July 4th travel in Florida expected to be record-breaking

The lowest gas prices at the pump in over a decade for the July 4th holiday will mean record-breaking travel numbers nationwide and in Florida. AAA’s Mark Jenkins says nearly 43 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles or more away from home for the holiday. That’s up by 1.3% over last year. In Florida, 2,148,733 are forecast to travel. That’s up 2% over 2015. Travel analysis from AAA is here. Also read more at WNDB, the Palm Beach Post, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, and Bloomberg.

See also:
» St. Augustine to be active place in what is expected to be busiest July 4 travel weekend
» July 4th brings travelers, money to SWFL

Some insurers restricting renewals, new business in South Florida

Some property insurance companies are not taking on new business in ZIP codes with high claims rates in South Florida and canceling or deciding not to renew customers in high-risk areas. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Florida warns of vacation scams

Visit Florida recently reported an increase of more than four percent in tourists in the first quarter of 2016. The Florida Office of Financial Regulation (OFR) encourages Floridians and visitors to be on guard for common scams involving vacation and travel plans. See the full list of vacation scams, and find out how to avoid being taken advantage of, here.

After Pulse shooting, financial costs taking toll on victims

Some experts are predicting that the total financial cost of the Pulse shooting could range from $4 million to $7 million in medical costs alone for victims. Once other costs, such as police response and employment costs, are factored in, the estimates skyrocket to as much as $385 million. Full story from WMFE and Health News Florida, here. 

Estimated cost of Pulse nightclub shooting
	Fatal	Admitted	ER only	Total
Cases	50	40	13	103
Medical	$1,332,000	$2,716,000	$49,000	$4,097,000
Police	$117,000	$47,000	$13,000	$177,000
Employer	$462,000	$91,000	$5,000	$558,000
Work	$84,555,000	$20,128,000	$451,000	$105,134,000
Quality of Life	$258,860,000	$16,564,000	$404,000	$275,828,000
Total	$345,326,000	$39,546,000	$922,000	$385,794,000
Source: WMFE and Health News Florida. More information here.

Florida's coral reef system in rapid decay, scientists say

Scientists say Florida's coral reef system, the third-largest in the world, is in rapid decay, with a variety of threats edging the delicate ecosystem closer to collapse sooner than anyone believed possible. [Source: CNN]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Orlando’s employment growth among best in U.S. [Orlando Business Journal]
In a recent report on U.S. metropolitan economies, Central Florida ranked No. 9 out of the top 10 metropolitan statistical areas for future employment growth.

› Green Veterans in Jacksonville: Learning sustainable existence [Florida Times-Union]
Last week saw the kickoff of the North Florida chapter of Green Veterans, which trains veterans for jobs in the sustainability, or “green,” construction sector, helps them reintegrate into civilian life and conducts veterans service projects.

› Construction firm with over $80M in revenue expands to South Florida [South Florida Business Journal]
ODC Construction, one of the largest construction firms in Orlando, has expanded into the South Florida market with an office in Boynton Beach.

› Florida Aquarium plays role in historic Cuba talks this week [Tampa Bay Times]
The Florida Aquarium in Tampa will play a role during historic first meetings in Havana this week between United States and Cuban leaders over an agreement on environmental protection.
» See also: U.S. policy for credit cards in Cuba too lenient, critics say

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› Jacksonville airport authority predicting modest 2.5 percent growth in passenger traffic [Florida Times-Union]
Passenger traffic at Jacksonville International Airport will increase a modest 2.5 percent in the coming fiscal year, according to estimates used to develop the facility’s budget that was approved Monday.

› Miami's Flora Logistics a major player in shipping flowers and produce [Miami Herald]
Miami-based Flora Logistics provides the full range of supply chain services for clients shipping perishable commodities, including cut flowers, produce, dairy and meat. Virtually all the flowers and produce handled by the privately owned firm originate in Latin America and are destined for markets in Florida and the rest of the U.S.

› Bauer reveals the strongest South Florida banks [South Florida Business Journal]
Most South Florida-based banks remained strong through the first quarter of 2016, with the number of banks awarded “recommended” ratings of four or five stars remaining consistent with the previous quarter, according to Coral Gables-based Bauer Financial.

› OUC explains business of safe drinking water [Orlando Sentinel]
Orlando's water provider, Orlando Utilities Commission, serves 427,000 people. Ken Ksionek, OUC's general manager, spoke with the Orlando Sentinel about the city-owned utility's business of delivering safe water.