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Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
No help from DC? Florida to spend millions on Zika fight
Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday that he will use his emergency executive authority to allocate $26.2 million in state funds for Zika preparedness, prevention and response in Florida. The decision comes after the federal government did not approve funding for Zika preparedness by June 1, the start of hurricane season. Full statement, with plan details, from the Governor, here. Also read more at WJXT, the AP, and the Times/Herald.
As grocers double down on e-commerce, competitive pressure mounts for Publix
Lakeland-based Publix was a pioneer in online grocery shopping in the late 1990s, but pulled back from those efforts. But it's becoming increasingly clear that Publix will likely launch some sort of online shopping program in the near future — if only to keep up with some of its largest competitors. Safeway, who recently opened three stores in Florida, offers online shopping and one-hour delivery service, via refrigerated trucks. [Source: Tampa Bay Business Journal]
Related:
» Take a look inside the Safeway grocery store in Largo, Publix's newest competition
Rick Scott bucks Republican leaders, doesn't back Marco Rubio
In the last 24 hours, GOP leaders have thrown support behind Sen. Marco Rubio in his re-election bid. But not Gov. Rick Scott, who is publicly encouraging Carlos Beruff, a Bradenton developer with close ties to the governor, to challenge Rubio in the Republican primary. "Carlos Beruff is a good friend of mine, a businessman and an outsider to politics," Scott said in a statement. "The voters of Florida deserve the opportunity to consider his candidacy alongside Senator Rubio and make their own decision." [Source: Times/Herald]
Cuban migrants continue landing in Keys
Three groups of migrants from Cuba have landed on Keys shores since last Friday. The arrivals are part of a trend involving Cubans fleeing the communist island nation fearing U.S. policy that allows most of them to stay could soon change. [Source: Miami Herald]
Attorney Trevor Brewer advises more than 50 brewers.
Florida Trend Exclusive
Tapping a beer niche
Maitland business attorney Trevor Brewer first noticed the sign for a new brewery in Longwood during a commute to work five years ago. The encounter set the aptly named lawyer on a path to become an expert in the field by talking to other microbreweries and reading up on the laws affecting the craft beverage industry. Access full story.
› Gainesville biomass plant ordered to pay $4.6 million in damages
Gainesville Renewable Energy Center was ordered Thursday to pay more than $4.6 million in damages to Wood Resource Recovery in a judge’s ruling that the operator of the biomass plant violated its contract with the wood supplier.
› South Florida county to pilot IBM's self-driving cars
IBM has announced that, later this year, Miami-Dade County will be among three U.S. locations to pilot the rollout of Olli, a self-driving car that can carry up to 12 people.
» See also: Will self-driving Olli be ready for the mean streets of Miami?
› Sarasota County embraces $6 million sheriff's budget increase
Sarasota County leaders have embraced Sheriff Tom Knight’s proposed $6 million increase with open arms and big thanks for what they lauded as continued improvements and expanded services.
› 500 employers support expansion of Jacksonville Human Rights Ordinance
Five hundred employers in Jacksonville support expanding the city’s controversial Human Rights Ordinance to include discrimination protections for the LGBT community. Bold City Brewery, CSX, Deutsche Bank and Florida Blue are on the list of employers who support HRO expansion.
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