We're sure you share our concern for the Laotian rock rat. The furry rodent was thought to have gone extinct more than 11-million years ago. Rumors of its demise, thank goodness, were greatly exaggerated. On a recent expedition in Southeast Asia, retired Florida State University researcher David Redfield captured the first video of the animal, which waddles like a duck but has long whiskers and beady eyes like a rat. Want to see the rock rat? For more photos and video, go to www.rinr.fsu.edu/rockrat.
Ready for hurricane? Maybe in 2 months
Still hoping to get the state to help you pay for hurricane shutters? The Florida Department of Financial Services says it will be at least August before you can apply for matching grants to harden your home against hurricanes. But Tuesday, Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher opened a Web site for the $250-million program lawmakers approved last month. While it doesn't yet include application forms, it does explain how the program will work and which homeowners can qualify: www.mysafefloridahome.com.
Pinellas-Pasco courts back in action today
If you were summoned for jury duty in Pinellas or Pasco counties Tuesday, Tropical Storm Alberto took you off the hook. But no break today. All court operations are back in full swing.
Calling Steve Irwin!
As nonnative iguanas continue to infest Florida, the University of Florida extension service offers a paper with dos and don'ts, including this passage: "Hunting with firearms is a very effective way to harvest iguanas for food in Central and South America. It is not legal or safe to discharge firearms (or pellet rifles) in suburban environments of South Florida where iguanas are commonly causing problems. Shooting is not recommended. Using a bow with tethered fishing arrows may be legal, but the humaneness is debatable."
Ah, that explains it
We kept waiting for a clarification of the following, but we never got it. As Tropical Storm Alberto pinwheeled toward Florida's Big Bend, CNN threw the camera to a reporters stationed at various places along the coast. One was an eager local TV gent, who reported breathlessly on the storm surge. "You can see it right here at my feet," he said. "The water has come all the way up to the beach." Well, okay then.
