Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 6/28/2013

Gov. Scott's re-election chances gaining momentum

Florida's political elite see Gov. Rick Scott as increasingly strong heading into a re-election campaign, but hardly a shoo-in. The shifting views on Scott's prospects reflect a steadily improving Florida economy and the likelihood that Democrats will go through a bruising primary to pick their nominee. [Source: Tampa Bay Times]

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Legal Elite 2013

Ten years ago, Florida Trend published its first Legal Elite special report, recognizing the top attorneys in the state as chosen by their peers. In this 10th Anniversary edition, we are pleased to report that the legal profession in Florida remains vibrant.

» Read more

SunPass moves a step closer to working in Northeast

Starting July 27, SunPass will work in North Carolina — the first step in a long-awaited effort that will allow drivers to travel from Florida north to Maine and west to Illinois, paying tolls with their home state's transponder. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]

Why Florida schools are going digital

Schools across the country are contemplating a technology overhaul to meet new, tougher education standards adopted by 45 states and the District of Columbia, known as Common Core. Those standards take effect in the fall of 2014. And Florida schools face a second deadline: By the fall of 2015, half of classroom instruction must use digital materials. [Source: StateImpact Florida]

» FRIDAY PREVIEW: Coming next week to FloridaTrend.com:

Florida Trend 350: The 150 biggest public companies in Florida and the 200 biggest private companies.
The Long View: For James Seneff and his billion-dollar real estate powerhouse, the social sciences offer as much strategic guidance as hard economics.
License to Reveal: A new software company offers vehicle license plate recognition technology to law enforcement.
An Appetite for American Made: Coaxial Components capitalizes on a trend toward quality products.

» You'll find all these stories first on the Daily and Afternoon Pulse e-mails.

Out of the Box
Sneaker Con

At ATC, a sneaker consignment store in Miami Beach, an unassuming pair of black leather Nikes with green soles sits in a locked glass cabinet. These shoes are Air Jordan 1s, from the XX8 Days Of Flight series. Don’t know what that means? This may help: The asking price for the one-of-a-kind size 10s under glass is $13,500. Miami has become a draw for people who buy, collect and trade shoes like these.