SHARE:
Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Invasive fruit flies threaten Florida crops
An invasive and destructive pest has been identified in the farmlands near Miami, Florida agriculture officials said Tuesday. The Oriental fruit flies are considered one of the world's most serious agricultural pests because of their potential economic harm.
"We successfully eradicated this invasive pest... three years ago, and together with the USDA we'll implement an aggressive eradication program to do so again,” said Ag Commissioner Adam Putnam. See the news release from Florida's Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Also read more at the Orlando Sentinel, WLRN, and the AP.
It’s harder to be low-income in Florida compared to most states
Living on a low income isn’t easy anywhere, but a new study by RewardExpert indicates Florida is among the states where it is particularly difficult. The study evaluated states based on government assistance programs, cost of living, average income, taxes, minimum wage, housing prices and debt collection and family leave laws. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
See also:
» Study: Floridians struggling financially despite 'booming' business environment
Election security grant for Florida approved by feds
Florida is going to quickly get a $19 million federal grant aimed at protecting the state's election systems from cyberattack. Gov. Rick Scott ordered the state to apply for the money late last month. His move came one day after the state's top election official said the money wouldn't be available until after the November elections. More information at WKMG and in a news release about the "Help America Vote Act" funds, here.
Florida’s mermaid business: a tail of growth
Florida’s best-known industries include citrus, seafood and selling tacky souvenirs to tourists. But there’s one booming Florida industry that hardly ever gets a mention from the Chamber of Commerce folks. Mermaids. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Andy Corty, Florida Trend Publisher Florida Trend Publisher's Column
Hat's off to Florida's colleges and universities
Higher education is big business in Florida, and many schools throughout the state are climbing in national rankings. U.S. News & World Report compiles the most-followed list. No matter your opinion, the lists are influential with faculty, alumni and prospective students. More from Andy Corty.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Trump’s tariffs could spark trade war, Florida Chamber warns
The Florida Chamber of Commerce, a statewide business group closely aligned with Gov. Rick Scott, warned Tuesday that new tariffs could spark a trade war and hurt Florida jobs and families. President Donald Trump has proposed steel and aluminum tariffs on some of America's closest allies, including Canada, Mexico and the European Union.
See also:
» Conversations: Will effects of Trump's tariffs be felt in Florida?
› Port Canaveral completes upgrade of cargo piers
Port Canaveral has completed, ahead of schedule, an eight-month modernization project to renovate its North Cargo Piers 1 and 2. The project is part of an overall infrastructure improvement plan to maximize usability of existing bulkhead space at the Port.
› Bartow begins planning fiber-optic expansion
Bartow is poised to move ahead with a pilot project that potentially could bring fiber-optic services, including internet, to residential neighborhoods. Currently, the city's fiber-optics service is limited to governmental buildings and those businesses that are close enough to them to piggyback on the system.
› Judge lifts stay on smoking medical marijuana in Florida
Leon County circuit court Judge Karen Gievers on Tuesday upheld her May 25 ruling that the Florida Legislature's provision banning smokable medical marijuana is unconstitutional. The stay will officially be lifted next Monday. Gievers wrote delaying her ruling any further would create irreparable harm to patients.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
