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Tuesday's Afternoon Update

Manatee deaths lead to lawsuit from conservation groups

Conservation groups sued the federal government Tuesday over last year’s record manatee deaths, saying the government failed to follow the law by designating protected habitat for the marine mammals. Manatees starved to death by the hundreds on Florida’s east coast last year, largely due to the loss of seagrass in the polluted Indian River Lagoon. The famine led to a record number of deaths, with more than 1,100 dying from starvation, boat strikes, cold stress and other causes. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Lawmakers seek to bolster resiliency efforts

Florida senators are looking at taking further steps to combat rising sea levels by expanding a proposal that would put a resiliency office directly under Gov. Ron DeSantis’ control. The Senate Environment and Natural Resources Committee voted unanimously Monday to support the expanded proposal (SB 1940), filed by Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford. The measure would set up a Statewide Office of Resiliency in the governor’s office. More from the News Service of Florida.

Coastal advocates seek more action, funding on Florida Oceans Day

Billions of dollars in annual economic impact and more than a million jobs, and the Florida Ocean Alliance says both are provided and supported by Florida’s coastal waterways, seaports, and beaches. Each Feb. 1, the group celebrates Florida Oceans Day, and as it has in years past, plans to celebrate the occasion in 2022 by advocating for its mission at the Florida State Capitol in Tallahassee. More from WFTS.

Clearwater wants to attract larger workplaces along U.S. 19. But how?

Over the past five years, 15 new developments have sprung up along U.S. 19 — just not the type that city leaders were really hoping for. When the city revamped development standards for the 7-mile stretch of U.S. 19 in 2017, they were trying to lure corporate headquarters or technology hubs with high-paying jobs and mixed-use projects where people could live, work and socialize. Instead they got five stand-alone apartment complexes, a hotel, two self-storage warehouses, and a few gas stations, restaurants and retail stores. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Save A Lot stores in Central Florida will grow their produce aisles under new owner

Save A Lot shoppers can expect renovated stores with a bigger selection of fresh vegetables and fruits after an Orlando company purchased nearly three dozen Florida stores from the discount grocer. But the store’s name and value pricing should remain the same, the new owner said. Ascend Grocery bought 33 stores from Save A Lot in December. They are in Orlando and its suburbs but also include locations as far away as Daytona Beach, Gainesville, Titusville, Palatka and Fort Pierce. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Sports Business
St. Pete financial management firm's sponsorship of tennis star pays off

 St. Petersburg’s homegrown pro tennis star, Danielle Collins, caught the world’s attention when she stormed into the Australian Open championship match this past weekend in Melbourne. Rooting hard for Collins from half a world away were the team at Dynasty Financial Partners, the St. Pete firm that sponsors her and whose logo appears on the gear she wears during matches.

» More from the Business Observer.

 

Florida History
What did Miami’s Omni mall look like in its heyday? These old pictures tell the story

floridaThe Omni, lording over Biscayne Boulevard between 14th and 15th streets, was modern, weather-proof, convenient and fun. It was anchored on one side by J.C. Penney and the other by Jordan Marsh, which became Burdines in the mall’s later years. The mall opened in 1977 along with a hotel, also called the Omni International. Before the mall and hotel were built, the free-standing Jordan Marsh ruled the corner, diagonally across the street from the Sears tower, where Miami’s performing arts center now stands.

» Read more from the Miami Herald.