5A – Identifying Local Opportunities

1.
a. Florida could use drones to fight pythons, invasive species
b.LINK
c. New legislation would allow two state agencies to use drones to help search for invasive species. Drones are equipped with thermal imaging which would spot out pythons in the dark. This bill will also allow drones to fight wildfires.
d. There are numerous invasive species in Florida that need to be controlled. Using drones to help identify invasive species would make this process easier and more efficient, but current legislation bans state agencies of drones in aid of gathering information.
e.Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Forest Service, Florida Senate, Florida Residents,

2.
a. Gainesville Regional Airport reaches new heights with passenger record
b. LINK
c. Gainesville Airport had a record number of passengers this year. Lower cost compared to neighboring airports has attracted more travelers than ever before.  The airport expects more passenger growth in the upcoming years. Construction to expand the airport has started and should be finished by 2022.
d. The increase in passengers has led to construction to expand the airport. Gainesville's Airport Administration is unsure if this will be enough to accommodate the increase in passengers or if more flights will need to be added.
e. Gainesville residents and visitors, Gainesville Regional Airport

3.
a. UF lobbyists ask legislators for $50 million to achieve top five rank
b. LINK
c. University of Florida is working hard to achieve a top 5 rank. It is getting tougher to climb spots as you get closer to the top. To reach this goal UF is requesting $50 million from Florida's Department of Education. The university would use this money to decrease student to teacher ratio and also work to solve to the worlds most challenging problems.
d. University of Florida wants to increase its rank and needs more money to do so.
e. Florida Residents, UF Studnets, UF Staff, Florida's Department of Education.

4.
a. Coronavirus outbreak being monitored by UF Health officials
b. LINK
c. UF Health Officials are monitoring the recent Coronavirus outbreak around the world. With many international students who travel to China attending the university, it is important for the university to pay close attention to those traveling to affected areas. The Coronavirus is a group of viruses with no cure of vaccine that can be fatal. For now the university just plans to spread awareness to students.
d. The University of Florida can't monitor all students traveling internationally to ensure a safe and healthy campus to students from the Coronavirus.
e. UF students, Local Medical Services, UF staff, Close Airports

5.
a. Tampa Bay burglars dressed up like construction workers, stole $1 million in valuables, deputies say
b. LINK
c. There were a series of similar robberies in Tampa. A group would arrive in a white van dressed as construction workers and enter through the windows of homes. Over $1 million of valuables were stolen. A tip sent in led to the arrest of 6 people for grand theft and most of the valuables were returned.
d. Homes had no security and no police around.
e. Tampa bay residents, Tampa bay police, Home Security Services