Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 5/17/2018

Must-do for Florida’s midterm candidates: A stop in Puerto Rico. Or three.

Holding political office in Florida increasingly requires trekking to Puerto Rico, the former home of a growing number of Florida residents. More than a million Puerto Ricans already lived in the state before the hurricane, and another 56,000 joined them in the first six months after Maria. More from the New York Times.

USDA lowers Florida citrus forecast slightly

The U.S. Department of Agriculture estimates Florida will produce 44.95 million boxes of oranges this season, a slight decrease from the April forecast of 50 million. In October, about a month after Hurricane Irma battered the state, the USDA projected 54 million boxes, a figure growers disputed immediately. More from the Packer.

Florida's year-round daylight saving time bill awaits federal approval

As Florida enters into the hot, humid summer months, the state's desire to move to year-round daylight saving time awaits federal approval. The Sunshine Protection Act passed the Florida legislature in March and was signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott later that month. More from WFLA.

Why did Hollywood give Margaritaville developer $28M? Answers coming soon, city says

Critics want to know why Hollywood commissioners agreed to give the developer of Margaritaville $28 million in taxpayer money five years ago. And they will soon be able to get all the details in a workshop proposed by City Manager Wazir Ishmael. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Next Florida launch: SpaceX to put SES 12 satellite into orbit

Nothing’s ever 100 percent certain about launch schedules, but the next launch on the horizon for Florida is another SpaceX rocket carrying a satellite for one of the world’s biggest satellite companies. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Travel
2018's best summer travel destinations

With summer approaching, the personal-finance website WalletHub today released its report on 2018's Best Summer Travel Destinations to supplement its Best Travel Credit Cards and Currency Exchange studies. Florida is home to two of the top summer destinations in the U.S.

» More at Florida Trend.

Business Profile
Apoultry

Mirza Ahmed runs his farm and slaughterhouse in the heart of Central Florida’s metropolitan area. He raises farm-to-table, natural chickens with all the sights, sounds and smells that go along with it.