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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Despite headwinds, experts still expecting Florida tourism to grow
Hurricanes, international economic instability and the Zika virus are no match for the Florida tourism industry. Experts at the Florida Governor's Conference on Tourism on Thursday were still anticipating another year of growth, even with the surge of negative headlines that the Sunshine State has fielded this year. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and WJXT.
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» Florida confronts its challenges at Governor's Conference on Tourism
Florida ranks high in quality infrastructure
A recent report from the national transportation research group TRIP lists Florida’s transportation infrastructure among the best — and safest — in the country. The report shows that 96 percent of Florida’s highways are in fair or good condition. [Source: Miami Herald]
Florida TaxWatch Report
Discretion on the bench
Mandatory minimums and other stringent sanctions implemented during the 1980s and 1990s have led Florida prisons to incarcerate low-level offenders for unnecessarily lengthy sentences when many could be better served through alternative treatments and sanctions. This approach to sentencing results in the waste of valuable resources, at great expense to Florida taxpayers. More from Florida TaxWatch, here.
Dozens of pregnant Florida women test positive for Zika virus
Florida health officials have confirmed that 80 pregnant women have tested positive for the Zika virus in the state. Doctors said they expect to see an influx of Florida babies born to mothers who contracted the virus in about five or six months. More from WPLG and the International Business Times.
New bactericide treatment may help stem greening in Florida's citrus trees
A chemical treatment known as a bactericide could help preserve citrus trees from the potentially deadly and costly greening disease, a new University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences study shows. Citrus is estimated as a $10.9 billion-a-year industry in Florida and the finding could be key to helping the state's citrus growers and its economy. Full story from UF IFAS, here.
› After six years, Hillsborough County actually does something about transportation
After a failed referendum in 2010 and two failed attempts to hold another in 2016, the six-year debate about how to pay for Hillsborough County's transportation needs reached a milestone achievement Thursday: Something actually passed.
› Seminole charity offers new place of hope
When Chris Cerezo first sought food from HOPE Helps in Oviedo two years ago, he had to stand in line in the hot sun — or pouring rain — and meet with his caseworker behind a curtain in the crowded office of an aging strip mall.
› Miami Cancer Institute is near completion
With rapid construction, the state-of-the-art Miami Cancer Institute is near completion. In mid-October the first round of employees will be moving in, said a spokesperson for Baptist Health South Florida.
› South Florida manufacturers to meet Sept. 22
The South Florida Manufacturers Association in Pompano Beach will feature locally made products and look toward more regional cooperation in the future at its 56th annual meeting and expo on Sept. 22.
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