American history and civics national activities program.
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› Here’s how the definition of middle class has changed in Florida
Once considered an affordable haven for retirees and working families, the Sunshine State has seen its definition of “middle class” shift dramatically over recent decades.
› This Florida attraction ranks among the most overcrowded spots in US over Christmas: study
If Busch Gardens in Florida is on your winter travel list, be prepared for potential crowds.
› Asian and international foods grocer Enson Market registers business name in Jacksonville
Enson Market, an Asian and international foods grocer, could be taking the Winn-Dixie space at at 11101 Old St. Augustine Road in the Mandarin area.
› Florida’s retirees are fleeing: experts predict these 5 states will be top retirement spots in 10 years
As major Florida cities like Miami continue to grapple with the ever-increasing cost of living expenses, some retirees may question if it’s in their best financial interests to retire in Florida.