March 19, 2024

Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 2/21/2017

Launch Florida initiative lifts off with 54 entrepreneurship and tech organizations

Launch Florida, a statewide innovation coalition representing 54 organizations, announced its launch this week with a mission to foster collaboration between entrepreneurs, policymakers, business leaders, venture capitalists, philanthropists and other stakeholders in order to share knowledge and ultimately grow Florida’s innovation economy. More from the Miami Herald.

Troubled Waters: a history of Florida's most precious resource

Florida’s nickname, ‘The Sunshine State,’ fails to include the area’s most abundant resource: water. Florida ranks behind only Alaska and Michigan as the state with the most water. Full story from FSU news, here.

UPS tests drone deliveries in Florida with eye to cost cuts

Package delivery company United Parcel Service Inc tested home delivery by drone in Lithia, Florida, on Monday, the first step in what the company hopes will be a move toward more automated delivery. Full story from Reuters, here.

Your turn:
» Do you think drones will be delivering packages to houses in your city? (quick poll)

SeaWorld estimates dips in revenue, attendance for 2016

SeaWorld Entertainment’s revenue and attendance declined in 2016 compared with the previous year, according to estimates the company released Tuesday morning. Orlando-based SeaWorld will provide a complete earnings report to investors next week. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Legislature looks to expand gun rights

Florida Republicans are more determined than ever to pass bills expanding gun rights in the wake of the deadly Pulse nightclub and Fort Lauderdale airport shootings. They say law-abiding gun owners should be allowed to take their weapons to airports, government meetings and state universities. More from the AP.

Education
Florida Prepaid urges families to save early

florida With less than two weeks remaining in its annual open enrollment period, the Florida Prepaid College Board is urging families to give themselves financial peace of mind by locking in affordable prices for Florida Prepaid College Plans.

» More from the Tallahassee Democrat.

Business Profile
Watsco

watsco The traditional HVAC — bizspeak for “heating, ventilation and air conditioning” — industry is ripe for technology transformation — not to eliminate the contractor but to help him do his job more efficiently. For Miami-based Watsco, that’s the goal.

» Read more from the Miami Herald and see also:
» "The story of Watsco is rooted in entrepreneurial vision, long-term thinking"

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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Incoming income tax instructor indicated
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Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

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