Reefer Madness? Recreational marijuana supporters hope Florida turns green

Forget about blue waves and red waves. A green wave is surging across the U.S. A mix of red, blue and purple states in November voted to either legalize or decriminalize the use and possession of cannabis. And Florida could be next. A 2015 Duke University study found that Florida could reduce the amount of money it spent each year on prosecuting marijuana cases by $25.5 million and increase its tax revenue by $120 million by legalizing marijuana. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]

How a Florida wind and solar firm toppled Exxon from its place as America’s top energy company

In early October, the world passed a milestone in the clean energy transition that, until very recently, seemed unthinkable: Exxon was unseated as the most valuable energy company in America. And not by Chevron, its closely-trailing oil and gas competitor. No, Chevron got leapfrogged too—by NextEra Energy, a company that has built the world’s largest collection of wind and solar farms. [Source: Quartz]

Florida makes it official: Remote learning will continue next semester

Families fearing they might have to send their children back to in-person classes despite their coronavirus concerns can rest easier. The Department of Education on Monday released a new emergency order for second semester that keeps live remote classes available as an option, along with the funding that allows school districts to provide the model. Schools would be expected to continue face-to-face classes, as the state previously required. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Florida-bound Royal Caribbean Odyssey of the Seas gets first taste of water

Florida has never been the home port to a Quantum-class ship from Royal Caribbean and 2020 was supposed to be the debut year of its newest ship, the Quantum-ultra class Odyssey of the Seas. But then coronavirus put the cruise industry on hold, including construction progress at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. Construction is back on track, though, and the 168,000-gross-ton ship that can hold more than 4,200 passengers at double capacity was floated out to water for the first time at the German shipyard this past weekend. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Pandemic may force tough decisions for some organizations

The Florida Nonprofit Alliance (FNA) has been monitoring the impact of COVID-19 on Florida nonprofits since the pandemic began. FNA predicts nonprofits will face a wide range of impacts including: Increased and sustained staff and volunteer absences; Disruption of services to clients and communities; Disruption of supplies or services provided by nonprofit partners; Cancellation of programs or events (and corresponding reduced revenue); Increase demand for services/support from clients and communities; and Budgetary implications related to strains on the economy. [Source: Tallahassee Democrat]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Disney World reopening 3 in-park restaurants [Orlando Sentinel]
A few Walt Disney World restaurants are in the process of reopening at Magic Kingdom and Disney’s Hollywood Studios theme parks as 2020 comes to a close. Woody’s Lunch Box, a counter-service stop within Toy Story Land at Hollywood Studios, already is serving customers again. Back among its menu items are grilled three-cheese sandwiches, chocolate-hazelnut Lunch Box tarts and totchos (potato barrels with chili and cheese). Mobile ordering is available for this eatery.

› As JEA investigations move forward, taxpayers could spend $250,000 on city officials legal bills [Florida Times-Union]
Jacksonville City Hall plans to set aside $250,000 to pay outside attorneys hired by current and former city employees to represent them during various investigations into last year's failed sale of JEA. It's unclear whether all the money will be spent, although the city has already received requests to reimburse more than $61,000 in legal fees, according to records obtained by the city's Office of General Counsel.

› Polk County unlikely to benefit from Tampa Super Bowl crowds [Lakeland Ledger]
Three months out from the Super Bowl in Tampa, how many reservation requests has the Hampton Inn & Suites Lakeside Village fielded? Just one. The weekend of Feb. 7, The Raymond James Stadium will host the Super Bowl. The National Football League announced in October that attendance will be limited to 20% of the stadium's capacity because of the COVID-19 pandemic. That amounts to a little more than 13,000 people.

› ‘Queen of Versailles’ Jackie Siegel says 18 months before Florida mega-mansion is finished [Orlando Sentinel]
Jackie Siegel, the wife of timeshare mogul David Siegel, and star of documentary “Queen of Versailles” about the construction of a mega-mansion in Central Florida, said it will be complete in 18 months, according to a recent media interview. Siegel said the 90,000-square-foot home that has been under construction on the shores of Lake Butler in Windermere since 2004 is finally approaching the end run.

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› Belpointe makes second Sarasota purchase [Business Observer]
A Greenwich, Conn.-based company that is redeveloping the Main Plaza in downtown Sarasota into apartments and retail space has acquired a second downtown tract that spans more than a city block, according to county property records. Belpointe REIT Inc. affiliates acquired three buildings and surface parking comprising the 1700 block of Main Street for $6.8 million late last month, records show.

› Future of Jacksonville COVID-19 test sites up in air as federal funding set to end Dec. 30 [Florida Times-Union]
The line of people showing up each day for COVID-19 tests at Regency Square mall in Jacksonville shows that even as vaccines are on the way, the virus still is spreading and sending people to seek tests so they can learn if they caught the infection. The clock is winding down on the federal funding that has paid for such test sites nationwide.

› UF scientists develop device to monitor water quality [Gainesville Sun]
University of Florida scientists have developed a device to monitor water quality for as little as $1,500. Eban Bean, UF/IFAS assistant professor of agricultural and biological engineering (ABE), is working with Piyush Agade, an ABE doctoral student to develop "GatorByte," a water-quality buoy device.

› Critics raise concerns over 2 nominated to Central Florida appeals court [Orlando Sentinel]
Critics are raising concerns about two candidates nominated this month to replace Florida Supreme Court Justice Jamie Grosshans on the Fifth District Court of Appeal, arguing they have limited experience compared with other nominees and applicants who didn’t make the short list.