March 19, 2024

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 4/1/2015

Despite shortfall, lawmakers still funding pet projects

Lawmakers faced with a potential $1 billion hole in next year's budget aren't holding back requests for money that will make them look good back home. Through March 20, members of the Florida House requested $2.9 billion in a raft of requests chock full of hometown projects. More at the Tampa Bay Times.


Agriculture
Next-generation GMOs

title
Cancer-fighting pink pineapples, heart-healthy purple tomatoes and less fatty vegetable oils may someday be on grocery shelves alongside more traditional products.

These genetically engineered foods could receive government approval in the coming years, following the OK given recently given to apples that don't brown and potatoes that don't bruise.

» More from the AP

Appetite for gator meat grows in Florida

The market for gator meat has exploded in the past couple of years, pushing the price in Florida to its highest level ever. The upswing is a relief for alligator farmers and trappers whose businesses were devastated by the recession. More at the Orlando Sentinel.


Cruise lines seek more Miami berths

More cruise ships aim to come to PortMiami, a Miami-Dade County official revealed. A number of companies are in talks with the county about bringing their ships to PortMiami. More at Miami Today.


Old Everglades Jetport site targeted for revival in air show plan

Miami-Dade officials are traveling to Paris in a bid to revive the idea of bringing a global aviation expo to the Miami area, this time using a remote airport so far west that much of it sits in Collier County. More at the Miami Herald.


Boutiques to donate percent of sales to nonprofit

Several boutiques in Palm Beach County are coming together to raise funds for a center that provides shelter and emotional support to abused, abandoned and neglected children in Palm Beach County. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Breaking News
Fuchs takes field, McElwain takes paycut

jim mcelwain In a highly unorthodox move, UF President Kent Fuchs and Gators head football Coach Jim McElwain are trading jobs -- permanently. The move is the result of Fuchs exercising a little-known clause in his employment contract that states that Fuchs retains the right to swap jobs with anyone else at the university he chooses for as long as he wants.

» Full story, with video, here

See also:
» Local restaurants have fun with April Fools' pranks

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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