Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/6/2015

What businesses should watch for in the Republican presidential debates

The 2016 presidential campaign kicks into high gear Thursday night with the first GOP debates. Lots of folks will be watching, partly due to Donald Trump’s emergence as the frontrunner. Business owners and executives will be watching for specifics on growing the economy, plans to replace Obamacare and what tax reforms each might enact. More at the Business Journals.

All Aboard Florida gets key vote to borrow $1.75 billion

All Aboard Florida won a pivotal vote Wednesday that will allow it to issue $1.75 billion in tax-exempt bonds to build a passenger railway from Miami to Orlando. The unanimous decision by the Florida Development Finance Commission was an important hurdle for All Aboard Florida's $2.25 billion project. More from the South Florida Business Journal and the AP.

Sarasota company, USF working on medical marijuana patch

While 25 nurseries compete to become Florida’s non-euphoric marijuana suppliers, a Sarasota company is working with the University of South Florida to develop a transdermal patch that could deliver this version of marijuana directly through patients' skin. More at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune.

SeaWorld Entertainment reports attendance decline in second quarter

Despite spending millions in its second quarter to improve its theme parks' reputation, SeaWorld Entertainment still reported an attendance decrease this morning. The company missed analysts' expectations in its earnings report. It reported earnings per share of 22 cents; analysts had expected 40. More at the Orlando Sentinel and the AP.

Nearly 1,200 bear hunting permits sold in 2 days

Wildlife officials say nearly 1,200 permits were sold during the first two days of sales for the state's first bear hunting season in 20 years. The permits went on sale this week and can be purchased through the Oct. 23 deadline. The seven-day season begins Oct. 24. More at the AP.

Of Counsel
Gender bias in the courtroom

At the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers’ annual meeting this summer, Miami attorney Sabrina Puglisi facilitated a conversation titled, “Women Lawyers: The Crap People Think, but Won’t Admit.”

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Space
Far side of the moon

At 1 million miles away from Earth a camera aboard NASA’s Deep Space Climate Observatory (DSCOVR) satellite captured a remarkable view of the far side of the moon orbiting Earth last month. Now, the images have been combined into an animated timelapse that is truly “EPIC.”