Top scientists say climate change has irreversibly impacted Florida

Unchecked climate change has already changed Florida permanently and irreversibly — and the world has a limited window to stop it from getting worse, according to a new global report from the world’s top scientists. The nearly 2,000-page report had a global focus, but Florida was repeatedly used as an example of a place where the impacts of climate change were already being felt, both economically and environmentally. Read more from WLRN and the Miami Herald.

Florida COVID-19 hospitalizations, cases drop

With COVID-19 cases continuing to plummet, the number of Florida hospital inpatients with the virus has dropped below 3,000. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services released data Monday that showed 2,922 inpatients had COVID-19, down from 4,123 a week earlier. Also, the data showed that 480 COVID-19 patients were intensive-care units, down from 686 a week earlier. [Source: News Service of Florida]

Column: Florida families and small businesses deserve to recover solar costs

Florida families and small businesses deserve to recover costs on solar investments at the same rate as utilities. The current net metering policy was designed to help reduce energy costs to all users and wean Florida from our over-reliance on fossil fuels by ensuring those who invest in solar for their homes and businesses are paid fairly for excess electricity they send to the grid. [Source: Florida Times-Union]

‘We are not space tourists’: Axiom Space a month out from civilian flight to ISS on SpaceX Dragon

Axiom Space officials may be taking three civilians up to the International Space Station at $55 million a seat along with their own employee, but they’d prefer not to be known as a space tourism company. “They’re not up to the paste their nose on the window,” said company president and CEO Michael Suffredini during a press conference Monday. “They really are going up there to do meaningful research and make a difference, each in their own way.” [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Cyber attacks may be on the rise. FDEM has tips to protect yourself

The Florida Department of Emergency Management is urging Florida residents to be wary of cyber scams and attacks. Cyberattacks can result in a loss of money or theft of personal and financial information. Given growing tensions in Europe, many government agencies are warning of higher than normal potential of cyber attacks.. FDEM encourages you to keep your devices secure. [Source: WWSB]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› What to expect at the 2022 Florida Strawberry Festival in Plant City [Tampa Bay Times]
The small town of Plant City in northeast Hillsborough County will once again turn on its Southern charm when the Florida Strawberry Festival opens on Thursday for an 11-day run of one of the most-attended fairs in the state. The pandemic clouded last year’s festival, causing organizers to cancel its usually stellar music lineup. They also spent $600,000 on air scrubbers, acrylic shields and sanitizing walk-through tunnels, and widened the midway to allow more space for the masked crowds.

› CFCArts’ canceled ‘Ragtime’ finds new venue, adds special events [Orlando Sentinel]
The CFCArts production of “Ragtime” that was called off after objections by host venue Northland Church, is back on — with a new location, new directors and new free special events. A Broadway musical dealing with racism, sexism and prejudice against immigrants in turn-of-the-20th-century America, “Ragtime” will now be presented June 18-19 at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Orlando.

› Southwest Florida International Airport soars in new traffic data report   [Business Observer]
The high-flying passenger traffic data continues to roll in at Southwest Florida International Airport. The latest report shows that 1,044,816 passengers traveled through the airport, under the call letters RSW, in January. That’s up 52% over January 2021. The RSW traffic leader in January was Delta with 203,417 total passenger, according to a statement.

› ‘It is frustrating’: Miami-Dade’s middle class priced out of housing market [Miami Herald]
Single mother Sarah Thompson is frustrated. The Jamaica native has lived in Miami for most of her life and since 2019 has been looking for a condominium to buy in Kendall, without any luck. Surging prices have blocked her from attaining homeownership. “It is frustrating,” she said. “It’s been challenging to say the least. Prior to looking now, I’ve tried two other times and it’s gotten worse honestly.”  

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› University of Florida alumna Linda Aiken gives $1 million to address nursing challenges [Gainesville Sun]
Recognizing an increased need for research to address the challenges of today’s nurses, renowned researcher and Gator Nurse alumna Linda Aiken, the Claire M. Fagin Leadership Professor of Nursing and a professor of sociology at the University of Pennsylvania, announced her intention to create the Linda Harman Aiken Chair. Aiken’s planned gift supports her 2016 commitment of $1 million to endow the Linda Harman Aiken Professorship at the UF College of Nursing.

› Building supply company primed to begin construction of 60,000-square-foot facility [Business Observer]
Construction is about to begin on ABC Supply Co.’s new facility near Punta Gorda Airport. The company is building a 53,200-square-foot warehouse and 6,700 square feet in office space at the Charlotte County Park of Commerce, next to the airport. The pre-engineered building will have metal panels and a stucco façade for the office, according to Seagate Development Group. Seagate is building the facility, which is expected to be completed early next year.

› Northwest Florida business promotes cryotherapy health benefits [WEAR]
The use of cryotherapy has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially among athletes. Standing in a tank that's -220 degrees Fahrenheit might seem like a strange path to health, but interest in cryotherapy is growing. WEAR TV spoke to the owner of Chill Cryotherapy, Tara Santosuosso. "It's good for any kind of inflammatory disorder," Santosuosso said.

› FWC asks for horseshoe crab sighting reports [WTVT]
The beginning of March marks a critical time for one of the Bay Area's most important marine species. It's horseshoe crab mating season and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking anyone who sees them to file a report online.