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Tuesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
How fast Florida's economy is growing
The U.S. economy expanded at a faster rate than expected in the third quarter of 2022, with real gross domestic product growing at an annualized rate of 3.2%, rebounding from a 0.6% contraction in the previous quarter. The strong third quarter growth came as welcome news in a period of rising pessimism as a December 2022 Bloomberg poll of economists put the odds of a recession in 2023 at 70%, up from 50% in September. [Source: The Center Square]
Is Florida running out of orange juice? Record prices put the squeeze on consumers
Has breakfast in the US ever been this expensive? The recent eggflation seen across the country has caused an uproar, and now orange juice is adding to the financial pain. The price increase highlights a serious problem for Florida – the state that is synonymous with the orange and produces the most orange juice in the country. [Source: The Guardian]
Florida returns $26M in unclaimed property, here's how to claims yours
Florida announced last week that the state returned over $26 million in unclaimed property to Floridians in January. Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis said he's encouraging residents to recover and claim cash that could be theirs. "My Division of Unclaimed Property kicked off 2023 by putting more than $26 million back into the pockets of Florida families and businesses in January," said Patronis [Source: WOFL]
Otters invade Florida backyards, it’s a good thing
Alligators and manatees seem to get all of the attention when it comes to Florida wildlife. But river otters can be found in every region of the state except for the Keys. And their presence indicates a healthy ecosystem. Even though the river otter is a Florida native, there’s a good chance you’ve never seen one outside of a zoo. Just be warned: They’re cute but also get nasty. [Source: AP]
Florida homebuilders set to capitalize on shifting demographics
The combination of investors making full-price — and often above — cash offers for houses and the pandemic-driven surge of new residents has made Florida, and the Gulf Coast in particular, increasingly unaffordable for both homebuyers and renters. According to a January 2023 study by researchers at Florida Atlantic University, the Sunshine State is home to six of the country’s 10 most overvalued housing markets. No. 1 on the list is the Cape Coral-Fort Myers metro area. Tampa checks in at No. 6, followed by No. 7 Lakeland and No. 10 North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton. [Source: Business Observer]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Sarasota climate expert urges preparation for climate change as Florida faces 'triple threat'
A climate expert warned that Florida is facing a “triple threat from water” in a warming climate at a recent conference in Sarasota. Those three threats are sea level rise, storm surge and extreme rainfall, said Bob Bunting, the CEO of the Sarasota-based Climate Adaptation Center. He forecasted that the sea level will rise in Sarasota by 11 to 12 more inches by 2050. Bunting encouraged local governments to prepare their infrastructure for sea level rise.
› Michelin adds eight new Miami restaurants to 2023 guide
The Michelin Guide can’t get enough of Miami. The guide, which awarded stars to 10 local restaurants in 2022 for the first time, has added eight more Miami restaurants to its guide for 2023. They’re highlighted as “New,” with the idea of helping foodies find new discoveries before the annual announcement of Stars and Bib Gourmands (restaurants where diners can eat for less than $50).
› Travel visa delays plague Orlando, US visits. What's being done about it.
Travel to Orlando has recovered well, but there still is a lingering challenge — international travel access. That's according to Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association. Travel visa delays in various countries are plaguing the return of overseas travel and there does not appear to be any easing up on that, Freeman said at a Visit Orlando event on Feb. 9.
› ‘The silent toll.’ Five years after the Parkland shootings, trauma still rocks the community ‘every single day’
Five years after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that took the lives of 17 people and injured 17 others, trauma continues to ripple through the community. The painful impact of a gunman’s rampage spreads deep into the homes of children, educators and first responders who witnessed the tragedy firsthand. It spills into the psyches of people living with the scars of seeing friends shot or waiting hours to learn if their loved one survived.
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