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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Home sales and prices continue climb
Sales of American homes surged again last month to their fastest pace in nearly four years, leading median prices to jump to within 7 percent of their 2006 peak, the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday. Prices around Florida also rose. See more from the Tampa Bay Times, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, the Ocala Star-Banner, Florida Today and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.
FEMA chief: Florida "in denial" about hurricane danger
The emergency management chief for the United States is warning that Floridians are in "denial" about the threat posed by hurricanes. Craig Fugate is the administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency. He said many Floridians wrongly believe they have survived the full force of hurricanes. More from the Orlando Sentinel, the AP.
Florida ranks as 12th least obese state in the nation
A new report says that Floridians rank 12th in the nation when it comes to having a healthy weight. The report released this week found that 35 percent of Floridians have a healthy weight — while the overall adult obesity rate is 25.2 percent. The report was put together by the Trust for America's health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. More from the AP.
Related:
» Florida's slimming down? People in the trenches deserve credit
Nothing to read? Airport libraries to the rescue
In 2011, Florida's Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) and the Broward County Libraries Division joined forces to create the first airport program offering free e-book downloads to passengers. Screens found in all airport baggage claim areas now display QR codes that can be easily scanned to give travelers access to an e-library of more than 15,000 free titles. [Source: USA Today]
Citizens makes case for homeowners, sinkhole rate increases
Florida’s state-backed property insurer is seeking a statewide average 6.6 percent increase in homeowners’ rates and a 24.8 percent increase in sinkhole rates while citing reduced losses and an improved financial position. [Source: Insurance Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› NextEra Energy laying off 160, cutting 1,000 job positions, most in Florida
The parent company of Florida Power & Light on Wednesday announced 1,000 job cuts across its business units over the next two years, with about 60 people to lose their jobs in Florida this fall.
› Dade County execs want American merger to fly
American Airlines and US Airways already have said they will suffer if a Justice Department move to block their planned merger is successful. Now Miami-Dade County’s mayor is saying Miami International Airport would also be a loser.
› Rep. Castor wants support on immigration reform to boost tourism
U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor on Wednesday called for Florida business people to support an immigration reform bill the Senate passed this summer that contains provisions to expedite visa programs for international visitors.
› Sweetbay Supermarket's new owner may go public
The new owner of Tampa-based Sweetbay Supermarket plans to become a public company. According to Reuters, Jacksonville's Bi-Lo Holdings, the nation's ninth-largest traditional supermarket chain, is working toward an initial public offering later this year and has tapped banks to lead the deal.
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