Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 1/12/2017

Florida citrus growers optimistic about genetically engineered trees

The citrus greening crisis is spurring state regulators to invest in genetically engineered trees that are disease resistant. Researchers are beginning to see positive results, though it may take a few years for crop yields to catch up. More from WFSU.

Orlando law firms tackle new efforts to ditch hourly fee

Several big Orlando law firms plan to abandon hourly fees — in which attorneys bill clients for every minute of research, or just to write a letter or take a phone call — for anyone trying to sue a large corporation. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Florida office surgery centers will be inspected differently. Are patients at risk?

Beginning this week, office surgery centers will be inspected by state investigators rather than independent auditors — a policy change by the Florida Department of Health that healthcare safety advocates say could harm patients. More from the Miami Herald.

After another losing season, merchant bemoans his bet on the Jaguars

Just like Jaguars fans, Mathew Smith was ready for a big year. His Sports Mania sports apparel and memorabilia shop in Jacksonville Beach stocked up on Jaguars merchandise before the season with its biggest buy in a decade. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Rosen College seeks artificial intelligence on tourism industry

The tourism industry in Central Florida has a new way to gauge how visitors feel about the city and their experiences there — artificial intelligence. New software built by Orlando-based Datanautix will analyze online comments and reviews for the area's theme parks, restaurants, hotels and other attractions. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Around the State
Employment Diversity Comes to Flagler County

Sara and Tim Hale founded Coastal Cloud in Palm Coast in 2013. Since then, it has grown to 110 employees, with plans to reach 250 in the next three years. The company is just the type Flagler County is trying to attract to expand its employment base.

» Access full story.

Profile
Sociallybuzz

Andre Kay bootstrapped Sociallybuzz from a small social media “do it for you” company to a nationally recognized social media agency and software company. But Sociallybuzz today is not anything like what it was conceived to be seven years ago.