Wednesday's Afternoon Update

What you need to know about Florida today

| 11/8/2017

U.S. cracks down business and travel to Cuba

Under new regulations that take effect Thursday, the Trump administration is banning Americans from doing business with dozens of entities with links to Cuba’s military. The move affects stores, hotels, tourist agencies and even two rum makers. Here is the list of restricted entities and subentities from the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. Also read more at USA Today, the Miami Herald, and CNBC.

Startup veteran to lead Tampa Bay business incubator

Entrepreneur, executive and mentor Steve Parker has been named a director at the Technology and Entrepreneurship Center (TEC) Garage, an incubator and co-working entrepreneurial center operated by Tampa Bay Innovation Center. More from the Business Observer.

State, feds pressured to spend more money on affordable housing

With tens of thousands of Puerto Rican evacuees arriving in Florida, pressures have mounted for state and federal governments to boost spending on affordable housing. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Mayor says Visit Orlando will reveal all contract details as soon as next month

Visit Orlando will close one of the biggest loopholes preventing it from full transparency by publicly posting all contracts starting as soon as next month, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs said Tuesday. More from the Orlando Sentinel.

Miami ranks No. 1 among US cities with fastest-growing incomes

The median household income in Miami rose more than any other U.S. city between 2015 and 2016, but its median income still falls far behind the U.S average. More from the South Florida Business Journal.

Research
One Gulf Expedition

A team of marine scientists, led by representatives of the University of South Florida, are about midway through a six-week expedition looking for evidence left over from the two largest accidental oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico. The scientists are looking to see what long-term effects the 2010 Deepwater Horizon and 1979 Ixtoc oil spills are having on the Gulf.

» More from WUSF.

Out of the Box
Florida company selling "Ugly Christmas Rompers"

The ugly Christmas sweater has been a staple of American holiday fashion for years, and a Florida-based company decided to take a new approach to the fan favorite. Clothing company Get on Fleek is selling “Ugly Christmas Rompers” for both men and women this year.