SHARE:
Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida jobless claims continue to decrease
Slightly more than 5,000 Floridians filed unemployment claims last week, as claims numbers continue to slow, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report released Thursday. The department estimated that 5,096 initial claims were filed in Florida during the week that ended Feb. 18, down from a revised count of 5,887 during the week that ended Feb. 11. A rolling four-week average declined to 5,821. It was 5,936 a week ago. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Business Beat - Week of February 24th
Get top news-to-know with Florida Trend's headline-focused video newsbrief, hosted by digital content specialist Aimée Alexander.
China provinces and Florida rank among the world’s most climate-vulnerable areas
After China, the U.S. has the most regions at risk of climate change, with Florida ranking tenth on the list, California nineteenth and Texas twentieth. Nearly half of all U.S. states are in the top 5% of those most at risk in the world. China, India and the U.S. collectively comprise more than half the states and provinces in the top global 100 regions, according to XDI. Other highly-developed and major economic hubs in the top 100 include Buenos Aires, Argentina; São Paulo, Brazil; Beijing, China; and Mumbai, India. [Source: CNBC]
Tort reform in Florida turns to auto insurance and loopholes
Bipartisan legislation filed ahead of the upcoming legislative session in Tallahassee will, if passed, change current state law that tort reform advocates say allows lawyers and repair shops to cash in on window replacements. Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando, and Rep. Griff Griffitts, R-Panama City Beach, have filed bills in each chamber that closes so-called loopholes in the current law and will keep vendors from taking assignments of insurance policy benefits for auto glass claims. The senate bill would also prohibit glass companies from giving perks to customers to get them to file an insurance claim. [Source: Business Observer]
Emergency rule: Florida Citrus Commission lowers required sugar levels in fruit until May
The minimum sugar level standard for citrus fruits used in Florida orange juice was lowered for the rest of this year’s harvest during an emergency meeting this week at the Florida Department of Citrus. The temporary minimum rule is expected to relieve growers who suffered extensive crop damage during the 2022-23 season because of freezes, hurricanes and the ongoing battle with citrus greening as well as accommodating the many less-mature newly planted groves of citrus trees across Florida. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Blockchain company and Ticketmaster competitor moves to St. Petersburg
In a conference room at the Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort Wednesday, guests stood as the speakers blast Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off.” Then St. Petersburg Economic Development Corporation president J. P. DuBuque introduced the newest company to move to St. Petersburg: Relic Tickets, an event platform on the blockchain from Lakeland. Their goal? To solve the pain points that both customers and venues feel when using other ticketing platforms like Ticketmaster.
› New stores are opening in the Miami area — but is anyone shopping?
New stores are opening at major malls in South Florida. But are shoppers shopping? Seven new shops are coming to Dadeland Mall this year. And six new stores, with more on the way, are at Sawgrass Mills. That must mean the retail industry sees customers.
› Central Florida Black business owners, farmers creating changes in food culture
Soul food has been a staple of traditional African-American culture dating back to the 17th century. The tasty, hearty meals often lead to several health problems in the Black community. There are several people in Central Florida hoping to change the food culture, while preserving its soul, by preparing our favorite meals in a healthier way.
› Orioles' economic impact in the state of Florida tops $600 million since 2015
Sarasota County Government’s annual economic report has found that the Orioles have generated $600.5 million in economic impact for the state of Florida since 2015, the first year that comprehensive data became available. The county’s analysis measures the total impact created by the Orioles’ year-round operations in Sarasota, highlighted by the team’s Spring Training efforts, a state-of-the-art minor league training facility, and numerous corporate events at Ed Smith Stadium and the Buck O'Neil Baseball Complex.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
