UCF president resigns amid investigations into millions in misspending

The president of the University of Central Florida, Dale Whittaker, offered his resignation on Tuesday amid investigations into the university's spending. Whittaker's resignation comes during multiple investigations into how the university budgeted nearly $85 million of state operating dollars for construction projects, including $38 million for the recently built Trevor Colbourn building. More from Florida Today and WKMG.

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» UCF President Dale Whittaker's resignation: Officials react

Lawsuit accuses Florida Dept. of Corrections of multimillion-dollar digital media scam

A federal class action lawsuit accuses the Florida Department of Corrections of stealing millions of dollars of inmate-purchased digital music and books from prisoners. The lawsuit, filed in the Northern District of Florida by the Florida Justice Institute and the Social Justice Law Collective on behalf of lifer William Demler, names state Corrections Secretary Mark Inch as the defendant. More from the Florida Times-Union and the Miami Herald.

Gov. Ron DeSantis calls on Trump to headquarters Space Force on Florida's Space Coast

In the midst of a day dedicated to the space industry in Tallahassee, Gov. Ron DeSantis called on President Donald Trump to put the headquarters of his new military branch, Space Force, on Florida’s Space Coast. In a tweet, DeSantis said Tuesday he was formally requesting the president place the Space Force Combatant Command at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, and WKMG.

Inside the battle to host the 2020 Democratic convention

Leaders in three major cities, including Miami, are in a last-minute scramble to win the 2020 Democratic National Convention, an event that could funnel millions of dollars into the local economy and put them at the center of the political world for one week next summer. [Source: AP]

Film incentives get push in state Senate

Florida’s latest attempt to draw more film production to the Sunshine State started rolling Tuesday in the Senate. The Commerce and Tourism Committee backed a measure by Chairman Sen. Joe Gruters that would provide grants of up to $2 million to production companies that have completed at least 70 percent of their work in Florida. More from the Gainesville Sun and the Florida Watchdog.

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› The biggest ships the bay has ever seen are headed to Port Tampa Bay [Tampa Bay Times]
The biggest container ships ever seen in Tampa Bay will begin making weekly calls at Port Tampa Bay from Asia starting in May, port officials announced Tuesday. "This is another 52 ships a year that will come under our bridge and provide economic impact to all of our key stakeholders," Port Tampa Bay president and chief executive officer Paul Anderson told port board members.

› Driverless buses will soon begin operating in Orlando [Orlando Sentinel]
Officials Tuesday revealed a glimpse of what could one day be the future of transit in Orlando by unveiling a small driverless bus that soon will maneuver around Lake Nona. The battery-powered vehicle, run by Beep software, is one of two that are expected to begin operating in southeast Orlando this spring.

› Traffic has never been worse, frustrated Fort Lauderdale residents tell researchers [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Fort Lauderdale residents have never been this aggravated with traffic, the city's latest survey showed. But city commissioners Tuesday said they’re not ready to make an aggressive move to take over the traffic signal system in Fort Lauderdale.

› Port Manatee opens trade offices in Europe, Latin America [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
In its push for global commerce, the International Trade Hub at Port Manatee has opened promotional offices in Latin America and Europe. The offices in Medellin, Colombia, and Barcelona, Spain, mark “a momentous step in connecting world markets” with the region, said Iván Mutis, coordinator of the trade hub.

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› Tampa City Hall seeks developers for 18 acres a block from the Hillsborough River [Tampa Bay Times]
Tampa City Hall has 18 acres of land a block from the Hillsborough River just north of downtown, and on Tuesday it invited developments to bring forth their best ideas and best offers.

› Former UN leader tours climate adaptation projects in Miami [AP News]
Former U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon visited Miami on Tuesday with the Global Commission on Adaptation, which encourages the development of measures to manage the effects of climate change through technology, planning and investment. He leads the group with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates and World Bank CEO Kristalina Georgieva.

› SpaceX first Florida rocket launch of 2019: Weather forecast is fine [Florida Today]
Scattered clouds, light winds and mild temperatures are expected Thursday night for a SpaceX rocket launch that aims to place a trio of spacecraft in orbit, one on its way to the moon. A twice-flown Falcon 9 booster is targeting an 8:45 p.m. liftoff from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station’s Launch Complex 40, at the opening of a 32-minute window.

› Popular St. Pete Beach resort set to rebrand [Business Observer]
TradeWinds Island Resorts plans to rebrand its Guy Harvey Outpost property on St. Pete Beach, effective March 13, when it will become RumFish Beach Resort by Tradewinds. TradeWinds’ five-year licensing agreement with outdoor clothing brand Guy Harvey is set to expire next month, which prompted the switch.