Disappearing oysters could spell trouble for Florida's environment, economy

Oysters are a common menu option at restaurants, but researchers at the University of South Florida found they are disappearing from the Gulf Coast, negatively impacting the environment and economy. USF researchers said wild oysters in Crystal River are shrinking – now a third smaller than before compared to oyster shells from hundreds of years ago. More from WTVT and Phys.org.

5G, touted at Super bowl, gaining ground in Florida

It was touted early in the broadcast Sunday to an estimated 102 million viewers: Super Bowl LIV marked the first occasion – and Hard Rock Stadium stood as the first location – where the big game was held in a fully 5G-enabled venue. Elsewhere around Miami-Dade County, however, the availability of the much-anticipated technology has varied depending on the provider. [Source: Miami Today]

Florida’s chief science officer doesn’t mince words on climate change

Florida’s new chief science officer spoke about the need to reduce nutrient pollution that is contributing to water quality problems and reduce carbon emissions that are warming the planet during a swing through Sarasota this week. Gov. Ron DeSantis created the position of chief science officer shortly after being sworn in, and University of Florida professor Thomas Frazer is the first person to hold the job. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

SpaceX gets $80.4 million from NASA to launch its Earth Science mission in 2022

SpaceX will get $80.4 million from NASA to launch the agency’s 2022 Earth science mission, known as PACE. NASA announced Monday evening that SpaceX would provide the thrust for the mission with a Falcon 9 rocket scheduled to launch in December 2022 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Fort Lauderdale to investigate putting brakes on building boom after pipe breaks

The building boom in full swing in Fort Lauderdale might just hit a wall as city leaders struggle to contain a never-ending series of sewer pipe breaks. Critics of the city’s ongoing development spurt have been calling for a moratorium for years. Developers have been just as outspoken in opposing what they call a drastic measure that would have dire effects on the city’s tax base. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Clarification on South Florida hospital coronavirus report [Pembroke Pines Police Department]
Yesterday evening an internal email was distributed to police department personnel sharing information regarding a possible case of the coronavirus at Memorial Regional Hospital in Hollywood. Shortly thereafter, a follow-up advisory email was distributed internally advising that there was no case of the coronavirus at the hospital. Through unknown means, the original advisory email was publically shared across various social media platforms.

› Lobbyists tried to pay for Mayor Lenny Curry’s trip to Atlanta to watch baseball game with JEA’s former CEO [Florida Times-Union]
A company run by Tim Baker and Sam Mousa, two lobbyists who have both worked for Mayor Lenny Curry, organized and attended a secret trip to Atlanta on a private plane to watch a playoff baseball game along with Curry, his top administrator Brian Hughes, JEA’s then-CEO Aaron Zahn and City Council President Scott Wilson.

› Circus Sarasota brings global cast to perform under Big Top [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
A global cast of circus artists is coming to Sarasota to perform during Circus Sarasota’s monthlong run under the Big Top in Nathan Benderson Park. The show starts off with a gallop, the three-woman Alanian Riders showcase Cossack trick riding skills at a full gallop around the ring. “We open the show with a bang,” said artistic director Pedro Reis, adding that the riders set the tone for fast-paced, nonstop thrills that follow.

› Homestead Air Reserve Base in line for 24 combat aircraft [Miami Today]
Environmental studies underway for two years to determine whether Homestead Air Reserve Base will get two 24 F-35A combat planes should be finished in summer, said US Air Force spokesperson Laura M. McAndrews. The Homestead Base is one of four under consideration to receive the new aircraft, which will replace outmoded F-16s now in use – but right now a competing base in Fort Worth is the frontrunner.

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› Feral monkeys spotted in Duval, St. Johns could carry deadly virus, FWC warns [WJXT]
The Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission has a warning for residents of Northeast Florida: Be on the lookout for wild monkeys. The specific wild monkeys that FWC is warning about is the Rhesus Macaque monkey. The monkey was first brought to Florida in the 1930s in the Silver Springs area and they have spread across the state ever since.

› Fort Lauderdale is about to ban e-scooters on the beach, Riverwalk and Las Olas Boulevard [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
No electric scooters will zip and zoom along busy A1A ever again under new rules coming to Fort Lauderdale. Then there’s the speed limit. That’s right, Fort Lauderdale wants to cap the speed of the trendy rent-by-the-minute cruising machines that have taken the world by storm. Electric scooters would glide along at a speed capped at 12 mph, all in the name of safety.

› Dinner Key Marina hurricane damage repairs linger [Miami Today]
Dinner Key Marina, which hugs the Coconut Grove waterfront and historic Miami City Hall, is in the midst of a multi-million dollar rebuild and City of Miami officials anticipate completion of the three-phase project in mid-2021. The municipal marina, owned and operated by the city, sustained serious damages when Hurricane Irma hit the area on Sept. 10, 2017.

› Cape Coral wants to control short-term rental rules for properties in the city [Fort Myers News-Press]
Some residents of Cape Coral have had enough of short-term vacation renters turning local neighborhoods into vacation destinations for loud visitors and spring break shenanigans. But legislation pending in the state capitol may sharply restrict any effort to adopt tougher local regulations over short-term rentals.