Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/7/2017

Shark diving trips grow in popularity, boosts Florida economy

Depending on who you are, getting up close and personal with a shark isn't a place you want to be. However, across Florida, there's a growing industry of divers and tourists seeking an encounter with one of the most feared predators in the water. More from First Coast News.

Unable to reach agreement, commissioners delay Miami-Dade’s Airbnb crackdown

After almost two hours of deliberation over a proposed ordinance that would create a laundry list of new regulations for short-term rental owners in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, commissioners couldn’t reach an agreement. More from the Miami Herald.

Special Budweiser packaging will celebrate Florida

Budweiser is unveiling new bottle and can designs for the summer, and one of them celebrates the Sunshine State. The Florida bottle features our state name, the motto “gateway to the moon” and the nickname “the Sunshine State.” The Florida bottles will be on the shelves from July to September 2017. See the company announcement here. Also read more at WESH.

Florida credit unions combine; assets top $600 million

Sarasota’s West Coast Federal Employees Credit Union has merged with Tampa’s USF Federal Credit Union. The merger allows USF Federal Credit Union to deliver its financial products and services to members in Sarasota and Manatee counties. More at the news release.

World-class cancer care close to home

Florida Cancer Specialists delivers the most advanced, personalized treatment, plus national clinical trials, in nearly 100 communities throughout Florida. Full story here. [Sponsored report]

Dining
A new ice age in Florida

Once, Florida depended on ice cut and shipped from frozen lakes thousands of miles to the north. Today, the stout brick buildings where Floridians first made ice in the 1920s are being rehabilitated as eateries and distilleries.

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Business Profile
Bananas Music

St. Petersburg's Bananas Music, the vinyl music empire founded by Michelle and Doug Allen, celebrates its 40th anniversary on Saturday. Bananas has not only survived but thrived as the music industry has imploded and regenerated around it.