Florida’s legislative session looks light on education
With less than three weeks remaining in Florida’s legislative session, major education policy revisions and additions appear to be at their lowest level in years. Bills addressing big issues such as voucher funding and revising charter school co-location rules have stalled, while those that are finding success have much smaller impacts. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
New $90 million recycling plant opens in Pembroke Pines, among the largest in the U.S.
Tucked behind U.S. 27, gears are turning at South Florida’s newest recycling facility — which is now one of the largest in the United States. WM’s $90 million Pembroke Pines recycling plant recently opened its doors to the public, taking visitors on a tour of its high-tech processing machinery and education room. At the 127,000-square-foot facility, upward of 275,000 tons of material are expected to be recycled per year. That’s about 60 tons per hour. More from the South Florida Sun Sentinel.
Puerto Rico business leaders explore Central Florida investment opportunities
A group of 14 business leaders from Puerto Rico began a three-day trade mission in Central Florida on Monday to explore investment opportunities in the region. The visit focuses on identifying new areas for economic collaboration between Puerto Rico and Central Florida business owners. Puerto Rico’s Secretary of Economic Development leads the trade mission in Lake Buena Vista, offering local companies a platform to showcase their businesses for potential partnerships. More from WFTV.
JTA seeks comments on next phase of driverless shuttles
The Jacksonville Transportation Authority wants to hear from residents and business owners about the next phases of its autonomous vehicle shuttle system. The second phase of the Ultimate Urban Circulator, known as U2C, would replace the current autonomous vans humming through Downtown. Those operate under the NAVI name — for Neighborhood Autonomous Vehicle Innovation. More from the Jacksonville Today.
Why 2,000 homes from Miami-based Lennar were rejected in a booming Florida area
A 2,000-home project near Bradenton has been rejected by local leaders over concerns about a lack of infrastructure and amenities to support new residents. Manatee County commissioners heard arguments for and against the “Lone Valley” project proposed by Miami-based Lennar Homes. The project, in unincorporated Parish, would have added up to 2,047 homes to a rapidly developing area. More from the Miami Herald.
Leading the next era of transplant medicine
Behind one of Miami Transplant Institute’s (MTI) many medical breakthroughs is a love story. Astrid Deitado had promised to donate her kidney to her ailing husband, Michael. Meanwhile, Enrique Gonzalez Abarca had made the same vow to save his wife, Fabiana Castro Troya. But this ultimate act of love was not meant to be — neither spouse was a compatible match for their partner. Fortunately, through MTI’s paired kidney exchange program, hope was renewed. [Sponsored report]
Sports Business
Florida Cabinet approves giving Hillsborough College land for Rays stadium
Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Cabinet voted on Tuesday to give Hillsborough College 22 acres of nonconservation land for a Rays baseball stadium in Tampa. The Rays are in talks with Hillsborough College to build a stadium at the 113-acre Dale Mabry campus, which would also include a mixed-use entertainment district and renovated college buildings.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Tech Trends
Waymo self-driving cars officially launch Florida service
Waymo, the autonomous ride-hailing service powered by self-driving technology, has begun its initial rollout in the Orlando area. The launch is expected to be gradual, but the significance is clear: driverless vehicles are now operating on local roads, marking a major step forward in how people may travel in the years ahead.
» Read more from Click Orlando.