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The Daily Pulse
What You Need to Know About Florida Today
› Home Sales in South Florida Buck Trend
Thanks to the ongoing appetite of international and cash buyers, South Florida's real estate market was shielded from a national drop-off in sales. Because those buyers were not eligible for a tax credit, their desire for real estate didn't taper off after the benefit expired at the end of April, like it did for others who rushed to get in on the deal.
› Last Shuttle Flights Delayed, Final Trip in 2011
The space agency made it official Thursday after weeks of hints of launch delays: More time is needed to get the cargo ready for the final two shuttle flights. What's more, a decision regarding a possible third — and really last — mission is off until at least next month. Managers agreed to postpone the next-to-last shuttle launch until Nov. 1. Discovery had been scheduled to fly to the International Space Station with a load of supplies in September. The very last mission now has a Feb. 26, 2011, launch date. Endeavour will close out the 30-year shuttle program by delivering a major scientific instrument to the space station.
› RailAmerica Acquiring Engineering and Construction Firm
Jacksonville-based RailAmerica Inc. will acquire Atlas Railroad Construction Co., a Pennsylvania-based railroad engineering, construction, maintenance and repair company that operates mainly in the Midwest and Northeast. RailAmerica will pay $21.5 million in cash plus closing adjustments for working capital, estimated to be about $2.5 million. The company expects Atlas to generate $25 million in revenue and $3.5 million in operating income over the next 12 months.
› Man Works to Rid River of Smelly Algae
The stringy weed that mucks up Mullet Creek may someday fuel more than just fish kills and sewer smells. Clark Giangarra hopes to turn the seaweed into biofuel for power plants, and maybe one day even cars. And there is an extra benefit for noses countywide: Scooping up the weeds would mean fewer outbreaks of the rotten-egg blasts from the Indian River Lagoon.
› MyUS.com Moves to Sarasota County
Fast-growing Internet company MyUS.com says it will move from Manatee County into expanded offices in Sarasota County by September. With the move goes the 60 current employees of the international package forwarding business and the prospect of future growth. MyUS.com says it expects to add 20 to 30 workers per year. In all, the company says it could add as many as 165 jobs during the next five years.
› Legoland Florida Hires Three Executives
"The bricks are falling into place" reports the builders of Legoland Florida as its transforms Cypress Gardens into a theme park and miniature city crafted from the popular kids building blocks. Under construction in Winter Haven for a fall 2011 opening, the $100 million-plus park tapped some Florida tourist market vets to head its 20-person marketing team.
› Hopes High for Gainesville-Miami Flight
Will airline service between Gainesville and South Florida fly this time? It should, according to dignitaries who spoke at a ceremony welcoming American Eagle Airlines to Gainesville during a ceremony at Gainesville Regional Airport on Thursday. The regional carrier for American Airlines announced that it will offer two round-trip flights daily between Gainesville and Miami starting Oct. 1, with one-stop links to 50 other U.S. cities and 63 international destinations, including several major European centers and dozens of cities throughout Latin America and the Caribbean.
› Millions of Swine Flu Vaccine Doses to Be Burned
About a quarter of the swine flu vaccine produced for the U.S. public has expired — meaning that a whopping 40 million doses worth about $260 million are being written off as trash. The outdated vaccine, will be incinerated. The amount, as much as four times the usual leftover seasonal flu vaccine, likely sets a record. And that's not even all of it.
