SHARE:
Friday's Daily Pulse
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida cities gear up to compete for new Amazon headquarters
Many Florida cities are in competition with one another, vying to be Amazon’s home for its second headquarters. The headquarters, "Amazon HQ2," is a planned $5 billion, eight-million-square-foot, 50,000-employee campus in North America. Among Florida metros, the Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties are putting together a rare, tri-county proposal. Pinellas and Hillsborough counties (including the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg) have banded together to submit a joint proposal. Doral, Orlando and Jacksonville are also throwing their hats into the ring. Amazon wants proposals by Oct. 19. See Amazon's requirements here. Also read more at the Miami Herald, Florida Politics, WTSP, WFTV, Action News Jax, and CBS Miami.
See also:
» 50 cities are in a bidding war for Amazon's newest headquarters — but there could be a downside for whoever wins
» Amazon's HQ2 contest creates a 'Shark Tank' for cities, generates publicity for retailer
Publix follows Wal-Mart, will test curbside grocery pickup
Publix Supermarkets will test curbside pickup of grocery orders placed online, trying to keep pace with the popular service launched at Wal-Mart, as shoppers demand convenience. See the news release from Publix, here. Also read more at the Orlando Sentinel.
Florida’s farm cops field specialized cases
Fern rustlers, livestock on the lam, tractor thieves and neglected horses are just a few of the cases fielded by farm cops in Florida on any given day. Agriculture-related crimes occur statewide in Florida, which boasts a multi-billion dollar farming industry. [Source: St. Augustine Record]
Florida: Separate civil, criminal "stand your ground" cases
Winning a "stand your ground" hearing to avoid criminal prosecution in Florida doesn't automatically grant immunity from civil suits. That's what the state Supreme Court ruled Thursday. See the opinion from the Florida Supreme Court, here. Also read more at the AP and Times/Herald.
Sen. Marco Rubio urges Trump to put Pentagon in charge of recovery in Puerto Rico
The Florida Republican said the government in Puerto Rico does not have the capacity — in money, staff or even communications resources — to lead such a massive effort as more than 3 million American citizens struggle amid rapidly deteriorating conditions. Rubio's letter to President Trump is here. Also read more at McClatchy.
› Building a smarter energy future
Wireless sensing devices and other smart grid technologies are modernizing Duke Energy's delivery system.
› Insurance fraud spotlighted as Florida bar investigates attorneys
The Florida Bar has opened investigations into five attorneys accused of taking kickbacks in an alleged insurance fraud. The lawyers all face multiple felonies in a scandal that put the spotlight on motor vehicle tort and personal injury protection, or PIP, claims.
› Orlando startup Edukate expands reach with partnership
An Orlando startup will have its financial health product embedded within a 20-year-old health management company’s platform
› Cash still a big driver for Tampa Bay home sales
To the difficulty of finding a house these days, add this factor: cash still talks. Though not as common as during the foreclosure crisis, cash sales continue to make up a significant part of Tampa Bay's tight real estate market.
Go to page 2 for more stories ...
In case you missed it:
