Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/2/2017

Dueling Florida lawmakers face long list of issues

The Florida Legislature goes into session Tuesday to consider key issues affecting Floridians, including tax cuts, funding for schools and health care, higher education reforms, reinstating the death penalty and gun rights. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Brazilian plastics firm looks to build in Florida

Clodam do Brasil, a Brazilian plastics recycling company, is looking to build a plastics recycling facility in Jacksonville. In choosing Jacksonville, the company cited the accessibility of the port and the logistics infrastructure. More from Recycling Today.

Seminole Tribe officials voice discontent with Florida gambling bills

Although there are two gambling bills in the Florida Legislature, both of them offering the Seminole Tribe what is considered to be certain benefits, tribal officials do not seem to be very happy with the opportunities they have been presented with. More from Casino News Daily.

Florida looks to expand 'stand your ground' immunity

While at least 22 states have similar laws that say people can use force — even deadly force — to defend themselves from threats, Florida could soon be the only one that spells out that prosecutors have to prove defendants weren't acting in self-defense before taking someone to trial. More from the AP.

Florida TaxWatch: Antibiotic resistant bacteria can invade taxpayers' wallets

When considering the economic burden of ARB infections, several metrics must be considered, including individual healthcare costs, total healthcare system costs, and societal costs. More from Florida TaxWatch.

Research
Florida Scientists Develop Scent to Help Fight Avocado Pest

UF/IFAS scientists might have just tracked down the right scents to help deter a beetle that’s been delivering disease and devastation to Florida avocado growers. Insecticides are not very efficient because beetles spend most of their time within the wood.

» More from Growing Produce and Fresh Plaza.

Florida Law
Google Wins Some and Loses Some in Florida SEO Case

Last month, a Florida judge ruled on a landmark case against Google that will have a far-reaching impact on how SEO is conducted, and may ultimately give some guidance both to webmasters and to Google itself on how websites make it onto the Google index.