Florida's economic growth beats U.S. average

Florida's economic growth in 2014 outpaced the national average, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Wednesday. Goods and services produced in Florida increased 2.7 percent last year compared with 2.2 percent nationally. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Tampa Bay Times.

See also:
» Private jobs up 10 percent in Florida

Sides square off in fight over solar sales ballot initiative

A diverse coalition that includes tea party members and environmentalists seeks a 2016 vote on a constitutional amendment that would allow more providers to sell solar energy in Florida. Currently, only utilities can sell electricity directly to consumers. More at the South Florida Sun-Sentinel and the Palm Beach Post.

See also:
» Several business and African-American groups oppose Florida solar initiative

Florida's citrus harvest to be lowest in 51 years

Florida citrus growers already face the lowest orange crop in 49 years and the smallest grapefruit harvest in 79 years in a non-hurricane season, but those totals won't be going any lower. The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Wednesday held the projected 2014-15 orange harvest at 96.4 million boxes. [Source: Lakeland Ledger]

What's behind the Republican clash in the Florida Legislature

Florida State University political scientist Dr. Carol Weissert examines what's behind the current stalemate in Tallahassee, noting that part of the problem Republicans are having in the legislature stems from how many Republicans there actually are. [Source: WLRN]

Is wildlife trafficking a national security threat?

Trafficking of illegal wildlife goods is quickly becoming one of the most lucrative illicit businesses in the world. An industry that was once fed by isolated, small-scale poaching incidents is now run by well-organized, transnational criminal networks, similar to narcotics and guns. [Source: Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Judge denies Gov. Scott's request for mediation over LIP program [Tampa Bay Times]
A federal judge on Wednesday denied a request from Gov. Rick Scott that the court intervene in the state's ongoing negotiations with healthcare regulators over the extension and revamping of a $1 billion government program.

› Scott signs bill OKing experimental medicine for those dying [AP]
Terminally ill patients in Florida soon will be able to take experimental drugs, even if the medicines don't have final federal approval. Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill Wednesday. It takes effect July 1.

› Sarasota tourism numbers keep rising [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
April was a monster month for tourism. There was an 18.8 percent increase in visitors, all the more impressive because last April already had been a record-breaker.

› Where are the amateur sports facilities? [Miami Today]
Greater Miami is losing the game when it comes to sports tourism. That seemed to be the consensus of the Sports Committee during the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce’s Goals Conference last week.

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› Florida, Miami-Dade doctors are heavy prescribers of tranquilizers for seniors [Miami Herald]
Florida, and particularly Miami-Dade County, had more doctors who prescribed large amounts of benzodiazepines than anywhere else in the country. Some 144 Florida doctors wrote at least 2,000 prescriptions for them to Medicare patients, compared to 98 in Puerto Rico and 27 in Alabama, the next highest state.

› Carnival Cruise Line to ban carry-on bottled beverages [South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
For some cruisers, this could be a buzz kill. Carnival Cruise Line will prohibit passengers from lugging bottled water, soda or other non-alcoholic drinks on board.

› Surge in population strains Manatee County emergency workers [Sarasota Herald-Tribune]
Increasing demands on dispatchers and paramedics caused by an increasing population are prompting the Manatee County Commission to question whether they need to add more public safety personnel and equipment, including a new ambulance crew in Parrish.

› Don’t miss Cuba boat, Miami told [Miami Today]
Miami cannot afford to wait and miss any opportunities in Cuba now that relations with the US are being restored after nearly six decades of mistrust, said panelists during a critical issues panel at the Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce Goals Conference last week.