SHARE:
Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Sen. Jack LatvalaJack Latvala resigns from the Florida Senate
Latvala, 66, of Clearwater, a long-time Tampa Bay leader and Republican candidate for governor, sent a letter of resignation to Senate President Joe Negron in an abrupt and highly dramatic end to a controversial career that spanned three decades. More from the Tampa Bay Times, the AP, and the Tallahassee Democrat.
See also:
» Latvala's resignation letter
Imported citrus numbers continue to grow in Florida
An increase in imported orange juice is anticipated by the Florida Citrus Commission to offset a decline in tax revenue from the state's hurricane-battered growers, who await congressional action on disaster relief. [Source: WJXT]
Florida has reported more mumps cases in 2017 than the last five years combined
At least 56 cases of mumps have been reported in Florida in 2017, a significant rise over prior years but well below outbreaks in other states, which have reported hundreds of infections this year. In Florida, mumps cases have occurred across all ages, with the most infections reported in Broward, Collier, Duval, Hillsborough and Palm Beach counties. [Source: Miami Herald]
Eagle population soaring in Florida
Bald eagle populations being monitored in most of Florida show the national symbol is thriving but also faces threats as more of the Sunshine State is developed. A report released recently by Florida Audubon, called Eagle Watch, says eaglets here are doing well based on sheer numbers but that they're losing natural nesting habitat. [Source: Naples Daily News]
Are there nesting eagles in your Florida community? Find out here:
» Eagle nest locator tool -- from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission
Florida’s Citizens expects policy count increase in 2018, plans claims system upgrade
Citizens Property Insurance Corp., the Florida state-run insurer of last resort, is anticipating its policyholder count will increase in 2018 for the first time since its efforts to shed policies through depopulation began several years ago. Citizens President, CEO and Executive Director Barry Gilway they are expecting the policy count to climb from 442,000 to around 500,000. [Source: Insurance Journal]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Grocery chain may help market Zoo Miami product – Zoo Doo
Zoo Miami’s animal and plant waste composting project commonly referred to as “Zoo Doo” faced a setback in sales so far this year as a result of Hurricane Irma shutting down the zoo for 37 days.
› California chain of medical marijuana clinics downsizing Florida operations
Tetra Health Care, a California-based chain that hires licensed doctors to write medical marijuana recommendations at six clinics in Florida, is closing all but one to focus on working with state lawmakers to make access easier for patients.
› FBU National Championship is a win for Collier County's economy
Collier County is scoring big with Football University's national tournament. As the event has grown, so has its impact on the local economy. This year the National Championship for top-flight middle school football players is expected to bring in more than 6,000 visitors, up from about 4,300 in 2016.
› Laid-off employees suing Patriot National for severance pay, benefits
Two of the 250 Patriot National employees laid off without severance pay on the day before Thanksgiving are suing their former employer in federal court. Meanwhile, Patriot National’s ex-CEO is suing the company’s former attorneys and blaming them for its impending bankruptcy.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
