SHARE:
Thursday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› VA buys 21 acres for North Jacksonville outpatient clinic
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs bought 21.06 acres for $8,424,000 in North Jacksonville for an outpatient clinic that was announced in September. Jacksonville VA OPC LLC bought the land from Second Time Signature LLP and Duval/Owens Signature LLP, both led by Stephen Leggett, on Dec. 22. The deed was recorded Dec. 30 with the Duval County Clerk of Courts.
› Experts become focus in court battle over Florida gun law passed after Parkland massacre
A legal battle over a Florida law that raised from 18 to 21 the age to purchase rifles and other long guns has ramped up this month, with attorneys for the National Rifle Association and state officials trying to discredit each others’ expert witnesses. The age requirement was included in a sweeping law passed in the weeks following the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
› Henry Flagler's retirement plan: develop Florida's east coast
Flagler, who is considered one of Florida’s greatest pioneers, knew a lot about the press. He was one of the founders of Standard Oil in the 1860s — along with John D. Rockefeller — and the company was certainly one of the most controversial and prosperous to have ever existed. Think of it as the amazon.com of the 19th century. However, Flagler’s road to incomprehensible wealth with Standard Oil, and eventually his railroad and hotel empire in Florida, was not an easy one.
› Miami, the Newest Tech Hub? Mayor Hopes Entrepreneurs Relocate to the 305
Can Miami become the next Silicon Valley? COVID-19 brought more remote-working opportunities as well as an exodus of venture capitalists and tech entrepreneurs out of the San Francisco Bay Area. Many are considering a move to the Magic City, others have already packed their bags. “It was really just a no-brainer,” said Angela Benton, founder and CEO of tech company Streamlytics. She’s now relocating to Miami after a series of tweets between Mayor Francis Suarez and tech entrepreneurs sparked renewed interest in bringing innovative companies to the city.
In case you missed it: