Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 7/24/2019

CBD products could be this century’s snake oil but the industry is booming in Florida

Nationally and in Florida, there is no requirement yet that CBD products contain the ingredients manufacturers say they do, or the healing power suggested in their marketing brochures. With billions at stake in how the FDA decides to regulate the compound, exactly how long the agency will need to figure it out remains unclear. In the meantime, buyer beware. More from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.

Want to ‘upgrade’ your career? Orlando job fair might be for you

A job fair featuring 105 employers and potentially 8,200 open positions is coming to Orlando on Friday, and organizers say it’s not just for those looking for work. Among the companies participating are Orlando Health, Disney World, Universal, Walgreens, the Central Florida YMCA, Universal Orlando, Bankers Life and Casualty, Mears, Adcomm and many more. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida vet lives entrepreneurial dream with Walmart deal

As far back as high school, Douglas Spiker aspired to be a veterinarian, which he accomplished. The industry innovation goals came much later. Those, in partnership with a global retail behemoth, are a work in progress. More from the Business Observer.

Army trims PortMiami dredging plans

The US Army Corps of Engineers’ study of enlarging PortMiami now has a tighter focus, as new data found that only the port’s inner cuts need dredging. The Corps last week put a draft environmental assessment of the preferred scope online, a release from spokesperson Susan Jackson said. More from Miami Today.

New Commerce proposal shows promise, Florida tomato group says

A new Department of Commerce proposal for a tomato suspension agreement with Mexican tomato growers is a “good starting point” to resume negotiations, according to the Florida Tomato Exchange. The group said in a statement that the July 17 proposal from the Department of Commerce “moves negotiations forward on a constructive basis by recognizing the need for a more enforceable agreement.” More from the Packer.

Sports Business
Landon Donovan to highlight esports contest at MLS All Star Game in Orlando

It might not be the kind of soccer that fans would have hoped U.S. Soccer legend Landon Donovan was coming to Orlando to play. But it will have to do. The 37-year-old will be there to play in a celebrity video game tournament, in which he’ll compete in the Electronic Arts FIFA ’19 video game alongside a professional esports player for Major League Soccer.

» More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Out of the Box
Tampa Bay’s curious roadside oddities, past and present, explained

A pink dinosaur in Hernando County, a lizard made of car parts in St. Petersburg and the Airstream trailer graveyard that used to be seen by I-4 are all iconic Tampa Bay area landmarks.