Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/5/2013

Florida's 'strip mall casinos' about to be shut down

The Florida Senate has sent a measure to Gov. Rick Scott that would outlaw Internet-based gaming parlors. Gov. Rick Scott has said he will sign the bill into law and it will immediately take effect, giving law enforcement the authority to shut down games that fit into the newly-crafted definitions. The law was objected to by some Florida seniors and arcade owners. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Miami Herald.

Other headlines from the Florida Legislature:

» Florida Senate OKs bill to end permanent alimony

» Florida House bolsters charter school growth

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Richest Floridians

Who are the top 25 richest Floridians, and how much is each worth? Find out in this special report from Florida Trend.
Pictured: William Koch, No. 4 on the list, with assets of $4 billion.

Three years after BP oil spill, USF research finds massive die-off

The oil that spewed into the Gulf of Mexico during the Deepwater Horizon disaster three years ago killed off millions of amoeba-like creatures that form the basis of the gulf's aquatic food chain, according to scientists at the University of South Florida. The die-off of tiny foraminifera stretched through the mile-deep DeSoto Canyon and beyond, following the path of an underwater plume of oil that snaked out from the wellhead, said David Hollander, a chemical oceanographer with USF. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

Snowbirds flock back north

This month, improving weather, family and business ties beckon winter residents, aka 'snowbirds, back north. It's a bittersweet time for them - and for the local businesses who count on their dollars during "season."
"We had an extraordinary amount of group business. And, our leisure business was up considerably over last year," said Hunter Hansen, managing director of the Waldorf Astoria Naples. [Source: WTSP]

» FRIDAY PREVIEW: Coming next week to FloridaTrend.com:

Florida's Economy in 2013 - the series continues
Regions profiled will be Southwest, North Central, Northeast and Northwest Florida, along with Big Bend and Florida's Space Coast.
Dining in Florida: Foodies take note - Restaurant editor Chris Sherman looks at cooking classes around the state.
Video interview: Florida Trend interviews Bo Davis, Sr. Vice President of Phospate Operations for the Mosaic Company.

» You'll find all these stories first on the Daily and Afternoon Pulse e-mails.

Film Festivals
Three film festivals in Florida this weekend

Filmgoers in Florida can take heart after the passing of Roger Ebert on Thursday - there are three major film festivals happening this weekend. They're spread across the state too, with one on the east coast, one on the west coast, and one in Central Florida.