March 28, 2024

Thursday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/19/2015

Florida to pull back on mandated school tests

In response to a testing investigation and growing concern across the state, Education Commissioner Pam Stewart is recommending the state reduce the number of standardized tests public school students are required to take. More from the Bradenton Herald, the Orlando Sentinel, the Tampa Bay Times, and the AP.

See also:
» Florida Department of Education Assessment Investigation Report
» Parents planning to "opt out" of Florida tests
» Politifact: Teacher group says Florida students take standardized tests up to 45 days a year


Jeb Bush: 'I am my own man.'

Former Florida governor Jeb Bush on Wednesday promised to chart his own course on foreign policy -- even as he announced a campaign braintrust associated with policies of his brother’s and father’s presidencies. In spite of that, Jeb Bush said his approach to the world would be shaped by ‘‘my own thinking and my own experiences.’’ More from the Boston Globe.


Florida Scientists Announce Anti-HIV Agent

Florida scientists are calling it a "remarkable new advance" against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Scientists at the Scripps Research Institute have announced the creation of a drug candidate they say is so potent and universally effective, it might help the body stop, or neutralize HIV. More from the South Florida Business Journal, Scripps, and see the article in Nature.


Florida beer battle is at a turning point

The taproom tug of war is just the latest squabble in an increasingly-heated dispute between small brewers and entrenched interests in the beer industry, but it may be a turning point in the debate. Heading into the 60-day legislative session that begins March 3, the effort to limit taprooms has created a backlash that could translate into a broader push to help small breweries. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]


You have a great product -- now what?

Four years ago, after a career designing equipment for conglomerates such as Combustion Engineering and Raytheon Corp., William Merritt patented a coffee-cup holder that attaches to laptop computers. It presented the biggest challenge of his working life. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Greening research money crucial for local agriculture
Citrus growers intrepid enough to remain in business are hoping a $30 million aid package announced last week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture will begin to turn the tide in their fight against a scourge that has decimated crops statewide.

› Final ACA enrollment tops 1.6 million in Florida
Enrollment in Affordable Care Act health insurance plans topped 1.6 million in Florida and totalled about 11.4 million nationwide through the February 15 deadline, according to data released by the federal Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday.
» See also: Florida has highest number of enrollees under health law

› All Aboard Florida to lose millions annually, economist says
A group fighting the $2.5 billion All Aboard Florida intercity passenger rail said a new economic analysis of the project shows it could lose more than $110 million a year.

› Northeast storms drive homebuyers to Miami
Residential brokers have long known the Northeastern winters draw people to South Florida but say this year, with a brutal winter, they’ve seen an unprecedented number of migrating homebuyers.


Go to page 2 for more stories ...

Tags: Daily Pulse

In case you missed it:

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

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.