Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan NicolJuly 20, 2018

As algae blooms continue to pour out of Lake Okeechobee, environmentalists and other activists are once again taking aim at the farming industry, blaming them for contributing to the toxicity that allows algae to grow. The sugar industry has long disputed that it deserves the majority of the blame. Now one group is ramping up […]

Ryan NicolJuly 10, 2018

Yet another statewide Republican candidate — attorney general hopeful Frank White — is hammering environmental advocacy group Bullsugar over its questionnaire regarding Florida’s algae bloom problem. The questionnaire is highly critical of the sugar industry, including questions such as “Do you agree that your campaign will be sugar-free, accepting no contributions from any source with ties to […]

Ryan NicolJuly 6, 2018

As Matt Caldwell continues his campaign for Agriculture Commissioner, he wants to make one thing clear: he’s no fan of BS. Bullsugar, that is. The environmental advocacy group is focused on political activism surrounding algal blooms in and around Lake Okeechobee. However, the group has come under fire in the past for false claims about […]

Ryan NicolJune 5, 2018

With spring coming to a close, school is ending, the temperature is rising — and algae bloom season may have just begun. Blue-green algae pouring from Lake Okeechobee has been the bane of many Floridians, and Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson says it’s time for the federal government to do something about it. Nelson released a letter […]

Peter SchorschJuly 21, 2017

After millions of gallons of untreated water entered Lake Okeechobee this summer, significant algae blooms are now beginning to form – with nary a word from environmentalists. Both the Palm Beach Post and the TC Palm report on new blooms in Lake O, but (unlike last summer) absent any discharges from the lake there are […]

Staff ReportsMarch 5, 2017

The daughter of Everglades Foundation founder George Barley says the group today is nothing like the one her father launched decades ago. In an op-ed for the Orlando Sentinel Catherine Barley-Albertini, now a freelance writer in California, says the Everglades foundation has “badly lost its way” from its initial mission of Everglades restoration. Barley-Albertini reflects […]

Peter SchorschAugust 23, 2016

When it comes to Joe Negron’s plan to save the Everglades, not everyone feels the answer is to “buy the land.” The problem? The Stuart Republican’s proposal is painfully short on details, says a recent editorial in the Fort Myers News-Press. Negron, the incoming Senate President, is pushing the state to purchase 60,000 acres of […]

Diane RobertsAugust 18, 2016

As the old Vulcan proverb goes, “Only Nixon could go to China.” Maybe only Joe Negron can make an Everglades land deal happen. Negron, the incoming state Senate president and a conservative Republican, wants to acquire 60,000 acres south of Lake Okeechobee, land that would help clean up the filthy, nutrient-choked lake water currently sliming […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterJuly 27, 2016

Buying land south of Lake Okeechobee may be a popular proposal to help solve South Florida’s water woes, but U.S. Sugar officials said it wouldn’t necessarily mean more water would flow to the Everglades. “Simply buying more farmland does not equate to more water flowing into the Everglades nor would it significantly reduce the discharges […]

Peter SchorschJuly 14, 2016

Trouble in South Florida in the Indian River Lagoon, and the estuary and coastline fed by the St. Lucie River, have many rightfully up in arms. The United States Army Corp of Engineers recently released billions of gallons of water from Lake Okeechobee to protect the integrity of the Herbert Hoover Dike around the lake. While […]

Tag: algae blooms
Image via Palatka Main Street.

Sugar farmers launch website to counter criticism over algae blooms

Another statewide candidate blasts Bullsugar over questionnaire

‘Obscene’ and ‘ridiculous’: Matt Caldwell calls out Bullsugar

Bill Nelson to Congress: Help us stop algae bloom

New Lake O algae blooms reported, so why are environmentalists silent?

Daughter of Everglades Foundation founder says group ‘badly lost its way’

News-Press editorial says Joe Negron Everglades plan needs work, more details

Diane Roberts: Will Joe Negron make Everglades deal happen? Maybe.

U.S. Sugar officials say buying more farm land doesn’t equal more water flowing into Everglades

Daniel Peterson: Keeping on track to solve the Everglades riddle