Friday's Daily Pulse

Posted 5/23/2014

Updated 10 yearss ago

Florida enjoys rising home prices in April

According to the Florida Realtors Association, Florida's housing market reported higher median prices, more new listings and a slight rise in inventory in April 2014. Closed sales of single-family homes statewide totaled 21,385 last month, up 4.1 percent over the April 2013 figure. More at World Property, the Orlando Sentinel, and the Miami Herald.

Notable Floridians react to death of Tampa's Al Austin

Al Austin [Photo: Tampa Bay Times]

On Thursday, Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist were among the dignitaries who offered condolences for civic leader Al Austin. Austin, a developer and civic leader known for his ability to secure funding for causes, especially his beloved GOP, died Thursday, apparently in his sleep, his family said. He was 85.

Gov. Scott:
"Ann and I are saddened by the loss of Al Austin, one of the most influential Floridians to ever call Tampa Bay home. Never a stranger to hard work, Al invested in the city he loved so much, and our state is a better place because of his vision. He was a champion of growth and development, higher education, and economic freedom for everyone. Today, Ann and I join all Floridians as we mourn Al. We send our condolences to his family and those closest to him."

Charlie Crist:
"Al was my friend and a true leader in our community. I am grateful for the guidance he provided to me over my career, and Carole and I are saddened by his passing."

More statements, from State House Speaker Will Weatherford, Tampa Mayor Bob Buckhorn, Former Tampa Mayor Pam Iorio, U.S. Rep. David Jolly, U.S. Rep. John Mica and others can be found at the Tampa Bay Times .

4 things doom-and-gloomers got totally wrong about the recession

The financial crisis and Great Recession created a bull market in doom and gloom. But nearly six years after Lehman Brothers’ collapse, the worst hasn’t happened — unless you consider a 180% advance in the S&P 500 Index a disaster. Which it was, to those who avoided U.S. stocks because they believed the doom-and-gloomers. [Source: Marketwatch]

Forecasters predict slow Atlantic hurricane season

A slower-than-usual hurricane season is expected this year because of an expected El Nino, federal forecasters said Thursday, but they warned that it takes only one storm to wreak havoc and urged Americans to be prepared. More from the AP and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

How states fared on unemployment benefit claims

The Labor Department says applications rose 28,000 to a seasonally adjusted 326,000. The increase comes after applications fell to their lowest level since May 2007 two weeks ago. Florida was among the states with the biggest decreases in applications, down 1,230, due to fewer layoffs in agriculture, construction, manufacturing and retail. [Source: AP]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tuition won't rise at UCF this fall [Orlando Sentinel]
For the first time in at least a decade, UCF undergraduate students will not see a tuition increase this fall. On Thursday, trustees at the University of Central Florida voted to keep undergraduate tuition in 2014-15 the same as it was in 2013-14.

› Central Florida hotel industry is on a roll [Orlando Sentinel]
Central Florida's hotel industry is on a roll, posting strong occupancy and average daily room rates for the fourth month in a row. Orlando-area hotels filled almost 77 percent of their rooms in April, up from about 72 percent for the same month last year

› Commercial damage numbers from flood rolling in [Pensacola News-Journal]
The Building Inspections Division in Escambia County reported that 159 businesses in unincorporated areas of the county had been impacted by flooding, and 83 of those businesses had suffered major damage.

› Ripley's moving jobs to Orlando from London [Orlando Sentinel]
Ripley Entertainment, the parent company of Ripley’s Believe it or Not museums, is moving its publishing arm to Orlando from London. The move means about 10 new positions coming to Orlando, said Norm Deska, executive VP of intellectual development.

Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Florida may put bounty on exotic lionfish [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Lionfish — the colorful, Asian aquarium star that has invaded Florida's waters — may soon have a price on its head. The Legislature in its recent session allocated $427,000 to start a bounty program for the exotic fish.

› Beckham team unveils alternative stadium plans [Miami Herald]
David Beckham’s vision of a Major League Soccer stadium in downtown Miami would do away with a portion of a long-planned waterfront park in exchange for filling what is now a deep-water boat slip and turning that land — and a neighboring parcel — into new green space.

› 7 places you should never use your debit card [Palm Beach Post]
Debit cards are a popular alternative to credit cards because they only allow you to spend what you have in your checking account. But they are rife with other dangers for your wallet.

› Miami Beach allows movie theaters to sell alcohol [Miami Herald]
Movie theaters in Miami Beach are now allowed to sell alcohol. The new rules would require establishments to have separate areas where alcohol is served and have a plan to keep minors out.