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Wednesday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida Trend Exclusive
Florida's MBA programs: Expanding options
The most dominant trend among Florida’s more than 40 public and private MBA programs is the robust expansion of diverse specialty graduate courses. Not too long ago, MBA programs had narrower offerings of mainline business courses that included such traditional pillars as finance, business analytics and marketing. But times have changed. [Source: Florida Trend]
Tribe wetlands permitting case put on hold
Amid battles in two courts about a 2020 decision by the federal government to shift wetlands-permitting authority to the state, a judge Monday put on hold a lawsuit filed by the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida. U.S. District Judge K. Michael Moore approved a request from U.S. Department of Justice attorneys for a stay of the Miccosukee Tribe lawsuit after another federal judge last month ruled that the permitting authority had been improperly transferred to the state and should be vacated. [Source: News Service of Florida]
How the ongoing air traffic controller shortage is affecting Florida’s airspace, and how to fix it
Air traffic controllers direct aircrafts in and out of the airport and monitor them as they fly through the skies. But, as travelers pack Florida airports this Spring Break, the Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) is dealing with an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers. Although the FAA met its goal in 2023 of hiring 1,500 new air traffic controllers, there continues to be a shortage of controllers, according to Jim Gregory, Dean of the College of Engineering at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University. [Source: WMFE]
More marijuana licenses backed for Black farmers
State lawmakers for the second year in a row have signed off on expanding the number of medical-marijuana licenses earmarked for Black farmers, opening the door for three applicants who lost out earlier. Expansion of medical-marijuana licenses for Black farmers was included in a wide-ranging Department of Health bill (SB 1582) that also addresses such issues as septic-tank inspections and screening for newborns and pregnant women. [Source: News Service of Florida]
Florida Lottery transferred $2.45B to K-12 education in 2023
The Florida Lottery has become a crucial part of funding for education in the Sunshine State, and according to a recent report from the Florida Auditor General, it continues to grow each year. In late January, the AG released the financial audit of the Florida Lottery, whose mission is to maximize financial revenue for the benefit of education "in a manner consistent with the dignity of the State of Florida and the welfare of its citizens." [Source: The Center Square]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Florida scores 4 cities in Top 10 major U.S. markets for startup businesses
When it comes to starting a business in the United States, Florida is fertile ground, as four cities from the Sunshine State are ranked in the Top 10 among the 50 largest cities in the country for startup business environments. Clever Real Estate realty analytics company published the results of a new study on the best cities to start a business. Florida is very friendly to entrepreneurs and business startups, as Miami, Orlando, Tampa and Jacksonville all ranked in the Top 10.
› Liner tear confirmed at Mosaic’s New Wales ‘gypstack,’ Florida regulators say
In October, Tampa Fortune 500 mining company Mosaic warned Florida environmental regulators there may be another possible tear in the liner beneath a pile of the company’s mildly radioactive phosphate waste at its plant in Mulberry. Now, state environmental regulators confirm that Mosaic’s investigation of the incident in December revealed there was, indeed, a liner tear beneath the northwest portion of the stack.
› Miami-Dade’s push to protect outdoor workers dies after state ban. What’s next?
Outdoor workers in Miami-Dade looking for water, breaks and shade from the sweltering South Florida sun went to their politicians for help. But after powerful pushback from agriculture and construction lobbyists, on Tuesday Miami-Dade County Commission put an end to a landmark bill that would’ve protected 80,000 outdoor workers.
› Naples charity wine fest invests a record $33.2M in nonprofits
The Naples Children & Education Foundation, the founding organization of Naples Winter Wine Festival, has invested a record $33.2 million in more than 50 nonprofits that support underprivileged and at-risk children in Collier County. The organization says the investment includes funding traditional grants of over $6.6 million; $19.4 million for NCEF multiyear strategic initiatives that fill fundamental gaps in local children’s services; and $7.2 million in funding for future projects and strategic initiatives.
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