Thursday's Afternoon Update

Posted 7/26/2012

Updated 1 decade ago

Florida ranks near bottom in health and education of children

A new report shows Florida trailing most other states in the health and education of its children -- with an especially low ranking in economic well-being. The effects are harmful and could be long-term -- not just for the children but for the state, advocates say. Read more from the News Service of Florida and Naples News and see details of the report at:

» Florida Kids Count
» Kids Count Data Center

Business Profile

Jorge Brunet-Garcia has been involved in advertising for most of the past 30 years, but it’s his last decade that may have been his most rewarding.

The Brunet-Garcia Advertising agency on San Marco’s Hendricks Avenue has a unique area of service: It focuses on minority advertising campaigns in addition to traditional markets.

Read more from the Florida Times-Union, see the agency's official site and see Florida Trend's previous coverage of Brunet-Garcia:

Study: 1 in 4 Floridians has pre-existing condition

More than 3.8 million non-elderly Floridians who have pre-existing medical conditions will be assured health insurance coverage when the health-care overhaul law goes into effect in January 2014, according to a report released today from Families USA, a consumer health group. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Historic status sought for Herald building

Historic preservationists this week asked the City of Miami to declare The Miami Herald building a historic landmark, which would prevent the Genting Group from demolishing the 49-year-old building to make way for new development. [Source: Miami Herald ]

FPL's profit up 17 percent

Florida Power & Light reported a profit of $353 million in the second quarter, up 17 percent from $301 million last year. FPL, the state's largest utility, said the increase is largely due to $1.1 billion in investments in more efficient power generation that customers will both pay for and benefit from. The utility plans to invest $4.1 billion in 2012. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel ]

Obese patients create big problems for surgeons

Being obese is not only hard on your health, it's also hard on your health care. Surgical patients who carry a lot of extra weight can expect longer surgery times, longer recoveries and more complications, say those who operate on them. "Obesity complicates surgery in many ways," said Dr. Robert Holloway, a cancer surgeon at Florida Hospital. [Source: Orlando Sentinel ]

Out of the Box
Olympic challenge: Getting poles on a plane
Lacy Janson stood at the US Airways check-in counter at Tampa International Airport Wednesday and patiently watched the circus play out in front of her. The two blue bags with USA written in red on the side were no problem and could easily be checked through to London. The carry-on backpack, emblazoned with lettering that said USA Track and Field, did not raise an eyebrow. But that 15-foot canvas bag resting on the floor behind Janson quickly became a source of confusion and consternation. Read more at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and see Lacy Janson's Team USA page.