Pythons are eating the Everglades. Could eating them instead help fight climate change?

The voracious Burmese python has done widespread damage to the Everglades food chain, pretty much wiping out populations of small mammals like marsh bunnies and gulping down everything from birds to alligators. But a new study out of Australia suggests a paradoxical prospect: Florida’s most destructive invasive species also could help protect the planet from the looming impacts of climate change — at least theoretically. [Source: Miami Herald]

A consequence of a low jobless rate: not enough qualified workers in South Florida

For every 40 people in the South Florida workforce, about one doesn't have a job. That gives the region the lowest unemployment rate in the nation among large areas, at 2.5%. It also means employers are having a very difficult time finding qualified workers to fill job opportunities. Seven out of 10 businesses in Miami-Dade County say they can't find workers ready to fulfill their open jobs, according to a new survey by FIU's Pérez Metropolitan Center. [Source: WLRN]

The national venture capital scene is cold. Florida is following suit.

Venture capital activity nationwide didn't bounce back in early 2024. For several reasons, startups still aren't raising the same amount of capital as previous highs, and the number of venture capital deals in the first quarter of the year dipped to the lowest level since 2017. The cold market has continued into 2023 for venture capital nationally — the same might be said for Florida. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]

Cities and states with the most fraud complaints in 2024

Florida has the second-highest rate of fraud in the nation. Credit card fraud and identity theft in general are more common in Miami than any other city in the country. It’s no surprise that instances of credit card fraud are concentrated in urban and tourist areas. However, Florida’s prevalence on the list could also relate to its elderly population. [Source: USA Today]

Could Taylor Swift help Florida’s tourism? Visit Orlando bets $600,000 on it.

Taylor Swift is a megastar who millions follow and love. Could Orlando’s tourism industry get the Swiftie boost? Visit Orlando is banking $600,000 on it. That’s the amount that Visit Orlando spent on an advertisement running in the new Swift concert film debuting last month on Disney+. Some have questioned whether that money would be better spent on public transportation, affordable housing and other community needs that arise from a tourism-driven economy and millions of tourists arriving. [Source: Florida Politics]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› 8 new ships coming to Norwegian Cruise Line, sister brands plus dock at Great Stirrup Cay [Orlando Sentinel]
The parent company to Norwegian Cruise Line announced Monday a major order for eight new ships among its three brands as well as the construction of a pier to allow its cruise ships to dock instead of tender to its private Bahamas island for the first time. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said it was planning to bring on four new ships for NCL, two new ships for upper premium brand Oceania Cruises and two ships for luxury brand Regent Seven Seas, all to be built at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and debut during a 10-year run from 2026-2036.

› Sunseeker Resort boosts Charlotte County tourism revenue [Gulfshore Business]
Charlotte County Tourism Development Tax collections improved with the opening of Sunseeker Resort Charlotte Harbor playing a significant role, said Sean Doherty, tourism director of the Punta Gorda/Englewood Beach Visitor & Convention Bureau. Whenever one books a hotel room or rents or leases another type of living quarters for six months or fewer, a 5% tax—the TDT—is collected on the total payment.

› Top defense contractor in Tampa wins $24M contract for Air Force training [Tampa Bay Business Journal]
CAE USA — a Virginia defense contracting company with a major Tampa presence — has won a $23.9 million contract for training with the U.S. Air Force. The contract is fixed-price and will be completed in 2025; it is for courseware and instruction for Air Force training programs. At the time of the award, $11.7 million in operation and maintenance funds were obligated to CAE.

› Delta IV Heavy set to launch on farewell flight from Cape Canaveral Tuesday [Florida Today]
Again, the time has come. The Delta IV Heavy rocket is stated to make its final flight at 12:53 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Launch Complex 37. This comes after its first attempt at a finale flight scubbed four minutes before the planned March 28 launch.

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› NY concert promoter, exec brings exclusive private gig club to Sarasota [Business Observer]
Music industry executive Barry Weisblatt recently launched the WhiteLeaf Private Concert Club in Sarasota. The club’s model is to bring high-level performers to Sarasota in an intimate, and exclusive, setting that’s the opposite of the current overcrowded concert scene.

› Former South Florida public company goes private after emerging from bankruptcy [South Florida Business Journal]
Electric scooter rental company Bird Global has gone private after emerging from bankruptcy. The Miami-based business sold its assets to micro mobility firm Third Lane Mobility, its new parent company. Its subsidiaries also include Spin, a scooter company acquired by Bird in 2023. Bird and Spin will continue to operate in hundreds of locations around the world under Third Lane.

› Recovery advocates are handing out Narcan to Pinellas businesses and beachgoers [WUSF]
Lots of travelers come to Florida this time of year to enjoy spring break on the beach, and some may decide to use substances during that time. Advocates for addiction recovery are trying to promote safety by distributing free Narcan to beachgoers and businesses in Pinellas County. Narcan is the brand name for the overdose reversal drug naloxone.

› Northeast Florida Regional Airport expansion project seeks permit [Jacksonville Daily Record]
Plans to expand Northeast Florida Regional Airport in St. Johns County are under way. The St. Johns River Water Management District received a pre-application March 25 permit to develop a 21.1-acre parcel at the airport for a maintenance, repair and overhaul facility. Jacksonville-based architecture, engineering and construction firm Haskell submitted a pre-application for an environmental resources protection permit.