SHARE:
Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Seasonal hurricane forecast updated even as two systems brew in Atlantic basin
Today, Colorado State University updated its tropical cyclone forecast. They continue to predict an active season with a 61 percent chance Florida will get hit by a hurricane. That’s 10 percent higher than the historical average of a 51 percent chance of Florida getting hit. (More at the Palm Beach Post.)
Today’s forecast comes as two systems brew in the Atlantic basin, both with high chances of forming over the next five days. The National Hurricane Center says one area is off the coast of South America, heading toward the Yucatan. The other is way out in the Atlantic and is expected to move west-northwestward through next week. More at nhc.noaa.gov.
Florida-based WellCare beats profit estimates, raises earnings forecast
WellCare Health Plans Inc., based in Tampa, has reported a better-than-expected quarterly profit and raised its annual earnings forecast, boosted by higher enrollments in its Medicare and Medicaid businesses. The upbeat results mirror those of WellCare's larger peers UnitedHealth Group Inc, Aetna Inc , Humana Inc (HUM.N) and Centene Corp, all of which reported better-than-expected profits and raised earnings forecasts. Wellcare has been rated by Florida Trend as the 8th largest public company in the state. More from the Reuters.
See also: Wellcare's 2nd quarter earnings statement
White House hosts Florida county commissioners for first-of-its-kind conference
Last week, 125 county commissioners representing about 80 percent of the Sunshine State's counties met for the first time at the White House. The event was the Florida County Commissioners Conference. Commissioners met senior-level officials from more than a dozen executive-branch agencies. Billy Kirkland, the White House deputy director of intergovernmental affairs, said "We want them to know they have an ally here in the White House." More from the Tampa Bay Times.
As HSN awaits takeover by QVC, quarterly revenues slip but net income rises
HSN, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, saw a 4 percent drop in net sales in the last quarter. During the quarter, stronger profits meant a 20 percent jump over last year in net income. Still, how the company fared in the quarter is less significant to investors now that Liberty Interactive, the parent of QVC, is buying HSN for just over $2 billion. More from the Tampa Bay Times.
Florida Supreme Court warns residents of email, phone scams
The Florida Supreme Court is warning of widespread phone and email scams seeking to trick people into paying money. Court officials advise that state courts in Florida do not make initial contact by email or phone to ask people to appear before a judge or to pay money. See the news release from the Supreme Court here. Also read more at AP.
Florida Outdoors
Tips for nabbing that spiny lobster
Lobster lovers everywhere are getting ready for the spiny lobster recreational and commercial season, which starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31, 2018. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued tips about how to catch them, along with reminders about the law. » Full story from the FWC, here.
Made in Florida
He’s spent 30 years building an Irish castle in Wellington. Why?
Bruce Woods started his replica of an 17th century Irish castle in rural Wellington more than 28 years ago. After scraping together $35,000 to buy five acres of drained Brazilian pepper-infested swamp in unincorporated Palm Beach County, he set up a tent and got to work. “I saw a book on castles at the library and found Lohort, which is a small castle,” explained Woods. “I said, ‘Hey, I can build that.’”
» Read more from the Palm Beach Post.
In case you missed it:
