March 29, 2024

Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/2/2015

Floridians spend more as economy improves

With a rebounding economy, Floridians spent more in 2014, from eating out to buying things for the house, according to statistics released Tuesday by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Why you may not want to discuss how much you make, or not

Pay issues can cause emotional upheaval in the workplace, which is one reason employers try to keep them secret. A perfectly content worker can become miserable overnight after learning that her co-worker makes more money for doing the same job. More at the Florida Times-Union.

Uber bill passes first House panel, faces tougher test in Senate

Legislation to regulate app companies such as Uber and Lyft that provide rides to passengers cleared its first House panel Wednesday, but getting the bill through the Senate could still prove difficult. More at the Orlando Sentinel.

Southwest Florida commercial real estate market shows signs of recovery

While the residential market continues to sizzle in Southwest Florida, the commercial real estate sector is a mixed bag. Multifamily construction is booming, and retailers continue to move into the region. But office vacancies remain high. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

St. Petersburg to host LGBT tourism convention in 2017

St. Petersburg is already home to the largest gay pride event in the state, and come 2017, the city will host the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association's Annual Global Convention for the first time. More at the Tampa Bay Times.

Tech Trends
Could Self-Driving Cars Spell the End of Ownership?

self driving cars Within a generation, automobiles will be endowed with what’s known as Level 4 autonomy—full self-driving artificial intelligence for cars—which will not so much change the game as burn down the casino. Autonomy will make it possible for unmanned automobiles to be summoned, via app, to your location.

» More from the Wall Street Journal

The Business of Communication
Freeing up the Telephone

camerasWhy can people make countless calls to places half way around the world for free with services like Skype, yet have to pay hundreds of dollars to do the same using a telephone? The two networks have evolved so differently that they are difficult to compare.

» More from the Economist

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon 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.