Wednesday's Afternoon Update
A scientific breakthrough at the Florida Aquarium could save America’s ‘Great Barrier Reef’
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa, Florida, says they’ve made scientific history as a group of coral has successfully reproduced two days in a row for the first time in a lab setting. The milestone could have broad implications for “America’s Barrier Reef,” which is the third largest coral reef in the world and is found just off the coast of the Florida Keys. See the announcement from the Florida Aquarium and read more from WSVN, the Tampa Bay Times, and CNN.
See also:
» Keys sanctuary unveils plan to protect reef, surrounding habitats
» Eight no-fishing zones proposed in the Keys to protect threatened corals and marine life
Epic Universe neighbors urge Orange leaders to gain commitments from Universal for $125 million investment
About 100 future neighbors of the planned Epic Universe theme park urged Orange County leaders Tuesday to tie $125 million to assist the Universal Studios’ project to an agreement for good jobs, affordable housing and “real community involvement.” “If Universal is getting so much from us, we should be getting something back,” said Elias Rivera, 21, who grew up in Oak Ridge, works at Disney and formerly worked at Universal. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Celebrities to welcome Miami International Airport arrivals
The voices of some of Miami’s most recognizable personalities will soon greet visitors and passengers at Miami International Airport (MIA) as part of a new campaign to make the air hub “a little more ‘Miami.’” The campaign, “Voices of MIA,” launches Sunday with participating local celebrities including NBA champions Alonzo Mourning and Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat, Grammy-winning recording artist Willy Chirino, and singer and telenovela star Jencarlos Canela. More from Miami Today.
How SpaceX plans to move Starship from Cocoa site to Kennedy Space Center
Long before SpaceX can fly Starship to the moon or Mars, a prototype of the spacecraft must be moved from its construction site in Cocoa to the Kennedy Space Center for testing. Cargo transport company Roll-Lift USA recently submitted a permit application to the Florida Department of Transportation seeking to move a "tank" to KSC over a two-week period in September. More from WKMG.
A tropical disturbance is moving toward Florida, and forecasters are watching
The National Hurricane Center is watching an area of disturbed weather that is hovering in the Atlantic over the central and northwestern Bahamas. As of Wednesday morning, the system is primarily a batch of disorganized showers and thunderstorms — kind of like a South Florida afternoon. According to the center, this disturbance could develop slowly over the next several days as it moves toward the Florida peninsula and then the southeastern United States. More from the Miami Herald.
Athletics Business
Down time? There’s precious little in an athletic trainer’s day.
Tara Mendres starts the day in her office, but never stays there long. She takes down a stack of water coolers, filling each one with ice. Mendres lugs the ice-filled coolers on a golf cart, along with a medical bag that includes a data thermometer to check the core temperature of any athlete who shows signs of overheating. “Thank goodness I’ve never I had to use it,” she says. It is all part of her job as an athletic trainer.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Out of the Box
Florida’s longest yard sale, Flea Across Florida
For nine years, Flea Across Florida has brought thousands of visitors to small communities across the state on U.S. Highway 90, filling up motels, restaurants and small local businesses. The event is held each April and September. The next event is Sept. 13 and 14. This is an opportunity for nonprofits, churches or individuals to hold sales at flea sites along the route or to rent spaces to those wanting to participate and set up.
» Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.