Florida Trend | Florida's Business Authority

Friday's Daily Pulse

Government, business leaders urge capitalizing on canal expansion

With more investment, Florida can lead the Western Hemisphere in global trade, speakers preached to audience members at a Thursday symposium. Two panels, one of government officials and a later one of trade and transport executives, highlighted conditions the state can use to capitalize on the finished $5.2 billion Panama Canal expansion next year. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]


Florida scientists may have found Alzheimer's breakthrough

A discovery by a group of Florida researchers is giving Alzheimer's patients hope after a common blood pressure medication shows the possibility of targeting a new drug treatment for the disease. [Source: WTSP]


Medical marijuana could cost employees their jobs

Even if medical marijuana becomes law in Florida, employees with debilitating medical conditions could be fired for using it – regardless of whether they have a doctor's approval. Amendment 2 contains no employee protections, lawyers say, beyond caregivers assisting with medical marijuana. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]


GDP grows at 3.5 percent in third quarter

The U.S. economy grew at a 3.5 percent annualized rate between July and September, the government said Thursday morning, providing fresh hope that a stubbornly slow-footed recovery could be gaining some momentum. More from the Washington Post and the AP.


Shining sunshine on Florida's secretive business recruitment

The secretive nature of business recruitment across Florida could soon become much more public following a court ruling in Brevard County that requires the area's economic development agencies to comply with open government laws. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Mysterious tech startup has ties to Central Florida
A new Florida tech company that just received a cash infusion of a half-billion dollars and hopes to be "the size of Apple" has some strong ties to Central Florida.

› Florida Hospital signs on as Daytona speedway partner
Florida Hospital has agreed to a multi-year partnership that will make it the second founding partner -- after Toyota -- for Daytona International Speedway’s $400 million redevelopment project known as Daytona Rising.

› UF receives $1 million to boost skills of Florida's early learning educators
The Jim Moran Foundation has awarded a $1 million grant to the University of Florida College of Education to provide access to the latest teaching tools for the state’s 55,000 early learning educators.

› Ocala Bull Sale sets record
Moving the traditional date of the Ocala Bull Sale didn't put a damper on sales, according to the Marion County Cattlemen's Association.


Go to page 2 for more stories ...

› Boating grows in South Florida economy
Recreational boating is a growing force in the local economy, according to an economic impact study released Thursday, the opening day of the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.

› Medicaid lawsuit in Florida delayed again
A long running lawsuit alleging deficiencies in the way Florida handles Medicaid for children has been delayed again after the state filed two motions days before a federal judge was supposed to issue a final ruling on the case.

› Ringling International Arts Festival doubles audience, money
In a pivotal year for the Ringling International Arts Festival — its first without oversight by New York's Baryshnikov Arts Center — box office revenues were 2.5 times those of last year and attendance nearly doubled.

› Survey: Shrimp in U.S. rife with murky labeling
Consumers around the nation can't be sure what kind of shrimp they're buying if they simply look at the label or menu at supermarkets, grocers and restaurants, an advocacy group says.