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Tuesday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Manufacturing grows at fastest pace in three years
Manufacturing expanded in August at the fastest pace in three years as orders grew by the most in a decade, showing U.S. factories will help power the economy into the third quarter. More at Bloomberg and the AP.
Florida gator hunt creates market for hides, meat
Driven by TV reality shows like "Swamp People" and "Gator Boys," alligator hunting has grown four-fold in the last decade, from 2,164 hunters in 2002 to 8,103 in 2011. The popularity of such shows has boosted the number of hunters as well as increased demand for alligator products and meat. More at USA Today.
University of Florida reports record donations
The University of Florida says it was given a record $215.3 million from donors in the last fiscal year. University officials say it's the second year in a row that Florida was given cash and cash-equivalent donations in excess of $210 million. More at WINK News.
Fall tourism campaign targets locals
Riding on a wave of a successful first half of the year, both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are planning ad campaigns to keep tourists flowing into the area between now and the end of the year. Many of them will be from right here or elsewhere in Florida. More at TBO.com.
South American food chains testing U.S. market In Florida
When El Corral Burgers opened its first U.S. restaurant near Miami last year, Colombian-Americans came in droves to get a taste of home. El Corral is among a growing number of South American restaurant chains that are using South Florida as the gateway to the U.S. market. More at FOX News Latino.
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