March 19, 2024

Thursday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida today.

Will Short Gorham | 2/16/2012

Florida foreclosures climb 14% as lenders resume home seizures

Foreclosure filings rose for the first time in more than a year in Florida, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Illinois as lenders resumed property seizures after a probe of documentation, according to RealtyTrac Inc. In Florida, one of the hardest-hit states in the housing crash, notices of default, auction or seizure rose 14 percent in January from a year earlier, to 12,102. They increased 69 percent in Indiana, 24 percent in Pennsylvania and 9 percent in Illinois, RealtyTrac said today. All are so-called judicial states, where courts supervise property seizures and add time to the process. [Source: Businessweek]


Florida ranks fourth in U.S. for public corruption

It turns out Florida is pretty damn good at letting the easily corruptible get into positions of power. Since 1976, the state's federal courts have handed out nearly 1,800 public corruption convictions, the fourth most in the country. That's an average of 49 public corruption convictions a year, or about one a week for 35 years. Read the report from the University of Chicago here. [Original source: Broward/Palm Beach New Times blog]


Chances dim for industry-friendly online travel bill

Prospects dimmed Wednesday for the passage this session of industry-friendly online travel legislation pushed by state Rep. Jason Brodeur. The Sanford Republican authored a bill that would allow Internet hotel booking companies to continue to avoid paying taxes on the full retail price of hotel rooms that they charge customers. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]


Florida Trend Exclusive
Favorite apps and gadgets for Florida professionals

Loren Ridinger
Senior vice president / Market America and Shop.com
Miami Beach

"I'm obsessed with generating buzz and using the latest and greatest products. Besides using my BlackBerry, I also carry my iPhone with me whenever I am out. The iPad and laptop are mandatory when I'm traveling. Each product serves a different purpose and functionality. I like to take full advantage of all social media aspects of the web, including video, blogs, Twitter, Facebook, etc."

Favorite Apps

Analytics App: It allows users to get a wide variety of Google analytics reports.

SG Project Pro: "It helps me create reports, charts and schedules so that I can easily view any projects with up-to-date information. I love this app because it allows me to stay connected with what is going on with all the different projects my team and I are working on, and I can see the progress that is taking place."


Read more...

Miami talks to help 30 French firms launch in US

Tourism, airports and luxury goods are strong points in the French economy as well as South Florida's, which is one reason French businesses see Miami as a cultural and economic hub, France's secretary of state for trade said at a global Miami Beach symposium last week that laid foundations for 30 French firms to open in the US. [Source: Miami Today]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Driftwood BBQ food trucker confident he'll find clientele
Last year, Patrick O’Grady made his living as parts manager at an Audi dealership. His life revolved around fuel injectors, alloy wheels and LED headlights. Now, it’s pulled pork, ribs and beans. He’s part of the still-small-but-growing world of Jacksonville’s food trucks.

› Fla. spring training is laid-back fun in the sun
Major league baseball teams started coming to Florida for spring training almost a century ago, traveling by rail from the often still-frozen North to get in shape and play some exhibition games in the sun. For baseball fans needing an early fix after a long winter, spring training is hard to beat. And spring training and some of the stadiums are as much a part of the fabric of their Florida communities as the teams are back in their permanent cities.

› American Airline’s top man in Miami announces retirement
The man who oversaw American Airlines’ growth into Miami’s major air carrier — and one of the county’s largest private employers — announced Wednesday that he is retiring. Peter Dolara, who has spent more than four decades with the company, retires June 30.

› Trader Joe's grocery store coming to Sarasota
Trader Joe's, the eclectic grocery chain with a rabid following, will open a store in Sarasota this year. Trader Joe's has been scouting the Sarasota area for years, according to rival stores and commercial real estate brokers. The chain opened its first Florida store last Friday in north Naples.


Go to page 2 for more stories ...

Florida Business News

Florida News Releases

Florida Trend Video Pick

Incoming income tax instructor indicated
Incoming income tax instructor indicated

Affordable housing remains an issue; Income tax guidance on its way; What's in the 2024 budget; A mysterious threat to endangered sea life; Bass Pro Shops founder's "Florida Dream"

 

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.