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Study identifies potentially invasive species for Florida

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Study identifies potentially invasive species for Florida


University of Florida scientists led a study aimed at identifying potentially invasive species for the state. 

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The team of experts, which included researchers, agencies, and nonprofit organizations, studied 460 species. Creatures were given a score based on their likelihood of establishment and spread in the state. The experts also factored in the species’ potential to negatively affect the ecosystem and economy.  

READ: Tampa, Hillsborough County law enforcement agencies release New Year’s Eve DUI numbers

“If we could stop them before they got established, we could save a lot of money and protect the habitats,” lead scientist Dr. Deah Lieurance, who is now an assistant professor of invasive species, biology, and management at Penn State University, said. “We have pretty unique ecosystems in Florida we’d like to try to keep as pristine as possible.”

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The following are species the study targeted as being potentially invasive in Florida:

ALEWIFE FISH 

According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the alewife is a small herring that can restructure a lake’s food web, leaving less food for native species.

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“It can have some big-picture effects on the ecosystem,” Lieurance said.

ZEBRA MUSSELS

Zebra mussels are one of the most troublesome invasive species in North America, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation (FWC); The agency describes them as “common hitchhikers on boats, fishing equipment and aquarium plants.”

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READ: Wildlife officials warn of ‘moss ball’ dangers to ecosystem

In addition, zebra mussels can be found in moss balls, which are a rare form of algae that some people use to filter water in aquariums. 

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The FWC issued a warning about moss balls and their danger to the ecosystem in 2021. 

RED SWAMP CRAYFISH

According to USGS, “the red swamp crayfish is readily available through the biological supply trade and may be released following classroom or laboratory use.”

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“We had quite a few crayfish that made the top 40 list,” Lieurance said.

CRAB-EATING MACAQUE MONKEYS

“This was my surprise species,” Lieurance said. “They do eat crabs, as their name implies, but they’re also a very close relative to the macaques that we already have here in Florida.”

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It’s one reason why these monkeys got the highest possible ranking for the likelihood of invasion and threat to human health. 

READ: Population of Florida monkeys — that carry herpes — is growing, study says

Crab-eating macaque monkeys are related to the rhesus macaque monkeys. Some rhesus macaque monkeys found in Silver Springs State Park in Marion County were found to carry the herpes virus.

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“I think the biggest value in this study is to bring awareness to invasive species and the potential to have even more,” Lieurance said. 

She suggests conducting a study like this one every five years. 

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“Big picture globally, we’re losing about $419 billion per year to invasive species,” Lieurance, who is currently working on projects in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, said. “Repeating this process on a regular basis can keep us ahead of the game when it comes to managing invasive species.”



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Family businesses serving up South Florida’s best bagels and Italian food

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Family businesses serving up South Florida’s best bagels and Italian food


Are you feeling some bagels this morning? Two family businesses, both originally from New York, are serving up some of the finest bagels and Italian food in South Florida.

CBS News Miami’s Anna McAllister heads to Fort Lauderdale to check out A&S Deli and Bakery and Goldberg’s Delicatessen and Bagels on North Federal Highway.

When you walk into A&S and Goldberg’s, you’re treated like family.

They’ve serving up Italian deli food and traditional, Jewish New York bagels – all in one shop.

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Marc Goldberg and Nick Maltese grew up in their family business – and it’s their passion.

“We started here in Florida in 1971 on Bayview Drive,” Maltese said. “It was called Rotoni’s Italian Deli, and my dad was young. He was making fresh mozzarella, making soppressata. We had a deli and I used to help him.”

Both sides of the shop pride themselves on the freshness of their products, like homemade mozzarella on the A&S side.

The cheese is made fresh every day along with the rolls for every sandwich.

And on Goldberg’s side every bagel is made fresh in house.

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“My favorite thing from Goldberg’s is the bagels,” customer Paula Cury said. “We come here in the morning and get our bagels. And them from A&S, I really like their number six. The Nicky’s Favorite. It has fresh mozzarella, tomato, prosciutto and balsamic glaze.”

And, of course, CBS News Miami couldn’t stop by and not try their specialty items like a toasted sesame bagel with vegetable cream cheese, fresh sliced lox, tomato, red onion and capers.

And how about that South Bronx chicken cutlet sandwich? Every single item that CBS News Miami tried, from the bagel sandwiches to the soups and specialty deli creations was outstanding.

“I would say that the my favorite thing about this place is that come in, and you feel like you’re home,” McAllister said.

“We make everybody feel that way,” Maltese replied.

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And you can get the best of both worlds seven days a week.

They also take orders online.

Check out the A&S Italian Deli and Bakery website by clicking here.

For more information about Goldberg’s Delicatessen and Bagels, click here.

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Police offer $5K reward to find Florida kid seen stomping, killing duck in disturbing video

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Police offer K reward to find Florida kid seen stomping, killing duck in disturbing video


Police are searching for a young child seen on video brutally stomping and killing a duck in a Florida resident’s yard, according to authorities and reports.

Disturbing surveillance video released by the Fort Lauderdale Police Department showed two young children running around a duck before one child chased the bird into the paved alleyway of a home Sunday, CBS Miami reported.

The kid stomped on the feathered creature a whopping seven times, killing it, the clip showed.

Police are searching for a young child who brutally stomped on and killed a duck in a Florida resident’s yard. Ft Lauderdale Police Department

The Fort Lauderdale homeowner called cops after noticing the juvenile trespassing on his property, and was shocked when he watched the gruesome security footage on his Ring camera, police told WSVN.

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Detectives are now seeking help identifying the child and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

Residents of the area, home to many waterfowl, described the incident as deeply concerning.


A young child with an afro and dark clothing on a brick path, next to a building and a wooden fence, with green bushes and palm trees.
Detectives are now seeking help identifying the child and are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Ft Lauderdale Police Department

“I was appalled that that would even happen in this neighborhood, for that to happen and see the photo, it is obviously very bad,” neighbor Ross Schmidt told WSVN.

“You know, you don’t know what’s inside people’s minds, but it’s definitely a very big anger issue, and he wasn’t brought up right, or he wasn’t thinking properly,” Schmidt added.

Fort Lauderdale Police have removed the graphic footage of the incident from their social media platforms and did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.

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Multi-vehicle crash causes major delays on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County

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Multi-vehicle crash causes major delays on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County


A multi-vehicle crash caused major traffic delays Thursday on Florida’s Turnpike in Osceola County. 

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The crash happened on Florida’s Turnpike northbound near mile marker 246.

According to the Florida Highway Patrol, the crash involved four vehicles—a Hyundai Santa Fe, a Chevrolet Silverado, a Chevrolet Trax and an Audi TTS. No one involved in the crash was taken to the hospital, FHP said. 

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All lanes were temporarily shut down but have since reopened, FHP said. 

It’s unclear what caused the crash, which remains under investigation. 

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The Source: This story was written with information from the Florida Highway Patrol. 

Osceola County NewsTraffic



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