THE NOT-SO-SWEET HISTORY OF FLORIDA’S ALGAE CRISIS

Been up to the Treasure Coast lately? Then you know what that green, soupy, toxic mess of algae looks and smells like. It’s pretty similar to the way it looked and smelled two years ago, the last time there was a massive algae bloom.

This year’s east coast crisis (which is different from the red tide on the Gulf coast) is pretty extreme, which is why it’s making national headlines.

But it’s not new. It was put in motion decades ago, when much of the Everglades was drained to make way for cities and farmland.

Much of that farmland is now owned by a couple major sugar companies. And those companies pretty much own the Florida legislature when it comes to the environment and Everglades restoration.

Want to understand how this all ties together? Check out our deep dive — or watch our video on Facebook for the quick-and-dirty version.

BULLETIN BOARD

🏞️ Make a park happen. Friday is Park(ing) Day, which means you (and anyone else in the City of Miami) gets to turn a parking spot into a pop-up park for the day and then kick back and enjoy it. Sign up today.

🛶Got some love for Mother Nature? National Public Lands Day is the perfect time to show it. Join the South Florida National Parks Trust for a “kayak and clean” along the mangrove shoreline of Black Point Marina on Sept. 22. There’s a lot of debris around there from Irma still, and they could use your help (and your kayak).

Got an opportunity, workshop, scholarship, grant, etc. you want other curious locals to know about? Hit us up at [email protected] to have it listed here.

WHAT'S NEW IN THE 305

Run, don’t walk. Publix veterans likely already know how to scope out when those beloved chicken tender subs are on sale, but this week is on another level. Any whole sub at Publix is only $5.99 but the deal only lasts until Wednesday, so don’t miss out. (Miami.com)

Pay by Phone or pay more. Street parking rates aren’t going up in the City of Miami after all, but there’s a little more to the story. Commissioners approved a cost increase for non-residents, while rates will stay the same for residents – but only if they register and pay through the Pay by Phone app. And given that the app is only available for smartphone users with credit cards, a lot of residents could be left out. (Miami Herald, WLRN)

Maybe too convenient. Miami police are trying out a new DNA testing technology that could reduce the time it takes to process and analyze DNA samples from several days to about nine minutes. The department and the FBI said the technology is a huge time saver and could make the process more efficient, but civil rights groups worry that speeding up the process could add to a massive database of DNA being collected by the FBI without proper oversight. (Miami New Times)

Vacation so hard. If you think you’re the ultimate vacation planner, we’ve got a challenge for you. Dylan Redford strapped on five GoPros and recorded himself attempting to visit all 315 of Trip Advisor’s top attractions. He mashed it up into one video. If you end up giving his trip a try, let us know 😂(Vimeo)

Jai alai, bye bye? Plans for a new poker room and jai alai fronton in Edgewater are looking a lot less likely after City of Miami leaders gave initial approval to a law requiring “yes” votes from four of five commissioners to allow new gambling facilities. Before the developers would have only needed three yes votes, and they say the new requirement is unfairly targeting their project. They plan to sue over the new law if it’s given final approval. The facility got state approval earlier this year, but it was almost immediately opposed by big names like Jorge Perez and Norman Braman. (Miami Herald)

Awful memories. Students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High where already in for a challenging school year, given the extra security and national media attention. But they’ve also been dealing with regular fire alarms, either because of faulty tech or pranksters, and the accidents are giving some students flashbacks to when the alarms sounded during the Feb. 14 shooting. Broward schools leaders said they’re taking extra steps to fix the alarms and providing therapists for students. (Miami Herald)

The rose that grew from concrete. In recent years Miami’s mourned the loss of live music venues like Grand Central, The Stage and Bardot, but since then a few replacements have sprung up, including Las Rosas in Allapattah. By reaching out across Miami’s eclectic music scene, and to folks who have worked at classic venues like Churchill’s, the bar has been able to host a huge variety of shows and book great talent week after week. Cheers to that. (Miami New Times)

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EVENTS

ONE MORE THING.

This past Saturday was International Coastal Cleanup Day and VolunteerCleanup.org got an awesome response: volunteers filled every slot at 45 cleanup locations across Miami-Dade.

If you were one of those volunteers, give yourself an extra pat on the back. The organization also organizes year-round cleanups if you couldn’t make it out this past weekend.

Have a great week, Miami.

– The New Tropic