Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/2/2017

Flexible job schedules have 45,000 working at home in Miami-Dade

Flexible job schedules that include options to work away from the office are gaining in popularity in Miami-Dade, according to a new study of U.S. workforce trends. According to Kate Lister, president of Global Workplace Analytics:

“In 2015, 3.1% – or 45,000 employees – in Miami-Dade worked at home half time or more, not including the self-employed. The number of workers who considered home their primary place of work grew by 40% between 2010 and 2015. This compares to total workforce growth of just 15%."

Read more at Miami Today.

New lethal injection drug focus of Florida execution fight

It's not unusual for lawyers representing Death Row prisoners to file last-minute appeals. But an attempt by one Florida death-penalty lawyer whose client is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection late this month is even more complicated. More from the Palm Beach Post and WUSF.

Florida reports first sexually transmitted Zika infection of 2017

Health officials on Tuesday reported Florida’s first sexually transmitted Zika infection of 2017, which occurred in Pinellas County and brings the statewide total to 90 cases this year. More from WFTS and the Miami Herald.

Nuclear power industry takes a hit, but JEA hopes to be a small player

The abandonment Monday of a major nuclear-power expansion project in South Carolina was a setback for the industry but JEA remains a bit player as it hopes to add nuclear to its fuel mix in the coming years. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Brevard tourism officials seek revamp of tax on hotel rooms

Space Coast tourism officials are pushing for a major revamping of how Brevard County's 5 percent Tourist Development Tax on hotel rooms and other short-term rentals is spent. More from Florida Today.

Recreation
Maine-to-Florida urban trail celebrates 25 years

The renowned Appalachian Trail, the world’s longest hiking-only footpath, stretches 2,200 miles from Maine to Georgia, including 72 miles through northern New Jersey. Did you know the Appalachian Trail has an urban equivalent for pedestrians and bicyclists? It is called the East Coast Greenway and it extends 3,000 miles from northern Maine to the Florida Keys.

» More from CentralJersey.com.

Profile
Bowling for dollars

Even as bowling alleys struggle to attract new customers, an equipment manufacturer in Lake Wales outperforms the industry. Kegel employs about 100 and sells $20 million a year in bowling lane maintenance equipment, parts and chemicals. Almost half of its sales are overseas.