Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/15/2017

Florida added 16,800 private sector jobs in February

The State of Florida added 16,800 private sector jobs during the month of February, according to the ADP Regional Employment Report which is produced by ADP®, a leading global provider of Human Capital Management (HCM) solutions, in collaboration with Moody's Analytics, Inc. Read the full news release here.

Port Everglades proposes terminal renovation, new agreement with Royal Caribbean

The customized renovation for Terminal 25 at Fort Lauderdale’s cruise port is part of a new proposed agreement with the Miami-based cruise company that would run through at least 2026. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) must be approved by Broward County Commissioners before it’s finalized. Read the MOU here. Also see more at the Miami Herald.

Coral Gables votes to ban plastic bags — a first in Florida

Plastic bag use in stores could soon be a thing of the past in Coral Gables after the city commission on Tuesday gave initial approval to an ordinance banning the products. The measure will require a second vote to become law, which will likely come at the March 28 meeting. More from the Miami Herald.

Florida lawmakers reopen contentious vacation rental debate

A rolling, six-year conflict between Florida vacation rental operators and local governments trying to curb noise, trash problems and other complaints about rental houses revved back to life in the Legislature Tuesday More from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Jacksonville-based Crowley begins shipping routes to Panama

Crowley Maritime Corp. has started new shipping routes connecting Jacksonville and Port Everglades to Panama. In the past, Crowley, based in Jacksonville, has used space on third-party vessels to ship cargo containers to the Central American country. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Around the State
Florida's panther population stabilizes

Panthers once freely roamed the South from Texas to the Atlantic Coast. But habitat loss and disease landed the animal on the federal endangered species list in 1967. Eventually, all that remained in Florida were about 20 animals in the southwest part of the state.

» Access full story.

Sports Business
Miami OKs Major League Baseball deal for All-Star Game

The Miami City Commission has OK’d an agreement with Major League Baseball clearing the way for the city to host this year’s All-Star Game at Marlins Park.