Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/8/2017

SeaWorld's woes deepen as travelers seek alternatives

More travelers snubbed SeaWorld Entertainment in the first half of 2017, concerning investors who were already worried about the amusement park operator's appeal following its decision to end orca shows and breeding.

Theme Park Attendance Change, 2009 to 2016:
Walt Disney World	+13.1%
Universal Orlando	+90.6%
SeaWorld Orlando	-24.1%
Numbers are based on park attendance estimates released every year by AECOM and the Themed Entertainment Association.

According to the company's earnings statement, attendance for the first half of 2017 was down by approximately 353,000 guests compared to the first half of 2016, at both SeaWorld Orlando and San Diego. In addition, SeaWorld reports a net loss of $237 million for the first half of 2017 includes a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $269.3 million. More from USA Today and the Tampa Bay Times.

Earlier, from Florida Trend: Sea change at SeaWorld

Trump visits putting big dent in small airports' business

Small airports and aviation-related businesses near Trump's properties in Florida and New Jersey have lost out on hundreds of thousands of dollars in business already this year. And they have no recourse other than to appeal to the Secret Service, which oversees presidential security. More from the AP.

Florida bucks trend, gas prices stay stable

While high demand and a dip in supply drove gas prices higher across the country this week, in Florida prices remained stable, according to The Auto Club Group. The state’s average price is $2.28 per gallon for regular gasoline. More from the Daily Commercial.

Florida adds 10,000 medical marijuana patients since June

Florida had 16,760 patients on June 7, according to state reports. Florida added more than 10,000 patients by July 27, for a total of 26,978 on the books – that’s a 60 percent increase. More from WMFE.

Premium cigar industry gets 3.5 more years to argue against stricter FDA regulations

Tampa's premium cigar dealers aren't ready to light a stogie in victory yet, but they have more time now to argue against proposed federal regulations that would add to their costs. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

Florida History
Jacksonville consolidation

A deadly, strangling octopus or a “communistic plot?” Those were some fighting words tossed around 50 years ago, when it became clear that not everyone was happy with the prospect of Jacksonville one day becoming the Bold New City of the South.

» More from the Florida Times-Union.

Business Profile
AquaVault

But who’s going to watch the stuff? It’s a familiar question, if you are among friends at the beach who want to take a swim. One Aventura-based startup, AquaVault, has a solution for that – and the crowd gives it a thumbs up.