Archaeologists diving into Florida’s past find lessons about adapting to sea rise
Florida is one of the global epicenters for a little-known field called “submerged landscape archaeology.” There are only about a dozen full-time scientists working in the field in the U.S. They tend to focus on Florida because the state has lost half its landmass to sea level rise since humans started living here. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Rising commissary prices in Florida prisons lead to boycotts, outcry
People who are incarcerated in the state of Florida have to contend with prices set by canteen operators under contract with FDC, and because a majority of them do not earn salaries, people advocating for prison reform say higher rates tend to disproportionately hurt low-income households. “Across the country we see prisons using commissaries and communication systems and other services that are offered to incarcerated people as a means of squeezing money out of the poorest of families,” said Wanda Bertram, a spokesperson at the Prison Policy Initiative. “These are people who are already struggling, people who are one lost paycheck away from bankruptcy or people who cannot handle a medical emergency.” [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Column: Here’s the privacy that Floridians are in danger of losing
In 1980, the people of Florida secured protection for their privacy with an amendment to their state constitution. It is Article 1, Section 23: “Every natural person has the right to be left alone and free from governmental intrusion into his private life except as otherwise provided herein.” If the Supreme Court turns its back on more than three decades of precedents and ends the broad embrace of privacy by shrinking our right to privacy to “information privacy” only, the Legislature will be free to regulate our personal lives in each of these areas. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida reports record sea turtle nesting season in 2023
Florida added to its record-breaking sea turtle nesting season in September, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reported Friday. The 2023 season smashed records set in 2016 and 2017, Fish and Wildlife Research Institute said. Wildlife officials said that although the nesting season is winding down, residents and beachgoers should keep lights off the beach at night and close their blinds. Hatchlings will still need to find their way to the water through the month of November. [Source: WFLA]
Florida Capitol to get 1,656 new bulletproof windows by 2027. Cost? $61 million
The Florida Senate office building is sporting a new look with the removal of louvre shutters and the installation of tempered energy-efficient windows. The Legislature approved $61 million dollars in 2019 to replace all 1,656 windows and remove the shutters from the buildings on the Capitol Complex. Unlike the windows of the Historic Capitol, equipped with striped awnings to provide shade, louvre slats were installed on the Capitol, House and Senate office buildings. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Floridians can now get 50% off state park passes
Floridians can pay half price for annual state park passes through Jan. 13, 2024. It’s part of the Great Outdoors Initiative announced by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Friday. The governor’s executive order also provides 50% discounts on Gold Sportsman hunting and fishing licenses from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
› Pasco ponders how to elevate economically-challenged Lacoochee
Pasco County’s explosive growth has already consumed much of its southern border and spread north and east. Now, county leaders have set their sights on a long-forgotten area which was dragged down decades ago with the closure of the Cummer Sawmill. The town of Lacoochee and nearby communities fell into economic freefall after the mill closed in the 1960s. But over the last year, Pasco has been consulting with residents and preparing a redevelopment plan to pull the town of 1,300 out of its economic slump.
› From cleaning floors to being named a top global manager, Miramar McDonald’s leader serves smiles
In 2007, Marcial Hernandez Arias’ story was similar to many Latinos who move to Miami for a new life. He was 17 and had just come to the United States from Camaguey, Cuba, with his grandmother Marisela Herrero. He quickly landed a part-time job at a Hialeah McDonald’s, doing everything from meticulously cleaning the floors to making hamburgers. At 33, Arias’ hard work is paying dividends, garnering him and his restaurant, international recognition by McDonald’s.
› New survey shows arts drive economy, jobs and tourism in Sarasota County
While attendance and finances for arts and culture have yet to recover from the pandemic around the country, they are on the upswing in Sarasota County and continue to be a driver for the local economy, tourism and tax revenues, according to a new national study. In 2022, the economic impact of nonprofit arts and cultural organizations in the county was nearly $342 million, according to the latest Arts and Economic Prosperity survey prepared by Americans for the Arts.
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