SHARE:
Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today.
Feds order Florida to halt voter purge
Federal authorities are demanding that Florida halt its push to remove ineligible voters from the voter rolls. In a move that comes just months before the state could play a pivotal role in the 2012 presidential election, the U.S. Department of Justice contends that the state is violating federal law in its effort to identify and remove ineligible voters. The state’s effort has already come under fire from local election supervisors who belong to both political parties, as well as Democratic members of Congress and voting rights groups. Read more from the Associated Press and the Miami Herald.
Big, temporary entertainment venue to be built for RNC
The first glimpse of the entertainment landscape around the Republican National Convention is coming into view, and what's on the horizon is both intriguing and impressive. Picture an airy, made-to-order building — a temporary building — with entertainment space for up to 3,500 people. It could host a private concert. It could serve as an exclusive pop-up nightclub, complete with an upstairs VIP area. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
More homebuyers willing to pay for 'green' features
Real estate professionals say their experience anecdotally is that green- and budget-conscious buyers are willing to pay more for a house with energy-efficient features. But determining what those features are worth to a home's value has proven difficult for appraisers armed with limited data on the sales of green homes. [Source: Gainesville Sun]
On Burger King's menu: Company shares
The Home of the Whopper is going public again. Owner 3G Capital, which bought Burger King and took it private in 2010, sold a 29% interest in the company to publicly traded shell company Justice Holdings and Justice’s founders. When the $1.4 billion purchase closes, BK will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange. The deal surprised analysts. Full story...
 Burger King’s mascot makes his rounds at the New York Stock Exchange during the company’s previous IPO in 2006. 3G Capital took the company private in 2010. The recent announcement to make the chain a public company again took analysts by surprise. [Photo: Richard Drew/AP Photo] |
Modern building materials render homes quicker to burn
Synthetic carpet, wood veneer or plastic-fiber furniture and polyester drapes are common items in American homes — all materials that evolved from efforts for more environmentally friendly and cost-effective manufacturing.
But they are more flammable than organic materials such as cotton and hard wood, which used to make up most contents of the average home. That means structure fires are different than they used to be, burning faster and hotter in most cases, and giving firefighters less time to respond.
[Source: Florida Today]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Disney opens $350 million hotel
Walt Disney World welcomed the first guests to its newest hotel Thursday morning, after a quick character-and-confetti-filled ceremony.
Disney World President Meg Crofton framed the opening of the $350 million Art of Animation Resort as a jolt for the Orlando economy. She told the story of a local firm hired to work on the hotel's construction that was able to add 15 new employees because of the work.
› Tech a top priority for Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce
South Florida plays a large role in Latin America’s technology sector, but lacks the kind of high-profile business leaders want for the industry. The Chamber of Commerce hopes to change that. High-tech yachting, anyone?
› Empanadas stuffed with ambition in Tampa
Albert Perez is trying to do for the lowly empanada what Taco Bell did for the taco.
But he's found that becoming a household word doesn't come easy in this eat-and-run age of fast food — even when your product has an edge in handling.
› Spanish companies to bring job bonanza to Miami
Miami's Spanish connection is continuing to produce local jobs.
Three Spain-based firms have announced they will expand or relocate in Miami, creating 465 jobs in the next three years. Average annual salaries will range from $35,500 to $55,000, officials said.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
