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Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
SpaceX's Falcon 9 explodes on Florida launch pad during rocket test
An explosion rocked a SpaceX launch site Thursday during a routine rocket test. SpaceX was conducting a test firing of its unmanned rocket when the blast occurred shortly after 9 a.m., according to NASA. The test was in advance of a planned Saturday launch from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. SpaceX released this statement:
"SpaceX can confirm that in preparation for today's static fire, there was an anomaly on the pad resulting in the loss of the vehicle and its payload. Per standard procedure, the pad was clear and there were no injuries."
» Read the story from Reuters, here. Also see more at the AP and Florida Today.
Half of Americans wary of travel to U.S. Zika zones
A new poll on Americans' health care attitudes finds almost half are wary of traveling to places in the U.S. where people have been infected with the Zika virus by mosquitoes, such as parts of Florida. More from the AP.
Offices for state of Florida closing early today in 51 counties
Today, in preparation for Tropical Storm Hermine, Governor Rick Scott directed all state offices in 51 counties to close on Thursday, September 1st. at noon. Decisions regarding Friday, September 2nd will be made after further weather updates. Full story here, includes list of counties.
Performance-based contracting can lead to more successful public outcomes
It should come as no surprise that incentives are used in government contracts as a way to motivate private and public entities to reach certain goals. These incentives are typically referred to as either performance-based contracting or pay-for-performance. When state and local governments lay out goals for service projects and tie compensation of providers to these outcomes, it helps minimize risk to the taxpayer while maximizing project outcomes. Read the "Economic Commentary" from Florida TaxWatch.
Florida gas prices continue sharp rise heading into Labor Day weekend
The average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Florida is 14 cents more expensive than last week. After a remarkable downward trajectory since February tied to bloated supplies, gas prices have risen for 14 consecutive days, said Patrick DeHaan, senior petroleum analyst for GasBuddy. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
» Check gas prices in your Florida neighborhood, here.
Event
Florida State launches ‘Policy Pub’ series
Taking a cue from the “salons” of the 18th century, Florida State University is kicking off a series of informal public policy chats in Tallahassee. “Beginning in mid-September, Policy Pub will bring Tallahassee residents and college faculty together in a relaxed social environment,” according to the press release.
» More from Florida Politics.
Research Florida
Center for Collaborative Research
This month, Nova Southeastern University in south Florida holds the grand opening for its biomed Center for Collaborative Research, a 215,000-sq.-ft., $80-million building that is “really going to be transformational,” says Dr. H. Thomas Temple, the university’s senior vice president of translational research and economic development. The building will be one of the most advanced and largest research facilities in the state Read the full story here.
» This story is part of Florida Trend's Research Florida 2016 section.
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