It's not just Puerto Rico: FEMA bogs down in Florida, Texas too

One of the busiest hurricane seasons in years has overwhelmed federal disaster officials. As a result, the government's response in the two biggest affected states — Texas and Florida — has been scattershot: effective in dealing with immediate needs, but unreliable and at times inadequate in handling the aftermath, as thousands of people face unusually long delays in getting basic disaster assistance. [Source: New York Times]

See also:
» Florida: More than $1 billion handed out following storm
» FEMA issues notice: If you get a letter from FEMA saying you are ineligible for disaster assistance, read, this, because that may not be the last word. FEMA also reminds Floridians that everyone has the right to appeal decisions from the agency.

Florida aims to become regional alternative jet fuels hub

Florida wants to establish a biofuel supply chain based around Brassica carinata, a non-edible plant that has already been used to produce 100 percent bio-derived jet fuel. Last month, the USDA awarded six higher ed institutions, including the University of Florida, grants to support development of the new fuel. The UF project will use carinata to produce biobased jet fuel for aviation, industrial chemicals, and animal feed. The work should bring a new agricultural crop to market as well as train a workforce to support it. See the news release from the USDA here. Also read more at the Digital Journal.

See also:
» UF alligator: Seed research project offers alternative to fossil fuels

Florida sees upsurge in babies born addicted to drugs

Data from the Centers for Disease Control shows the number of babies born addicted to drugs nationwide has quadrupled in the past 15 years. In Florida, the number is higher than it has ever been. [Source: WTSP]

Florida growers thrown 'lifeline'

Florida Citrus growers impacted by Hurricane Irma are eligible now for short-term, interest-free working capital loans as part of a U.S. $25 million Florida Citrus Emergency Loan Program activated by Governor Rick Scott, aimed at helping the industry recover quickly. See the news release about the loan program, here. Also read more at Fruitnet.

Florida scientists share $9M grant to study aging process

Florida scientists are studying the genetic makeup of centenarians to develop new drugs that could delay or possibly even reverse age-related diseases. Scientists from the Florida campus of The Scripps Research Institute and Albert Einstein College of Medicine will share a $9 million grant from the National Institute on Aging. See the full news release from Scripps here. Also read more at the AP.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Osceola moves toward development moratorium [Orlando Sentinel]
Osceola County has moved toward stopping development for as long as six months to allow time to revise building and design standards, as well as create upfront fees and put deadlines on large projects.

› Azamara is getting a new ship: The vessel that took Americans to Cuba [Miami Herald]
Azamara Club Cruises’ new ship will be familiar to local cruisers: The Miami-based line is refurbishing Adonia, the vessel that took Americans to Cuba again after a 50-year hiatus.

› Tampa-based Checkers testing delivery, aims for record expansion [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa-based Checkers Drive-In Restaurants continues to fly under the radar compared to dominant burger chains like McDonald's and Burger King. But as new owners have taken charge this year the company is trying new initiatives to jump-start sales and add more restaurants to its portfolio.

› Maker Faire Orlando a place for tinkerers [Orlando Sentinel]
Maker Faire Orlando is one of about 230 similar events around the world. It celebrates “makers,” a general term given to people who work on creative projects.

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› Florida doesn’t have a presumptive-cancer law [News Chief]
Florida is among 13 states that have not passed a presumptive-cancer law – a law recognizing that a firefighter’s disability or death from cancer is presumed to be contracted in the line of duty.

› FPL says 1.25 million solar panels have been installed this year [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
The Juno Beach-based company said it has installed more than 1.25 million panels so far this year, more than the 1 million panels built at three power plants in 2016. The utility said its goal by 2023 is to have more than 10 million panels.

› Irma is long gone, but South Florida’s watery wilderness is still feeling the pain [Miami Herald]
When Hurricane Irma charged across the state last month, coastal communities hammered by powerful storm surges drew most headlines. But inland Lake Okeechobee, the state’s massive 730-square-mile liquid heart, also took a hit.

› Jacksonville City Council to vote on suing makers, distributors of prescription painkillers [Florida Times-Union]
City Hall could soon take a major step toward filing a lawsuit against the makers and distributors of prescription pain killers that would allege the businesses are partly responsible for the spike in opioid overdose deaths that have been a scourge in Jacksonville.