March 29, 2024

Monday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/19/2016

International buyers shift, spend less in Florida

Europe's currency woes waged a direct hit on Florida's residential real estate market this year with fewer United Kingdom buyers at the table and sales prices spiraling, a new study shows. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida's tourism chief ousted over Pitbull video controversy

Gov. Rick Scott on Friday requested the resignation of Will Seccombe, the state's tourism-marketing leader amid a controversy over an expired $1 million contract with a Miami hip-hop artist. The governor sent a letter to Wiliam D.Talbert III, chairman of the Visit Florida board, and in the letter, praised past efforts of the agency, recommended changes, and also complimented Pitbull, for "his great devotion to our state." The letter also stated:

However, the major changes outlined above require new leadership and ideas at the agency, and I believe it would be best for the future efforts of Visit Florida for Will to step down and allow new leadership to come in at this critical time.

Read the letter from Gov. Scott, here. Also see more at the Destin Log and the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida banks got healthier in the third quarter

Florida banks are becoming more stable and productive, according to ratings released Friday by Coral Gables-based BauerFinancial. The number of Florida banks with a “recommended” rating from Bauer rose to 81.2 percent in the third quarter of 2016, compared to 68.3 percent in the third quarter of 2015. Look up BauerFinancial's star rating for your bank here, or your credit union here. Also read more at the Miami Herald.

Florida prepares to revise state Constitution

The Florida Constitution Revision Commission is convened every 20 years and composed of 37 members appointed by the heads of the government's three branches. Typically, the CRC spends approximately a year studying state issues and meeting with citizens before proposing a list of possible changes to the Constitution. [Source: Pensacola News-Journal]

Storm repair tab looms as Florida tackles 2017 beach budget

State lawmakers will need to carve out an estimated $77 million next year to repair damage to Florida's beaches from hurricanes Hermine and Matthew and to protect development and infrastructure along the shore from future storms, according to a draft hurricane recovery plan from the state's Department of Environmental Protection. [Source: Naples Daily News]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Boca Raton company seeks to boost plant life on Earth and enable it in space
A Boca Raton biotechnology company is determined to save Earth from food shortages and even make Mars habitable for human life. Lofty goals for Zero Gravity Solutions, a startup which acquired technology shown in independent studies to make crops more robust.

Jessica Dareneau Jessica Dareneau

› Tampa big data firm hires former insurance attorney
Lumina Analytics, a Tampa-based firm that studies actuarial data, announced its newest hire, former insurance industry defense attorney Jessica Dareneau.

› Despite threats and lawsuits, Florida electors ready to vote for Donald Trump
Florida's 29 presidential electors will convene Monday in Tallahassee, where all are expected to cast written ballots for Donald Trump to become the 45th president of the United States.

› Jacksonville bringing college life back to downtown
A budding college scene is emerging as Jacksonville University, Florida State College at Jacksonville, and the University of North Florida all look at ways to pump some academia into the heart of the city.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

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Florida Trend Video Pick

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