Thursday's Afternoon Update
Hispanics in Florida: An economic snapshot
Florida has the third-largest Hispanic population in the nation, with one in every
four Floridians identifying as Hispanic (4.8 million individuals). Economically, a growing number of Latino families in Florida face a mixed picture of progress, setbacks, and stalled growth. A new report, "Latinos in the Sunshine State: Building a brighter economic future," examines how Hispanics are faring. The report also looks at how the Puerto Rican population recently moving to Florida will affect the economic status of the state. Read more at NBC News.
Florida's tougher laws may be cutting opioid prescriptions
The top prescribers of opioid painkillers in Florida wrote far fewer prescriptions for those drugs the year after the state implemented tough new drug policies, a new study reveals. More from U.S. News & World Report.
Florida threat: Tropical storm could affect state next week
The month of May isn't even cold in the ground yet and the official hurricane season is barely a day old and already we're tracking what may very well be our next named system; next, as in we've already tracked two storms this season and going on the third. More from WJXT and Accuweather.
See also:
» Hurricane season: Our annual reminder that Florida is trying to kill us
Home flipping in South Florida reaches highest level since last real estate boom
The percentage of South Florida home sellers who are flippers is the highest in nearly 10 years, according to a study by RealtyTrac. In the first quarter, 9.5 percent of home sales in the tri-county area were flips. More from the South Florida Business Journal.
Connecticut firm acquires Orlando tech startup Zentila
Orlando-based tech company Zentila, which makes software for convention and meeting planners, has been acquired by software company etouches. More from the Orlando Sentinel.
Out of the Box
Cotton Candy Grapes
Cotton candy grapes, which are carried in stores just a few times a year, will soon appear on shelves at Publix supermarkets. The grapes, which should be available this month, Publix officials said, are organic and practically fly off the shelves.
» More from Florida Today.
Higher Ed
Digital arts detente
As Orlando grows into a center for digital media and video-gaming, two big players – Full Sail University and the University of Central Florida - are learning how to get along. UCF’s program is the more exclusive, admitting 60-75 grad students a year, whereas Full Sail has graduated nearly 60,000 in gaming and other programs.