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TOP STORIES - WEEK IN REVIEW, JULY 23-27, 2007
Seawater Could Help Water Woes, But at What Price? [Sun-Sentinel]
During a drought that has led to the toughest water restrictions in South Florida history, water managers have renewed their call to explore using the sea to help meet water needs.
Fort Lauderdale is among seven sites where the district is proposing a pilot program to test tapping into ocean water.
Related article:
In Area Home Sales, Signs of Hope [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
In the Sarasota-Bradenton area, one of only two Florida markets with June sales increases, home sales continue to run at about the rate of the pre-boom market. But existing-home sales in Florida during June fell 30 percent from the same month a year ago, nearly three times worse than the national rate of decline.
Related articles:
How Florida Could Go Green [St. Petersburg Times]
Gov. Charlie Crist has repeatedly pointed out that Florida is more vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate than any other state. Here's a look at where greenhouse gases come from, what the new rules would do and how it could affect you.
Related articles:
Is Area Locked Into the 'Cheap, Cheerful' Side of Tourism?' [Sentinel]
In the past decade, the Kissimmee area's tourism efforts have developed somewhat of a split personality. It tries to welcome upscale tourism while staying true to the "brand" it has built luring Walt Disney World patrons.
Related articles:
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
›State's Economy Growth to Slow [Gainesville Sun]
The growth rate of Florida's economy will slow to more closely resemble the national economy during the next 30 years, according to UCF researchers.
›First Hurricane Lab to Open [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A giant wind and rain machine will be housed in a steel warehouse large enough to hold a two-story house at Florida International University in Miami.
›GOP's Big Florida Donors Sitting On Sidelines [Miami Herald]
A Miami Herald analysis of presidential fundraising suggests that the go-to Democratic donors in Florida are more excited about the 2008 race than their Republican counterparts.
›Opinion: Paying Piper Is Not That Simple [TC Palm]
Regardless of firm's rejection of referendum, area must retain its largest private employer.
›Florida Bright Futures In Trouble [St. Petersburg Times]
A lawsuit highlights a fierce tug of war over the state's popular scholarship program.
›Ring of Risk Soars for Citizens [St. Petersburg Times]
The state's perilous moat encircles private insurers that are fleeing to safer ground. Related opinion: State insurance market remains too unsettled
›Rising Costs Forcing Out Gourmet Restaurants [Miami Herald]
This year, at least half a dozen high-profile restaurants have closed, reflecting South Florida diners' preference for simplicity and value and the rising cost of doing business. From Florida Trend: Florida's Top 500 Restaurants
›Worth Less, But Taxed More? [St. Petersburg Times]
Now, it turns out, the property tax "fix" approved by the Legislature last month contains another wrinkle that could raise tax rates.
›Why Insurance Reform Fell Short [Miami Herald]
Seven months after Florida lawmakers expanded the government's role in the state's insurance market, rates should be lower and insurers should be willing to write more policies.
Just the opposite is happening.
›Old-Fashioned Politics Gets an Internet Twist [Palm Beach Post]
Monday's debate, featuring all eight candidates for the 2008 Democratic nomination, was the first of its kind — one in which ordinary Americans posed questions via provocative and refreshing homemade videos posted on YouTube. Related: Watch the debate and reaction
›Extra Session Called to Cut State Budget [Tallahassee Democrat]
Florida lawmakers plan to return in mid-September to deal with a growing budget deficit that has already forced Gov. Charlie Crist to ask agencies to trim $1 billion.
›Florida ‘Big Winner’ in Farm Bill [Naples Daily News]
After a strong lobbying effort by farmers from Florida and California, members of the House Agriculture Committee said they decided to pour an estimated $2 billion into specialty crops like citrus.
›Fla. Company Making a $1B Mark in Atlanta [St. Petersburg Times]
St. Petersburg's Sembler Co. plans a king-sized project, where people will live, work and shop.
›Infamous Boca-Based Super Market Tabloid Ends Run [Palm Beach Post]
Weekly World News, the 28-year-old tabloid that gave the world Bat Boy, Merman and a host of other half-animal, half-human characters is stopping the presses on its news of the weird.
›Column: Is Region Big Enough for Four Pro Teams? [Palm Beach Post]
Has the South Florida sports market, with four pro franchises and not always enough fans to spread around, simply gotten too big for its britches?
›The Future of Medicine: Insert Chip, Cure Disease? [UF News]
It may sound like science fiction, but University of Florida researchers are developing devices that can interpret signals in the brain and stimulate neurons to perform correctly.
›'Vision Fulfilled': Downtown Venues Plan Passes [Orlando Sentinel]
Orange County leaders late Thursday approved a $1.1 billion plan for a new arena, performing-arts center and major Florida Citrus Bowl upgrades in downtown Orlando that supporters vowed would bring boundless new jobs and entertainment.
›Rough Seas for Boating Industry [St. Petersburg Times]
Sales are down, but the forecast isn't entirely gloomy.
›Wall Street's Sell-Off May Signal 'Seizure' [St. Petersburg Times]
Thursday's selling frenzy leads local analysts toward pessimism. Worries about mortgage defaults, temporarily ignored when stocks were soaring to new highs, returned this week with a vengeance.
›No-Fault's Demise Could Mean Higher Rates, Risk [Tampa Tribune]
Come Oct. 1, auto insurance will no longer be required in Florida.
It's the consequence of the Legislature allowing Florida's no-fault auto insurance law to expire.
›Grand Jury to Review Pinellas Land Deal [St. Petersburg Times]
The panel to look into the purchase of the property appraiser's parcel.
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