Assignment 5: Identifying Local Opportunities

Opportunity #1

• The title of the article: LIVING UNDER THE WHIM OF STORMS
• The link to the article: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=pubname%3ASPTB%21Tampa%2BBay%2BTimes%2B%2528FL%2529/year%3A2018%212018/mody%3A0914%21September%2B14&f=advanced&action=browse&format=text&docref=news/16E6F86CF1FA9228
• A description of the story, in your own words: Each hurricane season, Florida residents dread hearing news of a potential storm. They have to worry not only about their family's safety, but of the possibility of their life being turned upside down in the wake of a substantial storm that could devastate their entire community. 
• A description of the problem presented in the story: Being a peninsula that's exposed to the warm waters that hurricanes favor, Florida is threatened with the possibility of being in the path of destruction when a new storm develops. 
• A description of who has the problem: Florida residents, especially those that live along coastal areas.

Opportunity #2

• The title of the article: MORTGAGE FRAUD ON RISE NATIONALLY
• The link to the article: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F16E6F86D3353E098
• A description of the story, in your own words: As the national statistic of mortgage fraud rises, Florida is among the top states ranked in the highest amount of mortgage fraud cases.
• A description of the problem presented in the story: Those looking to purchase a house in Tampa Bay, and therefore need a home loan, are more likely to lie on loan applications in order to secure a more favorable loan. 
• A description of who has the problem: I would say this problem is multifaceted as it impacts the banks, the people committing fraud, the people not committing fraud, and the future economy. For now, I would focus on the banks having to deal with the fraudulent applications.

Opportunity #3

• The title of the article: NATIONAL GROUP BACKS FLA. FELON VOTING RIGHTS
• The link to the article: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F16E6F86CF9B7AA50
• A description of the story, in your own words: As voting day approaches, support for Florida's Amendment 4, which would restore a convicted felon's right to vote, continues to grow as it gains national attention.  
• A description of the problem presented in the story: As the currently law stands in Florida, once convicted on a felony charge, you are no longer able to vote in government elections.
• A description of who has the problem: Florida convicted felons that have completed their sentences and want their interests to be represented in government.

Opportunity #4

• The title of the article: REFORMS FOR FLOOD INSURANCE OVERDUE
• The link to the article: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F16E6A32D6AB97448
• A description of the story, in your own words: With Hurricane Florence expected to cause massive flood damage to the Eastern coast, Floridians are worried about the effects it will have on the National Flood Insurance Program. 
• A description of the problem presented in the story: Flood Insurance needs to be reformed, but the last time it was attempted it had disastrous results for Floridians.
• A description of who has the problem: Floridians that are Flood Insurance policy holders and are worried about the uncertainty of the future of their coverage.

Opportunity #5

• The title of the article: HUGE SEWER LINE WON'T BE BURIED ON HARBOUR ISLAND
• The link to the article: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.lp.hscl.ufl.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB57BE7FF6D8A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F16E6A32E09FA0420
• A description of the story, in your own words: Harbour Island residents are pleased that the new sewer line will be installed outside of the residential living area so as to not cause the issues many were fearing would result from the construction. It'll be buried underwater instead.
• A description of the problem presented in the story: The current sewage line is failing and constructing a new sewer line underwater will take longer and cost more than burying it under the residential area.
• A description of who has the problem: Many people are evolved in this problem, mainly Harbour Island residents and city officials. I would focus on city officials as they are the ones concerned with the budget and schedule responsibilities.