Lawsuit challenges oil lease sales in the Gulf
Several environmental groups have filed a lawsuit against the federal government's planned sale of 80 million acres of the Gulf for oil and gas drilling leases. They claim the sale would violate one of the nation's bedrock environmental laws. The lawsuit claims that the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Ocean Energy Management's sale of leases in 80 million acres of the Gulf on Dec. 10 bypasses the National Environmental Policy Act. That law requires federal agencies to look at the possible environmental effects before any action can be taken. More from WUSF and the Center Square.
Could electric air taxis be a solution to Florida's traffic jams?
The future of Florida may involve an electric air-taxi service buzzing around the sky. Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is building two vertiports at the SunTrax testing facility in Polk County. At the Florida Automated Vehicle Summit earlier this month, former state Senator Jeff Brandes — now founder and president of the Florida Policy Project — introduced the concept of air-taxis by using electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircrafts. [Source: WFSU]
What Florida homebuyers should know about the proposed 50-year mortgage plan
By nearly every metric, it’s getting harder to buy a home in the United States. In Tampa Bay, the median home price shot up about 14% to $398,000 in just the past four years, according to data from Florida Realtors. Wages have not kept up, leaving more would-be buyers trapped renting. Across the country, the median age of first-time buyers is now 40, according to data from the National Association of Realtors. That’s a far cry from 1980s, when most first-time buyers were in their late 20s. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
State launches a program to protect seniors from scams
Florida’s lieutenant governor on Tuesday announced a new free alert system to help prevent scams against senior citizens. Operation Senior Shield will teach senior citizens to avoid telephone or internet scams that cost them thousands of dollars, sometimes their entire savings, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins said during a news conference in Jacksonville. People who sign up receive updates about the latest scams targeting seniors in Florida and nationwide [Source: WUSF]
Florida lawmakers consider penalties for rigged bets
Florida lawmakers are considering tougher penalties for bet rigging amid a series of high-profile scandals in professional sports. A proposal heard Tuesday in the Florida House would make rigging a bet or influencing a sport outcome a third-degree felony. The measure is part of a broader bill aimed at cracking down on gambling violations across sports, casinos and other gaming operations. [Source: Spectrum News]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Ruling allows Citizens arbitration system to move ahead
A Florida court decision has cleared the way for more than 400 Citizens Property Insurance Corp. disputes to return to the state's Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH), reinforcing the insurer's authority to resolve claims outside the traditional court system. The 2nd Circuit Court for Leon County ruled that Citizens is permitted under state law to use DOAH to adjudicate disputes and that the earlier injunction issued by the 13th Circuit Court was overly broad.
› Give Miami Day kicks off Thursday. Here’s how to donate to your favorite charities
In its 14th year, there are over 1,400 participating nonprofits or 10 “issue areas” to donate to, which include animals, community care and education and youth. More than half of the organizations involved have operating budgets under $250,000. Donations begin at $25. Last year, the event raised $39.5 million from more than 100,000 donations.This year, South Florida’s nonprofit organizations are facing significant budget cuts due to major reductions in federal, state and local government budgets
› $2 billion data center with six-figure jobs moves ahead in Polk County
A massive data center is moving forward in Polk County after commissioners unanimously approved a $150 million, 10-year tax break for the facility. On Nov. 4, commissioners adopted an ordinance to approve an ad valorem property tax exemption and a performance agreement for Fort Meade DC LLC, which is linked to Maryland-based developer Stonebridge, as part of an economic development effort in Fort Meade.
› Jacksonville International Airport expects busy season. What to know
With Thanksgiving just a week away, Jacksonville International Airport is bracing for one of its busiest travel periods of the year — and that means crowded terminals and even tighter parking than usual. Wednesday, Sunday and Monday are expected to be the peak travel days, when airport officials anticipate tens of thousands of passengers moving through the terminal.
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› Waymo brings fully autonomous driving to Miami
Alphabet’s Waymo announced it has just begun its fully autonomous driving in the Magic City, and Orlando, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio also will be rolling without safety drivers within weeks. Waymo has been testing its electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles on Miami’s streets this year and says says it still plans to open the service to paid riders next year.
› Baptist Health names Zuino next president and CEO
Baptist Health announced Nov. 19 that its Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Matthew Zuino will be the health care system’s next president and CEO. He will start the job Jan. 17, Baptist said in a news release. Zuino will succeed Michael Mayo, who announced in September that he planned to retire in December.
› Big Storm Brewing to be sold at auction as former owner remains in jail
A federal bankruptcy judge has approved the sale of Big Storm Brewing as part of the ongoing effort to recover money that authorities say was stolen from medical trust funds by the craft brewing firm’s former owner. The brewery’s Clearwater tap room on 49th Street North, along with its fixtures, liquor licenses, trademarks and inventory, will be sold at a Dec. 3 auction, court records show. The starting bid is $7.5 million. A Gulfport company, Tide LLC, has already pledged a bid in that amount. The business will remain open while the sale continues, court records show.
› Panhandle CPA firm expands in Polk, Pasco with acquisition
A CPA firm that serves clients across the Southeast from offices in Panama City, Tallahassee and Tampa is expanding to Polk County with an acquisition. The firm, Thomas Howell Ferguson P.A. CPAs, acquired Hamic Previte & Sturwold PA, with offices in Lakeland and Dade City in Pasco County. Financial terms of the deal weren’t disclosed.
"I went to a fertility clinic with hope and I walked out with a loan application."
In 2019, a couple wanted a baby. Because they were both women, they asked a friend to provide the sperm.
The insemination happened at their Tampa home without the mediation of doctors, lawyers, clinics or cryo banks — just a plastic syringe from a drugstore kit. That’s essentially where the trouble started.
Read more at the Tampa Bay Times