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Thursday's Daily Pulse

Funding for arts in Florida suffers a continual downhill slide

Three years ago, Florida arts and culture organization celebrated a windfall. Gov. Rick Scott approved $42.9 million in grants through the Department of State's Division of Cultural Affairs. This year, funding for cultural organizations and projects stands at $24.5 million through Cultural Affairs. The category that provides program support for 480 non-profits around the state will be cut by about 60 percent from last year’s levels. Read more from the Tampa Bay Times, Broadway World, and the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

New National Hurricane Center warnings unveiled to give more detailed notice

Following last year’s hurricane season, which broke Florida’s nearly 11-year streak without a hurricane making landfall here, a number of new warnings are being unveiled by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) to better notify those in a storm’s path. New storm surge watches and warnings from the National Weather Service (NWS) for the U.S. Gulf and Atlantic coasts will help citizens prepare for significant risk of life-threatening inundation. In addition, the watch and warning areas will be included in Hurricane local statements issued by NWS and the NHC. See a summary of NHC products and services for 2017 hurricane season, here. Also read more at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

Your turn:
» Hurricane season begins June 1. Are you ready? (quick poll)

Investors see promise of big profits in Florida medical marijuana industry

As differences over pot shop restrictions burned a medical marijuana bill to ashes in Tallahassee, one of Florida’s largest legal cannabis operators courted millions of dollars from new investors and touted a lucrative plan to open dozens of storefronts around the state. [Source: Bradenton Herald]

Supreme Court holds the card in Florida gambling debate

The Legislature ended the regular session without passing a gambling bill. That creates a vacuum for courts to fill, adding multitudes of lawyers and layers of legalities. Meanwhile, the Seminole compact that guarantees the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year may collapse. [Source: Daily Business Review]

Cargo and cruise continue to grow at Florida seaports

The Florida Ports Council has released a report titled, "Florida Seaports: High Performance – 2017-2021 Five-Year Florida Seaport Mission Plan." The report provides updated figures on international trade, cargo data and cruise activity at Florida’s seaports. [Source: American Journal of Transportation]

ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Jacksonville’s Dalton Agency PR firm merges with Nashville company
The Dalton Agency, which has long been a force in high-profile marketing accounts ranging from political campaigns to handling the city’s One Spark crowdfunding festivals, is merging with Bill Hudson Agency based in Nashville, Tenn.

Summer Getaway Guide

Resorts and vacation spots to inspire your next personal trip or business getaway!

The Breakers
Visit Florida
St. Pete/Clearwater
Ocala/Marion County
Saddlebrook
Gainesville

› Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute named world’s No. 1 biotech incubator
Sid Martin Biotechnology Institute (SMBI), the leading biotechnology incubator at the University of Florida, has been awarded the Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the Year award for 2017, the highest award given by the International Business Innovation Association.

› Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida awardees announced
The Florida Small Business Development Center at Florida Gulf Coast University announced the winners of the 2017 Distinguished Entrepreneur of Southwest Florida Awards at the annual awards dinner on May 10.

› Palm Beach startup capitalizes on demand for online video content
As social media continues to pervade millions of people’s daily lives, a Palm Beach startup is working to simplify how social network users’ upload content to various platforms and capitalize on growing demand for online video streaming.

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› People more likely to travel in Florida as gas prices stay low
Summer is right around the corner and it might be a good time to plan that summer vacation. Gas prices in Florida have now fallen for the past 23 days.

› CBRE Snaps Up South Florida Firm
Commercial real estate services giant CBRE Group Inc., just keeps growing in size, and its latest expansion endeavor strengthens its foothold in South Florida.

› Jacksonville’s Soccer Stop closing after 35 years in business
Mike and Barbara Levine opened their first store as a Soccer Kick franchise in the Regency area in 1982. It was a good time to start a soccer store.

› Miami-Dade urges Florida to postpone awarding $800 million redo of I-395 project
Miami-Dade commissioners asked Florida to halt the awarding of an $800 million contract to redo Interstate 395 in order for elected officials and residents to weigh in on the proposed designs.