Thursday's Daily Pulse
Report shows Florida job creation has slowed
After posting a strong finish in 2014, Florida job growth has moderated so far this year based on the latest survey from payroll processing firm ADP. Florida added a modest 14,400 private sector jobs last month, down slightly from February and on par with January. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]
See also:
» Job Openings Are Now at a 14-Year High
Still a long wait for care at Florida VA clinics
Florida veterans were forced to wait at least 30 days for nearly 93,000 medical appointments at VA medical facilities from September through February, and half of those delays were found at just seven sites in north Florida and the Panhandle. [Source: Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Florida's top election official opposes online registration
Florida's top election official is opposing a push by the state Legislature to allow online voter registration. Secretary of State Ken Detzner testified Wednesday that he's fearful that there will be problems if the state tries to install online registration by October 2017. [Source: AP]
See also:
» Lawmakers blast Gov. Rick Scott's top elections official
Opinion: Should Florida stop building charter schools?
We have seen this headline too often. “Two charter schools agree to shut down.” We have had so many stories like this, yet the state continues to throw tens of millions of dollars at charter schools for construction. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Coaching can help parents-to-be ease transition at work, home
One big obstacle for new fathers is the stigma attached with taking paternity leave. Even when there is a policy on the books, unwritten workplace norms can discourage men from taking time off. [Source: Miami Herald]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› 3,100 high school seniors told: Welcome to UF Gator Nation, online-only [Tampa Bay Times]
Acceptance to Florida's flagship public university this spring came with a huge twist for roughly 3,100 high school seniors: They are welcome to join Gator Nation, but only by computer — at least at first.
» See also: Starbucks-ASU Partnership Offers Full 4-Year Online College Degrees
› Florida spring training attendance up 8.1%, tops 1.5 million [Bright House Networks]
Spring training attendance across Florida rose 8.1 percent from last year, with more than 1.5 million people visiting Grapefruit League games throughout March, according to numbers released Wednesday.
› Business helps addicts, prostitutes become sewing miracles [Florida Times-Union]
The warehouse that houses “Rethreaded” isn’t much to look at. In a sense, the building is kind of a metaphor for what “Rethreaded” does — taking the things that are easy to miss — discarded materials and ostracized people — and making something beautiful.
› Orlando's MegaCon sold to Informa [Orlando Sentinel]
One of Orlando’s largest comic book and sci-fi fantasy conventions has been sold. The Live Oak-based MegaCon company has been sold to Informa Pop Culture Events, said Beth Widera, the convention’s executive director.
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› Florida ranks 3rd for AP success [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
Florida's 2014 high school graduates earned their state a third-place ranking -- and helped it beat out Massachusetts for the first time -- with their success on Advanced Placement exams, recent data from the College Board shows.
› USTA breaks ground on new tennis facility in Orlando [AP]
The United States Tennis Association is breaking ground on a new facility in Orlando. Officials on Wednesday broke ground on the USTA National Campus facility, which will have more than 100 courts when it is completed next year.
› Maker of Siesta Key rum is expanding [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Local rum guru Troy Roberts has heard the complaints. "There's no Siesta Key Toasted Coconut Rum anywhere!" He's taking steps to change that.
› Luxury cruise ship Seven Seas Explorer to make North American debut at PortMiami [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
The new Seven Seas Explorer, touted as the world's most luxurious cruise ship, will make its North American debut at PortMiami on Dec. 2, 2016, operator Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced Wednesday.