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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida's tomato industry could be 'wiped out' under new trade deal
Florida's tomato industry has been under assault by cheap, government-subsidized tomatoes from Mexico since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994. But the Trump administration's renegotiated trade treaty offers no relief, growers say. [Source: UPI]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Unlocking a new market
Orlando-based Voxx Automotive and UniKey Technologies are teaming up. The two companies are developing a keyless system for an electric vehicle through a contract awarded to Voxx. They are also working on family key-sharing and car-sharing systems for consumers, as well as similar systems for car-rental companies and auto fleet operators. [Source: Florida Trend]
Mail bomb may have been sent through Opa-locka post office facility
A sprawling U.S. mail sorting facility near the Opa-locka airport — the size of five football fields — took center stage Thursday when federal investigators discovered that at least one of the bomb-filled packages targeting various Democratic figures passed through this location. More from the Miami Herald, CBS News, and the AP.
Red tide, warm water slowing stone crab harvest
While red tide hasn’t been linked to any stone crab die-off, a researcher studying the unique Florida fishery says patchy harmful algae and warmer water is playing a role in the slow start to the harvest season. Phillip Gravinese, a post-doctoral researcher at Mote Marine Laboratory, says crabs exposed to high concentrations of the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, for a prolonged time become stressed, stop eating and die. Read more from the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and see Stone Crab Catch Data from FWC.
Which company again dethroned Citizens as South Florida's top insurer?
Fifteen months after dethroning state-run Citizens Property Insurance Corp. as the top property insurer in the South Florida metro region, Fort Lauderdale-based Universal Property & Casualty continues to expand its share of the market. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› State says track can stop racing horses, keep slots
It’s big news in Florida’s gambling world: The pari-mutuel formerly known as Calder Race Course has gotten the OK from state gambling regulators to get out of the horse racing business. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s Division of Pari-Mutuel Wagering granted its petition for a declaratory statement on Thursday.
› Jacksonville area unemployment is lowest since 2006
Jacksonville’s labor market produced its best unemployment and job growth rates in more than a decade last month. Payrolls of nonfarm businesses in the region jumped by 30,200 from September 2017 through September 2018, a 4.4 percent growth rate.
› Raytheon to lay off 52 in Orlando by end of year
Raytheon notified the state last week that it will lay off 52 employees at its Orlando facility at the end of the year after failing to get a renewal on a U.S. Army contract. The company, which had been supplying the military branch with training aids and devices, made the decision after a one-year renewal on what had been a long-term deal expired this month.
› ADT agrees to acquire South Florida company for $317.5M
ADT Inc., the leading provider of monitored security and interactive home and business automation solutions in the United States and Canada, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Boca Raton, FL-based Red Hawk Fire & Security, a leader in commercial fire, life safety and security services and portfolio company of Comvest Partners, for $317.5 million in cash.
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