Tuesday's Daily Pulse

› Baptist announces $60 million expansion [Miami Herald]
Baptist Cardiac and Vascular Institute announced Monday it is planning a campaign to raise $60 million for a new capital expansion campaign to expand its facilities at the Baptist Hospital campus in Kendall. The 10-year plan includes new spaces to integrate spaces interventional cardiology, vascular surgery, heart surgery and interventional radiology to prepare for future innovations. In most hospitals, these disciplines are set apart. The project will include developing a Center for Aneurysm Therapy.

› Bergeron lawyer applies for jai-alai in Weston [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
A lawyer for developer Ron Bergeron wants to bring jai-alai — and maybe slots and poker — to Weston. David Romanik filed a 42-page application with the Florida Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering on Friday, listing Bergeron as the majority owner. It also included a description of where a fronton would be built: on 65 acres near U.S. 27 in Weston. "I happen to think the Weston market is probably the last untapped market for gambling, at least in Broward," Romanik said. "So it's worth a shot."

› Carnival Ecstacy cruises into Port Canaveral [Florida Today]
The Carnival Ecstasy arrived at Port Canaveral Monday evening, becoming the third Carnival cruise ship to be based here, joining the Dream and the Sensation. Canaveral Port Authority Chief Executive Officer J. Stanley Payne said the Ecstasy being based at Port Canaveral will create a more than $50 million-a-year economic impact for the Space Coast.

› Fresh rival for Chick-fil-A [St. Petersburg Times]
Short for "pretty darned quick," PDQ is a new fast-food chain specializing in Chick-fil-A staples like chicken tenders, chicken salads and chicken sandwiches cooked up by an Outback Steakhouse co-founder. "We bring good-tasting food made from scratch to the quick serve chicken arena," said Bob Basham, who spent a year and $3 million creating the startup. "The only freezers on premises are icemakers for drinks." After a week, the first PDQ is off to quick start.

› Prison Book Project ministry faces last chapter [Florida Today]
If a local mall closes, an established ministry aimed at getting books in the hands of jail prisoners may also have to shut its doors. "That's my biggest worry," said Ray Hall, founder of the Prison Book Project — an outreach that began 18 years ago with the goal of delivering 1,000 books to the Brevard County Jail. When Titusville resident Hall first started delivering wholesome books and Bibles to the local jail, he never thought his efforts would eventually grow into a full-time endeavor reaching all 50 states and even to soldiers stationed in the Middle East.

› Forum held to debate merits of casino gambling in South Florida [Miami Herald]
Key lawmakers and gaming executives discussed bringing casino gambling to South Florida during a forum Monday at Jungle Island. The event, hosted by the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce, allowed participants to ask questions and vote in a straw poll.