Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 10/13/2016

In Florida's election, it's retirees versus Latinos

Florida went for President Obama in 2012 -- but just barely, with the tightest margin of any state. Since then, two populations have ballooned: retirees and Latinos, especially Puerto Ricans. Retirees lean Republican, while Latinos lean Democratic. The voter bloc that comes out stronger will likely sway the election. More from CNN.

Security companies merge, retain Fort Lauderdale headquarters

Cybersecurity companies Netsurion of Fort Lauderdale and EventTracker of Columbia, Md., have agreed to merge, the companies announced Thursday. The combined company will be based in Fort Lauderdale. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Florida hotter than ever

The 12 months ending in September was Florida’s warmest on average in records that began in 1895. This last winter, December through February was the record wettest for those three months across Southwest Florida and the Everglades even though it’s normally the dry season. More from Florida Weekly.

Insurance claims mount from Matthew

Policyholders recovering from Hurricane Matthew filed about 34,300 insurance claims since Sunday night, bringing the statewide total through Wednesday morning to 39,302, according to the state Office of Insurance Regulation. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Florida using 'overwhelming force' to fight flesh-eating screwworms

In recent months, Florida has faced both Zika virus and hurricanes. Now, the Sunshine State must defend itself against one more natural scourge: flesh-eating worms of unknown origin. More from CNN.

Sports Business
South Florida is Getting a New College Football Team

South Florida is about to get a new college football team: Say hello to the Keiser University Seahawks. Dr. Arthur Keiser, the chancellor of the 17-campus private university, said Tuesday his school would field a football team and it would play in a new stadium in West Palm Beach by 2018.

» More from the Miami Herald.

Tourism
Experience Kissimmee Reveals New Marketing Campaign

Moving away from a previous focus on proximity to Walt Disney World, Kissimmee's tourism marketing group is unveiling a broad campaign that shows off the city's other tourist attractions and focuses on the whole vacation experience.