Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/15/2014

Florida's unemployment rate remains unchanged

Florida's unemployment rate continues to remain the same as it has been for most of the year. New jobless numbers released on Friday show that the rate for July was 6.2 percent. That's the same rate it was the previous month. More at the AP and the Tampa Bay Times.

Ranchers hoping state will help preserve land

Ranch owners and conservation groups are hoping to capitalize on an expected influx of state tax revenue into Florida Forever to expand on the extensive corridor of preserved lands in eastern Sarasota County. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

LearnerNation chosen as Endeavor company

Florida Dining

Restaurants with a sporting chance

Once upon a time, a sports star could open a restaurant on name appeal alone, but that was before chefs became celebrities and food became a national pastime. Today, the star athlete needs signature cooking as well as fame to succeed.

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Endeavor, the global nonprofit organization that selects, mentors and accelerates high-impact entrepreneurs as a means to significant job creation, has selected LearnerNation‘s cofounders Michael McCord and Michael Laas as Endeavor Entrepreneurs. More at the Miami Herald.

Firms lobbying Florida Legislature collected millions

With industries ranging from casinos to taxicabs looking to influence the Legislature, new reports offer a glimpse of the millions of dollars in fees that lobbying firms collected during the second quarter of the year. More at the Florida Times-Union.

Google and NOAA to map Florida reefs

Google Maps is taking its users off the beaten path in Florida - way off. A new feature will allow Internet users on Google’s “street view” to explore the coral reef off the Florida Keys. More at the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

Agriculture
Department of Citrus adapting as greening saps budget

The deadly bacterial disease citrus greening is impacting more than Florida citrus groves. Greening has forced the Bartow-based Florida Department of Citrus and its governing body, the Florida Citrus Commission, to abandon TV ads for the first time in decades.