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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Red tide grew drastically along Florida’s west coast in less than a month
In a little less than three weeks, red tide bloom intensified greatly along Florida’s west coast, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s latest report. The presence of the dinoflagellate karenia brevis, also known as red tide, increased hugely over 100 miles of Florida’s Suncoast from Collier County and stretching north into Pinellas County. More from the Orlando Sentinel and Phys.org.
Mandatory resort fees add up to big money for Florida hotels
Resort fees, service fees and amenity fees have become an industry norm. Resort fees are not regulated and the fees are not included in the advertised room rate, experts warn. Online, hotels typically quote an initial rate that doesn't include these fees, giving travelers an illusion of a lower price. Only after you move toward the final booking screen do the mandatory resort fees pop up. [Source: WPLG]
Hijacked: Secret donors with deep pockets exploit citizen petition drives in Florida
Florida’s avenue for giving the power to the people is now a multimillion dollar business, one that is being exploited by special interests and flooded with mystery cash from secret donors. As a result, everyday Floridians are being blocked from the system that was supposed to give them a way to bypass big money interests. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida’s lieutenant governor wraps up Colombia trade mission
Florida Lt. Gov. Jeanette Nunez wrapped up a trade mission to Colombia this week with a delegation that included 19 Florida companies hoping to start or expand trade with the South American country. The trip was cut a day short but Nunez said the mission was productive and companies are already following up on connections they made during their three days in the country. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
How will new immigration change impact South Florida real estate?
Major changes to a federal immigration program that has fueled South Florida real estate development for almost three decades came into effect Thursday. The EB-5 investor visa program, which gives wealthy immigrants a chance to invest in U.S. real estate projects in exchange for a permanent U.S. residency, also known as a green card, will now be more expensive for foreign investors. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Punta Gorda Airport’s only commercial airline takes flight
When Allegiant first touched down at Punta Gorda Airport, its effect was like a small stone tossed into a still pond — a few minor ripples. In the decade since, the most readily discernible wave is the presence of people. The ultra-low-cost airline has been bringing them to Charlotte County from dozens of locations around the country.
› Volunteer fire departments still exist? Yes — but this one in the Keys is facing change
In the Florida Keys, only two all-volunteer departments have managed to hang on, along with volunteers serving on paid departments. They keep busy tending to injured car crash victims on the Oversea Highway, and putting out boat and house fires. But Key Largo, the largest of the volunteer fire departments left in Monroe County and around since the 1950s, is struggling for volunteers. And major change may not be far behind.
› Jeff Bezos charity donates $5.25 million to Central Florida homeless families
Billionaire Jeff Bezos’ foundation is giving $5.25 million in Amazon stock to a Central Florida nonprofit charged with using the money to house homeless families over the next five years, the local charity announced Thursday. In a region with the worst housing shortage for extremely low income residents in the nation, the gift is considered critical.
› Jacksonville-based Stellar partners with Chemours
The Jacksonville-based Stellar company announced it is partnering with The Chemours Co., a global business in titanium technologies, fluoroproducts and chemical solutions. Stellar will now help develop and promote the Chemours product Opteon — the official refrigerant of the National Hockey League — in recreational and industrial refrigeration projects.
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