FLORIDA LEADERS GIVE UPDATE ON STATE’S INSURANCE INDUSTRY
Business leaders are getting an update on the state of Florida’s homeowners’ insurance industry. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater and Insurance Commissioner Kevin McCarty are providing the update at an insurance conference at Disney World sponsored by the Florida Chamber. Some bright spots are expected this year for Floridians, who have some of the nation’s highest homeowners’ insurance rates.
FLORIDA LICENSES MORE THAN 600 NEW FOSTER HOMES
State child welfare officials have recruited more than 600 news foster homes. The increase comes after lawmakers passed a measure in 2013 aimed at improving the quality of people recruited to become foster parents and help retaining them. The program also works to improve child safety and permanency for foster children. Approximately 10,000 children are in foster placements throughout the state.
SOUTH FLORIDA MAN ACCUSED OF SHOOTING PUPPY
A 51-year-old South Florida man faces animal cruelty charges after shooting a puppy in the head. A Miami-Dade judge on Monday gave Scott Hargraves a $5,000 bond and put him on house arrest. Police say Hargraves shot the 10-month-old Labrador Retriever Sunday afternoon in his Homestead backyard.
BOSTON JETBLUE FLIGHT SEARCHED AFTER THREAT
A JetBlue Airways plane returned to the gate before takeoff on Monday after an unspecified threat, but nothing hazardous was found, state police said. Authorities have been investigating other hoax threats against airlines, five since Saturday. Passengers were taken off Flight 321 to West Palm Beach, Florida, at about 9 p.m. Monday, police spokesman David Procopio said. Troopers with search dogs swept the aircraft and about 100 pieces of luggage, he said.
DOUBLE-DOUBLES BY RANDOLPH, GASOL LEAD GRIZZLIES OVER MAGIC
Zach Randolph had 24 points and 10 rebounds, Marc Gasol added 16 points and 10 boards, and the Memphis Grizzlies beat the Orlando Magic 103-94 on Monday night. Beno Udrih added 15 points and Jeff Green finished with 12. Randolph also had six assists for Memphis, which won its third straight.