Friday's Daily Pulse
Lockheed gets $449M in cruise-missile deals
Lockheed Martin Corp.'s Orlando missiles unit has received two new contracts worth a combined $449 million to produce next-generation stealth cruise missiles for the U.S. Air Force. The latest deals for the advanced cruise missile work will sustain at least 135 high-tech defense jobs in Orlando, not including an unspecified number of jobs at vendors and suppliers, officials said. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
 » Story: Coming to a head |
Craft beer brewers go head to head with beer distributors
As craft breweries gain a foothold in Florida, they’re pushing for legal changes that irk big, established beer distributors. While the craft brewers still collectively account for only about 5% of annual beer sales in Florida, the industry has grown enough to begin asserting its legal interests in Tallahassee — and to generate friction with the Florida Beer Wholesalers Association, a politically powerful trade group that represents 25 beer distributors. Twenty-two of those distributors handle Anheuser-Busch brands and about 20 other brewers. Full story, includes chart on "Beeronomics."
Florida House to propose bill to legalize strain of marijuana for seizures
Hope came Thursday for families whose children suffer from epileptic seizures, as the chairman of a key legislative committee agreed to file a bill to legalize the medical use of marijuana that has a high content of the chemical compound cannabidiol. “Our work is only beginning,” said Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, after the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee heard testimony for nearly two hours from parents of children who live in Miami, Weston, Tampa, Pensacola and even Colorado. [Source: Miami Herald]
Related: » Rubio doesn't close door to medical marijuana in Florida
Everglades refuge 'will get done,' U.S. interior secretary vows
On Thursday, U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewel toured a vast area of land south of Orlando by helicopter, boat and swamp buggy. But Jewell didn't have news that her agency was ready yet to buy the land as part of a planned 150,000-acre Everglades National Wildlife Refuge that will stretch between Orlando and Lake Okeechobee. "We were hoping we would have a big announcement, but we don't," Jewell said. Jewell, less than a year in her Cabinet position, did promise "this will get done." [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Public forum on closed nuclear plant allays some fears
Duke Energy sent experts to a public forum in Citrus County on Thursday to help answer questions and allay fears about how the utility would decommission the county's now-closed nuclear plant. The trade show-style presentations at the Plantation on Crystal River gave residents the chance to speak to the experts one-on-one. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Struggling Florida Panthers asks for more public cash [South Florida Sun Sentinel]
The Florida Panthers professional hockey team says it's losing more than $20 million a year and needs more public funds to survive. The struggling team is asking for a rewrite of its contract with Broward county. Under the team's proposal, the county would use additional tourism taxes to pick up $70 million in BB&T Center costs currently being paid by the Panthers.
› Mixon Fruit Farms celebrates 75th anniversary [Bradenton Herald]
The Mixon family celebrated 75 years of Mixon Fruit Farms with some pulp and circumstance and a touch of humor Thursday afternoon. "Oftentimes people ask you how do you make it to 75 years?" owner Dean Mixon said. "The answer is: a lot of tears, a lot of crying, a lot of praying -- mostly praying."
› Florida Attorney General taps Tampa attorney Tyler Cathey to lead office [AP]
Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi is turning to a Tampa attorney and lobbyist to lead her office. Bondi is hiring Tyler Cathey to serve as chief deputy attorney general. Cathey is currently an attorney with the Tampa office of Englander Fischer. He served as a special counsel to Bondi's 2010 campaign.
› Panama City Beach coalition selling the 'Gateway to the Gulf' [Panama City News Herald]
As the Pier Park area continues to grow on the west end of Panama City Beach, businesses on the east end are taking action to ensure they’re not left in the dust.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
› 829 Manatee Deaths in 2013 set record [AP]
State wildlife officials say a preliminary total of 829 manatee deaths were documented in Florida waters during 2013. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced this week that it's had to step up efforts to respond to distressed manatees.
› Trace Adkins drops SeaWorld show amid 'Blackfish' controversy [CNN]
Country star Trace Adkins has decided not to sing at SeaWorld to avoid controversy over how the Orlando, Florida, theme park treats its orcas. Adkins joins a long list of musical acts who have canceled shows that were scheduled as part of SeaWorld's "Bands, Blues & BBQ" in February and March.
› Pensacola aircraft designer's experimental plane soars [Pensacola News Journal]
A new experimental aircraft, the CX5., built by Pensacola aircraft mechanic and designer Dave Thatcher, has been soaring on test flights. More than 500 copies of his earlier aircraft design the CX4 have been sold to builders all over the world. Both planes utilize a Volkswagen engine and can be run on premium automotive fuel.
› After buying Shore Club for $175 million, new owners to 're-imagine' hotel [Miami Herald]
After dodging a foreclosure sale earlier this year, the Shore Club has sold for just over $175 million to owners who plan some changes at the 309-room Miami Beach hotel. “We have an extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to re-imagine and reposition a world-class property in a market that has seen continued demand for luxury properties,” said Ziel Feldman, founder and managing principal of HFZ Capital Group