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Tuesday's Afternoon Update

Florida's crime rate hits 47-year low

Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Tuesday in Jacksonville that the state’s crime rate dropped 6 percent in 2017, a 47-year low for the Sunshine State. On top of that, Scott said violent crimes were down 3 percent in the same time period. More from First Coast News and at Gov. Scott's full press release.

See also:
» Crime rate down, but Leon County still tops state
» Crime rates drop in Tallahassee
» Crime rate takes another drop in Manatee. Not so everywhere on the beach
» Escambia and Santa Rosa crime rates are dropping, but not as quickly as the rest of the state

Alachua County could repeal local business tax

It may become cheaper for businesses in Alachua County to do business in the county. That’s if the County Commission repeals its current “Local Business Tax,” which it is considering. The tax was established in the early 2000s primarily to serve as a funding source to help create economic development in the county. More from the Gainesville Sun.

Time Out Market's latest additions are a who's who of Miami's chefs

Big names keep lining up to cook at the upcoming upscale food hall in Miami Beach. Time Out Market Miami announced six new restaurants Monday for its first food hall in the United States, and their Miami reputations alone are enough to make South Florida’s mouth water. More from the Miami Herald.

Company with Tampa ownership to get new product into Dunkin’ Donuts

Tampa-based private equity firm ProspEquity Partners paid $18.2 million less than three weeks ago for a two-thirds stake in Tierra Nueva, a Miami company with a new idea for coffee, and already it has some big news. More from the Tampa Bay Times.

SunTrust data theft impacts Florida customers

If you're a SunTrust Bank customer, your personal information may be at risk. A class action lawsuit has now been filed against SunTrust, and some Florida residents may be entitled to a part of any potential payout. More from WFLA.

Florida Environment
1,000th snake caught during 'Python Elimination Program' in Everglades

 The state has been paying a select group of hunters to kill the invasive snakes on state lands in South Florida since March 2017. On Tuesday, the 1,000th python collected in that program will be weighed in at the South Florida Water Management District's field office in Homestead.

» More from the AP.

 

Profile
Luminar

floridaLidar sensors, which serve as the "eyes" of a self-driving car are expensive today, but a start-up called Luminar is trying to make them more accessible, and powerful, for automakers. The company developed and is manufacturing Lidar systems in Orlando, Florida.

» Read more from CNBC.