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Staff ReportsMay 21, 2018

With last year’s Atlantic storm season among the strongest, the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) urges residents to prepare now for the 2018 hurricane season, which runs June 1-Nov. 30. The commission, which issued a press release Monday, regulates the state’s investor-owned utilities. “Hurricane preparedness should top our to-do lists,” said PSC Chairman Art Graham […]

Michael MolineMay 3, 2018

Large electric customers and local governments complained about communications meltdowns and urged large-scale “undergrounding” of Florida’s electric infrastructure during the second day of Public Service Commission workshops about hurricane preparedness and restoration. Public Counsel J.R. Kelly seconded the motion regarding the communications problems during and following Hurricane Irma, when customer calls crashed utilities public information switchboards […]

Danny McAuliffeMarch 26, 2018

A new state law could mean harsher penalties for animal abusers. Gov. Rick Scott signed a bill on Friday that bumps animal cruelty to a level 5 offense up from level 3, meaning convicted offenders are more likely to serve prison time (selling cocaine also is a level 5 offense). The change comes into effect […]

Danny McAuliffeDecember 14, 2017

Get ready, Florida. Devastating storms like Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria are the new normal. At least that’s what Craig Fugate, who led FEMA under President Barack Obama, and other partners in a campaign are saying to raise awareness and involvement in a new age of hurricane safety. “Irma made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane […]

Scott PowersDecember 6, 2017

After hearing what he called “horrible” stories of pets being left chained outside during Hurricane Irma, state Rep. Bobby Olszewski has filed a bill that would make that against the law in Florida, requiring owners to do all they can to get shelter for their animal companions. House Bill 907 would kick in anytime an […]

Associated PressOctober 20, 2017

Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, as well as two recent earthquakes in Mexico likely cost the insurance industry about $95 billion, said Swiss Re, one of the world’s biggest reinsurers. The Zurich-based company, which as a reinsurer provides backup policies to companies that write primary insurance policies, said Friday that the claims process is ongoing […]

Staff ReportsOctober 9, 2017

Florida gasoline prices “have been on a steep slide for the last three weeks and should drift even lower this week,” AAA reported early Monday. “The state average declined for the 24th consecutive day on Sunday, falling a total of 19 cents during that time,” the auto club said in a press release. All average retail […]

Staff ReportsOctober 6, 2017

A spokesman for Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine, who is widely expected to jump into next year’s race for governor, Friday explained his political committee’s lack of fundraising for September. “In the month of September, Mayor Levine was solely focused on helping a number of communities prepare and weather Hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria, and therefore made […]

Staff ReportsSeptember 26, 2017

With a little more than two months left in the 2017 hurricane season, Florida’s emergency management head is leaving his job “to pursue an opportunity in the private sector,” the Governor’s Office announced Tuesday. Gov. Rick Scott announced Bryan Koon’s resignation as director of the Florida Division of Emergency Management (DEM), effective next Sunday. “On Sept. 1, […]

Associated PressMay 18, 2017

The Florida fund that helps private insurers pay out claims after a hurricane continues to be in strong shape ahead of storm season. Estimates prepared by Raymond James show the Florida Hurricane Catastrophe Fund will have $17.6 billion available this year. This marks the second year in a row that fund has more money than […]

Tag: hurricanes

Prep for hurricanes, PSC reminds Floridians

Customers clamor for ‘undergrounding’ during PSC storm-hardening workshop

Florida strengthens animal cruelty laws

Former FEMA admin: Life-threatening storms are the ‘new normal’

Bobby Olszewski files bill to protect pets during emergencies

Hurricanes, earthquakes estimated to cost insurers $95B

AAA: Gasoline prices keep ‘drifting lower’

Philip Levine attributes lack of fundraising to hurricanes

Personnel note: Bryan Koon quits as state emergency management head

Florida’s hurricane fund remains strong heading into season