University also secures Top 20 national ranking for public engineering programs

LAKELAND, Fla. – For the fourth consecutive year, Florida Polytechnic University has been recognized as the No. 1 public college in the Southeast in the U.S. News and World Report’s 2024-2025 Best Colleges rankings.

Additionally, Florida Poly ranked among the Top 20 public engineering programs without a Ph.D. in the nation for the second year in a row and as the No. 2 best value public college in the Southeast.

Here is the full list of the University’s latest U.S. News rankings:

• No. 1 public college in the Southeast (4^th year in a row)
• Top 20 public engineering program without a Ph.D. in the country (2^nd year in a row)
• No. 2 college in the Southeast among public and private institutions
• No. 2 best value public college in the Southeast. (Combines affordability and academic performance)
• No. 1 college for veterans in the Southeast

“Maintaining such remarkable rankings at the regional and national levels demonstrates that students and academic leaders are recognizing Florida Poly as an excellent provider of high-quality STEM degrees,” said Dr. Devin Stephenson, the University’s president. “This recognition is a clear sign that our innovative educational approach is making a significant impact, and our strategic plans for sustained growth will drive us toward even greater success.”

The U.S. News rankings showcase Florida Poly’s increasing reputation, as the University experiences significant growth in student enrollment, academic programs, and campus facilities.

For the Fall 2024 semester, Florida Poly achieved a record-breaking student enrollment, welcoming over 1,770 students – a 10% increase from last year. The University also launched two new master’s degrees in electrical engineering and mechanical engineering.

Growth around campus is rapidly advancing as well. A third student residential building opened right on time for the new academic year, adding 430 more beds. Construction is underway on the state-of-the-art Gary C. Wendt Engineering Building, a 40,000-square-foot facility expected to be completed by spring 2025. And the first phase for the Student Achievement Center has begun following its initial funding allocation from the Legislature.

“These rankings underscore the exceptional quality of our academic programs and reaffirm Florida Poly’s standing as a leading STEM institution”, said Dr. Brad Thiessen, interim provost and vice president of academic affairs at Florida Poly. “As we continue to grow and fulfill our mission, we remain focused on expanding our high-demand academic degrees and fostering a vibrant learning environment for all our students.”

For the most recent University news, visit Florida Poly News.

About Florida Polytechnic University: Florida Polytechnic University is ranked the No.1 public college in the Southeast United States for four years in a row and a top 20 public engineering program without a Ph.D. in the nation for two years in a row. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, and a member of the State University System of Florida. Florida Poly is the only state university dedicated exclusively to STEM and offers ABET-accredited degrees. Florida Poly is a powerful economic engine within the state of Florida, blending applied research with industry partnerships to give students an academically rigorous education with real-world relevance. Florida Poly’s iconic Innovation, Science, and Technology Building, designed by world-renowned architect Dr. Santiago Calatrava, has won more than 20 global awards and was named one of the 16 most breathtaking buildings in the world. Connect with Florida Poly.

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Alex C. Young, former Aide to Florida Senator Danny Burgess, has joined Shumaker Advisors, where she will oversee government affairs operations for the state team and manage the administration of the Tallahassee office. In her new role, Alex will ensure that clients are served at the highest level, leveraging her extensive experience in Florida state government.

Alex brings a wealth of experience to the firm. In addition to serving as an aide to Senator Burgess, she also previously worked in the Governor’s Office of Policy and Budget. Her detailed knowledge of state government operations and experience working closely with a wide variety of state elected officials make her an invaluable addition to the team.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, August 27, 2024

 MEDIA CONTACT: (850) 413-6482

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) is recognizing Marion Senior Services in Ocala as a PSC Helping Hand. Marion Senior Services partnered with the PSC to help raise awareness about energy and water conservation, utility impersonation scams, and Lifeline Assistance telephone/broadband discount program.

“Partnerships with local organizations are important to our outreach programs. With their assistance, we can reach those residents who can best benefit from our information,” said PSC Chairman Michael La Rosa. “We appreciate Marion Senior Services’ ongoing partnership and look forward to working with them again.”

In June, the Commission met with visitors at two senior services locations: Marion Café and Marion Oaks. Residents learned about the PSC’s responsibilities and how the agency can assist them with utility bill issues. PSC publications discussed with attendees include Where to Find Help in Florida and the “Get Wise and Conserve Florida” student activity guide to help children and grandchildren learn conservation tips.

“We have greatly benefited from our partnership and are honored to receive such a recognition,” said Glenda Thomas, Director, Outreach and Nutrition. “Marion Senior Services helps residents achieve and maintain an independent, healthy lifestyle. Our seniors enjoyed the information during the educational forums, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with the PSC.”

The PSC regularly distributes materials to reach those who can benefit from information on hurricane preparedness, scam protections, and energy and water conservation.  Look for all the PSC Helping Hand outreach partner recognitions on the PSC’s website, www.floridapsc.com, under Consumer Information/Consumer Portal.

About Marion Senior Services

Located in Marion County, Marion Senior Services is a nonprofit, charitable social agency providing supportive care services to elderly, disabled, and disadvantaged residents. Marion Senior Services helps their clients remain in their own homes as long as possible by providing meals, transit, and in-home support services.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on X and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to the Commission’s YouTube channel for Consumer Tips and PSAs.

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ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – Motorists should be advised that the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is implementing nightly closures of Sand Lake Road (State Road (S.R.) 482) under Interstate 4 (I-4) August 19-22 and August 25-29, as well as September 3 and September 9-10. The closures will begin as early as 11 p.m. each night and are expected to reopen by 6 a.m.

The closures are necessary for crews to set beams on new bridge structures in the area as part of the improvements to the I-4 and Sand Lake Road interchange. The beams, weighing 72 to 75 tons, will be delivered to the ramp and then set in place via multiple cranes.

During the closure, motorists traveling eastbound on Sand Lake Road west of I-4 will turn right on Turkey Lake Road and proceed south to Central Florida Parkway, where they will turn left again. From eastbound Central Florida Parkway, drivers can turn left to northbound Westwood Boulevard, proceeding to International Drive, where they will again turn left to head north. Once headed north on International Drive, motorists have the option to take westbound S.R. 528 to I-4 in either direction or continue north to return to Sand Lake Road.

Motorists traveling westbound on Sand Lake Road east of I-4 will turn right on northbound International Drive and proceed to Universal Boulevard, where they will turn left and head north. From northbound Universal Boulevard, motorists can access eastbound I-4. From there:

• Motorists can turn left on Hollywood Way and left again on southbound Turkey Lake Road to return to Sand Lake Road.

• Drivers who wish to access westbound I-4 should continue north on Universal Boulevard to Major Boulevard, turn right and then take another right to southbound Kirkman Road and proceed to the ramp.

See attached detour map.

FDOT advises motorists to follow all posted signs. Construction schedules are subject to change due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances.

Please continue to use caution while driving through active construction zones. Remember to always be alert while riding or driving.

For more information on the planned improvements on I-4 in Orange County, visit the project website at i4Beyond.com/sandlake.

Media inquiries should be directed to the FDOT Public Information Office at [email protected] or by phone at (386) 943-5593.

CFLRoads.com | X: @MyFDOT_CFL | Facebook: @MyFDOTCFL

THE FLORIDA LOTTERY’S FOUR NEW

SCRATCH-OFF GAMES ARE BRINGING THE HEAT

~ August Scratch-Offs Available Now – Get ’em While They’re Hot! ~

TALLAHASSEE – This month, the Florida Lottery (Lottery) is excited to debut four exciting new Scratch-Off games! Available now, these games—FAST LOOT, DOUBLE CASH, THE CASH WHEEL, and TRIPLE JACKPOT—range in price from $1 to $10, offering over $220 million in total cash prizes! All Lottery retailers are expected to have these new tickets in stock and available for purchase within 48 hours.

For just $10, play the TRIPLE JACKPOT Scratch-Off game for a chance to instantly win up to $2 million! Featuring over 5 million winning tickets and four top prizes of $2 million, this game offers odds of winning up to 18 times per ticket, with overall odds of 1-in-3.49.

Give THE CASH WHEEL Scratch-Off game a spin for $5 and a chance to instantly win up to $1 million! With more than 4.3 million winning tickets and six top prizes of $1 million, this spin-to-win game offers over $62 million in total cash prizes and odds of 1-in-4.05.

Get ready to double your excitement with the $2 DOUBLE CASH Scratch-Off game. This game features more than 2.7 million winning tickets and offers over $19 million in total cash prizes, including six top prizes of $50,000! With overall odds of 1-in-5.02, there are multiple ways to play and win!

Try your luck with the FAST LOOT Scratch-Off game and turn $1 into $5,000 instantly! With over $7 million in total cash prizes and more than 2.4 million winning tickets available, your shot at winning big is just a scratch away, with overall odds of 1-in-4.70.

Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery’s portfolio of games, comprising approximately 72 percent of ticket sales in fiscal year 2022-2023. Since inception, Scratch-Off games have generated more than $18.95 billion for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF).

ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY  

The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $46 billion to enhance education and sending more than 983,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 99 percent of its revenue into Florida’s economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,600 Lottery retailers, and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $97.2 billion in prizes and made more than 4,000 people millionaires. For more information, please visit www.floridalottery.com.

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Play Responsibly

DATA CALL NOTICE:

Hurricane Debby Catastrophe Reporting

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) is providing notice to insurers to file a Simplified 2024 Catastrophe Reporting Form (CRF) through the Insurance Regulation Filing System (IRFS). Data must be provided in accordance with the deadline below.

OIR is instituting this data call for the purpose of collecting additional claims and other relevant information from insurers related to a natural disaster causing catastrophic damage in the state of Florida. This authority is mandated pursuant to section 624.307, Florida Statutes.

Reporting Deadlines for Hurricane Debby

OIR is requiring simplified catastrophe reporting for Hurricane Debby beginning Wednesday, August 14. Reporting deadlines for Hurricane Debby:

• Wednesday, August 14, 2024

• Friday, August 16, 2024

Data must be submitted by 12 p.m. ET for each reporting deadline.

OIR will notify insurers if additional reporting deadlines are required.

At this time, insurers must report using the Simplified 2024 CRF, which does not include the “Survey” tab within the CRF template.

The CRF provides valuable information to OIR and the state of Florida regarding the impact of a hurricane or other event. It is critical that data submitted is timely and accurate.

Recent claims reporting notices and other resources are available here on the OIR website.

Required Filers

All insurers currently authorized to write the following lines of business in Florida are required to report Hurricane Debby claims data:

• FIRE;
• ALLIED LINES;
• FARMOWNERS MULTI-PERIL;
• HOMEOWNERS MULTI-PERIL;
• COMMERCIAL MULTI-PERIL;
• PRIVATE FLOOD;
• OCEAN MARINE;
• INLAND MARINE;
• PPA PHYSICAL DAMAGE;
• COMMERCIAL AUTO PHYSICAL DAMAGE;
• AIRCRAFT;
• GLASS;
• BOILER AND MACHINERY;
• INDUSTRIAL FIRE;
• INDUSTRIAL EXTENDED COVERAGE;
• MOBILE HOME MULTI-PERIL;
• MOBILE HOME PHYSICAL DAMAGE;
• MULTI-PERIL CROP;
• SURPLUS LINES FEDERALLY AUTHORIZED; and
• SURPLUS LINES PROPERTY AND CASUALTY.

How to File the CRF

Insurers are to report Hurricane Debby claims data using the 2024 CRF.

The 2024 CRF template must be downloaded within your filing in IRFS here. A sample of the template is available below.

• Each insurer must submit its CRF on an individual insurer basis only.
• If an insurer has no policies in force in Florida for the required lines, the insurer must submit a “No Data” filing.
• If the insurer has policies in force in Florida for the required lines of business but no claims, the insurer must submit a “No Data” filing.
• “No Data” filings are only required for the initial reporting notice. However, a company reporting policies in force in Florida must submit “Data” filings once claims are received.
• Reporting is cumulative and must include all claims as of the reporting date.
• Each insurer must download a new template. Previously downloaded templates will not work.

The following resources are available to aid in completing the CRF:

• 2024 CRF Template
• 2024 CRF FAQs
• IRFS Filing Instructions

Questions

If you have questions, email [email protected] or call (850) 413-3147.

Technical assistance will be available Monday through Friday 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. ET.

About the OIR

The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation (OIR) has primary responsibility for regulation, compliance, and enforcement of statutes related to the business of insurance and the monitoring of industry markets. For more information about OIR, please visit www.floir.com or follow on X @FLOIR_comm.

Florida PSC Approves Electric Utility Demand Side Management Plans

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on X and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to the Commission’s YouTube channel for Consumer Tips and PSAs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Thursday, August 01, 2024

MEDIA CONTACT: (850) 413-6482

Florida Landline Service Continues its Decline in PSC Telecom Report 

TALLAHASSEE — In 2023, Florida’s business and residential telecommunication wireline markets continued to follow the national trend with significant decreases, according to the Florida Public Service Commission’s (PSC) annual “Report on the Status of Competition in the Telecommunications Industry.”

AT&T and CenturyLink experienced overall access line losses in Florida, while Frontier had a slight gain, due to an increase in business customers. Overall, carriers reported approximately 764,000 total landlines in Florida in 2023, about 17.7 percent fewer than in 2022, as Florida consumers continue to move from traditional landline to wireless and business Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

For the thirteenth year in a row, the number of business landlines exceeded residential landlines. However, business access lines declined by 15 percent in 2023, while residential landlines declined by 21.8 percent. CenturyLink experienced a 19.9 percent decline in residential lines during 2023, while Frontier fell 25.6 percent. AT&T experienced the biggest residential loss, with a 27.2 percent decline in residential access lines during the same period.

Following the trend of past years, wireless and VoIP services drove the telecommunications markets in 2023. According to the most recent Federal Communications Commission (FCC) data, Florida has an estimated 24 million wireless subscriptions and over 4.5 million VoIP connections, far eclipsing the remaining 764,000 landlines in 2023.

Delivered to the Florida Legislature by August 1 each year, the PSC report compiled data from Florida telecommunications companies for the 12-month period ending December 31, 2023. Access the entire report here, found on the PSC website under PSC Publications/Reports and Other Resources/Telecommunications.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on X and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to the Commission’s YouTube channel for Consumer Tips and PSAs.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Tuesday, July 09, 2024 

MEDIA CONTACT: (850) 413-6482

PSC Terminates Storm Recovery Surcharge for St. Joe Natural Gas Company 

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved ending the storm recovery surcharge for customers of St. Joe Natural Gas Company (SJNG). Through a 2021 Settlement Agreement with the Office of Public Counsel, the surcharge was scheduled to run through December 2024. In May 2024, SJNG requested to terminate the surcharge, since the settlement terms had been exceeded.

The PSC-approved 2021 Settlement allowed SJNG to recover $330,115 in storm restoration costs related to Hurricane Michael through the temporary surcharge.  SJNG’s service area includes Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe, and its natural gas distribution system sustained significant damage as a result of Hurricane Michael, a Category 5 storm that hit the panhandle in October 2018.

SJNG confirmed that it has recovered more than allowed by the Settlement, totaling $338,260 in May, with an additional $12,600 recovery expected in June and July. Termination of the surcharge this month will prevent further over-recovery. As stated in the Settlement, the over-recovery amount will be handled through the Natural Gas Conservation Cost Recovery Charge.

For additional information, visit www.floridapsc.com.

Follow the PSC on X and LinkedIn.

Subscribe to the Commission’s YouTube channel for Consumer Tips and PSAs.

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