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Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Retailers expect strong holiday sales season
Rising tourism and upbeat consumers have retailers feeling good about the holiday. The Florida Retail Federation on Wednesday predicted a 4.5 percent increase in holiday sales this year, a more optimistic outlook than the 3.7 percent increase projected for the nation by the National Retail Federation. Read more from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and see the report from the Florida Retail Federation.
Governor Scott seeks funding increase for state crime lab
Florida Gov. Rick Scott said on Wednesday that he will propose a new state budget that will include more funding to the state’s crime lab to address a backlog that has doubled the time to process some types of forensic evidence. More from the Tampa Bay Times, WJXT, and the AP.
Mergers and acquisitions on frenetic pace
Corporate mergers and acquisitions this year are on pace to break the record of $4.6 trillion set in 2007, according to Dealogic, which tracks the market. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]
U.S. and Cuba sign first environmental accord since diplomatic thaw
The United States and Cuba signed an agreement Wednesday to join forces and protect the vast array of fish and corals both countries separated by just 90 miles of water share in common, the first environmental accord since announcing plans to renew diplomatic relations. [Source: AP]
See also:
» Cuban migrant crisis in Central America escalates
Negotiating power shifts as Florida hospitals consolidate
A new analysis of Florida’s health care markets finds that as the state’s hospitals consolidate and expand, new business models are shifting the negotiating power. [Source: WLRN]
See also:
» Hospital profits jump nearly 40 percent
› Port Canaveral rejects massive resort complex
The proposed "WaterMarks ... A Port Canaveral Resort" project would have included three hotels, a conference center, a science and children's museum, a competition surf lagoon, a dining and retail village, luxury penthouses, an amphitheater and a manatee rehabilitation facility.
› Miami to consider drone regulations
On Thursday, Miami commissioners will consider legislation that would restrict the use of drones over and around stadiums and large gatherings, such as the Calle Ocho festival.
› Florida HMO enrollment jumps to largest numbers ever
Enrollment in Florida health maintenance organizations surged 44 percent in 2014, blowing well past 5 million, a report released this week says.
› Stagnant reading performance by Florida students prompts talk of new approaches
For nearly two decades, Florida's public education system has heavily emphasized the role of reading — especially students' need to read for comprehension by the end of third grade. Now, state leaders are conceding that the intense focus has not yielded the results they hoped for in recent years.
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