Leprosy could become endemic in Florida as cases rise

Rising cases of leprosy in the Southeast U.S. point to the possibility of the disease becoming endemic to the region, and a high concentration of those cases were reported in central Florida. In a recently published research letter, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that Florida is witnessing an increase in leprosy cases lacking traditional risk factors and recommending that travel to Florida be considered when conducting leprosy contact tracing in any state. More from USA Today, WFLA, and  The Hill.

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» Central Florida accounted for 20% of leprosy cases in the US

Gas prices surge, hit three-month high in Florida

The state average for gas prices in Florida rose nearly 30 cents per gallon during the past two weeks, and the record-breaking heat is partially to blame by causing refinery outages along the Gulf Coast, according to AAA. “Oil prices are the primary culprit behind the recent jump at the pump,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins. “The U.S. price of oil rose 15% through the past five weeks, which raised the cost of producing gasoline.” Earlier this month, when gas prices were lower, the U.S. price of oil traded at around $70 per barrel. On Friday, the price of oil settled at $80.58 per barrel. More from WFTV and News 4 Jax.

Long-held myth says Hurricane Andrew sparked Florida's Burmese python problem. Is it true?

Researchers aren't sure exactly how the animals gained a foothold in the state, but one theory is that the invasive snakes got their start in 1992 when Hurricane Andrew destroyed a reptile breeding facility near Miami, setting Burmese pythons loose across the Sunshine State. But many experts say this is likely an oversimplification of the pythons' origin story. [Source: Live Science]

Disney vs. DeSantis legal battles keep moving on 2 fronts

Two lawsuits entangling Florida and the Walt Disney Co. are still on track after a judge denied a motion to dismiss one of them from state court. The judge’s decision on Friday kept alive a lawsuit brought by the state against Disney’s efforts to neutralize Gov. Ron DeSantis’ takeover of the Reedy Creek Improvement District, Disney World’s governing body. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Record number of Florida students cash in on school vouchers; could cost $2.5 billion

This fall will mark the first year Florida families don’t have an income requirement to qualify for a school voucher, and many are cashing in. As of mid July, about 240,000 income-based scholarships have been awarded to students so far for the 2023-2024 school year compared to the approximately 170,000 that were given out last year, according to Step Up for Students, a state-approved scholarship funding organization. [Source: Florida Today]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida SBDC Success Summit kicks off August 2-3 [Florida Trend]
The Florida Small Business Development Center will hold its 2023 Success Summit on Wednesday and Thursday at the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort. The Florida SBDC is a network of more than 250 business consultants and consultants who have come together to help guide Florida’s entrepreneurs in building successful and sustainable businesses.

› Miami’s cherished, historic Freedom Tower shut down for a $25 million restoration [Miami Herald]
For 98 years, the Freedom Tower has stood as a symbol of Miami, a cherished, unifying landmark in a city of constant change. Now it’s shutting down. But fear not, the closure is only temporary, and all for the better. Miami Dade College is embarking on a badly needed $25 million renovation of the tower, a national historic landmark and one of the few buildings in the city that fully deserves the overused label of “iconic.”

› UF plans facility for AI in agriculture [News Service of Florida]
The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences is gearing up to build a new Center for Applied Artificial Intelligence that would bolster the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture. The facility is planned to be built in Wimauma, a rural area in Hillsborough County. A request for proposals published Wednesday for the roughly $20 million construction project said the 34,000 square-foot facility would include “office, research and meeting space” and provide housing for about 32 graduate students.

› Lazydays buys Tennessee RV company [Business Observer]
Despite what Lazydays described as an unusual and quirky economy, the Tampa-based RV retailer has bought a Knoxville, Tennessee-based RV store that will bring in $40 million a year, company officials told investors during an earnings call on Friday. The store, Buddy Gregg RVs, is located in Knoxville and will replace a Lazydays lot in Maryville, Tennessee, south of Knoxville, that had to close because the Tennessee Department of Transportation is expanding the Alcoa Highway.

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› Travelers get another option for flights at Gainesville Regional Airport [Gainesville Sun]
Residents of North Central Florida will soon have a new option when it comes to getting to and from South Florida. Silver Airways announced that beginning Aug. 21, it will offer a nonstop route from Gainesville (GNV) to Fort Lauderdale (FLL). “A low-cost nonstop route to and from FLL has long been requested by our University of Florida and business communities,” said Allan Penksa, CEO of Gainesville Regional Airport.

› Sarasota County releases plan for $201.5 million hurricane recovery grant. What to know. [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Sarasota County is planning to spend a $201.5 million hurricane recovery grant on rehabilitating homes, building new affordable housing and improving South River Road, among other projects. In March, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that it would give out $3.3 billion in Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funds to communities around the country, including $201.5 million to Sarasota County.

› Miami is fighting to block new court-ordered voting map before the November election [Miami Herald]
Miami is trying to quickly stop a court-ordered voting map from being used for this year’s municipal elections. On Sunday, U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore ordered the city to adopt redrawn district boundaries that would impact who can vote and run in upcoming elections, the city’s attorneys filed an emergency motion in federal court late Sunday to challenge the order.

› Harden Family Foundation donates $1 million to MOSH [Jacksonville Daily Record]
The Museum of Science & History announced that the Harden Family Foundation donated $1 million to the MOSH Genesis capital campaign. The gift will be honored through the naming of the River Patio at the museum’s new facility on the Downtown Northbank. The foundation is led by M.C. “Ceree” Harden III, a Jacksonville insurance and employee benefits executive known for his impact in the local business community and Northeast Florida’s philanthropic sector.