Latest news with #FloridaDepartmentofTransportation
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Florida attorney general fans weather conspiracies, at our risk and for his benefit
Trafficking in conspiracy theories can be dangerous for politicians. Just look at what's happening with the Jeffrey Epstein files. President Donald Trump spent years stoking dark narratives in which he was the only person who could destroy the 'deep state,' and now his followers are refusing to accept his word and the word of Attorney General Pam Bondi that there's 'nothing to see here' on the Epstein case. The political blowback, much of it from MAGA, is only intensifying. We don't seem to have learned that lesson in Florida, though, at least judging by the actions of Attorney General James Uthmeier. Uthmeier, who first seized his moment in the political sun by gleefully leading the charge on the Alligator Alcatraz, is now going one better: He's using his office to amplify climate misinformation. He sent out an official warning to the state's airports telling them they'd better comply with a new Florida law that's supposed to halt 'weather modification' activity. In a letter on state of Florida letterhead that he posted on X this week, the attorney general — the top lawyer in the whole state — said that, starting Oct. 1, all public-use airports have to send monthly reports to the Florida Department of Transportation to notify the government of any aircraft equipped with devices that could disperse 'air contaminants.' In the letter, he's even suggesting that 'weather modification' or 'cloud seeding' could have played a role in the terrible Texas floods that took the lives of at least 134 people. Our community felt that pain, too. Among those lost to the floods were twin 8-year-old granddaughters of David Lawrence Jr. , a former Miami Herald publisher and longtime advocate for early childhood education. The wife and daughter of William G. Hardin III, dean of the College of Business at Florida International University, were also among the missing. Climatologists say practices like cloud seeding — a decades-old, somewhat successful method of wringing more rain or snow from clouds — have nothing to do with increasingly severe weather events. And yet Uthmeier and Gov. Ron DeSantis have played into the fears of those who see manipulating the weather as a potential tool for the military or others to weaponize for nefarious reasons. Sadly, unfounded conspiracy theories have been spreading on social media ever since the July 4 flash floods in Texas swept away roads, homes and a Christian girls' summer camp. Some posts attempted to link the floods to 'cloud seeding' in a nearby county. Other conspiracy theorists jumped into the discussion focusing on 'geoengineering' or widely debunked claims that the condensation streaks left behind by jets, called contrails, are actually 'chemtrails' that spread chemicals and are part of some sort of murky government plot. Even the Trump administration has dismissed the 'chemtrails' claims, with the Environmental Protection Agency releasing a 'fact check' last week that said, in part: 'The federal government is not aware of there ever being a contrail intentionally formed over the United States for the purpose of geoengineering or weather modification.' So it doesn't help that Uthmeier wrote in his letter to the airports a week after the floods, while the number of dead was growing: 'I can't help but notice the possibility that weather modification could have played a role in this tragedy. Developing reports show that a weather modification company conducted 'cloud seeding' operations just days before the deadly flood. Florida's new law seeks to prevent something like that from ever happening.' It's human nature to want to blame somebody or something for a tragedy like the Texas floods. But meteorologists have said that the rain came from a nearby tropical storm, Barry. Florida's new law — introduced by Miami Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia — makes it a third-degree felony to release substances to change temperature, cloud cover or sunlight levels. It does nothing to address the serious issue of burning fossil fuels, the more likely fuel for weather disasters. By fanning the flames of conspiracy theories, Uthmeier, who has only been in office since February, is using them to his political advantage. Too bad Florida's leaders aren't more concerned with stopping destructive conspiracy theories than fomenting them. Click here to send the letter.
Time Out
6 days ago
- Time Out
Operation Southern Slow Down is in effect this week, and here's what Miami drivers need to know
If you've got a lead foot and a South Florida zip code, consider this your official warning: Operation Southern Slow Down is back, and law enforcement is out in full force. Running now through Sunday, July 20, the annual crackdown targets speeding and aggressive driving across five southeastern states, including Florida, and aims to make highways safer during the busy summer travel season. In Miami, that means extra patrols, more checkpoints and zero tolerance for anyone mistaking I-95 for a Formula 1 track. The Florida Highway Patrol, in partnership with the Florida Department of Transportation, is intensifying efforts to curb the type of unsafe driving that contributed to 437 fatalities statewide in 2023. Operation Southern Slow Down isn't just about tickets (though last year's campaign racked up more than 62,000 of them across participating states—nearly 50,000 for speeding). It's also about education: You'll see more road safety messaging, especially around common-sense reminders like buckling up, putting your phone away and, yes, actually going the speed limit. There's also a new Florida law in effect this month that ups the ante. 'Dangerous excessive speeding'—defined as driving more than 50 mph over the limit or 100+ mph in any condition—can now land you severe fines and even jail time. So what should you do? Easy. Drive like your abuela is in the passenger seat. Slow down, plan your route and if you see someone weaving through lanes like it's Mario Kart, report them by dialing *FHP (*347).
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
FDOT plans to raise this road on the Hillsborough-Polk County line over a railroad. See the plans
Tired of the CSX railroad crossing at County Line Road just south of U.S. 92 west of Lakeland? Traffic engineers are working on an ambitious plan to separate the railroad from pedestrian and vehicle traffic by elevating at least one ― possibly both ― of the major thoroughfares on the Hillsborough-Polk County line. There are two public meetings this week, one in person on July 15 and one virtual on July 17, for residents and business owners to see the plans and comment on them. Here's what we know. The project The Florida Department of Transportation project aims to raise County Line Road above the existing CSX A-Line. The project says the rail line "has multiple train crossings each day, including passenger trains traveling at high speeds. These crossings result in delays for vehicles, both when the crossing gates are down and when specific vehicles, such as buses or trucks, must stop regardless of gate status, leading to further delays for other vehicles in the same lane." The FDOT notes the crossing sees substantial train and truck traffic, being situated along a major route for warehousing. The project's footprint runs from Amberjack Drive on the south side of the intersection to Frontage Road at the junction with Interstate 4. Here's a look at the alternatives. Alternative 1 This alternative, called the "Elevated Intersection," would raise both County Line Road and U.S. 92. County Line Road would shift a couple hundred feet to the west, and U.S. 92 would shift slightly to the north. Both roadways would be elevated and meet at a raised four-way intersection just northwest of the old intersection, at the site of a commercial building that currently houses Mo'zArt Designs. Alternative 2 This alternative, called the "Northeast Quadrant Roadway," raises County Line Road over the railroad crossing and U.S. 92 and shifts it west, identically to Alternative 1. But instead of meeting at a new, raised intersection, U.S. 92 will continue underneath the elevated County Line Road. For drivers looking to travel between County Line and 92, a small connecting road would meet County Line Road a couple hundred yards to the north and U.S. 92 to the east. Alternative 3 Called, the "Northwest Quadrant Roadway," this alternative would essentially do the same thing as Alternative 2, but in the opposite direction. County Line Road would be raised and shifted a couple hundred feet to the east. Like Alternative 2, U.S. 92 would continue unchanged underneath the newly raised County Line Road. They would be connected by small new road between them, connecting to County Line north of the old intersection, and to U.S. 92 to the west. Where does the project stand? The project is in the Development and Environment Study phase. There were public meetings in April, and after the July meetings the FDOT will finalize the documents, then hold another final public hearing sometime in the fall, according to the project page. The study's final approval is tentatively expected in the summer 2026. The meetings The in-person meeting is July 15 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn Lakeland, Miller Room, 3839 Don Emerson Drive. The virtual meeting is July 17 from 6 to 7 p.m. To register, to go For those unable to attend, the project details can be viewed on the project website at Comments can be made there, or by emailing FDOT Project Manager Adam Rose at or mailing FDOT District One, Attn: Adam Rose, P.O. Box 1249, MS 1-40, Bartow, FL 33831-1249. For questions, contact Rose at 863-519-2832. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: See the plans to raise County Line Road in Polk over a CSX rail line Solve the daily Crossword
The Hill
15-07-2025
- Climate
- The Hill
Florida AG orders airports to report ‘weather modification' activities
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier (R) has ordered all airports in the state to report any geoengineering and ' weather modification ' activities or face penalties. Uthmeier urged all public-use airports in Florida in a Monday letter to adhere to Senate Bill 56, which was signed into law by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) last month. Violators of the law face third-degree felony charges and a fine as high $100,000. 'Injecting our atmosphere with novel chemical compounds to block the sun is a dangerous path, especially in Florida, where sunshine is our most valuable resource,' Uthmeier said in the letter, the copy of which he shared on the social media platform X. 'Furthermore, as our hearts break for the victims of the flash floods in Texas, I can't help but notice the possibility that weather modification could have played a role in this tragedy.' The law went into effect at the beginning of this month. The legislation bars the intentional release of substances, compounds and chemicals into the atmosphere in hopes of changing the weather, climate and temperature. From Oct. 1 onwards, all operators are required to submit monthly reports to the Florida Department of Transportation disclosing the physical presence of any aircraft on public property, including public-use airports, that have equipment that could be used for either 'weather modification' or geoengineering. Airports could lose state funding if they do not comply, Uthmeier warned in the letter. 'Because airports are most likely to catch those who seek to weaponize science in order to push their agenda, your compliance with these reporting obligations is essential to keeping our state safe from these harmful chemicals and experiments,' the Florida attorney general said. Some states have performed cloud seeding. It is the process of adding small particles, normally silver iodide crystals, to clouds in order to prompt snow or rain, according to the Government Accountability Office. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) said earlier this month that she plans to put forward a bill to tackle 'weather modification.' 'I am introducing a bill that prohibits the injection, release, or dispersion of chemicals or substances into the atmosphere for the express purpose of altering weather, temperature, climate, or sunlight intensity. It will be a felony offense,' the Georgia Republican said.
Miami Herald
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Parts of I-95 to be shut down for planned FHP investigation. See detours.
The southbound lanes of I-95 at Northwest Eighth Street will be temporarily shut down on Thursday as the Florida Highway Patrol continues an ongoing traffic investigation. The roadway will be closed starting at 10 a.m. for about two hours, according to the Florida Department of Transportation. Drivers will be detoured at the Northwest Eighth Street exit ramp and led to Northwest Third Court to access the southbound I-95 ramp after Northwest Second Street. Ramps to the westbound Dolphin Expressway and eastbound I-395 will remain open, according to FDOT. Heavy delays are expected. Drivers are encouraged to plan ahead. For real-time traffic information, visit
