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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
New immigration law sparks fear and worker exodus from Florida
With one of the strictest laws in the nation taking effect July 1 aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration, Florida is being rocked by an exodus of migrant workers. The departures are sparking fear that a labor shortage will leave crops unpicked, tourist hotels short of staff and construction sites idle. More from the Daily Observer and the Florida Times-Union.
Tropical Storm Bret no longer forecast to become hurricane
Tropical Storm Bret is no longer expected to become a hurricane after forecasters said wind shear is likely to hammer the system for the next few days, halting it from developing further. Bret, which developed Monday, is expected to reach the Lesser Antilles early Thursday and move across the island through the day and night as a tropical storm, according to an 11 a.m. update from the National Hurricane Center. The system does not pose an imminent threat to Florida. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Out-of-state tuition hike eyed
Pointing to Florida’s relatively low tuition costs and saying universities face increased demand from out-of-state students, university system officials are floating the idea of raising tuition for students who come from other states. The system’s Board of Governors is slated to take up the issue during a meeting Thursday. Presidents and trustee chairs of all 12 state universities co-signed a letter endorsing the idea of an out-of-state tuition hike. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Why Florida’s new insurance commissioner is optimistic about rates
In February, Gov. Ron DeSantis chose a new insurance commissioner for the state, Mike Yaworsky, after his predecessor resigned in December. As the head of the Office of Insurance Regulation, Yaworsky is responsible for approving insurers’ rate increases, monitoring their conduct in the marketplace and assessing fines. He grew up in the community of Rotonda West, has a social science degree from Florida State University and worked in both the Georgia and Florida offices of insurance regulation. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
Florida wildlife officials issue emergency order after chronic wasting disease detected in deer
State wildlife officials are asking people to report sick, abnormally thin deer and deer found dead of unknown causes after a case of chronic wasting disease was found in Northwest Florida. The positive test was the first known case in Florida of the contagious disease, which has been found in 30 other states and four Canadian provinces, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. More from the News Service of Florida and Click Orlando]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› St. Pete firm adds office 700 miles away — rather than lose employee
Here’s a twist on the work remote trend giving many executives headaches: a St. Petersburg accounting firm decided to open an office in Tennessee rather than lose a valued manager to the Volunteer State. The story is a bit more complicated, but that is essentially what Spoor Bunch Franz did when faced with the possible departure of tax manager Alexia Pappas.
› New downtown Orlando tower lands large esports center
The new 26-story Society Orlando tower downtown is set to be home to a 14,788-square-foot arcade and entertainment center. Velocity Esports is bringing arcade games and lounges for esports, or video game competitions, next year to the development at 434 N Orange Ave., according to a news release from real estate firm JLL revealing the securing of the lease. Velocity Esports also has live tournaments.
› Second case of malaria confirmed in the Sarasota-Manatee area
Health officials have issued a mosquito-borne illness alert for Sarasota and Manatee counties after a second case of malaria was identified in the area. The Florida Department of Health’s Sarasota and Manatee County offices said a second case has been confirmed and the individual is being treated for the illness. The health officials did not provide more specific information on where and when the new infection took place.
› Giant snails put a portion of South Florida under quarantine as state goes for the kill
A quarantine zone has been established in a section of South Broward and North Miami-Dade to contain the spread of giant African land snails, the state Department of Agriculture and Consumers Services announced Tuesday. “Under the quarantine, it is unlawful to move a giant African land snail or a regulated article, including, but not limited to, plants, plant parts, plants in soil, soil, yard waste, debris, compost or building materials, within, through or from the defined quarantine area without a compliance agreement,” according to the statement.
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