tingilinde

korean housebuilding

thinking of buying in florida?

Probably not a good idea...

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In light of significant climate-related effects the state experienced during 2024, this year will be telling. A confluence of facts and forces may change the minds of retirees who in years past would have been snapping up inventory, and this may speed the erosion of property values in several Florida markets. At the same time, Florida's low-tax environment will make it ever more difficult for local governments to make needed investments to change where and how its residents live. It's a vicious cycle that will likely play out in several low-tax Southeastern states over the next couple of years. But Florida, with its insistence that everything is Just Fine, is the narrative gift that keeps on giving.

The news is both climactic and economic.This past fall, Hurricane Helene triggered storm surges as high as 15 feet, leading to widespread destruction along Florida’s Gulf Coast. Just two weeks later, Hurricane Milton hit, causing dozens of tornadoes and extensive flooding in the Sunshine State. Florida is already seeing the effects of extreme heat, intensifying precipitation, increased flooding risk, groundwater rise, sea level rise, salt water intrusion, all combined with explosive population growth.

According to Zac Taylor, writing for The Tampa Bay Times, home insurance premiums in Florida have risen more than 100% over the last three years. Florida has the highest enrollment in its state insurer of last resort, Citizens, of any state. While the number of Citizens policyholders recently dropped below 1 million for the first time in more than two years, this deliberate "depopulation" effort has likely pushed more homeowners into signing up either with "non-admitted" insurers, who are freer from oversight by the state government, or with other geographically concentrated, less-solvent insurers who are offering ever-thinner coverage.* As Francois Ramette of PwC puts it, "Smaller insurers are particularly at risk of outsized losses given their inherently more concentrated (less diversified) books of business and lower levels of analytical capability."

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perihelion day!

Earth is at its closest approach to the Sun today at 8:28 EST.

 

 

another canary in the coal mine

Ann Telnaes -  of the most important editorial cartoonists - quits.  Her letter and the cartoon that triggered it.

 

 

 

 

seamless rails

ah, thermite!

public domain day

The first was public domain day. Works from 1929 are now the public's along with sound recordings from 1924.  Some samples.

 

a tip of the hat to Dan

 

fpv starter drones

If you're interested before it becomes difficult or impossible to get one..

 

snooping on the snoopers

If you're familiar with DEFCON

 

drone warfare

An excellent piece on drones on the front line in Ukraine.

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rones became entwined with modern armed conflict years before President Vladimir V. Putin sent Russian mechanized divisions over Ukraine’s borders in 2022. But no previous conflict had involved drones used so extensively by two sides, in so many forms or in so many roles. The pivot blended necessity with cold calculation. After Ukraine blunted Russia’s incursions and the two armies settled into opposing trench lines, tacticians in the two countries grasped the lethal punch, disruptive qualities and economic advantages of unmanned weapons. Drones cost much less than other weapons of equivalent power or range, and they reduced risks to those using them, who operate out of view, typically beyond the reach of many weapons that otherwise might reply. When paired with mobile internet routers and secure communication apps, they proved to be remarkably responsive and precise. For nations squeezed between the twin pressures of heavy casualties and recruiting difficulties, they multiplied combat power while preserving thinned ranks.

In the past, drones used by state forces generally shared a common characteristic: They were purpose-built, closely held weapons from nations with extensive histories of arms production. Ukraine’s turn to smaller armed drones tapped a different source: hobbyist miniaircraft, sold for recreational use and aerial photography, available to civilian purchasers worldwide. At first Ukraine principally used models of the Mavic line. Manufactured in China by the DJI company, they descended from the radio-controlled toy aircraft of generations before but were enhanced by the technical superpowers of the digital age: tiny cameras, GPS sensors, easy-to-learn flight apps and rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Sturdy and relatively inexpensive, they weighed less than two pounds, accommodated add-on features from 3-D printers and paired with civilian laptops and tablets — traits rendering them malleable for combat service and attractive to imaginative fighters. Their miniaturization was valuable, too. Unlike many fixed-wing drones flown by the United States and other national militaries, with wingspans dozens of feet across, these drones could be carried by hand and launched from most anywhere.

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people who are seriously into model railroads

Some people have boats..  he has live steam

 

and a massive 37 mile layout