Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 10/27/2017

Florida push to become bigger player in cybersecurity comes amid tough competition

Florida probably isn't the first place that comes to mind in terms of a strong cybersecurity industry. In fact, it has a somewhat insecure reputation — the Sunshine State had the second highest rate for identity theft complaints in 2016, according to the Federal Trade Commission. But local stakeholders are looking to change that. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

SpaceX to revive Cape Canaveral launch pad damaged in explosion for NASA mission

SpaceX will revive the Cape Canaveral launch pad damaged in a 2016 explosion for its next resupply mission to the International Space Station no earlier than December, NASA said Thursday. More from Florida Today.

Jacksonville aircraft manufacturer lands contract to build more planes for Afghanistan

The relationship between the U.S. Air Force and a Jacksonville aircraft manufacturer continued this week with an order for six A-29 Super Tucanos to be used by Afghan pilots for counterinsurgency operations and airborne self-defense for their government. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Florida reports more than $9 million recovered for insurance consumers in Q3

Assistance provided to Floridians by from Florida’s insurance consumer helpline led to the recovery of nearly $9.3 million in the third quarter of 2017, according to a statement from Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis. More from the Insurance Journal.

Massage chain targets more Florida growth

MassageLuxe, a national massage therapy chain, is expanding in Southwest Florida. The Naples MassageLuxe is the Fenton, Mo.-based chain’s 51st franchise location. More from the Business Observer.

Innovation
Weather Warnings: Lightning Protection in Babcock Ranch

Babcock Ranch, the community under construction on a parcel that straddles the Lee County-Charlotte County line, aims to be both the nation’s first solar-powered city and the first to have its own lightning-protection system.

» More from Florida Trend.

Business Profile
Pensacola Bay Oyster Co.

A Pensacola oyster farmer is among the finalists in an international competition for seafood industry innovators. Donnie McMahon III will pitch his idea to make Pensacola a center for shellfish hatcheries and nurseries at California's Stanford University during the Fish 2.0 competition next month.