March 28, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/10/2017

Florida CFO Jeff Atwater to step down after session

Jeff Atwater
Jeff Atwater

Florida Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater announced Friday that he plans to leave his post at the end of the legislative session to take a job at Florida Atlantic University. Atwater accepted the position of Vice President of Strategic Initiatives and Chief Financial Officer for the University. Atwater said that he intends to continue pushing for the priorities of the Department of Financial Services, but “the timing of crucial University initiatives” means he’ll have to cut his term short. See the news release from Atwater's office, here. Also read more at FAU and Politico.

» Gov Rick Scott's statement about Atwater leaving for FAU

Ringling showcase offers glimpse of virtual reality in Sarasota

On Thursday evening, Ringling College and the Gulf Coast Community Foundation presented a technology showcase called "Seeing the Future in Virtual Reality." A few hundred guests got their first look at what everyone kept calling VR. More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

South Florida's boat show circuit revs up with three major events in coming weeks

South Florida’s 2017 boat show circuit is revving up. Next month, the 32nd iteration of the Palm Beach International Boat Show is set to open in downtown West Palm Beach along scenic Flagler Drive. In recent years, the show has gained more of an international following, both in terms of exhibitors and attendees. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Food truck court coming to downtown Jacksonville

Jacksonville has plenty of food trucks. Now downtown Jacksonville is about to get its first food truck court. The plan is to have four food trucks Monday-Friday, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. It will also be open evenings for ArtWalk and other special events. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Wyndham timeshare company battles Orlando whistleblower

The Orlando-based timeshare company affiliated with Wyndham Resorts is battling a whistleblower lawsuit in local federal courts. A former Central Florida employee of Wyndham Vacation Ownership is alleging that she was fired in October 2014 after complaining of “illegal sales tactics." More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Out of the Box
Florida's Pet Detective

florida When Patti Sheinbaum’s dog Daisy got loose from a pet sitter last November, the Jupiter resident said she was frantic. For 15 days, the 11-year-old dog was away from home and Sheinbaum spent the entire time searching for her. She also had help in that search from a real life Ace Ventura named Jamie Katz. “If it wasn’t for Jamie, I wouldn’t have found her,” Sheinbaum said. Katz is a private detective who specializes in finding lost pets.

» More from WPBF.

Florida Originals
‘The White Queen of the Gulf'

florida originalsThe Belleview Biltmore Hotel was built near the Gulf in northern Pinellas County in 1897 by railroad tycoon Henry Plant, one of a string of palaces linked to northern visitors by his railroad. Post-Plant, the hotel endured an evolving tourism market and a parade of owners. None were able to make the hotel a viable business, and the hotel fell into disrepair and closed in 2009.

» Access full story

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

In case you missed it:

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

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.