March 19, 2024

Tuesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/9/2016

The Canadian dollar's plunge is hurting Florida snowbirds

The loonie, as the Canadian dollar is known, hasn't been this weak since 2004. As a result, it costs Canadians in Florida more to pay for anything from a can of peas to a vacation condo. That means many snowbirds are cutting back or heading home early. "We're all senior citizens, and we're on pensions, so it affects us quite a bit," said John Finnerty, 76, who splits his time between Lakeland and Ontario. "This is a disaster." [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» Tampa Bay among top tourism destinations in the country

Plenty of e-tailers are hitting the mall

Amazon's plans to open as many as 400 brick- and-mortar bookstores, revealed Tuesday by a mall executive, may seem an unlikely turn of events. But should Amazon proceed, it will have plenty of company. In recent years, a rash of e-tailers from Warby Parker to Bonobos have opened stores. Some are popups, but others are designed to be permanent. [Source: Bloomberg]

Could the gas-price declines be over?

Is the precipitous drop at the pump almost over? Possibly. There already are some signs of that, according to AAA, the auto club. AAA says unless oil prices decline even more in the coming weeks, prices at the pump could begin to climb in the coming weeks. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, the Miami Herald, and Click Orlando.

Florida awaits approval of bactericides to combat citrus greening

Florida’s “brand” and $10-billion economic driver, the citrus industry, could be headed for collapse if stop-gap measures aren’t found to slow citrus greening, said Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. [Source: WGCU]

India overtakes China as world's fastest growing major economy

India has overtaken China as the fastest growing major economy in the world, expanding by 7.3pc at the end of 2015 and cementing its position as one of the sole bright spots in a flailing global economy. [Source: The Telegraph]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Florida health department: 16 Zika virus cases statewide
The number of confirmed Zika infections in Florida rose by two over the weekend to a grand total of 16 cases statewide, including six in Miami-Dade, Surgeon General John Armstrong reported Monday.

› Florida wildlife officers ask for tips about Brevard anacondas
Wildlife officials are looking for answers after two green anaconda snakes were found along Florida's Space Coast. Officials with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on Monday asked for the public's help in gathering information about the snakes.

› South Florida company edges locals for Ichetucknee concessions
There's a new concessionaire at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, with state officials going with an established South Florida company over a newly formed partnership of local business people who have made their livelihood off the iconic swimming hole and tubing run for decades.

› Bruised KEL law firm rebrands as LawyerASAP
Orlando-based KEL law firm, whose leading partners have faced discipline by the Florida Supreme Court twice, is rebranding as LawyerASAP.

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