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Wednesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Miami ranked No. 7 for worst traffic in the U.S.
It's not your imagination - traffic in Miami is bad, and here's how bad: The city ranked #7 out of 174 cities in the U.S. by navigation and mapping company TomTom. TomTom's data says people who drive in Miami spend 125 more hours per year in their car. Miami’s congestion has increased every year since the Traffic Index was first published in 2008. More from the Miami Herald.
Interactive maps and data from Florida cities in traffic survey::
» Miami map showing worst areas for traffic
» Tampa (ranked #98 in U.S.) map
» Orlando (ranked #99 in U.S.) map
» Jacksonville (ranked #139) map
Refunds available for Brussels-bound air travelers
With Brussels Airport closed through at least Thursday, most airlines responded by putting into effect change and refund policies for passengers with tickets arriving at or departing from Belgium’s capital. Regardless of airline policies, travel insurance may protect Brussels-bound travelers, said Stan Sandberg of TravelInsurance.com. Many travel insurance plans offer trip cancellation coverage for terrorist attacks provided the coverage is bought before the assault, he said. More from the New York Times.
Florida children of legal immigrants will soon be eligible for health coverage
Thousands of Florida children of legal immigrants are closer to obtaining subsidized health insurance this summer, after the Legislature passed a long-debated expansion of the KidCare program. According to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, 2,077 children of legal immigrants applied for KidCare coverage in the last year and were denied because they were still in the waiting period; they'll now be eligible for coverage that will cost their families a monthly premium between $15 and $20. More from WFLX.
MarineMax expanding into yacht management, charter of luxury megayachts
MarineMax announced that they are expanding into yacht management, crew placement and charter of luxury megayachts. Bob Saxon Associates has joined MarineMax as part of a new endeavor that will be headquartered in Pompano Beach. Full story here.
IRS Tax Tip
Bartering produces taxable income and reporting requirements
Bartering is the trading of one product or service for another. Often there is no exchange of cash. For example, a gardener might trade landscape work with a plumber for plumbing work. If you barter, you should know that the value of products or services from bartering is normally taxable income. Full story here.
Business Profile
TaboLap makes work on the go easier
As owner and founder of Ponte Vedra Beach-based startup AdeptTrends, 41-year-old Lien Hoang has created TaboLap, a dual-function laptop bag with a non-slip, table-like structure and two retractable shelves functioning as a portable workstation.. » Access the story here (from Florida Trend's March issue).
Out of the Box
FAU: Therapy dogs ease stress for students
Dogs have long been recognized for soothing anxiety, lowering blood pressure and boosting emotional connections. Colleges and universities have increasingly begun to recognize this. Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton had a pet therapy dog at the Wimberley library during last year’s finals to help ease the stress. Lynn University in Boca and others in the area also do it. Some colleges, including Florida International University, allow comfort pets in dorm rooms. The University of Florida has two certified therapy dogs at its Counseling and Wellness Center. More at the Palm Beach Post.
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