March 29, 2024

Monday's Daily Pulse

What you need to know about Florida Today

| 6/30/2014

Special Report
350 Biggest Companies in Florida

Florida Trend's annual ranking of the largest companies in the state is out for 2014.

» 125 Biggest Public Companies
The list is ranked by revenue. Also, profiles of B/E Aerospace, Mednax, Hackett Group, API Technologies, Goldfield, Jagged Peak and Paradise Inc.

» The 225 Biggest Private Companies
The list is ranked by revenue. Also, profiles of Brightstar, Acosta, Advanced Disposal, Main Street America Group, GL Homes, Meyer Jabara Hotels and First Watch Restaurants.


Port Everglades 20-year, $1.6 billion plan approved

Twenty years from now, Broward County's already bustling seaport is forecast to handle roughly twice as much cargo and about 40 percent more cruise passengers. To accommodate that growth, Port Everglades will need to invest about $1.6 billion in major projects. The county's board of county commissioners approved the 20-year plan, an update to the seaport's Master/Vision Plan first adopted in 2006. [Source: Sun Sentinel]

See also
» Study: Skyway bridge to hobble Tampa cruise industry


Miami Gardens sues big banks for predatory lending

Miami Gardens is suing four major banks for predatory mortgage lending targeted at minorities, which the city believes led to a reduction in property taxes, additional spending on foreclosed homes and a decrease in property values due to the multiple foreclosures. The city is asking that the court rule that the banks — JPMorgan Chase, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Bank of America — violated the Fair Housing Act. [Source: Miami Herald]


Army agency's restructuring worries Orlando simulation industry

Under pressure from defense budget cuts, the Army's high-tech training contracts agency in Orlando is undergoing a major restructuring that has cast some uncertainty on the future of the region's training and simulation industry. The agency has lost more than two dozen jobs — including 40 percent of its contracting officers — as a result of a hiring freeze and deficit-reduction cuts in military spending, officials say. The critical positions, many of them paying more than $80,000 a year, are gone indefinitely. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]


Mayo Clinic left out of plan for more cancer research dollars

The Mayo Clinic, nestled in a forest of pine trees in suburban Jacksonville, has learned that being “Florida’s best-kept secret,” as its leaders like to say, has political consequences. As this year’s legislative session wore on, it became clear that Mayo would be snubbed in favor of centers that enjoy more support in Tallahassee. Read more from the Times/Herald


ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:

› Tropical disturbance in Atlantic is worth watching
A tropical disturbance in the waters off St. Augustine could bring squally weather to Florida's east coast by Monday afternoon and will be monitored as it could turn into a more-intense weather system in a few days, meteorologists said.

› Entrepreneurs prepare for medical marijuana businesses
Thrity-one businesses in Broward and Palm Beach counties have registered with the state as marijuana-related businesses, banking that voters will approve medical use of the drug on Nov. 4. Among them are lawyers, a retired insurance firm owner, a construction contractor and a personal trainer, all laying the foundation for businesses ranging from growing to selling through a dispensary.

› Everglades restoration efforts falling short, scientists say
A better understanding of climate change now makes the need to speed up work more urgent, said Virginia Tech biologist Jeffrey R. Walters. "Climate change and sea-level rise pose enormous challenges to a rainfall driven system," he wrote.

› New child welfare law promises protection
The big news for Southwest Florida about the new law reforming the state's child welfare system is that the region will get an infusion of child protective investigators.


Go to page 2 for more stories ...

Tags: Daily Pulse

In case you missed it:

Florida Trend Video Pick

Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices
Bitter-to-swallow cocoa costs force chocolate shops to raise prices

Central Floirda chocolate shops are left with a bitter taste as cocoa prices hit an all-time high earlier this week.

Video Picks | Viewpoints@FloridaTrend

Ballot Box

Should Congress ban the popular social media app TikTok in the U.S.?

  • Yes
  • No
  • Need more details
  • What is TikTok?
  • Other (Comment below)

See Results

Florida Trend Media Company
490 1st Ave S
St Petersburg, FL 33701
727.821.5800

© Copyright 2024 Trend Magazines Inc. All rights reserved.