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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida retailers say holiday shopping cash registers are jingling
Holiday shopping is going strong in Florida and on pace to increase or even exceed the 4.5 percent increase predicted for this year, the Florida Retail Federation said Tuesday. What’s prompting all the cash registers ringing? A strong economy and near full employment in the Sunshine State. See the report from the Florida Retail Federation and read more at the Orlando Sentinel.
Being born in Florida could lead to a longer life
Even your lifespan can be local. Researchers have long said that health disparities are heavily influenced by where you live. New data from the National Center for Health Statistics show just how much your neighborhood can impact the length of your life. [Source: AP]
What will happen to Florida’s supposed off-shore drilling ban with Ryan Zinke gone?
The future of Florida's promised exemption from President Donald Trump's offshore drilling plans is more doubtful after the head of the federal department in charge of natural resources has quit. Nearly a year ago, U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke told Gov. Rick Scott that any new plans to expand offshore drilling wouldn't include Florida. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Chain restaurant capital? 6 Orlando-based eateries land on top chains lists
Six Central Florida-based restaurants were named among the tops in the United States, according to TripAdvisor reviewers. Again, the Orlando area staked its claim as a chain restaurant capital. Ruth’s Chris Steak House, based in Winter Park, was dubbed the best reviewed large chain. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Thousands of Florida workers would be affected by government shutdown
With a partial federal government shutdown looming, thousands of Florida workers are facing financial uncertainty heading into the week of Christmas. About 75 percent of the federal government is funded through 2019, so any shutdown would be limited to a quarter of the government. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› It’s official: Rays tell St. Petersburg they are finished looking elsewhere
The Tampa Bay Rays have told the city of St. Petersburg that the team is no longer looking to build a stadium elsewhere. The letter serves as formal notice that the memorandum of understanding between the team and city is terminated.
› Multi-million dollar verdict tossed out in Florida tobacco case
Siding with R.J. Reynolds Tobacco Co., a state appeals court tossed out a $3 million verdict in a lawsuit filed by the husband of a woman who died of lung cancer after being a longtime smoker. The 2-1 ruling by a panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal came in what is known as an “Engle progeny case” — one of thousands of lawsuits filed in Florida against tobacco companies.
› Norwegian to send largest cruise ship yet to Port Canaveral
The big ships keep coming Port Canaveral’s way as Norwegian Cruise Line will send its first Breakaway-Plus class ship to the port in 2020. The port is also home to one Oasis-class ship from Royal Caribbean and will be the first home for Carnival’s new XL-class ship Mardi Gras when it debuts in 2020.
› Appeals court rules libel suit against CNN by Florida hospital CEO can move forward
CNN has suffered a legal setback in its effort to prevent a libel lawsuit against the news organization from moving forward. Appeals Court Judge William Pryor wrote late last week that a Florida doctor can proceed with his claim that CNN ran a defamatory report that resulted in him losing his job.
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