Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 9/13/2013

Hispanic-owned businesses double from 2002 to 2013

The number of Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S. is expected to nearly double this year from 2002. That's the finding of a study released Friday by the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Geoscape, a company that provides demographics data. [Source: AP]

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Florida's millionaire lawmakers

Forty-nine state lawmakers are millionaires (nearly one of every three), according to state financial disclosure records.

In the Senate, 16 legislators are worth at least $1 million, with Senate President Don Gaetz the wealthiest, with a net worth of more than $26 million.

In the House, 33 lawmakers are worth at least $1 million; the richest is Rep. José Oliva (R-Miami Lakes), whose wealth stems from his family’s cigar business.

» Read more

NOAA to test unmanned aircraft to monitor Florida Keys wildlife

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is set to test whether an unmanned aircraft system can help scientists monitor wildlife and boater use at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. [Source: NBC Miami]

Hollywood welcomes new condo, end of recession

The first residential tower to be built in downtown Hollywood since the end of the recession is on its way. The 15-story, 247-unit tower dubbed the H3 Condominium will rise from an empty lot at 2165 Van Buren St. Hollywood officials see the coming of H3 as a sign the economy has finally turned around. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

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

Ties to Israel: Business ties between Florida and Israel are strong, with many Israeli businesses already operating in south Florida.
Florida Icon Series : A conversation with Patrick Smith, the author of "A Land Remembered."
Gambling in Florida: Running the numbers at Dania Jai Alai.
Priced Out in Miami-Dade: Small local stores are facing huge rent increases because international chains are willing to pay higher rates.

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

Out of the Box
South Florida turns to 'magic' to slow down drivers

The latest way to stop speeders in South Florida? Trick them with an optical illusion. The "magic" involves marking a road with hash marks, similar to those on a football field. With the lines spaced at gradually closer intervals, drivers get the illusion they're going faster than they really are — and tap the brakes, traffic engineers say.