March 28, 2024

Friday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 3/20/2015

Florida House releases $76.2 billion budget

The Florida House released its proposed 2015-2016 budget, which outlines a $76.2 billion spending plan that is estimated to be about $5 billion less than the Florida Senate's budget, which should be released later Friday. More at the Tampa Bay Times and the AP.

» See the House budget proposal here.


Southwest Florida businesses going to the dogs

A growing number of mom-and-pop businesses are chasing after dog-owner dollars. Dogs are getting exercise at doggy day cares and indoor gyms, getting gourmet dinners from boutique pet stores, getting in-home sitters when their parents are away and getting the royal treatment from groomers, including mobile ones who greet them at the door. More at the Naples Daily News.


Florida citrus industry continues to combat greening disease

Business Profile
St. Pete Bagel

title
"If there were one thing you could change about our business, what would it be?" Many companies might hesitate to ask their customers that: After all, who knows what kinds of things you might hear?

But St. Pete Bagel Co., which has storefronts in St. Petersburg and Largo, Florida, and a third location about to open in nearby Kenneth City, didn't hesitate.

» More from Inc. Magazine

The Florida citrus industry is continuing to make strides to combat greening disease and the Asian citrus psyllid. Due to the thorough examination of the psyllid, extensive knowledge has been gained and implemented to refine existing control strategies of combating the insect in mature and new plantings. More at Fresh Plaza.


Darden serves up better profits, restaurant sales

Darden Restaurants boasted big profits and improved sales at all seven restaurant brands during the last quarter, the Orlando-based company reported Friday morning. More at the Orlando Sentinel.


Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings lays off staff

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings laid off an unspecified number of employees Thursday, confirming rumors that circulated widely during the industry’s annual Cruise Shipping Miami conference this week. More at the Miami Herald.

Sports Business
How to keep March Madness from upsetting the workplace

march madness Outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas estimates US businesses could lose as much as $1.9bn because of the national college basketball tournament this year, up from $1.2 billion in 2014. And while brackets may lure employees away from work and into bars and video-laden browser windows, consensus – from social-science research to worldwide viewing habits – holds that the madness should be allowed to march on. Read more from the Guardian and the Phoenix Business Journal and see also:

» March Madness teamwork lessons we can use in business
» When do NCAA, gambling winnings become taxable?

Tags: Daily Pulse, Afternoon Pulse

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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

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