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Friday's Daily Pulse

When it comes to science, Florida lags the country

Despite a huge public investment aimed at creating a high-tech economy, Florida continues to lag the nation in many measures of scientific prowess, the National Science Foundation said Thursday. Floridians are less educated than Americans as a whole, and Florida companies are far less likely to attract venture capital. [Source: Palm Beach Post]

See also:
» Science and Engineering Indicators 2014
» Minorities, Women Still Underrepresented in STEM Fields, Study Finds


South Florida wages grew faster than U.S. average

South Florida pay went up 2.4 percent in 2013, higher than the 2 percent national average, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics said Thursday. Only the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area had a higher increase in wages and salaries -- 3.5 percent -- last year, according to the federal agency that surveyed the nation's 15 largest communities. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]


Florida Trend Exclusive
Valentine's adventures in Florida

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel
Hang gliding at Wallaby Ranch


Adventurous couples looking to spice up their Valentine’s take to the sky for adventures in Florida. At this article, you'll find ideas such as hot air balloon rides for couples, hang gliding for two or trying the flying trapeze. We give prices and have website links for each adventure. More...


The Incredible Rise of Off-Peak Public Transportation

Metropolitan areas across the United States — whether their primary mass transit system is a metro rail or a commuter train or a bus network — are recognizing that city residents can't get by on great rush-hour service alone. They need frequent, reliable transit all hours of the day and long into the night. [Source: The Atlantic]


Enterprise Florida launches national television ad

Enterprise Florida is ramping up its national campaign to promote Florida as "the perfect business climate" and includes a 30-second television ad to be broadcast nationwide that features, among others, Gov. Rick Scott. The ad is part of a $1.25 million ad campaign and that includes a new website and a glossy wrap-around cover ad being attached to 1,000 copies of Fortune magazine that also features the governor. [Source: Times/Herald]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Private flood insurance plan being reviewed in Tallahassee
As thousands of coastal residents worry about higher flood-insurance rates, an effort to attract more private insurers to offer flood coverage in Florida may go back to the start of the Senate review process.

› Toyota lands naming rights at famed Daytona
Toyota Motor Corp. on Thursday became the first company to land a naming rights deal at the revamped Daytona International Speedway. The Japanese automaker and International Speedway Corp., which owns the famous Florida track, announced the sponsorship deal at the Chicago Auto Show.

› Florida Cabinet meets at State Fair
Gov. Rick Scott formally opened the Florida State Fair and held a cabinet meeting on the Tampa fairgrounds as a way to highlight the state's agricultural heritage.

› One year after debut, CNN Latino to close down
One year after its debut in Tampa and nationwide, CNN Latino is shutting down. The ambitious Spanish-language programming block, a CNN-affiliated gamble at winning America's flourishing Hispanic market, will end later this month.


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› Super Bowl ads create super buzz for Jacksonville's new- car show
Super Bowl ads teased fans’ automotive appetites with a brief look at a new Italian Maserati Ghibli, how German engineers earn wings from high-mileage VWs, and a bull getting hauled in a new heavy-duty Chevrolet pickup.

› Floridians interested in governor’s race; Crist leads Scott by seven points
A poll of registered voters in Florida by the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida in collaboration with UF’s Bureau of Economic and Business Research revealed high interest in Florida’s governor’s race, with 95 percent of likely voters reporting either “a great deal of interest” (66 percent) or “a fair amount of interest” (29 percent).

› Miami-Dade Schools begins rollout of 100,000 devices to students
As part of Miami-Dade County Schools’ massive digital transformation project, Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho announced Thursday a rollout of 100,000 HP and Lenovo Windows 8 devices by August.

› Bill would legalize 'Charlotte's Web' pot in Florida
After a month of discussions, House Criminal Justice Chairman Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, filed a measure Thursday that would legalize a marijuana extract known as "Charlotte's Web" that proponents believe can dramatically reduce seizures in children with a rare form of epilepsy.