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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
› Manatee County commissioners question unexpected costs under former administrator Scott Hopes
County commissioners have expressed concern over projects that have "grown wings of their own" under former Administrator Scott Hopes and are now reeling in expenses on some of the county's most notable projects. County officials used the first public meeting following the sudden separation from Hopes last week to discuss the status of major county projects and their cost.
› Judge sides with state on marijuana license
Florida health regulators were correct to deny a medical-marijuana license to partners and heirs of an 84-year-old man who died before the state made a final decision about awarding the license, an administrative law judge ruled. Moton Hopkins, an Ocala farmer and rancher, was among a dozen applicants for a medical-marijuana license earmarked for a Black farmer who was a “recognized class member” in class-action lawsuits over lending discrimination by the federal government.
› Royal Caribbean extends short cruises on Oasis-class ship from Port Canaveral
The short trip experiment with one of the world’s largest cruise ships will continue next year as Royal Caribbean announced winter Florida sailing plans including the three- and four-night trips planned on Allure of the Seas. One of five existing Oasis-class ships, the five largest cruise ships in the world until the arrival of Royal’s new Icon of the Seas at the end of the year, Allure of the Seas will first arrive to Port Canaveral this fall to begin the short Bahamas itineraries.
› Real estate firm Greystar books big office lease at Midtown Tampa
Midtown Tampa is officially out of space at one of its office buildings. Real estate firm Greystar has signed a 6,150-square-foot lease at the Loft office building, developers the Bromley Cos. announced Wednesday. The lease means the 70,000-square-foot Loft is fully leased out, and Midtown’s offices as a whole are 98% full.
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