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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
GDP numbers reveal economic strength of U.S. economy
This week, the U.S. economy revealed its underlying strength in the midst of wild swings in global stock prices and anxiety over a slowdown in China. The Commerce Department said Thursday the nation’s gross domestic product -- the government’s broadest measure of economic output -- expanded at 3.7% in the spring, much faster than the initial estimate of a 2.3% growth rate. [Source: Wall Street Journal]
See also:
» Full GDP report from the Bureau of Economic Analysis
» On Thursday, Wall Street surged for second day as China fears faded
Erika could barrel up center of Florida as tropical storm
As of 5 a.m. on Friday, no watches or warnings are in effect for South Florida, but Erika's land interaction throughout the morning and early afternoon hours will likely determine the ultimate track and intensity for the weekend and early next week. Right now, the state is in the center of projected path. More from NBC Miami, Florida Today, and the Weather Channel.
See also:
» Storm prep guide: 5 things to know about food
» Preparedness guide from the National Hurricane Center
Challengers ask court to take over Florida's redistricting
Equating the Legislature's redistricting failure to a strikeout, the challengers to the state's congressional map on Thursday called on the Florida Supreme Court to redraw the districts it invalidated and reject the Legislature's call for more time. [Source: Times/Herald]
AAA predicts busiest Labor Day travel in 7 years
More than 1.8 million Floridians are expected to join a growing number of people traveling over the Labor Day holiday, travel club AAA says. A total of 35.5 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home between Sept. 3 and 7, AAA says. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Beer, wine on menu at more casual restaurants
Would you like wine with that? Beer and wine are hitting the menu of many fast-casual restaurants in Central Florida as operators look to fatten their profits with adult beverages. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
› Some Florida beaches more prone to bacteria
A review of data collected under the Florida Healthy Beaches Program over the past 15 years shows wide variation among counties, with some issuing hundreds of advisories, while others have issued just a few dozen.
› Small businesses team up for suicide prevention
Florida ranks near the bottom nationally in per capita mental health funding. That’s why several small local businesses have teamed with a community organization and a Tampa brewery to put on a fun event about a tough topic.
› State depriving sick and disabled kids of healthcare, doctors say
The medical directors of a Florida agency that treats some of the state’s sickest and most disabled children are accusing healthcare administrators of “dismantling” the program amid a controversial overhaul that already has purged close to 6,000 children from enrollment.
› Jacksonville's Cedar Bay coal-power plant's fate clearer
State regulators Thursday approved a settlement that will clear the way for Florida Power & Light to buy --- and ultimately shut down --- a coal-fired power plant in Jacksonville.
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