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Monday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
From Cold War to warm welcome, Obama arrives in Cuba for historic visit
President Obama and his family landed in Cuba on Sunday afternoon, a trip that took more than half a century to complete, to a destination only 90 miles from U.S. shores. The official welcoming session will take place Monday morning when Obama meets with Cuban President Raúl Castro at the presidential palace. The Obamas will be in Cuba for three days. More from the Washington Post, the Miami Herald, and the AP.
See also:
» Cuba arrests dozens of human rights protesters before Obama's arrival
» US hotel company Starwood to run 3 Cuban hotels
» Cuba's DIY economy raises hope
» Cuban-American residents, lawmakers criticize Obama visit
» Live coverage of the Tampa Bay Rays' historic trip to Cuba
More sunshine, fewer budget turkeys as lawmakers spend billions of taxpayers' dollars
Florida’s elected lawmakers put fewer secret spending projects into the budget in the waning days of this Legislative session, but improvements are still needed to guarantee taxpayers have full openness, transparency and accountability when lawmakers spend their money. Read the full report from Florida TaxWatch, here.
Is the on-demand economy dying?
On-demand companies have defined this decade's tech boom. They've also caught the attention of venture capitalists, who have poured more than $9 billion into those three companies alone. But the recent troubles of several on-demand startups begs the question: Is this the end of the push-button economy? [Source: CNET]
Florida launches effort to lure veterans from other states
The effort is geared toward younger veterans as they prepare to leave the military and comes as Florida's retired military population continues to grow older, which has sparked the need for more Veterans Affairs clinics. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Months after deadline, most Florida retailers still don't have chip card readers
Most of Florida's estimated 270,000 retailers haven't made the switch, even though they were warned five years ago, the Florida Retail Federation says. You can still use your chip cards at retailers that don't have the readers, but you won't get the extra protection the cards are supposed to deliver. [Source: South Florida Sun-Sentinel]
› At Port Everglades, a new No. 1, thanks to oil’s slip
The value of Port Everglades’ trade with the world has grown 10 of the last 12 years, setting records nine of those years. One of the exceptions was in 2009, when the global financial crisis did a number on many of the world’s overall economies.
› Tampa: A 'value stock' in transformation
Tampa, Florida — America's other city by the bay, but decidedly less expensive — has come a long way from its origins as a cigar manufacturing hub.
› Meditation coach helps executives bust stress
Michelle Goebel works as a meditation coach for many South Florida executives who want to relieve stress and bring more clarity and creativity to their work.
› Lake Okeechobee flood control creates environmental disaster
Fish and tourists fled. The governor declared a state of emergency. And communities around the lake and along the rivers began blaming each other. But this is not a problem that just popped up following a two-day rainstorm.
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