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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Anthem to buy Cigna for $54 billion
Health insurer Anthem has agreed to acquire Cigna for $54.2 billion. Anthem owns Blue Cross Blue Shield insurers in 14 states, but does not own FloridaBlue. The deal comes just weeks after Aetna agreed to acquire Humana, the smallest of the big five insurers. If both transactions are completed, they would shrink the number of major health insurers in the United States to three. More from New York Times.
Health measures improve in Florida
Florida is faring poorly on economic factors that influence child poverty, but key health indicators -- from low-birthweight babies to child health insurance rates and teens who abuse drugs and alcohol – have improved, according to the latest Kids Count report from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. More from Health News Florida and the Gainesville Sun.
The disappearing Apalachicola oyster
Apalachicola’s oysters are purported to be some of the best on earth. But, there's a problem with oysters from Apalachicola Bay: They're getting harder and harder to find beyond the hyperlocal market. [Source: Eater]
How to fall back in love with your job
Even exciting jobs have boring days. And when you’ve been doing the same tasks, going to the same office, and working with the same people day in and day out, you’re bound to fall into a rut on occasion. When that happens, how do you recognize what’s happening and counteract it? [Source: Harvard Business Review]
Investing in tourism results in Florida job growth
Dominic M. Calabro, President and CEO of Florida TaxWatch, the independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit public policy research institute and government watchdog, says, "Florida's thriving tourism industry provides extraordinary opportunities for economic growth." [Source: Florida TaxWatch]
› Hotel alternatives find stake in Orlando's vacation market
Online services such as Airbnb and HomeAway are changing the way some vacationers spend their money in Central Florida.
› UCF offers loan forgiveness for doctoral nursing program
The University of Central Florida is offering nurses seeking a Master's Degree a change a loan forgiveness opportunity. The program is funded with a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration. I
› Cuban Consulate Possibility Divides Miami, Tampa
Now that Cuba has an embassy again in Washington, D.C., consulates could be coming to serve its people, most of whom live in Florida. Miami and Tampa have the closest historical ties to the island, but they have very different things to say about the idea.
› Shepp named Department of Citrus interim chief
Shannon Shepp has been named interim executive director of the Florida Department of Citrus, replacing Doug Ackerman who resigned Monday after his arrest last week on a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge.
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