SHARE:
Thursday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Was Florida red tide made worse by Hurricane Ian? Here’s what we know
Twenty-two days after Hurricane Ian made landfall, the first signs of a red tide bloom emerged on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Until that discovery, nearly a year had passed since researchers at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Research Institute had seen a bloom in Southwest Florida. But now, more than four months later, red tide is still raging as far north as Pinellas County and south to Collier. Thousands of pounds of dead fish have washed ashore as this latest bloom ebbs and flows — and beachgoers are still reporting breathing problems along the coast. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Publix revenues soar to $54.5 billion, up 13.6%
Publix generated $54.5 billion in sales last year, up 13.6% from $48 billion the year before, the Lakeland-based company reported Wednesday. Part of that surge came because the grocery store’s fiscal year in 2022 was 53 weeks compared with 52 weeks in 2021. That extra week increased sales by 2.1%, the company said. The soaring cost of food also likely played a role in the company’s revenue jump as grocery aisles across the country saw higher price tags. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Who’s the mystery tech company going on a hiring spree with Miami-Dade’s millions?
Kaseya is the mystery tech company receiving as much as $4.6 million in subsidies from Miami-Dade County in exchange for going on a massive hiring spree — an arrangement that was announced last week in what is considered one of the largest efforts to help ensure the tech boom here benefits locals. Miami-based Kaseya, which makes software that helps businesses manage information technology systems and security, will add 3,400 jobs locally, the company said. More from the Miami Herald.
How a Tampa company with an office in Ukraine has handled a year of war
When the first bombs from Russia hit Ukraine, JetBridge’s employees in Kyiv didn’t know how to react. “I don’t think anyone was prepared when the actual invasion came,” said John Sung Kim, CEO of the Tampa software engineering marketplace. “Some of our engineers, they weigh 110 pounds. I didn’t want them to pick up a rifle and charge into battle.” One year later, Kim says, “if you ask any of our Ukrainian employees, 10 out of 10, they’re winning this war.” More from the Tampa Bay Times.
At Orlando Museum of Art, chief curator’s 42-year tenure ends
With zero public fanfare, Hansen Mulford has retired as chief curator of Orlando Museum of Art after a career there that stretched more than 40 years. The departure is attention-getting, not only because of the longevity of Mulford’s tenure: With his retirement, the museum’s three top officials during the Basquiat scandal of 2022 — former board chair Cynthia Brumback, former director Aaron De Groft and now Mulford — all have left their jobs. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Sports Business
How Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg will be IndyCar’s greenest race yet
As IndyCar driver Romain Grosjean sped around a California track during a test last month, he had to ask if his No. 28 Honda was using the series’ new 100% renewable race fuel. “It just felt the same,” Grosjean said. IndyCar couldn’t have asked for a better endorsement of the sustainability initiative hovering around this weekend’s Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.
» More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Out of the Box
Researcher begins 100-day stay at Florida underwater hotel
An underwater researcher submerged Wednesday to begin a 100-day mission in the Florida Keys, attempting to set a record for underwater human habitation at ambient pressure, as well as educating students and conducting medical and marine science research. Retired U.S. Navy commander Joseph Dituri, 55, who holds a doctorate in biomedical engineering and teaches hyperbaric medicine, plans to live and work until June 9 at Jules' Undersea Lodge.
» Read more from the AP.
In case you missed it:
