March 28, 2024

Wednesday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today

| 12/21/2016

Visit Florida may have to fight for its life

Visit Florida usually gets the backing of Republicans and Democrats alike for its mission to boost state tourism. But after a controversial deal with Miami rapper Pitbull that led to the resignation of three executives last week, the agency could be fighting for its very existence when the Legislature convenes next year. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]

Florida one of the nation's fastest-growing states in last year

Florida is one of the nation's fastest-growing states. New figures released Tuesday by the U.S. Census Bureau show that Florida's population grew by 1.8 percent in the last year. Only Utah and Nevada grew at faster rates, about 2 percent. [Source: AP]

See also:
» New York population shrinks, falls further behind Florida

Realtors, builders say more buyers, fewer construction workers trends will continue in 2017

An increase in demand for both new construction and existing houses will most likely be impacted by the continued shortage of construction labor. Homebuyers who lost their property during the downturn also are expected to re-enter the market in response to the better economy. [Source: Jacksonville Daily Record]

Medical marijuana faces uncertain future in Florida

Florida voters overwhelmingly approved expanding medical marijuana in November. Lawmakers must now decide whether the distribution systems needs to be altered from what was already in place and whether local government should be allowed to decide where dispensaries can be located. [Source: WBBH]

After two hurricanes in 2016, a dry Florida faces a new threat in 2017: Wildfires

Florida was drenched by two hurricanes in 2016, yet it faces a completely different problem in 2017: an increased risk of wildfires this winter. The state has become so dry in recent months that officials are now concerned about wildfires burning across the peninsula in the coming year. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

See also:
» For South Florida, it's beginning to feel a lot like summer

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› What is hosting the college football championship worth to Tampa Bay's economy?
How much of an economic impact will the College Football Playoff National Championship game have on Tampa Bay? Depending on whom you talk to, place it somewhere near $300 million on the high end down to… well, practically nothing.

› How that big sinkhole in Polk County could sink a Mosaic deal
The Mosaic Co.’s plan to buy a Brazilian fertilizer operation hinges in part on how Mosaic handles that giant sinkhole at the company’s New Wales facility.

› Utility regulator gets Florida parks job
Florida Gov. Rick Scott's administration has named a soon-to-be jobless utility regulator to fill the state's top parks post, which was left vacant recently by the reassignment of a popular parks veteran.

› Enterprising Latinas launches project to boost Wimauma economy
For decades, Wimauma, home to about 6,400 residents, nearly 75 percent Hispanic, has been an agricultural town lacking in services as basic as public transportation. But signs of progress and investments are visible.

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Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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