Thursday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 8/3/2017

After 'hard and messy' battle, Visit Florida faces new problems

Weeks after Gov. Rick Scott struck a compromise with House Speaker Richard Corcoran to impose a list of new regulations on Visit Florida in return for its $76 million budget, the marketing of one of the world's most popular tourist destinations is in disarray. The CEO, Ken Lawson, is undertaking a reorganization even while he looks to fill key jobs. More from the Times/Herald.

Sales tax holiday begins Friday in Florida, with tech now included

A sales tax holiday goes into effect throughout Florida on Friday at 12:00 a.m., and runs through Sunday. During this sales tax holiday period, qualifying items will be exempt from tax including most school supplies selling for $15 or less per item; clothing, footwear and accessories selling for $60 or less per item; and personal computers and computer-related accessories purchased for noncommercial home or personal use selling for $750 or less per item. More at WOKV.

After spinoff, Wyndham timeshare company will be new Orlando headquarters

Even as it faces ongoing criticism for its new website rollout, Wyndham Worldwide’s timeshare company is set to spin off from the parent company, maintaining its Orlando headquarters. Wyndham Vacation Ownership will be joined with Wyndham Destination Network. See the company statement here, or read more at the Orlando Sentinel.

Floridians continue pulling plug on landlines

A state report released this week showed that large numbers of Floridians continue unplugging the types of phone lines that were a fixture of life for decades. Instead, they are reaching into their pockets for mobile phones or using internet technology to chat with friends and family. More from WJXT or read the story from the Florida Public Service Commission.

Uber ride service in growing rift with Jacksonville Aviation Authority

Uber personal ride service officials are trying to hammer out a deal for continued customer pickups at the Jacksonville International Airport while driving down stipulated fees charged by the Jacksonville Aviation Authority. More from the Florida Times-Union.

Employment
Fort Lauderdale – The ‘Yachting Employment Capital of the World’

Fort Lauderdale is often dubbed the ‘Yachting Capital of the World’. Perhaps less commonly known, Fort Lauderdale and the whole of South Florida is the ‘Yachting Employment Capital of the World’.

» More from All At Sea.

Florida Icon
Craig Fugate

Former FEMA administrator Craig Fugute shares lessons he’s learned during his years as a disaster response director, including: “The worse the disaster, the more likely that the first responder will be your neighbor.”