SpaceX Signs Deal To Send Tourists Into Space

CAPE CANAVERAL (CNN) – SpaceX has signed a deal with a space tourism company to organize a trip orbiting the Earth for a handful of adventurous travelers.

Space Adventures, which organized eight tourism trips to the International Space Station between 2001 and 2009, plans to help organize a flight for four people aboard SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft. The trip could take place in late 2021.

Passengers would spend up to five days hurtling through Earth’s orbit while huddled inside a gumdrop-shaped spacecraft that measures about 13-feet across.

The flight path could take the tourists to altitudes two to three times higher than where the International Space Station orbits, according to Space Adventures chairman Eric Anderson. That would be further from Earth than anyone has traveled in decades, offering views similar to those the astronauts aboard NASA’s Gemini 11 mission witnessed in 1966, Anderson said via Twitter.

The next step is to find wealthy individuals to pay for the flight. A Space Adventures spokesperson said the price of the trip will be “in the range as other orbital spaceflight opportunities,” which have have been priced in the tens of millions of dollars.

NASA also needs to certify SpaceX’s Crew Dragon before it can fly humans, which could happen in the coming weeks. The spacecraft completed its last major testing milestone in January.

SpaceX, Elon Musk’s hard-charging rocket venture, received $2.6 billion from NASA in 2014 for the development of Crew Dragon. Boeing struck a similar deal valued at $4.2 billion to develop its Starliner spacecraft.

NASA plans to use both companies’ spacecraft to keep the International Space Station fully staffed with professionally trained astronauts. But Boeing and SpaceX will still own and operate their vehicles and will be allowed to use them for other types of missions, including space tourism.

Both companies are already exploring those options. Boeing, for example, signed a deal with Space Adventures in 2010 to coordinate rides for non-astronauts aboard Starliner.

It should be noted, however, that plans to fly wealthy thrill-seekers into space are frequently altered or abandoned.

Last year, for example, a company called Bigelow Aerospace said it would organize trips to the International Space Station using SpaceX’s Crew Dragon. The company planned to sell tickets for about $52 million a piece but those plans were later canceled.

And in 2017, SpaceX talked about sending tourists on a flight around the moon aboard a Crew Dragon capsule. The company ditched those plans to focus on designing a gargantuan spacecraft and rocket system called Starship, which is currently in the early stages of development.

Space Adventures remains the only company to have coordinated tourism flights to Earth’s orbit. The Virginia-based company has worked with Russia to use its Soyuz spacecraft to fly ultra-wealthy individuals to the International Space Station. The tourists included entrepreneur and space investor Anousheh Ansari and Cirque du Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberté.

Those missions were priced at around $20 million each.

The space industry could soon be headed for a tourism revolution if SpaceX and Boeing make good on their plans to take tourists to orbit.

SpaceX’s president and chief operating officer, Gwynne Shotwell, said in a statement Tuesday that the company is “pleased to work with the Space Adventures’ team” on a Crew Dragon tourism trip. “This historic mission will forge a path to making spaceflight possible for all people who dream of it,” she said.

Two US-based companies — Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos’ space company — are separately developing vehicles for suborbital space tourism. They’ll offer brief flights to about 60 miles over the Earth’s surface for scenic views and a few minutes of weightlessness.

The-CNN-Wire
& © 2020 Cable News Network, Inc., a WarnerMedia Company. All rights reserved.

President Trump Commutes 35-Year Prison Sentence Of South Florida Woman Convicted Of Medicare Scam

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – A South Florida woman was among eleven people convicted of federal crimes to receive a pardon and commutation from President Donald Trump.

After nearly a decade behind bars, Judith Negron returned to her Miami Lakes home Wednesday morning with her husband and children.

“The Lord has really blessed me with a president who has really heard my calls and given me my life back,” Negron says. “I don’t know how I can ever repay that.”

She had served eight years of her 35-year sentence.

Negron was convicted back in 2011 of organizing a massive Medicare scam. She was the owner of the mental health company American Therapeutic Corporation, and the Department of Justice says she submitted more than $200 million in fraudulent claims to the Medicare program.

A federal jury found her guilty of two dozen felony counts, including health care fraud, paying and receiving kickbacks, and money laundering.

In a slew of issuing pardons and commutations Tuesday, the President decided her debt had been paid.

“I’m overwhelmed with joy,” Negron says. “I mean, words cannot express what I am feeling right now. It hasn’t hit me yet. It feels surreal. I can’t believe I am home.”

“The next step is moving forward,” says her husband, Hector Negron. “Putting everything behind and making our life better for both of us, and making a life for our family.”

According to the Department of Justice, at the time, this was one of the largest fraud schemes ever prosecuted by the Medicare Fraud Strike Force.

Court: Florida Can’t Bar Felons From Voting Over Fines, Fees

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — A federal appeals court has ruled that Florida cannot bar felons who served their time from registering to vote because they have failed to pay all fines and fees stemming from their cases.

A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a Tallahassee federal judge’s preliminary injunction that the implementation of Amendment 4 — approved overwhelmingly by voters in 2018 to allow most felons who served their time to regain the right to vote — amounted to an unfair poll tax that would disenfranchise many of them.

A spokeswoman for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis said the state will immediately ask the entire 11th Circuit to reconsider the ruling. In addition, a full trial on the issue is set to begin this spring.

The GOP-led Legislature and DeSantis last year approved an implementation law for the constitutional amendment stating that only felons who have completed all conditions of their sentences should be allowed to vote. He and GOP lawmakers say that to regain the right to vote, felons must not only serve their prison time but also pay all fines and other legal financial obligations.

That was challenged in federal court by voting rights groups representing 17 plaintiffs seeking to overturn the law.

As many as 1.6 million Florida felons who have completed their prison sentences could regain voting privileges under Amendment 4.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

Fort Lauderdale Facing $1.8 Million Fine In Sewage Discharge Into Waterways

MIAMI (CBSMiami/CNN) — The state has slapped Fort Lauderdale with a $1.8 million fine over more than 206 million gallons of toxic sewage that spilled into the city’s waterways.

The City has until March 31st to pay the fine.

The issue first began in December 2019. Since then, the city’s aging sewer pipes broke and discharged raw sewage seven times into multiple neighborhoods and tourist destinations.

The most recent spill was on January 30 when millions of gallons of sewage began spouting out of the pipes buried under Fort Lauderdale’s George English Park, home to the city’s famed George English Lake.

“All the fish are dead there,” Fort Lauderdale fisherman Jeff Maggio told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

“Everything’s just gone. Crabs, oysters, barnacles and plankton. Crews have been out there picking up hundreds of fish out of the water so it doesn’t look like holy hell. Manatees are swimming in that poison.”

An investment that’s long overdue
Fort Lauderdale’s sewer main system is 50 years old.

The city is investing $600 million to upgrade the system. But, says Mayor Dean Trantalis, the project will take 18 months.

Along with millions of dollars in upgrades, however, the city now also owes the state $1,796,500. Trantalis told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel he doesn’t know where the city is going to get the money from.

“We have made infrastructure our top priority and currently have numerous major projects underway to immediately replace the most critical sewer pipes,” the City of Fort Lauderdale said in a statement to CNN.

“We recognize the importance of investing today to ensure that future generations can continue to live, work, and vacation in our City.”

(©2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company, contributed to this report.)

Dive Crews Find 2 Women In Vehicle That Plunged Into Water Off Fisher Island

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade Fire Rescue divers and Miami-Dade police marine units have located the two women inside a vehicle that plunged into the water near Fisher Island on Tuesday afternoon.

The U.S. Coast Guard confirmed the news late Tuesday night, adding that crews are working to recover the women and the car.

The women have not been identified, but next of kin has been notified.

The car had fallen off the Fisher Island Ferry in Government Cut.

Investigators are still working to determine the cause.

Early in the day, images from Chopper 4 showed divers in the water, along with search boats and at least one helicopter aiding in the search.

The Fisher Island Community Association released the following statement:

“Shortly before 5:00 p.m. today, a vehicle on the Fisher Island ferry ended up in the water for reasons still unknown at this point in time. Fisher Island Community Association is actively assisting the various agencies involved in the ongoing recovery efforts. Our thoughts are with all those affected. We cannot confirm any additional details at this point in time.”

Costa Rica Hotel Watchman Sentenced In Killing Of South Florida Woman Carla Stefaniak

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – A hotel watchman has been sentenced to 16 years in prison for the killing of a Hallandale Beach woman staying at an Airbnb lodging in Costa Rica.

The court in Pavas found on Monday that Bismark Espinoza Martínez had taken advantage of his position at the Villa Le Mas hotel in Escazu to enter the rooms where Carla Sefaniak was staying and to kill her.

Stefaniak, an insurance agent from Hallandale Beach, Florida, had come to Costa Rica to celebrate her 36th birthday. She had checked into the small hotel on Nov. 27 and had been scheduled to fly home the next day.

Her buried body was found on Dec. 3, 2018. An autopsy revealed that Stefaniak suffered a blunt force wound to the head and cuts on the neck and arms.

The hotel was fined the equivalent of about $53,000 for the incident.

Costa Rican prosecutors had asked for an 18 year sentence while Stefaniak’s family had sought the maximum penalty, 50 years.

A witness testified that Martínez had confessed to the crime and police said he had lied about the victim having left the hotel on Nov. 28.

Martínez was absolved of robbery charges connected to the case.

—-

An earlier version incorrectly stated a fine was imposed on Airbnb. The fine was imposed on the hotel.

(© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

‘Operation Growing Pains’ Yields Arrests Of Sophisticated Burglary Ring In Miami-Dade County

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade authorities have broken up an alleged high-tech theft ring in what they called “Operation Growing Pains.”

Authorities said the theft ring includes 10 people. Prosecutors also said the ring included the ring leader’s mother and girlfriend.

They discovered it all after one person was arrested for trafficking marijuana from grow houses and that suspect’s two cell phones showed an operation similar to a movie.

10 people were arrested during Operation Growing Pains. (CBS4)

“They would stalk and surveil their planned victims before committing the burglaries. Sometimes preparing weeks in advance before they would strike,” Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle.

The state attorney says the ring’s list included targeting a New York Yankees relief pitcher, who was almost a victim.

“They also felt very arrogant, very bold, and brash about what they were doing. They felt, that what appears from these photographs, they were unstoppable,” the chief prosecutor said.

The crimes date back to, at least 2018. The state attorney says they tracked victims through open pages on social media.

They looked at pricey jewelry and their locations.

At times, they’re accused of going as far as placing a tracking device on a victim’s car.

Prosecutors say suspects recorded video of victims’ homes and even followed them.

It may sound like undercover work because it’s similar to what detectives did to track down suspects.

“They were using it to find the victims and we were using it against them to find them,” the state attorney said.

Earlier this month, accused ring leader Xandi Garcia was charged in connection to breaking into and stealing jewelry from a Miami Beach hotel room during super bowl weekend. It’s where a celebrity jeweler was staying.

Also, you may remember a picture of a man wearing a black hoodie with his face covered during a theft last October in Miami-Dade.

Investigators say the suspect, who was involved in this ring, posted a picture on his social media stating “no face, no crime.”

The state attorney said he thought he could get away by posting the picture.

“One of our lessons is to be very mindful when you’re doing that. There are bad guys out there waiting for you,” she said.

The state attorney says eight of the ten suspects are facing racketeering charges.

Prosecutors say they also found evidence the suspects wanted this operation to grow.

Compensation Approved For Wrongfully Convicted Florida Man Who Spent 43 Years In Prison

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – Key Florida House and Florida Senate panels Tuesday unanimously approved a plan that would provide $2.15 million to a man who spent 43 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted in a murder and attempted murder in 1976 in Jacksonville.

The House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee backed identical bills (HB 6507 and SB 28).

House members apologized to former inmate Clifford Williams, who briefly spoke to the House panel. “On behalf of the state of Florida, we apologize,” Rep. Bobby DuBose, D-Fort Lauderdale, said. Later, Senate bill sponsor Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, told the Senate panel that the “bill is about innocence. It’s about a man who was not a saint but not a murderer either.”

Williams’ exoneration came after a review of his case by the Conviction Integrity Review Division established by State Attorney Melissa Nelson in the 4th Judicial Circuit, which is made up of Clay, Duval and Nassau counties.

The review revealed that “multiple credible alibi witnesses” were not called to testify during his 1976 trial, House Special Master Jordan Jones wrote in a report on the bill.

“I find that claimant has successfully demonstrated, by clear and convincing evidence, that he is actually innocent of the crimes for which he was convicted in 1976,” Jones wrote in the eight-page report.

House bill sponsor Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville, said the compensation would not make up for the time Williams spent in prison or the experiences he missed over the years with his family.

But Daniels said the bill “sends a message loud and clear that here at the House of Representatives, we care.” The bill, which would provide $50,000 for each year Williams spent in prison, must clear the House Judiciary Committee before it could go to the full House.

Gibson’s bill needs to clear the Senate Appropriations Committee before it could go to the full Senate.

(©2020 CBS Local Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida’s contributed to this report.)

Florida Among States With Highest Risk For Melanoma Linked To UV Rays

MIAMI (CBSMiami/CNN) – Florida is among the top ten states with the highest rates of melanoma cases linked to ultraviolet radiation, according to a study published Monday in the International Journal of Cancer.

Melanoma is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in the United States, jumping 2% per year between 2005 and 2015 in both men and women, the study found, with an estimated 151,000 cases a year by 2030 up from just over 96,000 in 2019, if current trends continue.

It is also the deadliest type of all skin cancers and linked to UV radiation exposure in nearly 95% of all cases in the United States. It’s potentially preventable, because diagnoses are associated with “excessive sun exposure and indoor tanning,” the authors said.

“High indoor tanning prevalence among teen girls in the late 1990s is likely a contributing factor,” said lead study author Dr. Farhad Islami, a cancer epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society, referring to the rising number of melanoma diagnoses.

The strength of ultraviolet radiation is generally measured by UV index and is higher in the United States closer to the equator, including Southern states, California and Hawaii, researchers said.

To determine the number of UV-linked melanomas per state, researchers compared cases between 2011 and 2015 with a baseline of expected cases. They used historical data between 1942 and 1954 from melanoma incidence rates in Connecticut, which was the first state with a population-based cancer registry, to come up with a baseline for measurement.

“Indeed, prior to substantial increases during the last 5 decades, melanoma incidence rates in Connecticut were low, less than 2.3 per 100,000 people before 1955,” the study authors said.

The study found overall that UV exposure in the United States accounted for 91% of all melanoma cases diagnosed from 2011 to 2015 and that 94% occurred in non-Hispanic whites.

The rate among non-Hispanic whites specifically varied among states, ranging from 15.1 per 100,000 in Alaska to a high of 65.1 in Hawaii.

Multiple states had UV ray-linked melanoma cases above 25 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic whites, including Delaware, Georgia, California, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Utah, Minnesota, Idaho, Kentucky and Alabama.

“To highlight state differences, researchers highlighted results for non-Hispanic whites rather than the total population, because a lower burden in some states could largely reflect higher proportions of non-whites in the population,” the study authors said. Melanoma incidence rates in the United States are lowest in blacks at 1.0 per 100,000 of population and are also substantially lower in other minorities with 4.5 per 100,000 in Hispanics compared to 27.2 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic whites, scientists said.

The states with the highest UV-attributable incidence rates among all residents were:

1. Hawaii – 65.1 per 100,000


2. Utah – 40.4 per 100,000


3. Delaware – 37.1 per 100,000


4. Georgia – 36.5 per 100,000


5. California – 33.8 per 100,000


6. Maryland – 32.6 per 100,000


7. Vermont – 31.4 per 100,000


8. North Carolina – 29.5 per 100,000


9. Florida – 29.2 per 100,000


10. Oregon – 28.5 per 100,000

“These variations likely reflect a combination of state differences in the strength of solar UV radiation, regular or intermittent participation in outdoor activities (even intermittent sun exposure increases melanoma risk), sun protection, indoor tanning and early detection activities,” researchers said.

The study found improved strategies for sun protection, such as increased use of sunscreens and limiting activities in the sun to mornings or later afternoons, are needed to modify behaviors.

“The burden of UV-attributable melanoma is considerably high in all states, underscoring the need for broad implementation and enforcement of preventive measures across states to reduce UV radiation exposure from excessive sun exposure and indoor tanning, with priority for states with a higher burden,” the authors concluded.

(©2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company, contributed to this report.)

Disney Announces Princess-Inspired Wedding Dress Line For True Fairytale Wedding

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Brides-to-be who are dreaming of their fairytale weddings may be able to have their dreams come true.

Disney is launching a new line of princess-inspired wedding gowns.

Allure Bridals is designing 16 dresses reflecting the style and spirit of Disney Princess characters such as Ariel, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Cinderella, Tiana, Aurora, Rapunzel and Snow White.

The entire collection will be unveiled during New York Bridal Fashion Week in April.

First glimpse of the Ariel and Tiana inspired wedding dresses. (Courtesy: Disney via CNN)

After that, they will go on sale at select bridal boutiques across the country.

However, seven of the 16 styles will be sold exclusively at Kleinfeld Bridal Stores in New York and Toronto.

No word on whether Disney will offer tuxedos for those real-world Prince Charmings.

Movement To Compensate College Athletes Slows Down In Florida Legislature

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – A movement that would allow college athletes the right to profit from endorsement deals is slowing down in the Florida legislature.

The latest issue is whether or not the athletes should get revenue-sharing paydays when they leave campus.

Before voting to back a controversial compensation bill (SB 646), members of the Senate Innovation, Industry and Technology Committee on Monday made clear they would reject a proposed amendment by Sen. Randolph Bracy that would have required colleges and universities to provide each college athlete a share of all ticket sales from the time when the athlete was in school.

“If you look at the billions of dollars generated by these student-athletes, we should have a revenue- sharing model,” said Bracy, an Orlando Democrat who played basketball at the College of William & Mary.

The proposal called for athletes to receive pro-rata shares of 10 percent of ticket sales.

When spread to all athletes, regardless of sport, it wouldn’t be “a grand scale of money” for each person, Bracy said before withdrawing his proposal. Committee members questioned if the proposal would make college athletes essentially professionals, a charge that has confronted the main compensation measure as it has advanced through Senate and House committees.

“If athletes are going to be compensated, whether outright compensation or for this revenue-sharing concept, I think we also have to take a look at how much money is expended for scholarships and upkeep,” Rep. Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, said.

Bill sponsor Debbie Mayfield, R-Rockledge, said the intent of the bill is to avoid paying student athletes for on-field play but to allow them to earn money from the notoriety that comes with playing college sports.

Bracy, Mayfield and other lawmakers filed bills for this year’s legislative session after California in 2019 passed a law that will allow college athletes to hire agents and sign endorsement deals starting in 2023.

The Florida proposal has shifted to a “bill of rights” that outlines how student-athletes at schools in the state can make money off their “name, image, likeness or persona.”

Mayfield amended her proposal Monday to prohibit booster clubs and primary members of such organizations from directly providing off-field compensation to students. Mayfield also put in a requirement that colleges and universities conduct financial literacy and life skills workshops with student-athletes. That is also part of the House version of the bill (HB 7051).

Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, added a change that would delay implementing the compensation measure from this July to July 1, 2021.

After the California law was signed and Gov. Ron DeSantis announced support for similar legislative efforts in Florida, the NCAA Board of Governors in October directed its three collegiate sports divisions to consider updates to bylaws and policies, with a January 2021 deadline to address compensation issues.

“They are going to propose potential approaches to this issue that I think provides a little more fairness and justice to our student-athletes,” Bradley said. “I would just personally — and I hope my colleagues feel the same way — like to see what they come up with. And I’d like to do so in a way that doesn’t disadvantage our student-athletes while they have that dialogue and discussion.”

Mayfield’s proposal must next go before the Rules Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Lizbeth Benacquisto, a Fort Myers Republican who raised questions Monday about issues related to agents, recruiting and the classes college athletes would be required to take.

The House and Senate proposals would prohibit colleges and universities receiving state aid from putting restrictions on athletes earning compensation or receiving professional representation. Schools wouldn’t be able to revoke or reduce scholarships of athletes who earn off-field pay.

The proposal also would prohibit college athletes from making personal deals that conflict with the terms of team contracts. The House also would require schools to provide athletes with health and disability insurance.

(©2020 CBS Local Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida’s Jim Turner contributed to this report.)

Tens Of Thousands Of Florida Homeowners To Be Shifted To Different Insurers

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) — In a new sign of problems in Florida’s property insurance industry, tens of thousands of homeowners will be shifted to a different insurer this spring because of a company’s financial troubles.

Regulators late Monday announced an agreement to shift 43,000 policyholders, most of the homeowners, from Anchor Property and Casualty Insurance Co. to Homeowners Choice Property and Casualty Insurance Co. effective April 1. The move came after Anchor was the subject of a downgrade in a financial-stability rating.

Such a downgrade could lead to the possibility that Anchor’s policies would no longer be acceptable to mortgage companies, according to the agreement between the state Office of Insurance Regulation and the two companies. Mortgage companies require homeowners to have adequate property insurance as part of loans.

“The Office (of Insurance Regulation) finds approval of the agreement is in the best interest of policyholders because it provides continuous uninterrupted coverage for Anchor policyholders and is in the best interest of the public since it minimizes market disruption and provides a private market solution,” the agreement, known as a consent order, said.

The announcement came after a series of indications of problems in the property insurance industry — and debate in the Legislature about whether to make changes.

Other indications have included warnings in December from a rating agency about downgrades for Florida insurers and at least three recent filings with the state seeking homeowners’ rate increases of more than 20 percent. Meanwhile, industry critics continue to point to claims disputes after Hurricane Michael devastated parts of Northwest Florida in October 2018.

Sen. Jeff Brandes, a St. Petersburg Republican who is a frequent ally of the industry, raised the possibility last week of having to hold a special legislative session this year on insurance issues.

“I think the insurance market in many ways, it has the coronavirus and is not healthy at all,” Brandes said during a Banking and Insurance Committee meeting “As we’ve seen a variety of companies go under in 2019 largely because of roof claims or other lawsuits. We’re seeing a rapid increase in the amount of litigation going on. And understand, we had no storms in 2019. We’ve also seen insurers file for a number of rate increases. We’ve had rate increases between 22 percent and a 40 percent or 45 percent have been filed and have had rate hearings in the last few weeks. So, I think it’s important to notice that the market is not healthy at all, and it is struggling to find its footing in this space.”

During the 2019 legislative session, lawmakers passed a controversial measure that placed more restrictions on the longstanding insurance practice known as “assignment of benefits.” Insurers contended that litigation and abuses surrounding the practice drove up insurance rates, particularly because of claims for water damage in homes.

But it is clear that the financial issues in the industry are broader, including increased costs for reinsurance, which is essentially backup coverage for insurers.

The Office of Insurance Regulation on Friday held a hearing Friday on a proposed 28.1 percent average rate increase for homeowners who have multi-peril policies with National Specialty Insurance Co. Representatives of the company focused heavily during the hearing on reinsurance costs and wind risks — not the types of claims at the heart of the assignment of benefits debate.

Regulators have not decided on the National Specialty Insurance Co. proposal, but last month they approved a proposed 21.9 percent rate hike by Edison Insurance Co. Also pending is a proposed hefty increase for Capitol Preferred Insurance Co.

The consent agreement for Anchor Property and Casualty said the company had reported net losses of $29.8 million, $22.7 million and $5.7 million in financial statements filed with the Office of Insurance Regulation for 2017, 2018 and 2019, respectively.

Under the transition plan, Homeowners Choice will provide replacement policies for Anchor customers, with premiums that had been paid to Anchor transferring to Homeowners Choice. When the policies expire, the customers will be able to renew with Homeowners Choice, though coverage terms could change at that point.

“OIR thoughtfully and carefully reviews these agreements to ensure policyholders are protected,” state Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier said in a prepared statement Monday. “I am committed to ensuring policyholders have continuous coverage throughout this process and have directed insurers to communicate clearly and use every resource to help them navigate this change.”

A Dec. 20 letter from the rating agency Demotech, Inc. to Citizens Property Insurance Corp. President and CEO Barry Gilway indicated that other Florida insurers also face the possibility of rating downgrades. The state-backed Citizens is a key player in the industry, serving as something of a last-resort insurer for many policyholders.

In the letter, Demotech President Joseph Petrelli cited a series of issues affecting the industry, including reinsurance costs, insurance holding-company debt and insurer investor capital that “appears to be exiting rather than entering Florida.”

(©2020 CBS Local Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida’s Jim Saunders contributed to this report.)

Fire-Rescue Units Search For Reported Vehicle In The Water Off Fisher Island

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Miami-Dade Fire Rescue divers and Miami-Dade police marine units have responded to a report of a vehicle in the water near Fisher Island on Tuesday afternoon.

There are unconfirmed reports that a car may have fallen off a ferry.

Images from Chopper 4 showed divers in the water, along with search boats and at least one helicopter aiding in the search.

No word if the reported vehicle was occupied.

This is a developing story and will be updated as soon as more details become available.

Compensation Approved For Wrongfully Convicted Florida Man Who Spent 43 Years In Prison

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – Key Florida House and Florida Senate panels Tuesday unanimously approved a plan that would provide $2.15 million to a man who spent 43 years in prison after being wrongfully convicted in a murder and attempted murder in 1976 in Jacksonville.

The House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Subcommittee backed identical bills (HB 6507 and SB 28).

House members apologized to former inmate Clifford Williams, who briefly spoke to the House panel. “On behalf of the state of Florida, we apologize,” Rep. Bobby DuBose, D-Fort Lauderdale, said. Later, Senate bill sponsor Audrey Gibson, D-Jacksonville, told the Senate panel that the “bill is about innocence. It’s about a man who was not a saint but not a murderer either.”

Williams’ exoneration came after a review of his case by the Conviction Integrity Review Division established by State Attorney Melissa Nelson in the 4th Judicial Circuit, which is made up of Clay, Duval and Nassau counties.

The review revealed that “multiple credible alibi witnesses” were not called to testify during his 1976 trial, House Special Master Jordan Jones wrote in a report on the bill.

“I find that claimant has successfully demonstrated, by clear and convincing evidence, that he is actually innocent of the crimes for which he was convicted in 1976,” Jones wrote in the eight-page report.

House bill sponsor Kimberly Daniels, D-Jacksonville, said the compensation would not make up for the time Williams spent in prison or the experiences he missed over the years with his family.

But Daniels said the bill “sends a message loud and clear that here at the House of Representatives, we care.” The bill, which would provide $50,000 for each year Williams spent in prison, must clear the House Judiciary Committee before it could go to the full House.

Gibson’s bill needs to clear the Senate Appropriations Committee before it could go to the full Senate.

(©2020 CBS Local Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida’s contributed to this report.)

Florida Among States With Highest Risk For Melanoma Linked To UV Rays

MIAMI (CBSMiami/CNN) – Florida is among the top ten states with the highest rates of melanoma cases linked to ultraviolet radiation, according to a study published Monday in the International Journal of Cancer.

Melanoma is one of the most rapidly increasing cancers in the United States, jumping 2% per year between 2005 and 2015 in both men and women, the study found, with an estimated 151,000 cases a year by 2030 up from just over 96,000 in 2019, if current trends continue.

It is also the deadliest type of all skin cancers and linked to UV radiation exposure in nearly 95% of all cases in the United States. It’s potentially preventable, because diagnoses are associated with “excessive sun exposure and indoor tanning,” the authors said.

“High indoor tanning prevalence among teen girls in the late 1990s is likely a contributing factor,” said lead study author Dr. Farhad Islami, a cancer epidemiologist with the American Cancer Society, referring to the rising number of melanoma diagnoses.

The strength of ultraviolet radiation is generally measured by UV index and is higher in the United States closer to the equator, including Southern states, California and Hawaii, researchers said.

To determine the number of UV-linked melanomas per state, researchers compared cases between 2011 and 2015 with a baseline of expected cases. They used historical data between 1942 and 1954 from melanoma incidence rates in Connecticut, which was the first state with a population-based cancer registry, to come up with a baseline for measurement.

“Indeed, prior to substantial increases during the last 5 decades, melanoma incidence rates in Connecticut were low, less than 2.3 per 100,000 people before 1955,” the study authors said.

The study found overall that UV exposure in the United States accounted for 91% of all melanoma cases diagnosed from 2011 to 2015 and that 94% occurred in non-Hispanic whites.

The rate among non-Hispanic whites specifically varied among states, ranging from 15.1 per 100,000 in Alaska to a high of 65.1 in Hawaii.

Multiple states had UV ray-linked melanoma cases above 25 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic whites, including Delaware, Georgia, California, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Oregon, South Carolina, Washington, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, Utah, Minnesota, Idaho, Kentucky and Alabama.

“To highlight state differences, researchers highlighted results for non-Hispanic whites rather than the total population, because a lower burden in some states could largely reflect higher proportions of non-whites in the population,” the study authors said. Melanoma incidence rates in the United States are lowest in blacks at 1.0 per 100,000 of population and are also substantially lower in other minorities with 4.5 per 100,000 in Hispanics compared to 27.2 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic whites, scientists said.

The states with the highest UV-attributable incidence rates among all residents were:

1. Hawaii – 65.1 per 100,000
2. Utah – 40.4 per 100,000
3. Delaware – 37.1 per 100,000
4. Georgia – 36.5 per 100,000
5. California – 33.8 per 100,000
6. Maryland – 32.6 per 100,000
7. Vermont – 31.4 per 100,000
8. North Carolina – 29.5 per 100,000
9. Florida – 29.2 per 100,000
10. Oregon – 28.5 per 100,000

“These variations likely reflect a combination of state differences in the strength of solar UV radiation, regular or intermittent participation in outdoor activities (even intermittent sun exposure increases melanoma risk), sun protection, indoor tanning and early detection activities,” researchers said.

The study found improved strategies for sun protection, such as increased use of sunscreens and limiting activities in the sun to mornings or later afternoons, are needed to modify behaviors.

“The burden of UV-attributable melanoma is considerably high in all states, underscoring the need for broad implementation and enforcement of preventive measures across states to reduce UV radiation exposure from excessive sun exposure and indoor tanning, with priority for states with a higher burden,” the authors concluded.

(©2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company, contributed to this report.)

Disney Announces Princess-Inspired Wedding Dress Line For True Fairytale Wedding

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Brides-to-be who are dreaming of their fairy tale weddings may be able to have their dreams come true.

Disney is launching a new line of princess-inspired wedding gowns.

Allure Bridals is designing 16 dresses reflecting the style and spirit of Disney Princess characters such as Ariel, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Cinderella, Tiana, Aurora, Rapunzel and Snow White.

The entire collection will be unveiled during New York Bridal Fashion Week in April.

First glimpse of the Ariel and Tiana inspired wedding dresses. (Courtesy: Disney via CNN)

After that, they will go on sale at select bridal boutiques across the country.

However, seven of the 16 styles will be sold exclusively at Kleinfeld Bridal Stores in New York and Toronto.

No word on whether Disney will offer tuxedos for those real-world Prince Charmings.

Campaign 2020: Important Election Days And Deadlines You Need To Know

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Tuesday, Feb. 18 is the last day to register to vote or change political party affiliation for the presidential preference primaries.

Tuesday’s deadline isn’t the only important date you need to know as the Election season begins to heat up.

Here are some other important Election days and deadline dates you need to know.

March 7: Last day to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the presidential primaries.

EARLY VOTING for the presidential primaries:

Miami-Dade Early Voting runs March 2 – 15. 

• Click here to see a list of polling locations and times in Miami-Dade.

Broward Early Voting runs March 7 – 15.

• Click here to see a list of polling locations and times in Broward.

Monroe County Early Voting runs March 2- 15.

• Click here to see a list of polling locations and times in Monroe.

March 17: Presidential primaries plus municipal elections in Surfside, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Lighthouse Point, Pembroke Pines and Pompano Beach.

July 20: Last day to register to vote or change political party affiliation for the general election primary on Aug. 18.

Aug. 8-15: Early voting begins for the general election primary.

Aug. 18: General election primary.

Oct. 5: Last day to register to vote or change political party affiliation for the general election.

Oct. 24-31: Early voting for the general election.

Nov. 3: Election Day 2020. Includes presidential, congressional and state legislative elections, state constitutional amendments and local races.

 

‘Operation Growing Pains’ Yields Arrests Of Sophisticated Burglary Ring In Miami-Dade County

MIAMI (CBSMiami) – The Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle held a news conference on Tuesday afternoon to announce the arrests of members of a sophisticated burglary ring during ‘Operation Growing Pains.’

Fernandez Rundle said the group utilized sophisticated surveillance techniques and equipment, and social media to commit their crimes.

10 people were arrested during Operation Growing Pains. (CBS4)

Fernandez Rundle said this group worked like seasoned police investigators. They would look at their victims’ social media accounts, place GPS devices on their cars and would prepare weeks in advance to commit their crimes. She also said they were very arrogant.

“We are here today to announce 10 arrests of an organized crime ring. They preyed on the residents of Miami-Dade County,” Fernandez Rundle said.

“They utilized some of their girlfriends and even the ringleader’s mother to make their enterprise work.”

She named Xandi Garcia as the ringleader. Fernandez Rundle said all but two of the defendants face racketeering charges or conspiracy to racketeer, among other charges.

Fernandez Rundle asked the media to send a strong message to the public about what is happening on social media.

She warned citizens to be aware of what they post because they could be making it easier for criminals to target them. In particular, she mentioned folks who take photos at the airport and then post.

“Be mindful of what you post on social media.”

Florida Man Trying To Kill “Demons” Tormenting Him Went On Sledgehammer Spree

BIG PINE KEY (CBSMiami) – A Hialeah Gardens man trying to kill “demons’ he believed were tormenting him went on a sledgehammer spree that did thousands of dollars in damages to cars and residences.

The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office began receiving multiple 911 phone calls Sunday afternoon at around 2:30 p.m. from a number of residents on Little Torch Key who said a man with a sledgehammer was destroying property throughout the neighborhood.

When deputies arrived, they were told the man had jumped in a canal. That man was later identified as 32-year-old Rafael Suarez Gomez.

When one of the deputies went one street over, he found Gomez walking down Blackbeard Road carrying a sledgehammer.

Gomez was ordered to drop the sledgehammer and get on the ground. He did so and then wrapped himself up in the fetal position. Gomez pulled away multiple times when deputies tried to handcuff him. They were forced to use a Taser to subdue him so he could be taken into custody.

When deputies canvassed the neighborhood, one resident of Blackbeard Road said Gomez broke a $300 window at his residence and then ran away. One of the man’s neighbors said Gomez struck his pickup truck door, causing $200 in damage, before running away to another neighbor’s house.

Deputies found two more vehicles with extensive damage: Windows smashed, side mirrors smashed and multiple dents. The vehicles belonged to Fine Design Builders. Next to one of the vehicles was a camper also owned by the business. The entire inside of the camper had been destroyed. Deputies spoke to a business employee who stated Gomez lives in the trailer. Deputies totaled seven sliding doors, two hurricane French doors, six windows, four mirrors, one microwave oven, and two televisions were all destroyed, along with multiple holes in the walls.

Gomez reportedly told investigators he had been drinking that day when someone gave him an unknown narcotic drug that he took. Gomez said a short time later he began seeing “demons” and it was the “demons” who ordered him to damage property. Gomez stated he was trying to kill the “demons” with the sledgehammer.

There were no serious injuries reported.

Gomez was taken to jail. He faces multiple charges of property damage, property damage greater than $1,000, burglary and resisting arrest.

Thousands Of Migratory Birds Flock To Key West Showing Up On Radar

MIAMI (CBSMiami/CNN) — Hundreds of migratory birds flocked to Key West overnight Sunday showing up on radar, according to the National Weather Service.

“Key West radar had a busy night, but not because of weather! The most impressive display of migratory birds so far this year occurred overnight Sunday,” National Weather Service officials said in a Facebook post,

The radar shows different colors that show the difference between the birds and the weather.

Key West radar has had a busy night, but not because of weather! The most impressive display of migratory birds so far this year occurred overnight. This product shows biological targets in green/yellow flying north over the Keys. Showers/rain are depicted in darker blues. pic.twitter.com/V2PJfucxJA

— NWS Key West (@NWSKeyWest) February 17, 2020

“This product distinguishes between biological targets (birds) shown in green/yellow and meteorological targets (showers and rain) depicted in darker blues. The birds first appear on radar as they depart from Cuba and emerge in the Florida Straits, disappearing below the radar towards dawn as they reach mainland Florida.” The NWS said.

The radar time-lapse imagery shows a span of 10.5 hours.

(©2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company, contributed to this report.)