SHARE:
Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
What’s a slot machine? Florida court will decide
In a legal dispute that’s dragged on for more than three years, an appellate court is grappling with whether popular tabletop games are illegal slot machines or are simply entertainment. Proponents of the tabletop games, known as “pre-reveal games,” contend that the devices are legal because they include a “preview” feature that advises players of the outcome of the games. But critics, including the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, say that doesn’t matter because the “random number generator” used to create the games equates to the definition of slot machines, which are games of “chance,” under state law. More from the Gainesville Sun and Florida Politics.
Lawyers spar in battle over Florida governor's finances
Florida Gov. Rick Scott, who was a multimillionaire businessman before he ran for office, is trying to convince an appeals court to end a long-running battle over whether he is flouting the state's financial disclosure law. More from the AP and the Tampa Bay Times.
Robert Traurig, who helped build one of the world’s largest law firms, dies at 93
Robert Traurig helped build Greenberg Traurig – one of the largest law firms in the world – died on Tuesday in Miami at 93. Traurig, considered to be the "Father of Miami Land Use Law" and the "Dean of Zoning," was one of the three founders of Greenberg Traurig, LLP. The law firm he helped start 50 years ago, today has more than 2,000 attorneys in 38 offices worldwide. See the news release from Greenberg Traurig, and read more at the Miami Herald.
National Mango Board celebrates Florida’s mango heritage
The National Mango Board is celebrating mangoes all summer long, with a special emphasis on South Florida’s contributions to the U.S. mango industry. Mangoes were introduced to South Florida more than 200 years ago, and Haden mangoes were developed in Coconut Grove, from the Indian grafted mulgoba variety and the Caribbean turpentine mango. See the full story from The Packer, and read more at Fresh Plaza.
See also:
» 'Mango Maniac' wants to create a mango for the future
Florida now requires special permit to harvest saw palmetto
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) now requires saw palmetto harvesters and sellers to obtain a special permit, winning applause from ingredient suppliers and botanical industry trade groups. More from Nutra-Ingredients and the Florida Farm Bureau.
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Visit Florida: Nudist group 'embellished' partnership
Visit Florida was unaware of a recent push for more visitors in the buff at the state's sandy beaches. The American Association for Nude Recreation Florida issued a statement touting a partnership with Visit Florida to increase a "niche marketing effort."
› Florida Tech researcher helps discover another shark species
A Florida Institute of Technology researcher is involved in discovering yet another species of shark, the Squalus clarkae, or "Genie's Dogfish." The "Genie" is an homage to famed shark research pioneer Eugenie Clark. Also read more at Florida Today.
› Toale Brothers — funeral company and brothers — split up
A family that has owned a funeral home business here since 1948 has ruptured, with several of its members resigning and going to work for a competing corporation based in Texas. Toale Brothers Funeral Home will continue running its four chapels with its longtime staff, funeral director Curt Toale said
› MLB commissioner confident Rays owner is ‘going to get’ stadium deal done
MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the time is now for the Rays stadium situation to be resolved with partnership from the community and business on financial support and he is confident in principal owner Stuart Sternberg's creative and persuasive ability to work it out: "I think he's going to get this done."
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it: