Tuesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/10/2017

Ken Lawson named to head Visit Florida

Today the Board of Directors for Visit Florida voted unanimiously to replace current CEO Will Seccombe with Ken Lawson, the former secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). While Lawson has no experience in tourism marketing, board members said he was a perfect fit because the governor has already given his endorsement of the move and Lawson has experience walking the halls of Tallahassee as a former agency head. See Gov. Rick Scott's statement here. Also read more at the Tampa Bay Times.

» Earlier: Visit Florida to pay $73,000 to Will Seccombe after rapper kerfuffle

Deal emerges to trade stagnant gaming permits for slots in Florida

Florida lawmakers have inched closer to renewing a 20-year, multi-million dollar gaming compact with the Seminole Tribe of Florida by allowing owners of declining parimutuels to sell their permits to others who want to install slot machines at newer facilities outside of South Florida. More from the Times/Herald and the Florida Record.

» Related, from Florida TaxWatch: Lack of a Seminole Gaming Compact proving very costly to Florida

Chipotle taps Florida company to help with food safety

Chipotle Mexican Grill Inc.’s meteoric rise as a fast-casual eatery prioritizing wholesome ingredients over profits came to a halt in 2015 following an E. coli outbreak that affected restaurants in more than a dozen states. A Florida company has been tapped help turn things around. More from the South Florida Business Journal.

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide ranked 1st for online education

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide has been ranked No. 1 in U.S. News & World Report’s 2017 list for best online bachelor’s degrees in the nation. This is the fourth consecutive year that Embry-Riddle Worldwide secured a spot on the coveted annual ranking of the nation’s top online educators. Full story here.

Two new virus-carrying tropical mosquitoes discovered in South Florida

South Florida’s Zika-spreading, dengue-transmitting mosquito population just got a little more crowded. Two new tropical mosquitoes capable of carrying viruses dangerous to humans have been discovered in Homestead and Florida City by University of Florida researchers. More from the Miami Herald.

Of Counsel
Taking the helm at the ABA

Hilarie Bass started as a summer associate at Greenberg Traurig three decades ago, the law firm had just one office in Miami. Today, the firm has 38 offices around the world, and Bass, co-president of the firm, is gearing up to take the helm of the American Bar Association in August.

» Access full story.

Public Safety
Florida home to most dangerous regions for pedestrians

Florida remains the nation's most deadly state for those who journey on foot, a new report has found. The seven most dangerous metropolitan communities for pedestrians are all in the Sunshine State, according to the Dangerous by Design report released by Smart Growth America today.