Wednesday's Afternoon Update

Some startups see office space as outdated, overrated

A growing number of startups, particularly tech-related ones, are finding that working without an office means they can attract talent from far and wide while cutting costs on overhead. As the need for software startups to lease brick-and-mortar office space dwindles and the downsides of working in different time zones fall away, the “distributed workforce” model is growing increasingly commonplace. More at the Upstart Business Journal.

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Rankings Key West is the Best Key West is the best U.S. winter location, the Farmer's Almanac says in its just-released 2013 edition. In contrast to its list last year of the top cities where weather can shut down everyday life, this year's list was based on, among other things, top average temperature, humidity level, dew point and the like. » Read more and see the Top Five winter cities at the Miami Herald » The Old Farmer's Almanac

Second Port of Miami tunnel to begin

One down, one to go. That's where the Port Miami tunnel project stands. The raw drilling of the second tunnel is expected to be completed next spring, although the project won't be completed until the following year. Much of the work is being done for the opening of the expanded Panama Canal, now scheduled for 2015. Read more at Miami Today.

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Syngenta paying $113 million for Florida company

Agribusiness giant Syngenta has agreed to pay up to $113 million to acquire a Florida company that it has been collaborating with on products to combat microscopic worms called nematodes that damage crops. The Switzerland-based company announced today that it will acquire Pasteuria Bioscience for $86 million, plus up to $27 million in deferred payments. Read more from The News & Observer and Reuters.

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Tibor Hollo gift to fund FIU real estate program

Long before it was popular to talk about urban living, Miami developer Tibor Hollo was a believer who made it his priority. Now Hollo wants to encourage the next generation of real estate visionaries to tackle the development challenges that lie ahead both in South Florida and across the country. More at the Miami Herald.

Related Florida Trend Content
» Florida Icon: Tibor Hollo

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UF study examines the effectiveness of negative political ads

Contrary to conventional wisdom, negative political advertisements don’t always work as well as some believe. In part, this is because the audience with which they seem to work best — people who think government works — has been shrinking. More at UF News.

Out of the Box Lockout The NHL lockout is not even a week old, but it has cost the Florida Panthers’ mascot his job. At least for now. The man who served as Florida’s fuzzy mascot Stanley C. Panther was one of about a dozen laid off by the organization, sources told The Miami Herald. "That's strange," former Panthers owner and CEO Stu Siegel said to CBSSports.com. "He's not the highest-paid guy and that's someone you think they'd be using in the community, he's useful in the community. I think they figure they can probably just stick anyone in that suit."   » Read more from the Miami Herald and CBS Sports. See also: » Stanley's Den at the Florida Panthers site. » Stanley C. Panther Facebook page

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