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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida adds fewer private-sector jobs in June
The Sunshine State is still churning out jobs, but at a slower pace than it had been, according to data released Tuesday. Florida added 12,910 private-sector jobs in June, about 25 percent fewer than in May and far behind top job-producers California and Texas, based on a regional employment report from payroll processing firm ADP. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
 John L. Parker » Go to interview [Photo: Rob Witzel] |
John L. Parker is a 'Florida Icon'
The author of "Once A Runner" tells us:
» I grew up in Orlando. I did not go to the University of Florida right away. I went to a small school in Oregon called the University of Portland. I came back to the University of Florida on a basketball scholarship.
» I wanted to be a journalist with a law degree. I wanted to do stories that had a legal angle to it. I wanted to do things like Supreme Court analysis. I wanted to do consumer-oriented stories.
Continued...
Environmentalists: Don't allow spaceport to be built in wildlife refuge
A coalition of Florida environmental groups has called in the cavalry — this time to help stop a proposed spaceport inside the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. They're asking that top officials at the U.S. Department of the Interior, which manages the 140,000-acre sanctuary, become "directly involved" in plans to build a launchpad there, according to a new letter. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Employment agencies trim staffs due to sequester
Like other government-funded programs, South Florida's workforce agencies have been forced to reduce staff and trim programs because of the mandated federal sequester cuts. Despite the staffing issues, a steady stream of job seekers needing help finding work or applying for unemployment benefits continues. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Consumer advocate to examine homeowner claims
Florida's insurance consumer advocate wants to look at how insurers are handling claims from homeowners. Robin Smith Westcott announced Wednesday the creation of a working group that will meet later this month. The group will be asked to come up with recommendations, including whether legislators should change state laws that cover policyholders. [Source: AP]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida Teacher of the Year to be announced
Florida's 2014 Teach of the Year is set to be named in Orlando. The Florida Department of Education and Macy's are holding a ceremony Thursday at the Hard Rock Live at Universal Studios. The event will be hosted by Emmy Award-winning journalist Deborah Norville and is scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
› Publix, Disney aim to cut lawsuit awards for accident victims
Two of Florida's largest businesses — Publix Super Markets and Walt Disney World — are spearheading an effort to cut the size of civil-lawsuit awards, which could lead to enormous savings for the frequently sued companies through smaller jury verdicts and pretrial settlements.
› Office Depot shareholders say 'yes' to merger
Faster than a shopping trip for pens and paper, Office Depot shareholders approved a merger with rival OfficeMax in brisk meeting Wednesday in Boca Raton that was a mere formality.
› Broward College's newest campus is all online
Broward College is opening a new campus, and you don't have to leave your living room to visit it. The state college, which focuses mostly on two-year associate's degrees, has created Broward College Online.
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