Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/2/2016

Marco Rubio begins tough recovery effort today in Detroit

Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who had a disappointing Super Tuesday, will hold a rally this afternoon in a place that knows hardship and rebirth: Detroit. "No matter how many states it takes, no matter how many weeks and months it takes, we are going to stop Donald Trump, and win this election,” Rubio said Tuesday evening. For Rubio it all comes down to Florida, where Trump holds a double-digit polling lead, according to RealClearPolitics.com’s average of statewide polls. More from the Tampa Bay Times and the Detroit News.

Florida returns record $32 million in unclaimed property

The State of Florida set a record in February for returning unclaimed property to its owners. Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater said the state returned $32 million in property last month, beating the previous record of $27.5 million in August 2014. More from the AP.

State mental hospitals getting funding for 160 new workers

After years of drastic budget cuts, Florida's mental hospitals stand to get as many as 160 new workers under a budget proposal approved this week by state lawmakers. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Next U.S. recession may not be a biggie but could be a long one

The world's largest economy has a host of strengths, from well-capitalized banks to financially-stable households, which should help limit the depth of a downturn should one happen. More from Bloomberg.

Billboard company taps cellphone data to learn about who sees its ads

Outdoor advertising company Clear Channel Outdoor Americas is working with companies that use mobile phone location data to learn more about who is passing its billboards and whether they later visit advertisers' stores. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Publisher's Column
Boundless

With no Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico or Everglades to hem it in, Orlando’s potential is boundless. Its central location is one reason it has grown so much over the years. But other reasons are equally important — the verve of the market, aggressive leadership and a focus on creating and attracting cutting-edge businesses.

» Read Andy Corty's full column

Business Profile
Happy Hens Leasing

Bryce DeLage and Ann Arnold started their company, Happy Hens Leasing, in the summer of 2015, hoping to share their love of chickens with more people. The company offers leases of all equipment needed to raise hens in a backyard: a custom-built, predator-resistant coop, two hens, food, nesting material and a waterer.