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Friday's Afternoon Update
What you need to know about Florida today
Florida credit union makes second bank purchase
The $1.1 billion IBM Southeast Employees Credit Union (IBMSECU), based in Boca Raton, plans to acquire the $341 million Oculina Bank. Pending regulatory approvals, the acquisition will expand IBMSECU’s Treasure Coast market presence. Oculina Bank, founded in 2004, is a savings association charter bank with eight branches, 77 full-time staffers and 4,000 customers from Stuart to Sebastian. This is IBMSECU’s second bank purchase deal. Last year, the credit union completed the acquisition of the $109 million Mackinac Savings Bank in Boynton Beach, Fla. Read more at the CU Times.
Transgender teen wins lawsuit against St. Johns County School Board
A Nease High School student sued the St. Johns County School Board over claims of discrimination and won. Drew Adams, who is transgender, will head into his senior year of high school knowing he can use the bathroom of his choice. “I can go into my senior year focusing on college applications, IB testing instead of lawsuits,” Adams said. U.S. District Judge Timothy Corrigan wrote in his ruling that federal courts have to uphold the Constitution, which is why “courts around the country have recognized the right of transgender students to use the bathroom matching their gender identity.” Read more at Action News Jax.
Outlook bright for Tampa Bay's hospitality industry
The hospitality industry is on an epic run, and while hoteliers can’t help but wonder how long this unusually long-lasting economic recovery will keep going, the outlook appears bright at least for the next year or two. In Tampa Bay, hotel occupancy is up nearly 2 percent through June on a 12-month moving average, said Jennifer Foster, a business development executive at hotel data tracking firm STR. Revenue per available room is up 5.8 percent. Read more at the Tampa Bay Times.
Greyhound group asks judge to remove ban from ballot
Arguing that it is misleading, the Florida Greyhound Association on Thursday asked a judge to remove from the November ballot a constitutional amendment that would ban dog racing in Florida. “The (ballot) title and summary must be accurate. It must be informative,” says Major Harding, the lawyer representing the greyhound group. The association represents greyhound owners, breeders and trainers. Read more at Fox13 News.
See also:
» Florida greyhound racing ban effort gets $1.5 million donation from celebrity Doris Day
Commentary: Rain, temp, nutrients key ingredients in algae blooms
A. Quinton White, executive director of Jacksonville University’s Marine Science Research Institute, writes: "When we expose the algae to warmer conditions and lots of available sunlight, then add lots of nutrients, we have the ideal conditions for the algae to grow and multiply. This is what is termed a “bloom” where the numbers of algae grows exponentially. In some cases, the number of cells rapidly double, then double again, and again, in a relatively short period of time." Read more at the Florida Times-Union.
Research in Florida
Orlando scientists report cancer-killing potential of Zika virus in early study
Researchers at Nemours Children's Hospital and UCF have found that the Zika virus can kill cells of neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. The study also found that a protein on the surface of the cancer cells makes them susceptible to the Zika virus. The research, while very early, could open the door to attacking more cancers with Zika.
» More at the Orlando Sentinel
Legendary Tree
World’s only 4-headed palm tree cut down
"Four Toed Pete," the four-headed pindo palm in Panama City, didn't make it. For the past two years, visitors have watched the 80-year-old palm slowly fade to brown despite Panama City’s attempt to save it. Experts said that no matter what the city did, the tree would be dead within three years. Now Four Toed Pete has been cut down and the wood preserved for commemorative plaques.
» Read more from the Panama City News Herald.
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