State Representative Lori Berman, a Democrat, is running against Tami Donnally, the vice chairman of the Palm Beach County Republican Party, the Associated Press reports. https://apnews.com/02051558b5484d1da7757eaeaae1c7f8/Voters-to-pick-replacement-for-Florida-state-senator

His third act might make those against-all-odds aspirations seem easy. Now he wants to defeat Florida’s most popular Democrat, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, in a time when almost every Republican with close ties to President Donald Trump has lost or at least dramatically …

A team including an Iowa State University researcher studied Galveston, Texas, homes following Hurricane Ike, finding that the types of housing and homeowners – and how U.S. recovery policy handles each – played a major role in recovery outcomes, Insurance …

The U.S. territory is not ready for another disaster, Insurance Journal’s Danica Coto reports. https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2018/04/09/485685.htm      

Currently, homeowners in the 100-year floodplain are required to have flood insurance and build new homes 1 foot above the floodplain. The proposal will increase that to 2 feet and expand it to homes in the 500-year floodplain.  The Texas …

After the Massachusetts Nor-easter, Gatehouse Media’s Peter Cohan writes that his insurance agent said that filing a claim would cause him to be placed in the state insurance pool – Mass Property — thus raising our premium by $800 a …

Two homes in The Villages sit condemned, as six weeks ago, a sinkhole opened up underneath them. And any repairs done to the homes are just undone by more sinking.  FOX Orlando reports. http://www.fox35orlando.com/news/local-news/study-hurricane-irma-could-be-the-cause-of-several-sinkholes

One bill increases the maximum limit of advertising, promotional gifts and charitable contributions permitted by insurance companies or agents from $25 to $100 in any calendar year. https://www.flgov.com/2018/04/06/governor-rick-scott-signs-17-bills-into-law-vetoes-one/

Tributes to the man known as “Florida’s superhero consumer advocate and champion” will be shared by Walter Dartland’s family and friends. http://schorsch.cmail20.com/t/ViewEmail/i/49D2EF9E601A70642540EF23F30FEDED/38DBE8AA224C3E9C948D468F162BC46E

While many of Florida’s prettiest beaches are part of the state park system, and thus guaranteed to be open to the public, the state estimates about 60 percent of Florida’s beach property is privately owned.   The Tampa Bay Times’ Craig …