Tuesday's Daily Pulse
How state preemption became a "serious problem" for local governments in Florida
Earlier this year, state lawmakers passed laws limiting local authority to regulate wireless antennas, drone aircraft, local building codes, commercial signs, ride-hailing services and charter school placements. Robert Shalhoub, president pro tem for the town of Lake Clarke Shores in Palm Beach County, said:
“What Tallahassee was trying to do in this last legislative session with House Bill 17 was the epitome of arrogance. It’s been touted that they know better than we do. Wrong. Absolutely wrong. We know what’s best for our neighborhoods. We know what’s best for our constituency. We live it every day.”
[Source: Route Fifty]
Florida Trend Exclusive
Shipping and handling: Harris technology tracks cargo in real time
A Harris-developed system of satellites will track ships in real time. Once fully deployed, it will be the first real-time system monitoring the movements of around 400,000 cargo and passenger vessels around the world, Harris says. Read the full story from Florida Trend, here.
Enterprise Florida won't change, new chief Antonacci says
Pete Antonacci, a former general counsel for Gov. Rick Scott who was appointed last month as president and CEO of Enterprise Florida, said Monday he intends to maintain the goals of the agency's board, which is chaired by the governor. More from the Orlando Sentinel and the Panama City News Herald.
Florida growers turn to CUPS to protect against citrus greening
Huanglongbing (HLB) or “citrus greening” is a disease that has buckled the citrus industry in Florida ultimately leading to a 75 percent decline in the state's $9 billion citrus industry (USDA). Many large producers are anxious to find ways to combat the threat of this condition. [Source: Chipley Paper]
Kennedy Space Center resurgence led by Bob Cabana's vision
Kennedy Space Center Director Bob Cabana has overseen a resurgence on the Space Coast that revolves around a growing commercial industry. The resulting growth in the industry has created potential opportunities for contractors. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
› Octogenarian widow stands in the way of giant Florida development [AP]
There’s a new twist in the standoff between an octogenarian widow in Florida who refused to sell her townhome and the giant developer that constructed a timeshare resort around her vacant, two-story building anyway.
› Lockdown lifted at all Florida prisons [NorthEscambia.com]
The Florida Department of Corrections announced Monday that normal operations have resumed at all prisons. The announcement follows a statewide partial lockdown that started last week and cancellation of weekend visitations at all major institutions, work camps and annex facilities.
› Walmart expands grocery delivery service to Tampa [Tampa Bay Times]
Walmart is expanding its grocery delivery service to Tampa, the company announced Monday. Five locations will offer delivery for online grocery orders.
› Windshield-replacement schemes drive up Florida insurance rates [Insurance Business Magazine]
Windshield-replacement schemes are causing a spike in the price of auto insurance throughout Florida. The schemes involve drivers with cracked windshields signing over insurance benefits to repair contractors. Some of those contractors then charge insurance companies inflated prices for their work.
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› SOCom seeks civilian drone pilots to develop new technology through ThunderDrone [Tampa Bay Times]
For the last three years, Nicole Abbett has been using drones as part of her photography business, with clients like the city of Tampa and construction companies.
› Donut chain to make Florida debut [Business Observer]
A national donut chain will make its Florida debut with a store in east Manatee County. The donut chain, Houston-based Shipley Do-Nuts, will be one part of a 5,104-square-foot building in front of Manatee Technical College and Braden River High School.
› Jacksonville car washes becoming as common as rain in the summer [Florida Times-Union]
It wasn’t very long ago that car washes were a pretty quiet little business in Jacksonville. One here, one here, no big deal. But not anymore.
› Florida ATV riders get some bad news on safety issues [Miami Herald]
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has delivered some bad news for Florida ATV riders. Florida ranked sixth in ATV deaths from 1982 through 2012, the last year with complete numbers.