March 28, 2024

Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/18/2014

Worsening divorce rate points to improving U.S. growth outlook

The number of Americans getting divorced rose for the third year in a row to about 2.4 million in 2012, after plunging in the 18-month recession ended June 2009, according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Whatever the social and emotional impact, the broad economic effects of the increase are clear: It is contributing to the formation of new households, boosting demand for housing, appliances and furnishings and spurring the economy. More at Bloomberg News.


Pump prices rise but trail last year

Gas prices are rising in South Florida as Gulf Coast refineries close for maintenance and prepare for summer blends, travel club AAA said. But consumers still are paying less at the pump than a year ago. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


'Crisis mode' on Florida's environment

Culture

Bradenton's planetarium becomes a star attraction

bradenton planetarium
Bishop Planetarium’s new $500,000 projection system projects 3-D images across the planetarium’s 50-foot dome.

» Full story

The fact that Florida is preparing to spend big on environmental clean-up after cutting pollution prevention efforts illustrates what some say is a fundamental flaw with the state's water quality approach in recent years. The state has made it easier to dirty waterways, even as taxpayers are being asked to pick up the cost. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.


FBI: ID theft a 'huge problem' in South Florida

It's time to do tax returns and here's some motivation to get it done quickly: Identity thieves will try to get your refund before you do. FBI Miami chief Michael Steinbach called ID theft a "huge, growing problem" in South Florida, which in 2012 led the country with 645 such complaints per 100,000 people. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.


'Hackathons' growing in populartity

It used to be that “hacking” was just a type of crime, a computer break-in. But today, the term is also part of a growing — and perfectly legal — mainstay of the tech sector. More at the AP.

Out of the Box
Toy Business

toy business In a rare feat, a three-year-old company from Deerfield Beach has won the toy industry's top award for the second year in a row. Just Play, a venture formed by two industry veterans, earned the annual Toy Industry Association award in the pre-school category for the second straight year for products it developed under license, based on Disney's popular TV series "Doc McStuffins."

» Full story from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel


Tags: Daily Pulse

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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